Comments on: How to Answer the 10 Most Common Interview Questions

By: Mark Baker

Mark Baker — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:55:07 +0000

If it’s an analytical interview, respond to the salary question like this …

I’ll give you a number, but first … No matter what number I give, the company is best off giving me an offer of what they think I’m worth or less. The reason for this, if I give you a high-ball number, you can always offer below it, and I might accept if I high-balled. Knowing this, I have no reason to give a low number. I should always give above what I am willing to accept.

Of course this argument is always easier to explain while talking and not writing.

By: Nikki Manja

Nikki Manja — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:30:31 +0000

1. how do you come to and interview very early before time or do you wait till the time he told you to go?
2. why do think they ask when can you start you think you have the job?
3. If you see somebody that has already worked there you think they gone get rehired?

By: JohnH5054

JohnH5054 — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:34:58 +0000

Try turning the tables;
1. How do you deal with useless employees ?
2. As a department manager, what latitude to I have in selecting members for my team ?
3. Assuming I have P&L responsibility, what are the criteria for success ? Please show me this in a approved outline.
4. To whom do I answer ? How many layers of [insignificant] management exist between me and my real supervisor ? [Be careful here!]
5. What is the life expectancy for someone in this position ?
6. How does this company measure individual productivity ?
–Go for broke ! The person you are talking to exists at the bottom of the food chain, but may offer some useful insighs into the REAL operation of the company.

By: shivalu

shivalu — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:41:26 +0000

Thanks, Jim, for this timely set of articles.
I am a newly graduated RN in my 40s. Due to my age, I am taking time to find nursing employment that I will love and not just taking the first vacancy that comes along. Fortunately, I am able to work in the medical field in a non-RN capacity while I search. However, I worry that too long away from direct patient-RN nursing will reflect poorly on me.
The biggest challenge for me is demonstrating that my considerable experience in administration (in medical and other fields) can be of value in my nursing career.
I interviewed last week for a number of RN positions and I studied for each as if it was an exam. I prepared answers for the typical questions and used examples from my work history to support my strengths, as suggested by your reader “Roofer for a summer”.

By: Wilma

Wilma — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:16:35 +0000

While getting an interview for a famous candy maker to be on the production floor as a machine operator, I was asked questions like teams that I led and types of projects I got involved with and how did I do as a team leader. I was shocked by these questions. I couldn’t answer them and the interviewers looked down on me all disgusted like because I never had those opportunities. When would I ever get the chance to lead a team to victory while running machinery or packaging products? What projects were they referring to? They also asked me if they were to talk to my parents about my biggest weakness, what would they say? I told them that to tell you that would be to say what their weakness was because I am a piece of both of them and they love me, so I am perfect in their eyes. I was so overwhelmed and on edge from the gorilla type tactics and condescending attitudes of the interviewers by that point I just threw that answer out there, got up and left. Not once did they ask me about what I could bring to the work force or even relevant information. It was the most negative interview I ever had. It felt like I was being interrogated at the police station.

By: saladdin

saladdin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:51:16 +0000

That’s exactly what they are, personality tests.

For 99% of us, we can be trained to do a job (excluding doctors etc). Anyone on this site with good math skillz and strong excel can do my job. And I can be trained to do your job. But, what can’t be trained is personality.

Perfect example. I went to an interview and used all the rules of thumb. Got there 15 minutes early, dressed one “layer” above etc… And asked kick ass questions about their company that stumped the VP. I found out after 6 months on the job that their number 1 concern was that I as too uptight. They were concerned that I wouldn’t fit in, not that I couldn’t do the job.

saladdin

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:01:06 +0000

These questions would actually come up in an interview?

The majority of them don’t seem at all relevant to actual job performance except as some form of personality test that an HR person might ask (rather than an interviewing peer).

Answering each of these questions “right” would tell me absolutely nothing about whether or not someone could actually do the job I’m interviewing them for (except, as pointed out, travel for a sales person perhaps).

Nonetheless… definitely a good post to be prepared to get this stuff out of the way.

By: c.

c. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:16:02 +0000

Regarding salary, I have heard that if your past positions (or one you currently hold) are similar to the one you are applying for, that you should state that you made $X from your past/current positions. If you’re currently employed, they should get the hint that you’re looking to make more than that.

You could also state that you’re unsure what salary to expect and to ask what they would typically pay for the position you’re applying to.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:20:35 +0000

I think the best solution for the weakness question is to discuss a past weakness that you have overcome or are getting much better at. I think that honesty shows a lot to the interviewer.

By: John

John — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:20:43 +0000

Just a quick nit about the salary question. If you are forced to start the negotiation (which is probably not the ideal situation) NEVER give a salary range. If you say “between $50k and $60k” you’re saying “I’m happy with $50k” and that is where the negotiation will BEGIN. Instead you need to do some research, either with employees who you know (which can be difficult) or on the web (salary.com and glassdoor.com are both decent). Start with a strong position, but not so strong that the employer immediately disqualifies you as ignorant or simply “overpriced” for the position.

By: AmandaDRowe

AmandaDRowe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:20:11 +0000

As I’m in Marketing and Advertising, I’ve gotten some strange questions –

1. How would you package, promote and sell rotten garbage?

2. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be and why?

I doubt many people will get the above, thankfully.

One thing that isn’t on the list are all the situational questions. For example,

1. Tell me about a time that you led a team.
2. Tell me about a time that you failed.
3. Tell me about a time that you dealt with a unproductive employee.

By: Glenn Lasher

Glenn Lasher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:55:29 +0000

Some organizations are very snail-like in making their decisions.

About twelve years ago, I was laid off, and over the course of the following two months, I gave interviews at a rate of 5-8 a week.

At the end of those two months, I was hired (starting on a Friday, of all things!) and I cancelled my remaining interviews.

Nine months later, I was still receiving job offers from my interviews. Mind you, I was able to use those as bargaining chips to improve my compensation, but that’s not the point. The point is that it took more than a few companies more than a few months to get back to me.

This may be a market-dependent thing. I’m in upstate New York, which is likely a very different job market than The City.

By: MLR

MLR — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:22:54 +0000

In re: to weakness, I usually mention that I take failure very personally. It’s true, and it’s something I work on improving. (by not failing :p)

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:45:23 +0000

During my interview for my current job, my boss asked me to list 3 weaknesses. Come on, who asks that? I remember saying that I’d like to read more because one can always be more well read.

By: Martha

Martha — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:12:25 +0000

You’d be surprised how many people shoot themselves in the foot with this question. My favorite answer was “I have a really hard time getting to work on time” right after I explained how important it was that each shift start promptly.

Being honest can help you, I had one interviewee who shared that he walked out/quit without 2 weeks notice because of an unfortunate incident. He seemed sincere in his repentance and assured that he would not make that same type of mistake again. After a careful look a his references we decided to hire him. He became a great employee and was a role model to others since he treated his job with respect.