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Many of the questions asked by employers are designed to determine "chemistry" or "fit". You can demonstrate these to an employer by answering with examples and behaviors through your C.A.R. stories, as described above. You also need to be prepared to answer specific technical questions about your areas of expertise. The information below will help you understand the different types of questions you may be asked. |
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| Positive/Negative and Neutral Questions |
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Listen carefully to whether a question will prompt an automatic positive or negative response. Turn the negative and neutral questions into positive examples. Give specific, positive examples describing your experiences and attributes. Remember: Challenge, Action, Result. |
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| Positive Questions |
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What are your strengths? Tell me about the things you enjoy. |
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Why should we hire you? What can you contribute? |
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What are your most significant accomplishments? Why have you been successful? |
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Describe the ideal position for you.Tell me about a situation in which you felt very effective on the job |
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| Negative Questions |
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What are your weaknesses?Tell me about a work situation where you felt ineffective. |
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What didn't you like about your last position (boss) (company)? |
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What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career? |
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Tell me how you have handled a difficult peer (boss) (subordinate). |
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What criticisms have supervisors had about your work style? |
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What type of business environment makes it most difficult for you to function? |
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Why did you leave your last position? (Be brief, consistent, and stick to a pre-determined, positive reason for leaving). |
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| Neutral Questions |
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Tell me about yourself. |
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What will references (former bosses or co-workers) say about you? (Stress the positive; do not volunteer the negative; use their actual words where possible). |
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How do you communicate with bosses/peers/subordinates)? How do you handle pressure? |
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What are your salary requirements and expectations? (Give range, not a specific figure. Leave room to negotiate after the position is offered. Make clear that salary is not all that is important). |
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What qualities do you look for in people you hire? What is the key thing you have learned in your management career? |
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What is important for me to know about you? |
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How do you set priorities? |
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What do you want to be doing in five years? (Remember, you have to get this position and do it well before you move up). |
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| Questions You Ask |
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An interview is the time to learn more about the company's philosophy, different aspects of the job for which you are applying and what the company requires of its employees. These questions are as important as the ones asked of you. |
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| Company |
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How would you describe the culture or business environment of this department/organization? |
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What gets rewarded? What are the values? |
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What is its mission? Vision? What are the challenges the company is facing? |
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| Job |
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Is this a new/existing/revised job? If new, why was it created? |
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Where does this position fit within the company's structure? Who does this position interact with? |
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Can you give me more detail about the position's responsibilities? |
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What are the goals for the department/job?What are the major challenges in this position (for this organization)? |
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Within the areas of responsibility, what are the two or three most significant things you would want me to accomplish? What results are expected? |
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What is the percentage of time spent on different activities? |
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Is there opportunity for growth and advancement? If so, what other career opportunities might be open to me here? |
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| Questions NOT to Ask |
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Never ask personal questions of your interviewers. Examples might include how they got their job, or what they think of the firm. These questions may be important to you; however, the first interview is not the time to get the answers. This information will be supplied when the time is right. For example, don't ask about company retirement plans, vacations, bonuses and holidays until you have received or are in the process of negotiating an offer. |
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| Questions You NEVER Ask |
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Never ask the interviewer's opinion of a former employee. And never discuss politics or religion, unless the position is of a political or religious nature or it involves diversity issues. |
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| 2：Do, Don’t |
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| Do |
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be about 5 - 10 minutes early for the interview，get clear directions to the exact location. |
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Sincere，e confident，mile frequently，answer questions honestly and without hesitation,maintain good eye contact. |
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be free from breath and body odors. |
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talk in terms of the employer and what you can do for them |
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end the interview by asking what the next step will be. |
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| Don’t |
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falsify information,contradict yourself. |
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take a seat unless offered one, fidget/chew gum. |
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carry a large handbag or heavy briefcase. |
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wear clothes that are soiled and baggy, a flashy tie or clashing colors. |
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get too friendly. Keep it formal and relaxed. |
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| Follow up |
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Always write a thank you note within 24 - 48 hours after an interview, even if you did not think the interview went well or if you are no longer interested in the position. Thank the employer for the time he/she spent with you. If you are interested in the job, the thank you letter is a great opportunity to restate your interest and skills. |
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A phone call is another way to follow up with the interviewer and find out where he/she is in the decision process. Ask if there is any other information that you could provide |