Term
| Describe a typical work week. |
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Definition
• Keep it focused on professional responsibilities,
not your personal life.
• Describe in a checklist: First, I check my
voicemail. Then I check my emails. Third, I
check my in box. |
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Term
| Do you take your work home with you? |
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Definition
| Best Answer: If I need to, it is no problem. I understand that deadlines have to be met. However, I try to be efficient so that I get my work done within work hours. |
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Term
| How many hours do you work? |
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Definition
| Best Answer: I work as many as I need to get the job done. If I finish early, I try to get a head start on the next day's workload or help another co-worker. I try to get my work done within work hours, but if I'm unable--I will work overtime. |
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Term
| Describe the pace which you work. |
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Definition
• It is best to describe your pace as "steady."
• Emphasize that you get your work done by or
before deadlines
• Discuss your ability to manage your workload
• If had a job where you met quota, discuss how
you achieved or exceeded it. |
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Term
| How do you handle stress? |
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Definition
• You know stress-relieving techniques
• You know how to prioritize responsibilities
• If people are causing the stress, you try to discuss better
options for handling situations.
• Mention if stress helps you find better solutions or be more
productive
• Give examples of past situations where you have managed
stress well
. |
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Term
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Definition
| Give an answer that benefits the employer: desire for self-improvement, overcoming challenges, finding ways to help the team succeed in a goal, customer satisfaction. Don't mention money or religion. |
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Term
| What are your salary expectations? |
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Definition
| Research salaries someone in the position you are applying for makes. Let interviewer bring it up first. Tell the interviewer that you are open based on the responsibilities and compensation of the position. You can give a salary range. Refusing an offer may increase it--but it can also cost you the opportunity. You also can tell them you want to think it over. |
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Term
| What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? |
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Definition
• Refresh your memory before the interview.
• Give concrete examples of something that
happened at work.
• Keep answers positive
• Itemize what you did to resolve problem |
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Term
| What is the greatest disappointment in your life? |
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Definition
| Give a personal example. You don't have to have a "greatest" disappointment. |
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Term
| What are you passionate about? |
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Definition
| You don't have to mention something work-related, but make sure it isn't something that the employer might think will interfere with your working. |
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Term
| What are your pet peeves? |
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Definition
| Best Answer: I don't have pet peeves. When something bothers me, I try to analyze it and find a solution. |
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Term
| What do people most often criticize about you? |
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Definition
| Best Answer: There is no ongoing criticism. I'm approachable and am willing to find solutions to any difficulties. |
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Term
| What happened the last time you were angry? |
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Definition
| Anger to an employer means a loss of control. Best to deny losing control--that you take a deep breath, analyze the situation, and try to find a solution. |
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Term
| If you could relive the last ten years of your life, what would you do differently? |
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Definition
| Best Non-personal answer: Nothing. I've learned from every experience I've had. |
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Term
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Definition
| Give one or two sentences instead of rambling. Identify your major "selling point"--your greatest asset that can benefit them. If possible, put a dollar amount on it--how much you made a former employer. |
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Term
| What is your greatest strength? |
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Definition
| Discuss an attribute that will benefit the employer--you're time management capabilities, completing projects ahead of schedule. |
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Term
| What is your greatest weakness? |
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Definition
| Try to turn a negative into a positive: I used to leave everything to the last minute, but then I realized that scheduling makes sense. |
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Term
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Definition
| Examine the job description to mention how you qualify. Mention skills that have helped in other positions. Be positive. Show interest in their company and position. |
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Term
| If we asked other people why we should hire you, what would they say? |
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Definition
| This question reflects your perception of how you think other people regard your abilities and accomplishments. Be short and positive on your major skills. |
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Term
| Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? |
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Definition
| Best answer: You are comfortable working independently and as a team. |
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Term
| Give some examples of teamwork. |
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Definition
| Give examples of times you worked as a team--it can be in high school clubs or activities. Mention achievements accomplished and how much you enjoyed it. |
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Term
| What type of work environment do you prefer? |
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Definition
| You're flexible and can adapt. Then ask what the work environment is like at the place you are applying for. |
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Term
| How do you evaluate success? |
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Definition
| Best to describe evaluating it in different ways, and don't mention by how much money you make. Mention goals you have accomplished, opportunity to self-improve, etc. |
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Term
| If you know a boss is 100% wrong about something, how do you handle it? |
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Definition
| It depends on the situation and the personality of the supervisor. If I were new on the job, I might now question them because I would assume I don't know enough. I might make a suggestion of a way I think would work better if they were open to it. I might find a way to accomplish the desired results the right way and not tell them (if they aren't open to suggestion). You may elaborate on a past situation if you handled it well. |
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Term
| Describe a difficult work project and how you overcame it. |
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Definition
| Refresh your memory before the interview. Give concrete example. Keep answers positive. Itemize what you did. |
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Term
| Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. |
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Definition
| Give an example. Describe what you did to resolve situation. Keep positive. |
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Term
| How do you communicate technical data in layman's terms? |
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Definition
| The interviewer wants to know how you relate to people outside of your expertise--describe a situation how you managed to do this successfully. |
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Term
| Describe how you would deal with handling a situation that is outside your expertise. |
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Definition
| Give an example or describe how you would overcome such a situation. |
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Term
| Why do you think you would be successful at this job? |
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Definition
| Employer wants to know if you consider this a career move or stop gap employment. Mention prior successes. Mention how your abilities match the job description. You're eager to be a contributing employee. |
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Term
| Tell me about a time you participated in a team, and what was your role? |
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Definition
| Employer wants to know if you are a team player. They are looking for employees that will adapt to the company's culture and get along with others. Mention how you enjoyed and grew being a member of a team, and different skills you learned. |
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Term
Tip:
When asked a question about yourself, take a few seconds before replying to appear as if you are thinking about the question, then give an answer you already know |
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Definition
Tip:
When asked a question about yourself, take a few seconds before replying to appear as if you are thinking about the question, then give an answer you already know |
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Term
| What would you do differently if you could start your working life over? |
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Definition
| Employer is looking for a detour that continues to be a professional block in your career. You can mention something you would have done differently, but be certain to put it in a positive light--that you never lost sight of your goals. |
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Term
| How do you balance life and work? |
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Definition
| Employer wants to know if you've made child care arrangements or if you are "out of there" when it is quitting time. Mention that you have back-up for unexpected situations, that you are organized so you can be fully focused at work. |
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Term
| What is your preferred way to communicate? |
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Definition
| Best answers: At work you follow the established pattern--what the boss prefers |
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Term
| Do you check voicemail and email on vacations? |
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Definition
| Best answer: I keep my phone battery charged. I can be reached in emergencies. I am confident that my co-workers can make decisions when I'm gone. |
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Term
| What did you do during this gap in your work history? |
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Definition
| Say what you accomplished during that time: you studied, accomplished a to-do list around the house, made plans to re-enter work place. You learned a lot about yourself, are rested, and looking forward to the challenges of the work place. |
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Term
| What led you to this point in life? |
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Definition
| Your life, if it turned out different than you imagined, was interesting and you learned a lot from the challenges. Mention any discoveries you made about yourself. |
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