Dealing With Difficult Interview Questions Handout EO

7/31/2019 Dealing With Difficult Interview Questions Handout EO

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DEALING WITH DIFFICULT INTERVIEW

QUESTIONS WORKSHOP

Name: _______________________________________

Job goal: _______________________________________

List 3 of your most difficult to answer interview questions:

1.______________________________________________________

2.______________________________________________________

3.______________________________________________________

Other Questions that might come up in an interview

1. ___________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________

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3. ___________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________

6. ___________________________________________________________

7. ___________________________________________________________

8. ___________________________________________________________

9. ___________________________________________________________

10. ___________________________________________________________

11. ___________________________________________________________

12. ___________________________________________________________

13. ___________________________________________________________

14. ___________________________________________________________

15. ___________________________________________________________

Q1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF

i) Why is it a difficult question?This is an open ended question. It is often difficult to know how muchinformation the employer is looking for. It can also be difficult to know what

the focus of your response should be i.e. skills, qualifications, experience,hobbies, interests, age, etc.

ii) Reasons the employer might be askingTo get an idea of the kind of person you are. They might not only be lookingfor the answers to the questions but you also the way you deliver it.This is a chance to give a good first impression.Also might be used as a good ice-breaker

iii) Ideas for answering- Keep it concise

- Try using three bullet points to structure the way you deliveryour response and to prevent rambling

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- Ensure that the information is relevant and going to be ofinterest to the employer- Ensure that the information gives you the very best chance ofmaking a positive first impression (stay away from negative informatione.g. I am currently unemployed)

iv) Example Response

I have recently moved to London

I have 10 years experience in admin

I have a strong interest in fashion and am looking forward tostarting a job where I can use my relevant skills and experience in afield that I am interested in

Q2. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

i) Why is it a difficult question?For many people coming up with strengths can be challenging. It is difficultto discuss your weaknesses without putting your chances of getting the jobat risk.

ii) Reasons the employer might be askingTo understand what you have to offer their organisation. To get an idea ofyour level of self-awareness. To identify your areas of weakness and toestablish how you go about managing/improving them

iii) Ideas for answeringPreparation:-Write a list of all your strengths, keep adding to it and reviewthis when you have a job interview. Identify the strengths that relate to theparticular job you are interviewing for and keep them foremost in your mindfor the interview.Weaknesses No-one has no weaknesses. Your identified weakness shouldnot be one that is crucial to the job e.g. an administrator should not bedisorganised or a librarian should not be loud. When pointing out yourweaknesses be sure to address how you are attempting to manage orovercome this weakness

iv) Example responseStrengths - I am organised, thorough and conscientious.Weaknesses I sometimes pay too much attention to detail which means Iforget the bigger picture. I am however, aware of this and am able tomanage it by reminding myself of how my own tasks relate to the work of

others.

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3. WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR US?

i) Why is it a difficult question?If you genuinely want to work for an employer this question might not bedifficult to answer. It is difficult to answer however when you need the jobfor money or if it is just a way to move you closer toward the job that youreally want

ii) Reasons the employer might be askingTo ensure that you are commitment and interest in them and their company.To make sure that if they offer you the job that you will take it

iii) Ideas for answeringBefore going to the interview think about what this employer has to offer,what type of company it is. Have you had any previous interactions withthem? Has there been anything of interest to you? Has there been anythingthat has impressed you about their organisation?

iv) Example responseI have been shopping at Sainsburys for many years. I have always beenimpressed by the excellent customer service and courteous staff. I think thatit would be a great company to work for.

4. TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHEN

i) Why is it a difficult question?It is often difficult to think of a relevant example off the top of your head.You may also not think that you have a relevant scenario where you have

demonstrated the skills the employer is looking for.ii) Reasons the employer might be askingTo ensure that you are able to demonstrate the skills and experience thatyou say you have.

iii) Ideas for answeringHere are some common work related areas that you may be asked to provide

examples for in an interview. If you cant think of a work related example,show how you have demonstrated these skills in your life in generally

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- Prioritise your workload- Communication skills- Team Work- Conflict resolution- Initiative

- Work independently- Organisational ability

iv) Example response for showing effective communication skillsIn my last position as a receptionist communicating effectively was a criticalpart of my role. I was responsible for ensuring telephone messages wererelayed quickly and efficiently to my colleagues. I also had to keep staffupdated about staff changes that might effect their work. I did this byensuring that I had contact with each person at least once per day.

Q5. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR COMPANY?

i) Why is it a difficult question?This is a difficult question because if you have not done much research onthe organisation you may be caught off guard. Also it might be difficult toaccess information.

ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo assess your interest in the job and to assess whether you understand

their business and perhaps the role you will be taking up

iii) Ideas for answeringDo as much investigating into the organisation as you can. Use the internet,visit them, phone them, talk to their clients/customers. You might find out:-

- When they were established- How big the organisation is- How many staff they have- What is the company philosophy?- What do they contribute to the community?- Who are their main clients/customers?- Do they have any plans to expand?- Are they UK based or global?- Etc, etc, etc

Q6. WHY SHOULD WE EMPLOY YOU?

i) Why is it a difficult question?For a lot of people selling yourself does not come naturally. This is where

you have to sum up why you are better than anyone else for the job

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ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo give you an opportunity to sell yourself and prove to them why you arethe right person for the job

iii) Ideas for answering

Try and be as confident and self-assured as you can. Be clear and concise.Briefly mention your relevant experience. Try and think of something that isvery unique to you that is important to the roleIf you cant think of anything, expressing enthusiasm and keenness is a greatreason for giving anyone a job

iv) Example responseI have relevant experience and transferable skills. I am a committed, keenand hardworking team member

Q7. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS TIME?

i) Why is it a difficult question?This is a difficult question for some because many people dont think that farahead. Others may worry that the job they are applying for has no place in

their long term vision or future. For others this job might fit in nicely withtheir overall plan for the future and so would not be difficult to answer at all.

ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo get an idea about how this job fits into your plan for the future.To establish whether you have any direction. To see if you have goals andare committed to something.

iii) Ideas for answeringThis is something you will need to give some thought to in advance. Youdont necessarily have to give a career related response. Your response may

indicate the type of lifestyle you would like and how work fits into thatlifestyle.

iv) Example responseI want to be working in a stable job that gives me financial security for myselfand my family in order to have a comfortable lifestyle

Q8. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US?

i) Why is it a difficult question?

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Sometimes you genuinely dont have any questions to ask. Sometimes it isdifficult to think of an appropriate question on the spot.

ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo address any concerns or queries you have about the role or company. To

get an idea about how interested you are. To establish whether you havebeen listening and whether you have done your research.

iii) Ideas for answeringDont feel you must have a question if you cant think of one. Saying no isok just let them know that they have answered all your questions or that youdont have any at that time. Here are some questions you might considerthough:-

What will my day to day activities be? How big is the team?

What are the working hours?

When will you be making a decision?

Others????____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

iv) Example response

I dont have any questions at the moment. You have answered those that Ihad. Can I contact you if I have any other questions?

Q10. HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO GET PAID?

i) Why is it a difficult question?Talking about pay can be a tricky business... you dont want to disadvantageyourself by saying that you will only take a certain amount of money

however you dont want to sell yourself short either.

ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo find out how much you are willing to work for and if you fit into theirbudget.

iii) Ideas for answeringThink about what the job is worth to you. Think about what is a realisticbottom end figure for you. However, dont feel that you have to give anexact amount. You might suggest a range or you might suggest that youwould be willing to negotiate if you were offered the position

iv) Example response

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I have not thought about an exact amount. I understand that the awardwage for this type of work is between XX - XX depending on experience. Iwould be willing to negotiate if I was offered the position.

Q11. WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR LAST JOB?

i) Why is it a difficult question?For those who left their last job in difficult or unpleasant circumstances thiscould be information you do not want the employer to be privy to. There isalways the concern that past incidences could jeopardise your chances ofgetting the job.

ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo ensure that you will be a valuable, trustworthy employee

iii) Ideas for answeringAlways be as honest as you can without giving the employer reason toquestion your integrity. Whats most important is that the employer isassured that you are going to be a reliable and trustworthy employee now,regardless of your past. You need to ensure that they have no doubts thatyou will be a valuable staff member.

iv) Example responseI was not challenged in my last job and felt that I needed to broaden myscope for learning.

Q12. YOU HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING RECENTLY, CAN YOU TELL MEWHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING?

i) Why is it a difficult question?Being unemployed can be a sensitive topic for some people. This questioncan be tough because you may feel like you have to justify yourself and yourcurrent circumstances

ii) Reasons the employer is askingTo ensure that you are capable and able to maintain the job and to get anidea of what you have been doing while you have not been working.

iii) Ideas for answering

It helps to be confident about where you are in your life at the momentregardless of you past situation. Focus on how job ready you are now, dont

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get caught up in the amount of time you have been unemployed or your pastcircumstances.Think about what you have achieved since you have been out of work. Thismay be rehabilitation for an injury/illness. Think about what courses,volunteer work etc have you completed. You might also think about how

have you developed personally and how this relates to work.Be sure that the employer is left with no doubts about your capability to dothe job now regardless of your past circumstances

iv) Example responseI have had an injury that has prevented me from working. I have hadrehabilitation since finishing my last job and am fully fit for work now. Duringmy rehabilitation I have also completed a computer course. I have alsodeveloped personally in that I am much more determined, focussed andcommitted in anything that I set my mind to.

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Dealing With Difficult Interview Questions Handout EO

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