Top 20 job interview questions Flashcards

1
Q

What were your responsibilities?

When you are asked questions related to your current or previous positions, it’s important to be specific and to be positive about what you did in your previous position(s).

How to Respond

The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for.

Try to tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job’s requirements.

A
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2
Q

Tell us about yourself.

In leaving the question somewhat opened and unstructured, the hiring manager is trying to get a sense of whether or not you truly understand which experiences, skills and abilities are relevant for the position you are interviewing for. (This is key!)

Common mistakes:

  • Regurgitate Your Cover Letter and Resume
  • Telling Your Life Story
  • Well, What Do You Want To Know?”
  • The 10-Minute Monologue

“It’s not about you, it’s about them.”

What does this mean? You need to customize (or tailor) your response to the question to the needs of the organization.

So in terms of Tell Me About Yourself, while it is important to talk about all of the Qualities that you think you have, what’s actually much more important is that you show that you possess the Qualities that they want.

But how exactly do you do that for Tell Me About Yourself? The best way to do it is to provide a Success Story that highlights the Quality that you are trying to demonstrate.

A Success Story is an example from your past work experience that clearly demonstrates you succeeding in some way.

Example:

For the purposes of this answer, let’s say that you’d done your company research and found out that the Quality the company puts a lot of value in is elevated customer service.

Well. I’ve been working for the past six years as a systems analyst and data manager. During that time I’ve been trained and certified on a number of different software platforms and systems.

Nice. You’re starting by answering the question directly, and keeping the answer business focused as well as targeted…and you’ve slipped in there that you’re trained on a variety of different programs which, depending on what they are, can make you an even more valuable candidate.

I’d really describe myself as a person with a versatile skill-set, a lot of integrity and a willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy a customer. Perhaps the best way to let you know what I’m about is to share with you a quick experience I had.

Recently while working at a location with a client, they mentioned that they had just purchased some software that I was familiar with but that their computer systems were having some difficulty integrating the program. I offered to take a look at the install and found that there was a step that had somehow been forgotten. I told him I would be happy to wipe the system and reinstall the software correctly. At first the client refused and when I asked him why, he told me that it was too expensive and that they were just going to learn to work around the problem. When I asked him further, he told me a different analyst had been in, looked at the problem, and told them that the files had corrupted their system overall and that it would take at least $25,000 to fix. When I told him it was a simple matter of wiping the previous version and reinstalling it, he was stunned. I did the whole project for a fraction of the cost the other “analyst” had quoted. My client was so happy he referred me to his friends and I’ve done similar work for several other companies in town as a result.

Excellent. You’ve highlighted the Quality (underlined) that the company puts a lot of value in, and used a Success Story from your past to support your claim that you have the quality. Time to bring it home…

Now I’m looking to take my career to the next level and move out of contract work into a full time employee for a company where I can be a part of a team, but also allows me to focus my energy on my best strength, working directly with customers. I’d like to build a long term career that lets me focus on professional growth.

And there you have it…the perfect wrap up. You’ve brought your little story back around to where you are now and what you hope to accomplish with this job. You’ve kept your stories not only professional, but focused and tailored to help reinforce what you’re ultimately trying to do.

A

Durant l’essentiel, sinon la presque totalité, de ma carrière, j’ai travaillé pour la haute direction de grandes organisations publics ou privées pour des ministres et sous-ministres, des présidents et des vice-présidents, des directeurs et directrices généraux.

Les gens qui occcupent de telles fonctions, vous le savez, doivent rendre des comptes à leurs commettants et travailler dans la plus grande transparence possible. C’est un environnement de travail très exigeant.

Tout au long de ma carrière, j’ai su mériter la confiance des gens qui occupent de telles situations. Pourquoi? À cause de mon professionnalisme.

Par professionalisme, j’entends cinq choses en particulier qu’ui faut voir en filigrane de mon curriculum vitae:

  • Rigueur. Je suis rigoureux dans l’exécution de mon travail. Les gens en situations décisionnelles doivent pour s’appuyer sur du contenu solide et des informations vérifiées et vérifiables. C’est pourquoi, je suis très rigoureux, autant dans la recherche, l’analyse et la vérification de l’information que dans mon écriture.
  • Fiabilité. La confiance est un ingrédient important dans une relation professionnelle. À mon avis, une des pierres d’assise de cette confiance est la fiabilité. J’aime qu’on puisse dire de moi que je suis fiable, et je prends les moyens pour conserver cette réputation, je ne tourne jamais les coins ronds. Je donne toujours le mieux que je peux.
  • Engagement. Je ne me contente pas seulement travailler pour une organisation, j’aime adhérer à sa mission et à ses objectifs. C’est la meilleure façon de répondre aux attentes et c’est aussi une façon plus stimulante de travailler. Je prends les choses à coeur.
  • Sens politique. Les gens en situation de décision aiment voir venir, être bien préparés. J’ai cette capacité de voir venir et d’allez au-devant des coups. Je suis très sensible à l’actualité. Cf. Vigie.
  • Discrétion. J’emprunterai ici un boutade propre au monde du hockey. «Ce qui se passe dans le vestiaire reste dans le vestiaire».
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3
Q

What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

When you’re asked what didn’t like about your previous job, don’t be too negative. The reason is that you don’t want the interviewer to think that you’ll speak negatively about the new job or the company when you’re ready to move on, if you get this job. Rather, it makes sense to talk about yourself and what you’re looking for in a new role.

Sample Answers

I enjoyed the people I worked with. It was a friendly and fun atmosphere and I actually enjoyed going into work each morning. I felt the leadership team was great as well. They knew all of their employees on a first name basis and tried to make those personal connections. I also enjoyed that fact that the office tried to do community outreach with local organizations.

One of the reasons I am leaving is that I felt I was not challenged enough at the job. As a new employee in the working world, the company offers a great opportunity for a good entry level position. However, after being there for so many years, I felt I was not able to reach my full potential because of the lack of challenge and there was no room for advancement in the company. While I did enjoy working there and appreciate the skills I developed while with the company, I feel my skill set can be better utilized elsewhere, where my capabilities are more recognized and there is the opportunity for growth.

The people I worked with at ABC Company were top notch at what they do. Through my experience there, I learned a lot about different management styles, and strategies for maintaining cooperation in a large group project setting. I feel that as valuable as that experience has been, I am anxious to work on more specialized projects where I will have the opportunity to be more of a leader.

While the people at XYZ Company were terrific to work with, I felt that the opportunities for me there were limited by the structure and size of the company. I believe that a larger company with an international presence can offer challenges, as well as opportunities unavailable at a smaller firm. The position with your company is a great matchfor my skill set, and I feel that I would be an asset in your marketing (or HR or IT) department.

A

J’ai adoré travaillé pour les (…) et l’(…). L’(…), c’est une grande famille où les employés sont très dédiés à l’organisation. J’aimais aussi la mission de l’organisation, l’importance de l’agriculture dans nos vies.

Ce que j’aimais moins, la lenteur de la réaction parfois: 40 affiliés aux intérêts divergents, ça fait beaucoup de susceptibilités qu’il faut éviter de froisser, ça implique beaucoup de consultations, une opération qui ne coincide pas toujours avec la rapidité d’action.

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4
Q

What were your starting and final levels of compensation?

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to provide the details of their compensation history. Be prepared to tell the interviewer how much you earned at each of your prior positions.

Make sure that what you tell the interviewer matches what you listed on your job application. Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your salary history, so, you can speak in detail and accurately. Don’t exaggerate or inflate your earnings.Many employers will check references and confirm your salary history prior to making a job offer. A discrepancy between what you reported and what the employer says could knock you out of contention for the job.

A
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5
Q

What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?

This is one of those pesky behavior interview questions and is one of the most common. You need to have a “success story” ready to go for this. Relate a story where you dealt with a problem successfully. The key here is to pick a success story that shows you exhibiting the qualities/skills required at the job and company you are interviewing for.

DO:

Pick an example that shows you tackling a problem that could arise at the new company you’re interviewing for. This shows your value.

Be specific and fairly concise.

Use the S.T.A.R. Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result – Read our behavioral 101 article for explanation.)

DON’T:

Don’t bash anyone in your success story. (Coworker, boss or customer!)

Don’t ramble.

When asked the job interview question “How did you handle a challenge?” be sure to include specific examples of how you handled a particular difficult situation. Discuss how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution.

Best Answers

During a difficult financial period, I was able to satisfactorily negotiate repayment schedules with multiple vendors.
When the software development of our new product stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the schedule back on track. We were able to successfully troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a very short period of time.
A long-term client was about to take their business to a competitor. I met with the customer and was able to change how we handled the account on a day-to-day basis, in order to keep the business,

Tip:

To really stand out, tell a success story that not only shows you handling a problem that could arise in the position you’re interviewing for, but also shows you have multiple other desired qualities you know from your research the company desires. For example, you could tell a problem solving story about you handling a productivity problem at your last job by exhibiting leadership and your ability to handle conflict between coworkers. (In other words, combine multiple desired qualities into one answer.)

A

En 19(…) s’est tenu une importante commission sur l’(…) de (…) et de (…) au (…). Une commission aussi importante, en (…), que la Commission Charbonneau. Pour vous donner une idée, le plus important exercice du genre en (…) remontait à 19(…).

Pour l’occasion notre organisation devait produire un important mémoire, un mémoire décisif pour l’avenir de la profession. Je n’étais pas associé au dossier, au départ. Mais voilà, à quelques semaines de l’échéance, le dossier s’est complètement embourbé.

C’est alors que le directeur général m’a demandé si je pouvais prendre les choses en main. Je lui ai demandé la soirée afin d’évaluer la somme de travail, de façon à lui fournir une réponse réaliste.

Le lendemain matin, je lui confirmais que c’était faisable. Il a mis toutes les ressources à ma disposition et j’ai assuré la rédaction finale du mémoire en pilotant toute l’équipe de contenu. Trois semaines et trois cen pages plus tard, comme prévu, le travail était livré.

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6
Q

What is your greatest strength?

This is a fairly straight forward question to handle. Talk about a “strength” that you know the company puts a lot of value in.

We have written an in depth blog post over at: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

DO:

Grab hold of the opportunity this question gives you. This question really lets you guide the interview where you want it to go. This your chance to relate your most impressive success story, so take advantage!

Highlight a strength that is crucial to the position. (As I mentioned earlier)

Find out from your company research and from the job description what strengths the company puts a lot of stock into.

DON’T:

Don’t make claims that you can’t illustrate with a brief example or fact.

Don’t be overly modest but don’t claim to be Superman or Superwoman either.

Don’t name a strength that is irrelevant to the job at hand.

“What is your greatest strength?” may seem like one of the easierinterview questions you’ll be asked, but it is also one of the most important. The interviewer wants to know if your strengths align with the needs of the company and the qualifications for the particular job. Asking this question helps the employer decide whether or not you are the strongest applicant for the position.

When you are asked questions about your strengths, it’s important to discuss attributes that will qualify you for the specific job and set you apart from the other candidates.

How to prepare

The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience that directly correlate with the job you are applying for. Be prepared to answer by making a list of the qualifications mentioned in the job posting. Then, make a list of your skills that match those listed. This list can include education or training, soft skills, hard skills, or past work experiences. Narrow your list of skills down to 3-5 particularly strong skills.

Next to each skill, note a particular example of how you have used that strength in the past. This will prepare you for when the employer asks you to elaborate on a particular strength.

Answers to Avoid

This is not the time to be humble. While you do not want to exaggerate your strengths, you should be comfortable articulating what makes you an ideal candidate. Creating a list of your strengths (as they relate to the job) will help you answer this question with confidence.

On the other hand, you do not want to answer this question with a laundry list of vague strengths. Stay focused on a couple key strengths that relate directly to the position and the company. A focused, relevant answer with one or two examples will impress your interviewer.

Samples of answer

I have an extremely strong work ethic. When I’m working on a project, I don’t want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule. Last year, I even earned a bonus for completing my three most recent reports one week ahead of time.

I have strong extremely strong writing skills. Having worked as a copy editor for five years, I have a strong attention to detail when it comes to my writing. I have also written for a variety of publications, so I know how to shape my writing style to fit the task and audience. As a marketing assistant, I will be able to effectively write and edit press releases, and update web content with accuracy and ease.

I am a skilled salesman with over ten years of experience. I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I’ve earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.

I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations. With five years of experience as a customer service associate, I have learned to effectively understand and resolve customer issues. On a related note, I also have strong communication skills, which helps me work well with customers, team members, and executives. I am known for being an effective team member with a talent for giving presentations.

How To Answer “What Are Your Strengths?”

By doing your research beforehand!

The absolute best way to answer this question is to assume before you even get to the interview that it’s going to come up…which means doing your homework ahead of time.

First thing you want to do is turn back to your trusted research skills and do a little digging on both the company and the job you’re interviewing for. Remember how we’ve taught you to TAILOR your answers (if not, check out our article Job Interview Questions and Answers 101)? Well this question is the perfect place to put those skills to good use!

Start out by researching the company and finding what they value as far as strengths and qualities go.

Then look at the job itself. Can you pull out a few core needs that you know you can meet with confidence? Good.

Now take all those pieces and put them together in one single answer and make sure that you have practical examples and success stories from your past that support your claims.

A few things to keep in mind while you’re preparing your answers. Make sure your answer is truthful, relevant to the position and company you’re applying for and accurate.

Ultimately what you’re aiming to do is to reassure the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. You want to make sure your answer shows them that your strengths are in line with what the company needs and is looking for.

You need to let them know that you are fully capable of doing the job you’re being hired to perform and that you are the bestperson…the perfect candidate for the position. You want them to know that by hiring you they’re getting someone with the qualities, skills and experience that will not only make you an excellent part of the team, but also sets you apart from any other potential candidates.

Example Answers

Need some inspiration? Here are a few sample answers to get you started:

“I’m a problem solver. I love taking a problem and looking at it from every angle. I enjoy work that challenges me and pushes me to think outside the box. I enjoy situations where I am allowed to work with other people to come up with creative solutions. At my last company we were asked to come up with ways to increase our work flow without decreasing our accuracy. By really analyzing what every department was doing and finding ways to work together more efficiently, I was able to not only streamline the process, but made it possible for us to beat our previous deadline by three days with a superior product as an end result.”

This is a great answer because it lists three strengths in quick succession without bogging down. The interviewer now knows the candidate is a problem solver, likes challenges and enjoys working as a team. They’re also saying that they enjoy efficiency andcommunicating with different departments and provides a solid example of how they’ve used those strengths to solve a problem.

“I’ve always been known for my work ethic. I am committed to meeting deadlines and taking responsibility for the quality of my performance. A few months ago I was working with a client who had us on a tight deadline. There was a mix-up in the delivery of some key paperwork and it didn’t get to our office until closing the night before the deadline. Rather than go home and ignore the problem, I stayed late and finished the project, making sure that our deadline was not only met, but that the report was accurate.”

The hiring manager now knows that this candidate is a hard worker who cares about doing the job right and on time. Three highly valuable qualities in any good candidate!

“I’m a people person. As a customer service rep for the past five years, I’ve learned how to deal with a wide variety of personalities. I enjoy handling tough cases as it gives me a chance to problem solve. I enjoy interacting with the public and love doing outreach. Two summers ago I was lucky enough to be a part of the Black Friday crew. A lot of other employees found it stressful and didn’t enjoy it but I really found that I loved the excitement and the rush of having so many people come through so quickly. Not only was I constantly engaged, but I was able to provide one on one shopping assistance to a few last minute gift buyers. Not only did I have a great time but my team had the highest receipts for the entire weekend! It felt great.”

This is the kind of person you want to hire. They’re clearly enthusiastic about their job and have experience not only doing the job well but also doing it under difficult and/or extreme conditions. The candidate also backed up their story with easily verifiable facts, something a good hiring manager will later verify (again, always make sure what you’re saying is truthful!)

A

Votre offre d’emploi mentionne qu’ils s’agit d’un concours pour combler un poste d’agent d’information, profil rédaction. «Profil rédaction», c’est l’élément qui m’a incité à présenter ma candidature.

Mes références pourront vous le confirmer, ma grande force c’est la rédaction. Dans tous les styles, dans tous les sujets, je suis capable de m’adapter, je suis polyvalent, flexible et efficace.

J’ai à mon actif des centaines d’éditoriaux, des centaines de communiqués, des centaines sinon des milliers de lettres, des dépliants, des mémoire, etc., la liste est longue.

Pour illustrer l’appréciation de la qualité de mon travail, je vais vous raconter une brève anecdote:

Un jour, un ex-collègue de travail avec qui je collaborais régulièrement sur des questions municipales (elle était urbaniste-aménagiste), m’a dit:

Ce que j’aime avec toi, (…), c’est quand tu nous retournes un texte sur lequel on t’a demandé de travailler. Après en se relisant, on a l’impression d’être plus intelligent.

Son commentaire était révélateur. J’ai effectivement cette capacité, sinon le don, de à rendre les choses plus claires, plus accessibles, plus compréhensibles pour le commun des mortels. C’est un défi que j’adore relever, peu importe le medium utilisé; je ne m’en lasse jamais.

Vous connaissez sûrement l’expression de Boileau «Ce qui se conçoit bien s’énonce clairement et les mots pour le dire viennent aisément». J’en ai fait une devise de travail.

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7
Q

What is your greatest weakness?

This classic question freaks people out but it shouldn’t. As long as you pick a weakness that isn’t a key competency for the job and you show that you have taken steps to “work on it”, you will be fine.Don’t try and sidestep this question.

For a more thorough look at the what is your greatest weakness question click here.

DO:

  • Show that you are aware of your weakness and what you have done to overcome it.
  • Show that you are “self-aware” and that you have the ability to take steps to improve yourself.

DON’T:

  • Don’t you DARE answer with the cliche “I’m a perfectionist” answer or any other such answer that the hiring manager can see right through.
  • Don’t highlight a weakness that is a core competency of the job. (Know the job description “inside and out”.)
  • Don’t dodge this question.

So What is the RIGHT Way to Answer This Question?

Start out by answering it BEFORE you get to the interview.

This is where the introspection and self-critical part of the question comes into play. You need to sit down and honestly figure out what your weaknesses are…and it can be a scary process.

Nobody wants to admit that they have weaknesses, but a good candidate…a perfect candidate…can take that weakness and turn it into a strength…even while still dealing with overcoming that weakness.

Think about times you’ve had trouble in the past.

Did you learn from those experiences?

How have you grown as a person?

Have you ever been told you have a flaw in your personality?

Maybe your weakness is shyness? Are you impatient?

Do you hold grudges or find yourself unable to move past situations? Are you afraid of change or the unknown?

Do you have a hard time taking criticism without getting defensive?

Now take those things and really examine them. Are you fixing them?

How did you overcome the troubles you had in the past? What did you learn and do you continue to apply that to similar situations? How have you addressed the flaw (or flaws) in your personality?

NOW…take a good look at the job you’re applying for.

Think about how those weaknesses you’ve discovered in yourself can apply to the position you’re interviewing for.

That’s right…we’re going to TAILOR your answer to help fit what the hiring managers are looking for (you didn’t think we were going to let you get away with NOT tailoring, did you!?)

For a quick refresher on what Tailoring Method is and how to use it to your advantage in this and other job situations, be sure to check out our blog post Job Interview Questions and Answers 101…trust me, you’ll thank me later!)

Be sure to also make certain that the weakness you’re going to use is minor enough not to raise red flags (but no so minor as to seem like a cop-out). It’s also good to make sure it’s a “fixable” problem.

Once you have all of those parts figured out…you can start working on a solid answer for this otherwise frustrating question!

Let’s take a look at some examples of how the question can be asked and how you can tailor your answer to fit.

1) What is your greatest weakness? (OR) What is your biggest weakness?

Straight forward and to the point. Okay..let’s hit this!

“I have a hard time letting a project go or sharing a task with others because I’m always convinced that I can do it all on my own and that asking for help will be taken as a sign of weakness. This has led to me taking on projects that have overwhelmed me and resulted in me being frustrated and angry. It hasn’t been easy learning to let go, but I’ve been working on trusting others and sharing the responsibilities for projects and as a result, have been able to really accomplish some incredible things.”

2) Tell me…. what are your weaknesses?

Crap! More than one?!? Don’t panic…we can do this!

“There are times when I’m too blunt and honest and might seem aloof. I tend to say the first thing that comes to my mind without thinking about what I’m saying first. When I’m dealing with other people this can come across as cold and even a little mean which isn’t my intention at all. Once I realized I was doing this it was a matter of slowing down and thinking before I say something to someone…especially when I’m giving people feedback. I’m actively working on making sure that my criticisms are constructive and that I’m leaving people with solutions and options rather than just shutting them down”

3) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Don’t be tempted to answer this one with something superficial…this is still a weakness question!

“I hate confrontation and in the past found myself at times compromising what I wanted or needed in order to keep the peace. This was a real problem, especially in team situations or when I was supposed to be leading a group because there are times when you need to tell people things they might not necessarily want to hear. Since then I’ve realized this is a weakness of mine and I’ve worked very hard to overcome it. Now instead of avoiding those situations, I take it as an opportunity to practice being more assertive without coming across as difficult. I take the time to listen to each side of the situation and make sure that if I have any comments or criticisms that they are constructive and that the solutions I offer are actual solutions and not just “peace patches.”

4) Are you working on any sort of developmental goals currently? Do you set goals for yourself?

Ooh, this one is sneaky! It’s the same question…just twisted around to sound like something new. Good thing you’re prepared for it already!

“My goal is to be involved in more team tasks. I have a hard time delegating and realize this is something I need to work on. Being the only one in control isn’t always realistic or possible and my desire to control every aspect of a project can not only slow me down, but can also give my teammates the impression that I don’t trust them or value their work. Because I know this is something I have to work on, I like to volunteer for team projects. The experiences, while initially uncomfortable for me as I had to learn to let things go and rely on other people, have really helped to open my eyes to the value of cooperation. As a result I’m discovering that projects, which would have been fine if I had done on my own, are ten times better as a result of the input and work of the entire team.”

5) If I called your past supervisor, what would they tell me are areas you could improve on?

Aargh…this one is one of the toughest ones because not only are you being asked to come up with a weakness…you’re being asked to think about what someone else would find as a weakness in you.

“I get really nervous speaking in front of other people. Normally this isn’t a problem but I’ve found that there have been times during meetings when I’ve kept quiet and not shared my ideas or insights. As a result things that should have been brought up and problems that should have been addressed early on weren’t, meaning more work for me as I had to deal with them as they arose.

My supervisor in my last job was instrumental in encouraging me to speak up for myself and would often put me on the spot, asking me directly what I thought about things or asking me for suggestions. It was terrifying, but necessary and really helped me realize my voice was important in these meetings.

Learning to speak up and take charge hasn’t been easy, but it’s made my ability to do my job more efficiently and resulted in improved productivity for my department overall.”

There are several different ways to answer when you’re asked during a job interview what your greatest weakness is. You can mention skills that aren’t critical for the job, skills you have improved on, or turn a negative into a positive.

Even though the question is about weaknesses, your answer should always be framed around positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee.

Discuss Non-Essential Skills

One approach to answering this question is to analyze the key skills and strengths required for the position you are interviewing for and then come up with an honest shortcoming which is not essential for success in that job.

For example, if you are applying for a nursing job, you might share that you are not particularly adept at conducting group presentations. In this case it will be critical to underscore your strength in one-on-one communication with patients, while providing an example of your difficulty with presentations to large groups.

Mention Skills You Have Improved

Another option is to discuss skills that you have improved upon during your previous job, so you are showing the interviewer that you can make improvements when necessary. You can sketch for employers your initial level of functioning, discuss the steps you have taken to improve this area, and then reference your current, improved level of skill.

If you use this strategy be sure not to mention anything that you improved upon that is related to the job for which you are interviewing. You don’t want your qualifications for the job to be questioned.

Turn a Negative into a Positive

Another option is try to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of urgency to get projects completed or wanting to triple-check every item in a spreadsheet can be turned into a strength i.e. you are a candidate who will make sure that the project is done on time and your work will be close to perfect.

Best Answers

  • When I’m working on a project, I don’t want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
  • ​Being organized wasn’t my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.
  • I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I’ve come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.
  • I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I realized that scheduling in advance makes much more sense.
  • Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task, or take on tasks personally that could easily be delegated to someone else. Although I’ve never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work.
  • I had difficulty with calculus during college, but I persevered with tutoring assistance and extra effort and completed 2 levels with a B minus average.
  • I’ve learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct.
  • I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I’ve learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one.
A

Je n’ai pas la bosse de l’économie. J’aurais aimé avoir la bosse de l’économie autant que j’ai la bosse du français.

Bien comprendre l’économie aime à mieux comprendre tous les tenants et aboutissant de son domaine d’activité.

Je serais incapable de vous dire, par exemple, comment peuvent fonctionner les taux d’intérêt négatifs actuellement envisagés par la banque du Canada. Ça ne tombe pas sous le sens.

N’empêche, je m’intéresse à l’économie, locale, nationale et internationale. Je fais l’effort de me tenir au courant, cours de la bourse, cours du dollar, cours du pétrole, histoire de mieux comprendre le monde dans lequel on vit.

J’y ai pris goût au fil du temps. Très souvent, cela s’est avéré utile dans le cadre de mon travail.

Difficulté à opérer une coupure entre le bureau et la maison.

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8
Q

How do you handle stress and pressure?

A typical interview question, asked to get a sense of how you handle on-the-job stress, is “How do you handle pressure?”

Examples of good responses include:

Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.

I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn’t become stressful.

I actually work better under pressure and I’ve found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.

From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym every evening. It’s a great stress reducer.

A

Je réagis bien au stress. Je captialise sur le bon stress et j’évite de me laisser submerger par le mauvais stress.

Devant une situation stressante, je réagis en me mettant en mode solution, je fixe un objectif et je me concentre sur l’atteinte de celui-ci.

C’est ma façon de composer avec la situation et de rendre les circonstances moins stressantes.

Exemple: choix éditorial tardif. Recherche, consultations, approbations, révisions, publication.

Je crois que je donne le meilleur de moi-même en situation de stress et que j’aime travailler dans un environnement qui comporte des défis et des exigences élevées.

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9
Q

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.

There are no right or wrong answers to questions like “What are the most difficult decisions to make?” or “Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.”

These are behavioral interview questions designed to discover how you handled certain situations. The logic behind these types of questions is that how you behaved in the past is a predictor of what you will do in the future.

Best Answers

Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened at work. Then discuss what you did to solve the problem.

Keep your answers positive (“Even though it was difficult when Jane Doe quit without notice, we were able to rearrange the department workload to cover the position until a replacement was hired.”) and be specific. Itemize what you did and how you did it.

The best way to prepare for questions where you will need to recall events and actions is to refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You can use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times when you have successfully solved a difficult situation.

A

J’étais au début de ma carrière. On m’a proposé un emploi d’attaché de presse à temps partiel au ministère de l’Environnement pour répondre aux questions des médias concernant les poursuites en vertu de la Loi sur la qualité de l’Environnement.

Ce sont des matières très litigieuses, c’était alors très nouveau au ministère et plusieurs s’y étaient cassé les dents auparavent, spécialement à cause des exigences du Cabinet ministériel.

Le problème résidait dans le contenu des informations à communiquer, vu les exigences les exigences légales et les préoccupations du contentieux à cet égard.

J’ai décortiqué le problème, analysé tous les chefs d’accusation les plus usuels, j’ai mis au point un schéma de raisonnement pour chaque cas en collaboration avec le contentieux.

Résultat, j’ai ainsi pu mettre un terme au problème de mauvaise insterprétation des procédures et rendre le système d’information beaucoup plus sûr et beaucoup plus efficace.

Résultat: le cabinet du ministre s’en est trouvé tellement content qu’on m’y a proposé un travail d’attaché politique.

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10
Q

What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?

This is somewhat similar to the “what is your greatest strength?” question and can be handled along the same lines. You want to pick an accomplishment that shows you have the qualities that the company puts value in and that are desirable for the position you’re interviewing for. The fact is you may have several accomplishments you could pick from. Pick one that will have the most impact.

DO:

Talk about an accomplishment that exhibits how you will be a perfect fit for the company and for the position you’re interviewing for.

Try and show some genuine passion when you’re talking about your accomplishment.

DON’T:

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your accomplishment is “too small”. The fact is, relating a small accomplishment that is inline with “what the company values” can be more powerful than an unrelated accomplishment. (Remember: It’s not about you, It’s about them.”)

The best way to respond is to give an example of something you accomplished that is directly related to the job you are interviewing for. Review your resume and review the job posting. Find the best match and use that to show how what you accomplished will be beneficial to the company you are interviewing with.

When you’re asked about your accomplishments, give a specific example of what you did in your last position.

If you wrote a targeted cover letter when applying for the job use the information you included to create your response. For example, if you are interviewing for a job at a school where you will need to manage student registration, explain to the interviewer how you registered students for courses, designed and managed registration software, and solved customer problems.

Questions About Failure

If you didn’t fail at anything, say so. If you can think of an example, be sure that it’s a minor one and turn it into a positive. For example, if you were working on a project that was behind deadline, explain to the interviewer how you adjusted the workload and the timeline to get back on track and ahead of schedule.

Also explain what caused the failure, and discuss what you did to ensure it wouldn’t happen it the future. This way you won’t leave the interviewer with the impression that you have failed.

Tip

If your “greatest accomplishment story” highlights skills that would be useful in the job you’re interviewing for (which it should!), then you can highlight that fact. For example, if you were relating an accomplishment that centered around “teamwork”, you could finish your answer with something like: “…which is why I’m so excited for the possibility of working in this type of team environment. As you can see, I think I thrive in collaborative situations and I’d love to bring that here to XYZ company…”

A
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11
Q

How do you evaluate success?

During an interview, your interviewer might ask a question like, “How do you evaluate success?” A question like this gives your potential employer a sense of your work ethic, your goals, and your overall personality.

Focus on the Job

In your answer, you should be cognizant of the type of job you’re applying for. Whereas a large corporation might place all their emphasis on the bottom line, a non-profit would measure success not in money but in social impact.

Do your research before the interview: browse the company’s website, research their presence in the news and media, and see if you can find any information about their mission statement. Here’s how to research a company.

Of course, you’ll also want to include aspects of your own personality in your answers. If there’s an area where your values overlap with the company’s, then make sure to emphasize that in the interview.

But, you also want to make sure you give a balanced answer, illustrating a dynamic focus on improving your own performance, furthering your company’s mission, and making a positive impact overall.

Sample Answers

  • “I evaluate success in different ways. At work, it is meeting the goals set by my supervisors and my fellow workers. It is my understanding, from talking to other employees, that the GGR company is recognized for not only rewarding success, but giving employees opportunity to grow as well. After work, I enjoy playing softball, so success on the field is catching the winning pop-up.”
  • “For me, success is about doing my job well. I want to be recognized as someone who always does their best and tries their hardest to make my goals.”
  • “I evaluate success based on not only my work, but the work of my team. In order for me to be considered successful, the team needs to achieve both our individual and our team goals.”
  • “I evaluate success based on outcomes. It’s not always the path you take to achieve success that matters. Rather, it’s quantifiable results.”
  • “To me, success is when I am performing well and satisfied with my position, knowing that my work is adding value to my company but also to my overall life and the lives of other people.”
A

On peut évaluer le succès de différentes façons.

De façon stricte, le succès c’est d’atteindre les objectifs fixés par son supérieur et son organisation. J’ai d’ailleurs travailler en fonction des objectifs.

Sur un plan plus personnel, le succès c’est de sentir que je fais mon travail correctement et que c’est utile à mon organisation. J’aime etre reconnu comme quelqu’un qui donne le meilleur de lui même et qui est dédié.

Enfin, autre chose très importantte à mes yeux: le succès se mesure non seulement en termes de performances individuelles, mais en termes de performance d’équipe.

Les succès les plus gratifiants que j’ai connus sont ceux ce que j’ai pu partager avec mes collègues, parce que nous des buts, autant chacun d’entre nous que toute l’équipe ensemble. Je crois beaucoup aux vertus de l’action collective. Ça nous permet d’être meilleur et mieux stimulé.

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12
Q

Why are you leaving or have left your job?

  1. “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”

This question can really make a lot of job seekers nervous. If you were literally fired from your last job, you’re going to have to own up to it and show what you learned from the experience and what measures you have taken to address the reasons you were let go.

If you left voluntarily be sure to explain why. For example: You wanted a different challenge. Hint: A challenge offered by the company and position you’re interviewing for

DO:

If it was because you left voluntarily then reference a specific characteristic that the company you are interviewing for has that you are attracted to. One that your previous employer didn’t have.

If you were let go, be honest and explain the situation and own it. Explain what you learned from the experience, because the interviewer knows you’re human, you make mistakes, and just wants to see that you were able to do something about it

Words like “downsizing” and “budget cuts” and “bad economy” are good defenses if they are true and are the reasons for departure from the job.

DON’T:

Don’t bash your last company or boss or anything along those lines.

Don’t say, “It’s time for a career switch and I’d like to try my hand at the job you are offering” or “I’m tired of doing the same old thing.” Give a pointed, Positive reason for why you want to head off in a new direction.

Don’t lie if you were fired.

One of the questions that is typically asked in an interview is “Why are you leaving your job?” or “Why did you leave your previous job?” if you have already moved on. If you were fired from your job, use these answers to respond.

If you left of your own accord, review these suggestions on how best to answer and tailor your response to meet your particular situation. Be direct and focus your interview answer on the future, especially if your leaving wasn’t under the best of circumstances.

Don’t Badmouth Your Boss

Regardless of why you left, don’t speak badly about your previous employer. The interviewer may wonder if you will be bad-mouthing his company next time you’re looking for work. I once interviewed a person who told me that her last employer was terrible. They didn’t pay her enough, the hours were awful and she hated the job.

That company happened to be my company’s biggest, and most important, customer. And there is no way I would have hired someone who felt that way, justified or not, about our valuable client. So, she gave up any opportunity of getting the job as soon as she answered the “Why did you leave?” question. Here are tips for answeringinterview questions about bosses.

Prepare answers to typical job interview questions, like this one, in advance. Practice your responses so you sound positive, and clear, about your circumstances and your goals for the future.

Sample answers

  • I found myself bored with the work and looking for more challenges. I am an excellent employee and I didn’t want my unhappiness to have any impact on the job I was doing for my employer.
  • There isn’t room for growth with my current employer and I’m ready to move on to a new challenge.
  • I’m looking for a bigger challenge and to grow my career and I couldn’t job hunt part time while working. It didn’t seem ethical to use my former employer’s time.
  • I was laid-off from my last position when our department was eliminated due to corporate restructuring.
  • I’m relocating to this area due to family circumstances and left my previous position in order to make the move.
  • I’ve decided that is not the direction I want to go in my career and my current employer has no opportunities in the direction I’d like to head.
  • After several years in my last position, I’m looking for an company where I can contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment.
  • I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.
  • I recently received my degree and I want to utilize my educational background in my next position.
  • I am interested in a job with more responsibility, and I am very ready for a new challenge.
  • I left my last position in order to spend more time with my family. Circumstances have changed and I’m more than ready for full-time employment again.
  • I am seeking a position with a stable company with room for growth and opportunity for advancement.
  • I was commuting to the city and spending a significant amount of time each day on travel. I would prefer to be closer to home.
  • To be honest, I wasn’t considering a move, but, I saw this job posting and was intrigued by the position and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match with my qualifications.
  • This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not able to fully utilize them in my present job.
  • The company was cutting back and, unfortunately, my job was one of those eliminated.
A

Je suis actuelllement contractuel pour le compte de l’Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux, un sydicat.

Auparavant et pendand 16 ans, j’ai travaillé pour le compte de (…).

Une nouvelle équipe de direction est arrivé en place, une importante restructuration pour motif économique s’en est suivie.

De nombreux postes de cadres ont été coupés, dont le mien, malheureusement.

Ce fut un choc. J’aimais travailler pour les (…). Je croyais finir ma carrière à cet endroit, un endroit que j’aimais et où j’ai appris beaucoup.

Malheureusement la vie en a décidé autrement. Et me voilà avec vous aujourd’hui.

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13
Q

Why do you want this job?

The hiring manager is trying to get at your underlying motivations for wanting this job. Are you here just for a paycheck or do you see yourself becoming an integral part of the company and growing along with it? You need to show them that you want to become “part of the family”. At the same time however, show how your “wants” coincide with their “needs”.

DO:

Talk about specific things you like about the company. Do your homework before and find out the needs of the company and talk about how you’re passionate about “fulfilling those needs”.

Be complimentary. Most people enjoy being flattered. (Just don’t go overboard)

Show how your strengths perfectly align with the job position and company culture.

DON’T:

Don’t come off as a “hired gun” who may be gone in a few months.

Don’t say “because I need the money.” (You’d be surprised how many job seekers think this is “cute” and actually answer this way. Don’t.)

Tip

Bring up something specific that you’ve found during your company research phase and tie it in with your answer. For example, if you discovered that they recently held an inaugural live event bringing together people from around the country in their niche, bring it up! The event (or anything else interesting you discover) can be an example of why you admire the company and want to work for them. This tactic will help you stand out from your competitors and get the hiring manager seeing you in the job already.

Keep in mind that you can customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you are applying for.

Sample answers

  • This is not only a fine opportunity, but this company is a place where my qualifications can make a difference. As a finance executive well versed in the new stock options law, I see this position as made to order. It contains the challenge to keep me on my toes. That’s the kind of job I like to anticipate every morning.
  • I want this job because it seems tailored to my competencies, which include sales and marketing. As I said earlier, in a previous position I created an annual growth rate of 22% in a flat industry. Additionally, the team I would work with looks terrific.
  • I well understand that this is a company on the way up. Your web site says the launch of several new products is imminent. I want be a part of this business as it grows.
  • Having worked through a college business major building decks and porches for neighbors, this entry-level job for the area’s most respected home builder has my name on it.
  • As a dedicated technician, I like doing essential research. Being part of a breakthrough team is an experience I’d love to repeat.
  • This job is a good fit for what I’ve been interested in throughout my career. It offers a nice mix of short- and long-term activities. My short-term achievements keep me cranked up and the long-term accomplishments make me feel like a billion bucks.
  • I want this job selling theater tickets because I’d be good at it. I’m good at speaking to people and handling cash. I would like a job with regular hours and I’m always on time.
  • Although some companies are replacing Americans with imported low-wage workers, you are standing tall. This company’s successful strategies, good reputation and values make it heads and shoulders above its competition.
A

Je vois des parallèles intéressants entre votre organisation et le type d’organisations pour lesquelles j’ai travaillé auparavant.

Je crois comprendre que le job proposé se situe à la jonction de l’administratif et du politique. J’ai de l’expérience en ce domaine, j’aime travailler sur le fil dans des environnements exigeants et stimulants, voire stressants.

Je crois que ma disposition d’esprit à cet égard ainsi que mon expérience et mon expertise pourraient vous être utiles.

Je vois également du changement à Longueuil, de beaux défis: le nouveau centre-ville, la projet Longue-rive, le nouvel édifice du métro, le développement intelligent, l’avenir de l’aéroport, etc.

En fait, on sent que ça bouge qu’il y a une réelle volonté politique d’aller de l’avant, et je trouve que c’est stimulant

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14
Q

Why should we hire you?

This is another incredibly common question and it gives you a great opportunity to stand out from the crowd and really show the hiring manager how you can help the company.

The key thing to remember here is: be specific. Also, your answer to this question should be a concise “sales pitch” that explains what you have to offer the employer.

Leverage your company research and the job description to find exactly why the company is hiring someone for this position. What problem/pain points does the new hire have to solve? You need to show that you are the perfect candidate that can solve those problems/pain points.

We have written an in depth blog post on why should we hire you here.

DO:

  • Show the hiring manager that you are uniquely suited to filling this position. Be the candidate that solves their “problems”.
  • Show you know some significant details about the company and their general practices because you have researched the firm and are prepared.
  • Tell a “success story” that highlights how you have the ‘qualities’ needed to fill their specific needs.

DON’T:

  • Don’t get discouraged if the hiring manager mentions that “they have lots of very well qualified candidates…” before they lead into this question. (It’s a common “lead in”)
  • Don’t be too modest. This is your chance to shine. Make it count.
  • On the flip side don’t go too overboard and sound too arrogant.
  • Don’t be “wishy-washy” or too general with your answer.
  • Don’t answer with “why” you want the job. Answer with “why you are the perfect fit” for the job.

1) “Tailor” Your Answer

As mentioned in the paragraph above, every organization has a specific set of Qualities that the potential hire needs to have in order to be successful in the position. It’s up to you to demonstrate that you have these Qualities, and the most important place to do this is in your answers to the interview questions!

2) Research the Heck Out of the Company!

How are you supposed to know which Qualities to highlight in your answer? Well, you need to roll up your sleeves and do a little research on the company… in other words, look for clues!

The first place you need to “mine” for these clues is in the job description, which is generally posted on the job board when you apply for the position. It will often contain a list of “required skills and abilities” (in other words, Qualities!) that you can highlight in your response.

3) What You Have That Others Don’t

Okay, so chances are you are going up against a group of candidates that all have very similar skills and experience. The trick is to set yourself apart, and you can do this by answering this question by highlighting a unique trait that you have that will contribute positively to the position (and work required).

For example, everyone who is competing for an administrative assistant role will have experience with answering phones, word processing and filing.

But let’s say you also had some project management experience, you could really emphasize your elevated skill at maintaining schedules and calendars, delegating tasks and making deadlines.

This little emphasis could really set you apart from the other candidates and leave you as a front-runner for the position.

4) Solve a Problem

If you have followed our advice from Tip 2, you have done a large amount of research on the company and in many cases have been able to identify a need or problem that has caused the company to post the job that you are currently applying for.

In answering “why should we hire you” you have the opportunity to provide a solution to any potential problems that the company you are applying to might be facing.

For example, you may come across a news item for a local hardware store that talks about how the lack of modernization of their computer systems has recently caused them to fall behind the industry standard in terms of their online ordering.

Seeing as how they posted a job for a systems analyst (which you are currently applying for), it would seem that you have the opportunity to offer a solution to fix the problem during your answer to this question.

Your answer might begin with, “First things first, I understand that you are having an issue with your online ordering. I would begin by…” and then offer a solution to the problem.

How could they resist?

5) Create a Pitch and Practice

Okay, so there is a really good chance that you will face this question during your job interview.

So there is really no excuse for you to be unprepared, stutter, or make any other little mistake that would indicate that you are not confident.

After all, this question is really all about confidence. If you can’t quickly and easily respond to this question then you won’t exactly be instilling a lot of confidence in the hiring manager.

So consider the tips that I provided above and formulate a response that is natural and

You then want to find a colleague and practice presenting your answer in a casual and conversational tone.

But not too casual, because this is a professional setting and you always want to remain assertive and business-like.

I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…this is another great opportunity to tailor your response so that it fits perfectly with the job you’re interviewing for.

Yes, this is a question that will come up in a lot of interviews, but that doesn’t mean just one answer will cover them all.

Make sure for each and every interview you go to that you’ve done your research ahead of time and made sure your answer fits the job as well as the company!

The best way to respond is to give concrete examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you the best candidate for the job. Take a few moments to compare the job description with your abilities, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other positions. Be positive and reiterate your interest in the company and the position. Here’s how to prepare your response.

Sample Answers:

You have explained that you are looking for a sales executive who is able to effectively manage over a dozen employees. In my fifteen years of experience as a sales manager, I have developed strong motivational and team-building skills. I was twice awarded manager-of-the-year for my innovative strategies for motivating employees to meet and surpass quarterly deadlines. If hired, I will bring my leadership abilities and strategies for achieving profit gains to this position.

You describe in the job listing that you are looking for a special education assistant teacher with an abundance of patience and compassion. Having served as a tutor at a summer school for dyslexic children for the past two years, I have developed my ability to be extremely patient while still achieving academic gains with my students. My experience teaching phonics to children ages 6 to 18 has taught me strategies for working with children of all ages and abilities, always with a smile. My previous employer often placed me with the students with the most severe learning disabilities because of my history of success. I will bring not only experience, but patience and creative problem-solving, to this position.

Why Are You the Best Candidate?

A related question is “Why should we hire you instead of the other applicants?” Here are tips on how to show the interviewer why you’re the candidate who should get the job.

Match Your Qualifications to the Job Listing

To prepare an answer to this question, look at the job listing. Make a list of the requirements for the position, including personality traits, skills, and qualifications. Then, make a list of the qualities you have that fit these requirements. For each quality, think of a specific time that you used that trait to achieve something at work.

For example, if you list that you are a “team player,” think of a time in which your ability to work well on a team resulted in a successfully completed project. Here’s how to match your qualifications to a job.

Keep it Concise

You want your answer to be brief – no more than a minute or two long. Therefore, select one or two specific qualities from the list you created to emphasize in your “sales pitch.” Begin by explaining what you believe the employer is looking for, and how you fulfill that need.

Focus on your Uniqueness

The interviewer wants to know how you stand out amongst the other applicants. Therefore, focus on one or two qualities you possess that might be unique, or more difficult to find, in other interviewees. For example, if you are very experienced with a certain skill that the job requires, say so. This is your chance to tell the interviewer why you would be an invaluable employee.

A

Il s’agit d’un remplacement pour une période d’un an.

Dans ces conditions, je crois qu’il est avantageux pour vous d’embaucher quelqu’un qui peut reprendre le collier rapidement et efficacement.

Vous recherchez qui peut jouir d’une certaine autonomie d’action et qui doit faire preuve d’initiative. J’ai assez d’expérience et d’expertise pour le faire.

L’offre d’emploi indique que vous recherchez, quelqu’un qui a des aptitudes à rédiger rapidement, avec synthèse et vulgarisation. C’est une chose que je suis à même de vous offrir.

Vous voulez aussi d’une personne qui a une bonne connaissance des rouages administratifs.

J’ai travaillé pour de grandes organisations qui ressemblent beaucoup à la vôtre dans leur fonctionnement, des organisations qui, elles aussi, sont tenues de rendre des comptes à leur commettants et qui on plusieurs paliers décisionnels et consultatifs.

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15
Q

What are your goals for the future?

This question catches a lot of job seekers off guard because on the surface it seems simple enough but when you dig a little deeper you’ll see that there are a couple of traps you could fall into. YouDO want to show that you are an ambitious person BUT you need to show that you don’t have your “head in the clouds” and are focused on the job at hand.

DO:

Demonstrate when you answer the question your level of commitment to the position they are interviewing you for.

After you have demonstrated your commitment to the role you are interviewing for, outline a realistic growth strategy that is directly tied to the role you’re in and the needs and values of the company.

Stress your interest in a long-term career at the company

DON’T:

Don’t exhibit ambition to the point of seeming like this particular job is just a “brief stepping stone” for you. You need to show commitment.

Don’t say you want to be CEO of the company in 5 years.

Don’t say “Actually I want to be in YOUR seat within the next 5 years.” to the hiring manager.

One of the questions typically asked during an interview is about your future goals. Employers want to be sure that you won’t be moving on to another job right away.

The best way to respond to the interview question “What are your goals for the future?” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is to refer to the position and the company you are interviewing with.

Don’t discuss your goals for returning to school or having a family, they are not relevant and could knock you out of contention for the job. Rather, you want to connect your answer to the job you are applying for.

Samples Answer

  • My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much of value as I can.
  • I see myself as a top performing employee in a well-established organization, like this one. I plan on enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in (related) professional associations.
  • Once I gain additional experience, I would like to move on from a technical position to management.
  • In the XYZ Corporation, what is a typical career path for someone with my skills and experiences?
A

Mon objectif c’est de relever le défi de ce remplacement, de contribuer du mieux que je peux aux réalisations de l’équipe et, bien sûr, d’acquérir de l’expérience dans un univers où je n’ai jamais évolué jusqu’ici, le monde municipal, une façon pour moi d’ajouter une autre cordre à mon arc.

How well did you know this?
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16
Q

What are your salary requirements?

Before you start talking pay (and salary negotiations) with a prospective employer, you need to find out how much the job (and you) are worth. You will need to take the time to research salaries. That way you will be prepared to get what you’re worth and to get a job offer that’s realistic and reasonable.

Salary Negotiation Tips

Once you know what you should be earning, how do you go about getting it? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer.

If you’re asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you’d like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Here are tips for answeringinterview questions about your salary expectations.

Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you’ve done up front. Once you’ve received the offer you don’t need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple “I need to think it over” can get you an increase in the original offer.

And if you’re ambivalent about the position a “no” can bring you a better offer too. I turned down a position I knew I didn’t want, regardless of salary, and received three follow-up phone calls upping the compensation package. Be careful though, if you do definitely need that new job there’s a risk that the employer may accept your declining the position and move on to the next candidate.

Also see: “How to evaluate a job offer.”

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/job-offers/a/joboffer.htm

A

J’ai vu le chiffre indiqué sur l’offre de service. J’en ai compris qu’il s’agit sans doute d’un chiffre de base, sujet à modification en fonction des politiques applicables à la ville, compte de l’expérience des candidats, de l’échelle de progression en vigueur, le tout sujet à l’équité interne. Est-ce que je me trompe?

Ce n’est pas tant le salaire qui me motive que l’occasion d’une expérience professionnelle différente et l’occasion de diversifier mon expertise.

17
Q

Who was your best boss and who was the worst?

With the question “Who was your best boss and who was the worst?” the interviewer is trying to discover if you assess blame or carry a grudge. The interviewer also wants to determine if you are match for the leadership style of the company.

Even if you had a boss who was awful, don’t say so. Interviewers don’t want to hear too much negativity and they will wonder what you will say about their organization if you were hired and it didn’t work out.

Best Answers

I’ve learned from each boss I’ve had. From the good ones, what to do, from the challenging ones - what not to do.

Early in my career, I had a mentor who helped me a great deal, we still stay in touch. I’ve honestly learned something from each boss I’ve had.

My best boss was a manager who enabled me to take on more responsibility as I progressed in my job. I’ve had other bosses with a more hands off management style, but I appreciated the interaction with the first manager I mentioned.

Also see:

Describe your best boss - Best Answers:

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/retailinterviewanswers/qt/des

Describe your ideal boss - Best Answers: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/supervisors/qt/ideal-boss.htm

A

J’ai eu plusieurs types de patron, des hommes et des femmes, surtout des femmes. J’ai appris de tous les patrons et patronnes que j’ai eus.

J’ai déjà eu un patron qui disait ceci comme boutade: « Ma job en tant que gestionnaire, c’est de rendre mes employés heureux.» Ça peut sembler manquer de sérieux à première vue, mais c’est en fait une manière judicieuse de voir les choses.

C’était en fait quelqu’un qui déléguait, qui faisait confiance, qui attendait des résultats et qui fournissait un environnement davantage axé sur l’atteinte des objectifs que l’encadrement. On aimait se dévouer pour lui.

J’aime bien les patrons qui ont de la drive, qui savent où ils vont et qui sont axés sur les solutions, sans pour autant négliger le processus l’aspect humain de la tache et la convialité dans le travail d’équipe, qui savent créer une synergie.

18
Q

What are you passionate about?

When you’re asked what you’re passionate about during a job interview it’s a good opportunity to share what is important in your life. It’s also an opportunity to show your dedication and what’s important to you.

Your response doesn’t need to be work focused, but do be sure that what you share isn’t something that could potential cut in to your working hours.

For example, you don’t want to say that you’re a mountain climber with the goal of climbing Mountain Everest or that you’re getting ready for the Tour de France or looking to spend the winter skiing in Aspen.

Sample Answers

  • One of my greatest passions is helping others. When I was younger, I’ve enjoyed helping mom with household repairs. As I grew older, that habit grew and I desired to help others as well. I like helping people find solutions that meet their specific needs.
  • I’m passionate about painting. I take an evening art class once a week and try to find time each weekend to paint. Painting is a good way for me to relax and even though I don’t have much talent, I do it enjoy it.
  • I lost my father to pancreatic cancer and ever since then, I have spent time volunteering to help raise awareness and funding for cancer research. I volunteer for PanCan, the advocacy group, and I’m part of their volunteer network. One of the things I’m passionate is to assist in finding a cure, however I can.
  • I’m passionate about making a difference. When I’m involved with a project at work I want to do my best to achieve success. I feel the same way about what I do in my personal life.
  • I’m an avid skier and I like to spend weekends and vacations on the ski slopes.
A

When you’re asked what you’re passionate about during a job interview it’s a good opportunity to share what is important in your life. It’s also an opportunity to show your dedication and what’s important to you.

Your response doesn’t need to be work focused, but do be sure that what you share isn’t something that could potential cut in to your working hours.

For example, you don’t want to say that you’re a mountain climber with the goal of climbing Mountain Everest or that you’re getting ready for the Tour de France or looking to spend the winter skiing in Aspen.

Sample Answers

  • One of my greatest passions is helping others. When I was younger, I’ve enjoyed helping mom with household repairs. As I grew older, that habit grew and I desired to help others as well. I like helping people find solutions that meet their specific needs.
  • I’m passionate about painting. I take an evening art class once a week and try to find time each weekend to paint. Painting is a good way for me to relax and even though I don’t have much talent, I do it enjoy it.
  • I lost my father to pancreatic cancer and ever since then, I have spent time volunteering to help raise awareness and funding for cancer research. I volunteer for PanCan, the advocacy group, and I’m part of their volunteer network. One of the things I’m passionate is to assist in finding a cure, however I can.
  • I’m passionate about making a difference. When I’m involved with a project at work I want to do my best to achieve success. I feel the same way about what I do in my personal life.
  • I’m an avid skier and I like to spend weekends and vacations on the ski slopes.
19
Q

Questions about your supervisors and co-workers.

For the most part, the following questions may be asked to determine if you are a team player. Take a few seconds, when asked a difficult question, before you answer. An interviewer is not expecting you to have a ready answer. However, the Boy Scout Motto - Be Prepared - - certainly applies here as well.

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn’t doing his/her fair share of the work. What did you do and what was the outcome?
I worked closely with Ann who, for the most part, always carried her fair share of the work load. During a stressful time, working on a project with a deadline, I realized Ann’s contributions to the project were almost minimal. I made the decision to wait until after the project to speak with her. I’m glad I did, because I learned she’d been going through a very tough time in her personal life and she appreciated my willingness to go the extra mile so the project was completed on time. As a result, our ability to work well together significantly increased.

Give me an example of a time when you took the time to share a co-worker’s or supervisor’s achievements with other?
At my most recent position, one of my co-workers, Dan, did an outstanding job of calming an irate customer, solving the customer’s problem and completing a sale. When our boss asked me how things were going, I told him everything was going fine and that Dan had just completed calming an irate customer and closing a sale. It was a win-win-win- for our boss, Dan and the customer.

Tell me about a time that you didn’t work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?

Early in my career, I had a supervisor (Judy) who was in a fairly good mood on Monday, but it deteriorated each day until by Friday, the supervisor was finding fault with everything I did. I didn’t realize, until I left that position, that I had been a contributor to the decline in her mood. Judy would ask me how my weekend was (on Monday) and during the week she would ask how it was going. I would tell her how much fun I was having (I was single) and how I was looking forward to the weekend plans. After I left, I realized my life was in complete contrast to hers and I reminded her of it almost daily. When she asked the questions, I should have had a quick answer, and then asked her how she was doing!!!!

Have you worked with someone you didn’t like? If so, how did you handle it?
Yes, I’ve worked with someone whom I found difficult to like as a person. However, when I focused on the skills they brought to the job, their ability to solve problems and the two things I did appreciate, slowly my attitude towards them changed. We were never friends, but we did work well together.

Tell me about a time that you helped someone.
Most recently, we had a new hire (Paul) that was really struggling with getting to work on time, and I knew the boss (Harry) was getting irritated. Over lunch one day I explained to Paul how important it was to our boss for everyone to be there at least 10 minutes early. It was personal with the Harry, but you could really get on his bad side when you were frequently late. The new employee was grateful for the advice. At his previous employment, the boss was only concerned about the work getting done on time; he/she did not “watch the clock”.

Tell me about a time that you misjudged a person.
There was a long-time employee (George) at my second company who was very gruff when he spoke to me. At first, I went out of my way to win the George’s approval. Then I realized that was compounding the problem. So I observed how he interacted with other employees and discovered I wasn’t alone. He was gruff to most people. I quit trying to gain his approval and, in the process, discovered he’d learned his behavior from a former boss he’d had whom he admired.

How do you get along with older (younger) co-workers?
Suggested answer if your co-workers are older: There are times when I just know that a new way of doing something makes more sense to me; but, first hand, I learned that my “better way” may not be the best way to get the job done. As a consequence, I respect my older co-workers knowledge and I’ve learned how to make a suggestion at the appropriate time.

Suggested answer if your co-workers are younger: I quickly realized it was not my job to “parent” the younger people with whom I work; it was my job to get to know them and for us to find common ground where we could effectively work together. It took time, but the result was worth the effort.

A

Seul, on court généralement plus vite. Ensemble, on court plus longtemps.

Mon expérience à l’UPA, fondée sur l’action collective. Le travail éditorial est fondé sur le travail d’équipe.

Vigie. Comité d’idées. Consulatations des professionnels. Travail avec le ou la DG.

J’ai appris qu’en travaillant ensemble on produit de meilleures solutions.

J’ai aimé développé des relations de confiance avec les professionnels. J’ai misé beaucoup là-dessus pour avoir accès à du contenu solide.

20
Q

Questions about your career goals.

The overall theme for each of the answers below is: have you thought about the impact of your decisions at the time you made them - or do you have a reactive response to most situations. Far too often, a person’s career appears to have happened by chance. In todays fast-paced, ever changing world of work, employer’s want to know if they can count on you to make good decisions, not knee-jerk reactions.

Start with your graduation from college and explain the rationale behind each of your career moves.
When I graduated from college, I was immediately recruited by the ABC Company. As my resume reflects, I received two promotions and then a recruiter contacted for the position at the XYZ Company. I’ve been there for the past 4 years and have learned a great deal, while making significant contributions to my department.

Also, explain the thinking process that went into make each of those decisions.

For my first job, I was happy to know I would be working in a job that utilized my education. It was exciting to know that within just a few weeks of graduation, I had my first paycheck. My thinking behind the XYZ position centered on the fact that they have a global presence, it was a definite promotion and positioned me to be a viable candidate for the marketing position with your company.

How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done?
I use my time efficiently at work and, for the most part, it’s not the number of hours I work; but how effective my time has been to accomplish the job. I’m sure my references will tell you I was more than willing to put in the time to be sure the job was completed as quickly and as professionally as possible.

If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move?
The upward mobility at my current company would most likely be in the global marketing department.

How do you measure success?
I measure professional success by the standards of the company for which I work, the feedback I receive from my peers, supervisors and subordinates. Personally, it is to know I’m regarded as a good husband, father and member of society.

Describe your dream job.
As a child, I dreamed of being the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. When I realized I did not have a fast ball, or a change -up; I concentrated on my skills in marketing because I realized it is an area where I not only can make significant contributions, but I enjoy using my talent in a corporate environment.

A
21
Q

“Do You Have Any Questions For Me?”

Around 75 percent of job seekers will say “Nope, I think that’s everything” to this question.

Terrible response.

This question gives you a fantastic opportunity to stand out from the crowd and show your knowledge and passion for the company or organization you are interviewing for. Always have a few questions prepared and have one based around something you found during your company research phase. Your questions

DO:

Focus your questions on the company and what you can do for them.

Ask about something you’ve discovered in your company research. This will show your passion and knowledge of the company.

Ask if there is any reason the hiring manager wouldn’t hire you. (This can be a little daunting to ask BUT can really pay off. It allows you to address something they may be thinking in their head but haven’t brought up.)

DON’T:

Never say “No, I think I’m good.” Always have questions ready!

Don’t focus your questions on yourself and what you can get from them. (i.e.

Don’t ask questions that you could easily find the answer to.

Don’t ask about time off and benefits too early in the process.

Don’t ask how soon you can start applying for other positions in the company.

Tip

Just because the interviewer may often ask you this question at the end of the interview doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask any questions beforehand. In fact, one of the best ways to turn the interview from an “interrogation” into a “conversation between colleagues” is to ask questions throughout the interview. Asking questions throughout will make the interviewer see you as part of the team already and it will calm your nerves (if you have any) significantly.

10 Questions You Might Ask In a Job Interview

Here are 10 interview questions you could ask, and why:

  1. What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate? This is a great open-ended question that will have the interviewer put his or her cards on the table and state exactly what the employer is looking for. If the interviewer mentions something you didn’t cover yet, now is your chance.
  2. What is the single largest problem facing your staff and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem? This question not only shows that you are immediately thinking about how you can help the team, it also encourages the interviewer to envision you working at the position.
  3. What have you enjoyed most about working here? This question allows the interviewer to connect with you on a more personal level, sharing his or her feelings. The answer will also give you unique insight into how satisfied people are with their jobs there. If the interviewer is pained to come up with an answer to your question, it’s a big red flag.
  4. What constitutes success at this position and this firm or nonprofit? This question shows your interest in being successful there, and the answer will show you both how to get ahead and whether it is a good fit for you.
  5. Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications? I love this question because it’s gutsy. Also, you’ll show that you’re confident in your skills and abilities.
  6. Do you offer continuing education and professional training? This is a great positioning question, showing that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and ultimately growing with the employer.
  7. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with? Notice how the question is phrased; it assumes you will get the job. This question also tells you about the people you will interact with on a daily basis, so listen to the answer closely.
  8. What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth? This question should be customized for your particular needs. Do your homework on the employer’s site beforehand and mention a new product or service it’s launching to demonstrate your research and interest. The answer to the question will give you a good idea of where the employer is headed.
  9. Who previously held this position? This seemingly straightforward question will tell you whether that person was promoted or fired or if he/she quit or retired. That, in turn, will provide a clue to whether: there’s a chance for advancement, employees are unhappy, the place is in turmoil or the employer has workers around your age.
  10. What is the next step in the process? This is the essential last question and one you should definitely ask. It shows that you’re interested in moving along in the process and invites the interviewer to tell you how many people are in the running for the position.
A

Quelle habiletés et expérience ferait à vos yeux le candidat idéal pour le poste?

Quel est actuellement le pricipale problème auquel votre équipe fait face et serait-je en position pour vous aider à résoudre ce problème.

Qu’aimez-vous le plus dans votre travail à la Ville de Longueuil?

Avez-vous des hésitations à propos de mes qualifications et de mon expertise?

Pouvez-vous m’en dire quelque peu sur l’équipe avec laquelle j’aurais à travailler?

Qui vais-je remplacer, pourrai-je avoir un training miminum avec cette personne, un aperçu des dossiers?

Quelle est la prochaine étape du processus de dotation?