1."If everyone on the team is a veteran, what will you do to fit in and be a beneficial team member instead of a person who appears to be in training?"
This is actually an easy question. Everyone should have a similar answer because there are only a few things that you can do. I’m going to be giving an example of preparing and reading up on information more than usual.
Short Answers
"In this situation, I’ll have to ramp up quickly and study notes from previous meetings before attending any. I’ll also do a lot of studying to catch up so I can participate in discussions instead of appearing to be in training."
"In the beginning, I’ll put a lot of effort into catching up on any existing projects I join. I believe studying a lot in the beginning to be aware of what is going on is very important."
"I’ll study as much as I can to fit into a group of veterans. I know I’ll have many questions along the way, but listening carefully and putting pieces together will allow me to catch up quickly. I know I’ll be able to be an effective team player in a short time by following this method."
Long Answer
"Even if everyone is a veteran, I feel confident I can fit right in. I would prepare as much as I can by reading existing material to catch up on the project. I would plan for meetings by making a list of questions I have and finding the answers to these questions before the meeting. I would also create a list of ideas through the documents I have read. A fresh mind could help with creative solutions. I know that I would be required to study a lot in the beginning, but I would be able to do so at home or by working late in the office."
This answer shows steps of becoming a team member that doesn’t appear to be in training. It is describing ways to limit training times in meetings, and includes that a new worker could benefit an existing team by making a list of ideas.
2."How do you intend to learn what you need to know to perform well for this job?"
We have a similar question here, but we can use this opportunity to see another example.
Short Answers
"I have experience in learning new concepts without training. I usually look through books or manuals to find answers. Because I’m good at learning, I’ll study relevant material to help me do my duties well."
"I have experience in this area so I won’t need much training. However, I know different companies have different ways of doing things, so I’ll learn company policies and methods quickly to apply my existing knowledge to do a good job."
"The first couple weeks are important. I think it’s important to study the correct material, ask the right questions, and put in extra effort to learn what I need to know. This is what I usually do to make sure I’ll be performing well."
Long Answer
"If the company provides training, I’ll utilize the training to learn. If not, then I’ll learn by being attentive to what other people do, read up on the documentation, and be willing to ask questions when necessary. I know the first couple of weeks are important and I’m willing to put in extra effort to start off on the right track."
This example is shorter and more to the point. It is not an answer that will astonish the interviewer, but it is an answer that will show couple good traits about yourself.
3."If your supervisor tells you to do something that you believe can be done in a different way, what would you do?"
This question is designed to see how you would react to your manager when you disagree. It is important to trust your manager, but at the same time, not follow blindly. That means I should ask questions to clarify, make suggestions, and after a discussion, follow the instructions of your manager. This is the steps I would take to answer this question.
Short Answers
"I will tell my supervisor of an alternative way and explain the benefits. If my supervisor is not convinced, then I’ll follow his instructions."
"I’ll suggest a different way of doing the assignment along with the benefits. If my supervisor disagrees and insists I do it a certain way, I’ll follow the instructions."
"I’ll suggest a different method and ask my supervisor if I can do this work the new way. If the result will be the same but would potentially save more time, then I believe my manager will allow it. However, if my manager wants it done a certain way for other reasons, I’ll follow his or her instructions."
Long Answer
"I would question my supervisor why he or she wants it done this particular way. If I still don’t agree with the method, I would suggest alternate ways of tackling the assignment and explain how my suggestion would be better. After having a good conversation, if we still can’t see eye to eye, then I would have to trust my superior and follow his or her instructions."
This is a solid answer because it is showing independence by having my own suggestion and thought, it shows I can think for myself, and finally, shows that I would be an employee that trusts the supervisor. Ultimately, this answer shows that I’m a smart person willing to make adjustments. I’ll take a moment here to clarify something. How does this answer show that I’m smart and a person willing to make adjustments? Well, many times, the interviewer will not see exactly what you want them to see. However, even if they don’t see all your good intentions, they will at least get a good feeling about you through your solid answers.
4."If you’re told to do something that you feel is illegal, what would you do?"
This is an easy answer. Unless you are interviewing to be a gangster, you should have a similar answer to mine.
Short Answers
"I would first verify if it’s legal or not. If it is legal, then I would continue with the work. If it’s illegal, I would not do the work and tell my manager that this work is illegal. I would also let Human Resources aware of the situation."
"I’d verify if the work was legal or not. If it wasn’t legal, then I’d confront my manager and my manager’s manager with this incident."
"I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions. I would rather question my manager to verify if it is illegal or not. If I’m not convinced through facts, then I would investigate through other means. If I find it is illegal, I will not continue with the work and inform Human
Resources of this incident."
Long Answer
"If I’m not sure, I would verify whether it’s legal or illegal before performing the task. If I find it is legal, then I would continue with the task. If not, then I would report the request to the boss of the person who asked me to do it. If the boss does not take appropriate action, I would find out why and report the incident to Human Resources myself."
This is making you sound firm and stubborn. But in this situation, you have to be bold with your answer. You cannot let them think that you would hide the fact. This is especially true if you are interviewing for a finance or accounting position that deals with money or other important information.
This is actually an easy question. Everyone should have a similar answer because there are only a few things that you can do. I’m going to be giving an example of preparing and reading up on information more than usual.
Short Answers
"In this situation, I’ll have to ramp up quickly and study notes from previous meetings before attending any. I’ll also do a lot of studying to catch up so I can participate in discussions instead of appearing to be in training."
"In the beginning, I’ll put a lot of effort into catching up on any existing projects I join. I believe studying a lot in the beginning to be aware of what is going on is very important."
"I’ll study as much as I can to fit into a group of veterans. I know I’ll have many questions along the way, but listening carefully and putting pieces together will allow me to catch up quickly. I know I’ll be able to be an effective team player in a short time by following this method."
Long Answer
"Even if everyone is a veteran, I feel confident I can fit right in. I would prepare as much as I can by reading existing material to catch up on the project. I would plan for meetings by making a list of questions I have and finding the answers to these questions before the meeting. I would also create a list of ideas through the documents I have read. A fresh mind could help with creative solutions. I know that I would be required to study a lot in the beginning, but I would be able to do so at home or by working late in the office."
This answer shows steps of becoming a team member that doesn’t appear to be in training. It is describing ways to limit training times in meetings, and includes that a new worker could benefit an existing team by making a list of ideas.
2."How do you intend to learn what you need to know to perform well for this job?"
We have a similar question here, but we can use this opportunity to see another example.
Short Answers
"I have experience in learning new concepts without training. I usually look through books or manuals to find answers. Because I’m good at learning, I’ll study relevant material to help me do my duties well."
"I have experience in this area so I won’t need much training. However, I know different companies have different ways of doing things, so I’ll learn company policies and methods quickly to apply my existing knowledge to do a good job."
"The first couple weeks are important. I think it’s important to study the correct material, ask the right questions, and put in extra effort to learn what I need to know. This is what I usually do to make sure I’ll be performing well."
Long Answer
"If the company provides training, I’ll utilize the training to learn. If not, then I’ll learn by being attentive to what other people do, read up on the documentation, and be willing to ask questions when necessary. I know the first couple of weeks are important and I’m willing to put in extra effort to start off on the right track."
This example is shorter and more to the point. It is not an answer that will astonish the interviewer, but it is an answer that will show couple good traits about yourself.
3."If your supervisor tells you to do something that you believe can be done in a different way, what would you do?"
This question is designed to see how you would react to your manager when you disagree. It is important to trust your manager, but at the same time, not follow blindly. That means I should ask questions to clarify, make suggestions, and after a discussion, follow the instructions of your manager. This is the steps I would take to answer this question.
Short Answers
"I will tell my supervisor of an alternative way and explain the benefits. If my supervisor is not convinced, then I’ll follow his instructions."
"I’ll suggest a different way of doing the assignment along with the benefits. If my supervisor disagrees and insists I do it a certain way, I’ll follow the instructions."
"I’ll suggest a different method and ask my supervisor if I can do this work the new way. If the result will be the same but would potentially save more time, then I believe my manager will allow it. However, if my manager wants it done a certain way for other reasons, I’ll follow his or her instructions."
Long Answer
"I would question my supervisor why he or she wants it done this particular way. If I still don’t agree with the method, I would suggest alternate ways of tackling the assignment and explain how my suggestion would be better. After having a good conversation, if we still can’t see eye to eye, then I would have to trust my superior and follow his or her instructions."
This is a solid answer because it is showing independence by having my own suggestion and thought, it shows I can think for myself, and finally, shows that I would be an employee that trusts the supervisor. Ultimately, this answer shows that I’m a smart person willing to make adjustments. I’ll take a moment here to clarify something. How does this answer show that I’m smart and a person willing to make adjustments? Well, many times, the interviewer will not see exactly what you want them to see. However, even if they don’t see all your good intentions, they will at least get a good feeling about you through your solid answers.
4."If you’re told to do something that you feel is illegal, what would you do?"
This is an easy answer. Unless you are interviewing to be a gangster, you should have a similar answer to mine.
Short Answers
"I would first verify if it’s legal or not. If it is legal, then I would continue with the work. If it’s illegal, I would not do the work and tell my manager that this work is illegal. I would also let Human Resources aware of the situation."
"I’d verify if the work was legal or not. If it wasn’t legal, then I’d confront my manager and my manager’s manager with this incident."
"I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions. I would rather question my manager to verify if it is illegal or not. If I’m not convinced through facts, then I would investigate through other means. If I find it is illegal, I will not continue with the work and inform Human
Resources of this incident."
Long Answer
"If I’m not sure, I would verify whether it’s legal or illegal before performing the task. If I find it is legal, then I would continue with the task. If not, then I would report the request to the boss of the person who asked me to do it. If the boss does not take appropriate action, I would find out why and report the incident to Human Resources myself."
This is making you sound firm and stubborn. But in this situation, you have to be bold with your answer. You cannot let them think that you would hide the fact. This is especially true if you are interviewing for a finance or accounting position that deals with money or other important information.
5."If you were unfairly criticized, what would you do?"
This is the hardest question I have to answer here. Being unfairly criticized is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate it when it happens and I usually blow up. I get mad and start to argue. But as you know, this is a bad answer to this question. They are asking you this question because they want to see if you will react professionally. Any answer that shows professionalism will be good.
Short Answers
"I’d probably ask for clarity on the criticism. I think it’s important to accept criticism for self improvement, but if it’s unfair, then I will clear things up by asking for clarity."
"When I’m unfairly criticized, I usually think about the criticism and try to view it from a different angle. If I still can’t see why I was criticized, then I’ll approach the person and initiate a dialog to resolve the unfair criticism."
"I usually use all criticism to help me grow. If I was criticized unfairly, there must be a little truth to it. I’ll learn as much as I can from it, but if it was really out of line, I would definitely approach the person and ask for clarity."
Long Answers
"If I was unfairly criticized in private, then I would initiate dialog asking why he or she thought this way. I would try to understand their point of view and explain my point of view. If I was unfairly criticized in public, then I would be a little upset but I would wait to address the problem until the person criticizing me was alone. I would do this because if I’m upset, I wouldn’t want to start an argument without thinking. So after some time, I would approach the person and ask him or her why I was criticized. If it was justified, then I would use that as constructive criticism to improve myself. If not, then I would tell that person that it isn’t good to publicly criticize someone when they are not sure if it is correct."
This is a professional answer, but it could sound like you are a weak person. If you want an example of becoming upset, then this is how I would get upset in a professional way.
"If I’m publicly criticized unjustly, I would immediately ask that person on what grounds he or she is saying that. One of my pet peeves is putting someone down in public and if I don’t say anything there, then this person is getting away with something terrible, and everyone there will think I did something wrong. I would keep my temper in check but make sure that people know the criticism wasn’t justified."
This is the hardest question I have to answer here. Being unfairly criticized is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate it when it happens and I usually blow up. I get mad and start to argue. But as you know, this is a bad answer to this question. They are asking you this question because they want to see if you will react professionally. Any answer that shows professionalism will be good.
Short Answers
"I’d probably ask for clarity on the criticism. I think it’s important to accept criticism for self improvement, but if it’s unfair, then I will clear things up by asking for clarity."
"When I’m unfairly criticized, I usually think about the criticism and try to view it from a different angle. If I still can’t see why I was criticized, then I’ll approach the person and initiate a dialog to resolve the unfair criticism."
"I usually use all criticism to help me grow. If I was criticized unfairly, there must be a little truth to it. I’ll learn as much as I can from it, but if it was really out of line, I would definitely approach the person and ask for clarity."
Long Answers
"If I was unfairly criticized in private, then I would initiate dialog asking why he or she thought this way. I would try to understand their point of view and explain my point of view. If I was unfairly criticized in public, then I would be a little upset but I would wait to address the problem until the person criticizing me was alone. I would do this because if I’m upset, I wouldn’t want to start an argument without thinking. So after some time, I would approach the person and ask him or her why I was criticized. If it was justified, then I would use that as constructive criticism to improve myself. If not, then I would tell that person that it isn’t good to publicly criticize someone when they are not sure if it is correct."
This is a professional answer, but it could sound like you are a weak person. If you want an example of becoming upset, then this is how I would get upset in a professional way.
"If I’m publicly criticized unjustly, I would immediately ask that person on what grounds he or she is saying that. One of my pet peeves is putting someone down in public and if I don’t say anything there, then this person is getting away with something terrible, and everyone there will think I did something wrong. I would keep my temper in check but make sure that people know the criticism wasn’t justified."
6."What are you looking to gain from your next job?"
The answer will depend on where you are in your career. If you are new, then you want to gain more experience and learn a wide variety of things. If you have a lot of previous experience, you might want to find something challenging and more opportunities for growth.
Short Answers
"I want a position where I’ll be challenged. I want to learn a lot of new things and I want to continually grow. So I’m looking for a job that will provide these things for me."
"I want to gain experience in many areas of accounting. I want a position where things are not routine and where many of my accounting skills are utilized."
"In my next job, I want more opportunities to write automation. In my previous position, we didn’t have these opportunities because we outsourced this work to other groups."
Long Answer
"For the last several years, I have done a wide variety of things. I have set my goals and continually moved forward. I have worked in a time constraint environment, juggled many tasks at one time, and even managed several people. However, one of my goals is to improve my creative side of design. Working for a large company demands a lot of work from each designer. So although creating graphics came naturally for me, I never had the luxury of creating work without being pulled in four different directions. So I want to find a position where I can use more of my creativity."
This is a stronger answer than the generic one about learning and finding something challenging. This answer displays a lot of experience, ability to work hard, and the ability to deliver items quickly. This person answers by saying he wants to find a position where he can use more creativity, while showing off his credentials as a good worker.
7."What aspects of this job interest you the most?"
This is a question to see how interested you are in the position. For this question, how you talk will be more important than what you say. Many people fail interviews due to the lack of enthusiasm, so make sure you sound excited when you answer this question.
Short Answers
"I’m very excited about this job because of the variety of different work. I’m well rounded and it’s always exciting when I can use many of my skills for a job."
"The most interesting aspect of this job is the product you’re working on. I think it’s so exciting working on a product that twelve million people use. I want to be on a team where my work will make many people enjoy our product more."
"I like the fact that this position requires someone who is detail oriented. Because we’re working with sensitive data, it’s important that all the information is perfect. This type of challenge always interested me."
Long Answer
"Ever since I was studying mechanical engineering in college, I had a strong interest in automobile engines. This position is to help the engine design team to create better fuel efficient cars. When I read that, it really jumped out to me. I knew I really wanted this position because it combined my interest and my experience into one. So being on a team where I can work on something I love is what appeals to me the most."
Listen to how this example is said more than the words. You really have to convey the message that you are interested in the job.
9."How long do you plan on staying with this company?"
This question is usually asked to the people who move between jobs frequently. They do not want to hire someone who will leave after several months. The hiring process costs the company money and time and they want to hire someone who is looking to stay for awhile. I recommend saying you want to stay for a long time.
Short Answers
"To tell you the truth, I have been working and gaining experience to get into this company. This is where I want to be and I plan on staying a long time if I’m offered the job."
"The only time I get bored is if there is no work to do. As long as there’s a lot of work, then I’ll be happy and stay a long time. I’m a busy body and I need to do work."
"This company has everything I’m looking for. It provides the type of work I love, the employees are all happy, and the environment is great. I plan on staying a long time."
"One of my goals is to obtain a position in this company. I know that once I start working here, it’ll be for a long time."
Long Answer
"As far as I can tell, this company has everything I’m looking for. I enjoy this type of work and the benefits at this company are great. I’m looking for a long term position and if there are opportunities for advancement and growth here, then I want to stay for a long time."
This is another question you can answer in a short way. You don’t want to answer with a single line answer because it doesn’t sound believable. So a couple of sentences explaining what you want will convince them that you want to stay for a long time.
10."How do you explain the fact that you frequently change jobs? I see that you haven’t stayed with a company for more than 2 years."
To pass this question, you have to convince them that you are going to stick around. This isn’t a question to see what you know or what your philosophy is, it is a concern they have that you have to address. Your persuasion skill will be required for this answer. But if you can’t be persuasive, convince them through step by step facts that leads to the fact that you are going to stay with this company if they hire you.
Short Answers
"I have been gaining experience and knowledge to have the minimum requirements to work for this company. My goal is to work for this company, and I’ll be working here a long time because this is where I want to be."
"I planned on staying with my current job for a longer time period, but when this position opened up, I really wanted to apply because this company has everything I need. So even though I change jobs frequently, I’m certain that I love this industry and that this is a great company to work for. I plan on staying a long time."
"I want to work for a large company that has many opportunities. I didn’t receive this in my other companies because they were smaller, but I learned this company has a lot of great work to do and a lot of different opportunities."
Long Answer
"To tell you the truth, early in my career, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I’ve been in a couple different industries, and it wasn’t until my last position that I found exactly what I wanted to be doing. I stayed with my previous company for more than a year but there weren’t enough opportunities. I finally found what I love to do and now I want to find a company where I can be a part of the company instead of a worker that has no interest in the overall company. I’m being careful to choose my next job because I want to establish my career in my next job, and after researching, I found that ABC Company can provide everything I’m looking for. So I’ll definitely be here for the long term."
This answer is a little long, but if you don’t convince them that you are going to stay long, then you have a very little chance of being hired. So take whatever time you need to convince them. If you think of your own answer, write it down and be able to say it smoothly so they can fully understand that you are serious about staying.
12."What do you do when there is no work to do?"
The interviewer wants to find out what type of person you are. Are you a busy body looking for work, or are you a lazy person doing only the work that they tell you to do? This question will determine just that so make sure you give them an answer showing your great work habits.
Short Answers
"I always try to be productive even if there isn’t much work to do. I use my time to find areas of improvement within the office, take time to study new things that will help me on future projects, and volunteer to help other coworkers that might have too much work."
"Usually when I have nothing to do, I ask my manager if any of my peers need help. If not, then I usually spend time studying material that will help me on my next project."
"As a sales associate, there are many times when there is no work. But I always stay busy by cleaning and rearranging the items I’m selling before customers come in."
"When I have no direct work, I always find side project such as thinking about a process of some sort that helps with office efficiency. One time, I created a small tool using MS Word that helped our team speed up the mailing process."
Long Answer
"I’m a type of person who hates not having work to do. In my last position, I frequently asked my supervisor for more work when I finished early. And in times when there really is no work, I go around searching for work and if I’m still unsuccessful, I’ll try to make work that will make existing processes more efficient. So I believe there never is a time when there is no work to do."
Would you want a person like this? I think most companies will love an employee who wants to continually work. So the example is the type of answer you should give.
13."What do you do when there are too many things to do?"
When someone is busy, it is important to take some time to organize and prioritize the work. Many people just try to work faster, but that doesn’t really help. Planning and working smarter is the best answer when times get busy.
Short Answers
"I usually plan, organize, prioritize and then work real hard. I always keep my cool and work on one item after another. I found that this is efficient instead of worrying about how much work there is to do."
"I really like it when there is so much work. I’m a fast and efficient worker and I like taking challenges that are big. With proper planning and execution, I have always managed to complete all my tasks."
"I regain my composure, take a deep breath, and work diligently. If there is a chance that I might not finish something due to the size of the work item, I’ll inform my manager and make sure my manager is aware of my situation."
"I believe in hard work. A lot can get accomplished by working diligently. In a situation where there are many things to do, I’ll reprioritize my work, plan and organize as much as I can and work hard."
Long Answer
"For me, the busier it gets, the more I organize and plan. Some people might think I could use the time I spend in planning out my day to work on something, but I realized how efficient I can work when I organize my work ahead of time and plan out my day thoroughly. Also, it prevents me from panicking or from blowing up from the pressure. I learned from my previous manager that when there are many things to do, you should work smarter instead of faster."
You can answer by saying that you will work harder or work faster or even work overtime, but people with experience knows that working smarter by planning and organizing comes from experience. So even if you don’t have much experience, this type of answer can make you look like you have been in this type of position many times and overcame them.
14."What do you do when you feel burned out?"
If you never burn out, then you are either superman or you don’t work that hard. It is ok to admit to burning out at times, and you should provide an answer that shows how you deal with the times when you do get burned out.
Short Answers
"I think it’s important to anticipate being burned out before it happens. But if a deadline requires me to work so much that I end up being burned out, I try to relax myself and get reenergized by not thinking about work at home and watching a good movie."
"When I feel burned out, I go to the gym and work out. This actually helps me because it moves the focus from my mind to my body. After a good work out, I really feel mentally rejuvenated."
"I usually use the weekends to engage in my personal hobbies to prevent me from burning out. I like to play tennis and golf, and these activities keep me mentally energized to work hard in the office."
Long Answer
"I try to prevent burning out by maintaining a healthy balanced life. I try to engage in personal hobbies outside of work such as playing the guitar or going for a hike. They keep me energized to work hard in the office. But if I do feel burned out, I like to rent a movie and relax for the night."
As you can tell, this is an easy answer. Many times a person who constantly works without a break can eventually become a bad employee by burning out. Being able to communicate exactly what you do during burnouts or how to prevent them indicates that you have balance. So simply listing a couple of hobbies and adding, ‘keeps me energized to work hard in the office’ is a good enough answer that the interviewer will accept.
18."Do you want to work for a small or large company and why?"
This all depends on what size company you are interviewing for. Usually, large companies will not ask this question. But if they do, make sure you mention you want to work for a large company because of the resources, the training, and other things you can think of. More likely, a smaller company will ask you this wondering why you would choose a small company. The best way to answer this question is to first think about what a small company can provide over a big company. The most significant advantage of working for a small company is having the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks.
"I want to work for a large company because there are different opportunities within the company. I also feel a larger company provides better training. Finally, a larger company already has key processes in place to provide employees tools to work efficiently."
"I worked for a small company for a year and missed out on a lot of benefits a larger company provides such as training, structured work environment, and a wider variety of work. So I want to work for a large company."
"I want to work for a small company because I feel I’ll have more opportunities to gain valuable experience. I know some friends in large companies and they have specific roles that limit what they’re capable of doing. I’m hoping that a small company will have more variety and challenges for each employee."
This is pretty short but to the point. It displays wanting to learn and an eagerness to try a variety of things.
This is a question to see how interested you are in the position. For this question, how you talk will be more important than what you say. Many people fail interviews due to the lack of enthusiasm, so make sure you sound excited when you answer this question.
Short Answers
"I’m very excited about this job because of the variety of different work. I’m well rounded and it’s always exciting when I can use many of my skills for a job."
"The most interesting aspect of this job is the product you’re working on. I think it’s so exciting working on a product that twelve million people use. I want to be on a team where my work will make many people enjoy our product more."
"I like the fact that this position requires someone who is detail oriented. Because we’re working with sensitive data, it’s important that all the information is perfect. This type of challenge always interested me."
Long Answer
"Ever since I was studying mechanical engineering in college, I had a strong interest in automobile engines. This position is to help the engine design team to create better fuel efficient cars. When I read that, it really jumped out to me. I knew I really wanted this position because it combined my interest and my experience into one. So being on a team where I can work on something I love is what appeals to me the most."
Listen to how this example is said more than the words. You really have to convey the message that you are interested in the job.
8."If you are given work from your manager that is boring and tedious, what will you do?"
This is an important question for the manager. If you are hired on as a analyst and you have to do some data entry, you might not be happy about it. But if there it has to be done, then the manager has to assign the work to someone. They want to find out if you are the type of person who is willing to work on boring and tedious things. The long answer is the answer I gave when I was asked this question.
Short Answer
"If it’s helping the company in any way, I don’t mind doing boring work."
"My responsibility as an employee is to help the company succeed. If the work I’m given will help the company, then I’ll do the best that I can no matter if it’s boring or tedious."
"I don’t mind doing boring and tedious work. As long as I don’t have to do it for a long duration such as six months, then I really wouldn’t have a problem."
Long Answer
"I trust that management knows what is best for the project. Whatever work I’m given, I’m going to do my best knowing that it’s helping the entire company. I’m more oriented towards the success of the company and I’ll do whatever it takes to help out. So I wouldn’t mind doing boring and tedious work for awhile."
This answer is showing loyalty and being able to sacrifice personal interest for the success of the company. Maybe it was this question that helped me pass my third interview.
This is an important question for the manager. If you are hired on as a analyst and you have to do some data entry, you might not be happy about it. But if there it has to be done, then the manager has to assign the work to someone. They want to find out if you are the type of person who is willing to work on boring and tedious things. The long answer is the answer I gave when I was asked this question.
Short Answer
"If it’s helping the company in any way, I don’t mind doing boring work."
"My responsibility as an employee is to help the company succeed. If the work I’m given will help the company, then I’ll do the best that I can no matter if it’s boring or tedious."
"I don’t mind doing boring and tedious work. As long as I don’t have to do it for a long duration such as six months, then I really wouldn’t have a problem."
Long Answer
"I trust that management knows what is best for the project. Whatever work I’m given, I’m going to do my best knowing that it’s helping the entire company. I’m more oriented towards the success of the company and I’ll do whatever it takes to help out. So I wouldn’t mind doing boring and tedious work for awhile."
This answer is showing loyalty and being able to sacrifice personal interest for the success of the company. Maybe it was this question that helped me pass my third interview.
9."How long do you plan on staying with this company?"
This question is usually asked to the people who move between jobs frequently. They do not want to hire someone who will leave after several months. The hiring process costs the company money and time and they want to hire someone who is looking to stay for awhile. I recommend saying you want to stay for a long time.
Short Answers
"To tell you the truth, I have been working and gaining experience to get into this company. This is where I want to be and I plan on staying a long time if I’m offered the job."
"The only time I get bored is if there is no work to do. As long as there’s a lot of work, then I’ll be happy and stay a long time. I’m a busy body and I need to do work."
"This company has everything I’m looking for. It provides the type of work I love, the employees are all happy, and the environment is great. I plan on staying a long time."
"One of my goals is to obtain a position in this company. I know that once I start working here, it’ll be for a long time."
Long Answer
"As far as I can tell, this company has everything I’m looking for. I enjoy this type of work and the benefits at this company are great. I’m looking for a long term position and if there are opportunities for advancement and growth here, then I want to stay for a long time."
This is another question you can answer in a short way. You don’t want to answer with a single line answer because it doesn’t sound believable. So a couple of sentences explaining what you want will convince them that you want to stay for a long time.
10."How do you explain the fact that you frequently change jobs? I see that you haven’t stayed with a company for more than 2 years."
To pass this question, you have to convince them that you are going to stick around. This isn’t a question to see what you know or what your philosophy is, it is a concern they have that you have to address. Your persuasion skill will be required for this answer. But if you can’t be persuasive, convince them through step by step facts that leads to the fact that you are going to stay with this company if they hire you.
Short Answers
"I have been gaining experience and knowledge to have the minimum requirements to work for this company. My goal is to work for this company, and I’ll be working here a long time because this is where I want to be."
"I planned on staying with my current job for a longer time period, but when this position opened up, I really wanted to apply because this company has everything I need. So even though I change jobs frequently, I’m certain that I love this industry and that this is a great company to work for. I plan on staying a long time."
"I want to work for a large company that has many opportunities. I didn’t receive this in my other companies because they were smaller, but I learned this company has a lot of great work to do and a lot of different opportunities."
Long Answer
"To tell you the truth, early in my career, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I’ve been in a couple different industries, and it wasn’t until my last position that I found exactly what I wanted to be doing. I stayed with my previous company for more than a year but there weren’t enough opportunities. I finally found what I love to do and now I want to find a company where I can be a part of the company instead of a worker that has no interest in the overall company. I’m being careful to choose my next job because I want to establish my career in my next job, and after researching, I found that ABC Company can provide everything I’m looking for. So I’ll definitely be here for the long term."
This answer is a little long, but if you don’t convince them that you are going to stay long, then you have a very little chance of being hired. So take whatever time you need to convince them. If you think of your own answer, write it down and be able to say it smoothly so they can fully understand that you are serious about staying.
11."Tell me about a time you had a big disagreement with your boss. What did you do and what was the outcome?"
Here is another ‘tell me about’ question. You will have to think of an example of your own. The items you need to include in your answer should consist of you showing proper communication, taking appropriate action, and ending with a good outcome. It’s perfectly natural to disagree with your boss. It is important how you react when you have a disagreement. Show the interviewer that you are professional about disagreements.
"I never really had a big disagreement with my manager. The only thing I can think of was when I recently got back from a business trip, my manager told me I had to go on another one the next day. In my previous company, it wasn’t common to send someone on a business trip immediately, but another employee got sick so I had to fill in."
"I had a disagreement with my boss on how to do an assignment. It was easy to resolve by having a discussion on the pro’s and con’s of both methods. We didn’t come to any conclusion which way was better, and I ended up performing the work the way my manager wanted. This was because in case I couldn’t finish the assignment, he could easily pick up where I left off."
"I don’t think I’ve had a large disagreement with my boss before, but I do remember a small disagreement. I received an email from my boss telling me that he wants me to stop the work I was doing on my project and give it to a co-worker. He wanted me to start on a new project immediately. I spent two and a half weeks on this project and I only had three days left. I really wanted to finish this and it didn’t make sense for me to hand this project off to someone else. So I put some thought into it, went over to my boss’s office, and asked him why this project couldn’t wait three days. He made his argument and I still didn’t agree. We discussed this for a while and we compromised by having someone help me finish the project I was working on so I can have some time to kick start the next project. That’s the only experience I had with a disagreement, but I learned that it only takes simple dialog and a little compromise to overcome a disagreement."
I know this answer is long, but all types of ‘tell me about’ questions are long. You have to tell a story in the shortest way for them to understand while explaining the disagreement along with the outcome. It’s a huge question and it will take a long time to master ‘tell me about’ questions. That is why you should diligent on these types of questions.
Here is another ‘tell me about’ question. You will have to think of an example of your own. The items you need to include in your answer should consist of you showing proper communication, taking appropriate action, and ending with a good outcome. It’s perfectly natural to disagree with your boss. It is important how you react when you have a disagreement. Show the interviewer that you are professional about disagreements.
"I never really had a big disagreement with my manager. The only thing I can think of was when I recently got back from a business trip, my manager told me I had to go on another one the next day. In my previous company, it wasn’t common to send someone on a business trip immediately, but another employee got sick so I had to fill in."
"I had a disagreement with my boss on how to do an assignment. It was easy to resolve by having a discussion on the pro’s and con’s of both methods. We didn’t come to any conclusion which way was better, and I ended up performing the work the way my manager wanted. This was because in case I couldn’t finish the assignment, he could easily pick up where I left off."
"I don’t think I’ve had a large disagreement with my boss before, but I do remember a small disagreement. I received an email from my boss telling me that he wants me to stop the work I was doing on my project and give it to a co-worker. He wanted me to start on a new project immediately. I spent two and a half weeks on this project and I only had three days left. I really wanted to finish this and it didn’t make sense for me to hand this project off to someone else. So I put some thought into it, went over to my boss’s office, and asked him why this project couldn’t wait three days. He made his argument and I still didn’t agree. We discussed this for a while and we compromised by having someone help me finish the project I was working on so I can have some time to kick start the next project. That’s the only experience I had with a disagreement, but I learned that it only takes simple dialog and a little compromise to overcome a disagreement."
I know this answer is long, but all types of ‘tell me about’ questions are long. You have to tell a story in the shortest way for them to understand while explaining the disagreement along with the outcome. It’s a huge question and it will take a long time to master ‘tell me about’ questions. That is why you should diligent on these types of questions.
12."What do you do when there is no work to do?"
The interviewer wants to find out what type of person you are. Are you a busy body looking for work, or are you a lazy person doing only the work that they tell you to do? This question will determine just that so make sure you give them an answer showing your great work habits.
Short Answers
"I always try to be productive even if there isn’t much work to do. I use my time to find areas of improvement within the office, take time to study new things that will help me on future projects, and volunteer to help other coworkers that might have too much work."
"Usually when I have nothing to do, I ask my manager if any of my peers need help. If not, then I usually spend time studying material that will help me on my next project."
"As a sales associate, there are many times when there is no work. But I always stay busy by cleaning and rearranging the items I’m selling before customers come in."
"When I have no direct work, I always find side project such as thinking about a process of some sort that helps with office efficiency. One time, I created a small tool using MS Word that helped our team speed up the mailing process."
Long Answer
"I’m a type of person who hates not having work to do. In my last position, I frequently asked my supervisor for more work when I finished early. And in times when there really is no work, I go around searching for work and if I’m still unsuccessful, I’ll try to make work that will make existing processes more efficient. So I believe there never is a time when there is no work to do."
Would you want a person like this? I think most companies will love an employee who wants to continually work. So the example is the type of answer you should give.
13."What do you do when there are too many things to do?"
When someone is busy, it is important to take some time to organize and prioritize the work. Many people just try to work faster, but that doesn’t really help. Planning and working smarter is the best answer when times get busy.
Short Answers
"I usually plan, organize, prioritize and then work real hard. I always keep my cool and work on one item after another. I found that this is efficient instead of worrying about how much work there is to do."
"I really like it when there is so much work. I’m a fast and efficient worker and I like taking challenges that are big. With proper planning and execution, I have always managed to complete all my tasks."
"I regain my composure, take a deep breath, and work diligently. If there is a chance that I might not finish something due to the size of the work item, I’ll inform my manager and make sure my manager is aware of my situation."
"I believe in hard work. A lot can get accomplished by working diligently. In a situation where there are many things to do, I’ll reprioritize my work, plan and organize as much as I can and work hard."
Long Answer
"For me, the busier it gets, the more I organize and plan. Some people might think I could use the time I spend in planning out my day to work on something, but I realized how efficient I can work when I organize my work ahead of time and plan out my day thoroughly. Also, it prevents me from panicking or from blowing up from the pressure. I learned from my previous manager that when there are many things to do, you should work smarter instead of faster."
You can answer by saying that you will work harder or work faster or even work overtime, but people with experience knows that working smarter by planning and organizing comes from experience. So even if you don’t have much experience, this type of answer can make you look like you have been in this type of position many times and overcame them.
14."What do you do when you feel burned out?"
If you never burn out, then you are either superman or you don’t work that hard. It is ok to admit to burning out at times, and you should provide an answer that shows how you deal with the times when you do get burned out.
Short Answers
"I think it’s important to anticipate being burned out before it happens. But if a deadline requires me to work so much that I end up being burned out, I try to relax myself and get reenergized by not thinking about work at home and watching a good movie."
"When I feel burned out, I go to the gym and work out. This actually helps me because it moves the focus from my mind to my body. After a good work out, I really feel mentally rejuvenated."
"I usually use the weekends to engage in my personal hobbies to prevent me from burning out. I like to play tennis and golf, and these activities keep me mentally energized to work hard in the office."
Long Answer
"I try to prevent burning out by maintaining a healthy balanced life. I try to engage in personal hobbies outside of work such as playing the guitar or going for a hike. They keep me energized to work hard in the office. But if I do feel burned out, I like to rent a movie and relax for the night."
As you can tell, this is an easy answer. Many times a person who constantly works without a break can eventually become a bad employee by burning out. Being able to communicate exactly what you do during burnouts or how to prevent them indicates that you have balance. So simply listing a couple of hobbies and adding, ‘keeps me energized to work hard in the office’ is a good enough answer that the interviewer will accept.
15."How do you manage having so many things to do such as work, family, and school?"
"How do you balance both your family and your job?"
This is another easy answer where you can show your willingness to work hard. But it is unlikely you will get this question. Most of the time, the interviewer will ask this during small talk. When interviewing in America, I noticed there are many times where small talk is important. For example, walking together to the office could take two minutes. Are you going to say nothing during those two minutes? What if the interviewer asks how your day is going? He or she is basically initiating small talk. So it is definitely possible you will engage in small talk, and you should definitely practice small talk.
"With my kids in school, it’s really easy to manage my time. I have the full day to myself and I want to be productive by helping a company grow."
"I’m very organized and I plan everything I do. This helps me to easily find a balance between family and work."
"Well, during the day while my kids are in school, I like to work. And in the evenings we spend time together doing homework. I really enjoy being busy and managing multiple things in my life."
This is a short answer that shows the ability of multi-tasking. Also, a person who enjoys being busy is a good sign. So even if you receive questions during small talk, make sure to give answers that show good traits.
"How do you balance both your family and your job?"
This is another easy answer where you can show your willingness to work hard. But it is unlikely you will get this question. Most of the time, the interviewer will ask this during small talk. When interviewing in America, I noticed there are many times where small talk is important. For example, walking together to the office could take two minutes. Are you going to say nothing during those two minutes? What if the interviewer asks how your day is going? He or she is basically initiating small talk. So it is definitely possible you will engage in small talk, and you should definitely practice small talk.
"With my kids in school, it’s really easy to manage my time. I have the full day to myself and I want to be productive by helping a company grow."
"I’m very organized and I plan everything I do. This helps me to easily find a balance between family and work."
"Well, during the day while my kids are in school, I like to work. And in the evenings we spend time together doing homework. I really enjoy being busy and managing multiple things in my life."
This is a short answer that shows the ability of multi-tasking. Also, a person who enjoys being busy is a good sign. So even if you receive questions during small talk, make sure to give answers that show good traits.
16."You’ve been with one company your entire career. Don’t you think you will have a tough time adjusting to a new environment?"
If this is the case and you have been with only one company your entire career, then the best way to answer this question is to say how many changes you experienced in your previous position. Then it will sound like you are good with change and can adapt to new situations easily.
Short Answers
"In my company, my projects changed very frequently and I was required to ramp up on new technologies. I’m also very friendly and like to meet new people. So I think I’ll have an easy time adjusting to a new environment."
"I actually like being in new environments. I like to travel a lot and even when I’m in a different country, I have always blended in smoothly."
"I don’t think it will be very difficult. I learned that this company is very diverse and has a great office environment. I feel I’ll blend right in and make solid contributions to this company."
Long Answer
"Although I’ve been with one company, I have experienced many changes and new roles in my career. For example, during the middle of a long project, the vice president sent out a group wide mail completely changing our direction. We had to basically start from scratch with half the time left. It felt like I was a new employee again having to ramp up on new technology, reading up on instructional documentation, and learn new applications. So through my experience dealing with change and adjusting to new projects, I am confident I will not have a tough time adjusting to this new environment."
Saying this confidently is the key. It’s not an important question, but more like a question verifying that you are willing and capable of new things. But the more you convince them of your abilities to change, then the better you will appear.
If this is the case and you have been with only one company your entire career, then the best way to answer this question is to say how many changes you experienced in your previous position. Then it will sound like you are good with change and can adapt to new situations easily.
Short Answers
"In my company, my projects changed very frequently and I was required to ramp up on new technologies. I’m also very friendly and like to meet new people. So I think I’ll have an easy time adjusting to a new environment."
"I actually like being in new environments. I like to travel a lot and even when I’m in a different country, I have always blended in smoothly."
"I don’t think it will be very difficult. I learned that this company is very diverse and has a great office environment. I feel I’ll blend right in and make solid contributions to this company."
Long Answer
"Although I’ve been with one company, I have experienced many changes and new roles in my career. For example, during the middle of a long project, the vice president sent out a group wide mail completely changing our direction. We had to basically start from scratch with half the time left. It felt like I was a new employee again having to ramp up on new technology, reading up on instructional documentation, and learn new applications. So through my experience dealing with change and adjusting to new projects, I am confident I will not have a tough time adjusting to this new environment."
Saying this confidently is the key. It’s not an important question, but more like a question verifying that you are willing and capable of new things. But the more you convince them of your abilities to change, then the better you will appear.
17."What have you heard about our company that you didn’t like?"
This is an unusual question but just in case you will need an answer. After researching and you find out that everything is good, you can basically say that you couldn’t find anything wrong. Try to mix in humor if you can since this is an odd question. Also, take a moment to pretend to be thinking about the question before answering immediately.
"From my research, I didn’t find anything I disliked. This company provides great benefits, works on exciting products, and is listed in the top 100 companies to work for."
"When I search for a job, I always look for negative things. However, I didn’t find anything that I didn’t like. That’s why I’m very excited to have this opportunity to work here."
"Hmmm… I read up on this company thoroughly and even spoke with a friend who works here. I didn’t hear anything negative about ABC Company. Is there something I should know before working here?"
The last sentence in the answer is a question you should say with a slight smile. That should lighten the tension a little and show that you are fully confident.
This is an unusual question but just in case you will need an answer. After researching and you find out that everything is good, you can basically say that you couldn’t find anything wrong. Try to mix in humor if you can since this is an odd question. Also, take a moment to pretend to be thinking about the question before answering immediately.
"From my research, I didn’t find anything I disliked. This company provides great benefits, works on exciting products, and is listed in the top 100 companies to work for."
"When I search for a job, I always look for negative things. However, I didn’t find anything that I didn’t like. That’s why I’m very excited to have this opportunity to work here."
"Hmmm… I read up on this company thoroughly and even spoke with a friend who works here. I didn’t hear anything negative about ABC Company. Is there something I should know before working here?"
The last sentence in the answer is a question you should say with a slight smile. That should lighten the tension a little and show that you are fully confident.
18."Do you want to work for a small or large company and why?"
This all depends on what size company you are interviewing for. Usually, large companies will not ask this question. But if they do, make sure you mention you want to work for a large company because of the resources, the training, and other things you can think of. More likely, a smaller company will ask you this wondering why you would choose a small company. The best way to answer this question is to first think about what a small company can provide over a big company. The most significant advantage of working for a small company is having the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks.
"I want to work for a large company because there are different opportunities within the company. I also feel a larger company provides better training. Finally, a larger company already has key processes in place to provide employees tools to work efficiently."
"I worked for a small company for a year and missed out on a lot of benefits a larger company provides such as training, structured work environment, and a wider variety of work. So I want to work for a large company."
"I want to work for a small company because I feel I’ll have more opportunities to gain valuable experience. I know some friends in large companies and they have specific roles that limit what they’re capable of doing. I’m hoping that a small company will have more variety and challenges for each employee."
This is pretty short but to the point. It displays wanting to learn and an eagerness to try a variety of things.
