风流倜傥

千杯不醉,平日不识愁滋味
正文

如何回答10个棘手的面试问题

(2012-02-02 20:46:52) 下一个
By David Schepp


1. Why have you been out of work so long? How many others were laid off? Why you? This quizzing could cause you to reveal that there's something wrong with you that other employers have already discovered. The interviewer is fishing to determine whether there was a layoff of one and you were it. Or whether your former manager used the theme of recession and budget cuts to dump groups of second-string employees.

2. If employed, how do you manage time for interviews? The real question is whether you are lying to and shortchanging your current employer while looking for other work. "Clearly state that you're taking personal time, and that's why you interview only for job openings for which you're a terrific match," Kennedy says. "If further interviews are suggested, mention that your search is confidential and ask if it would be possible to meet again on a Saturday morning."

3. How did you prepare for this interview? Translation: Is this job important enough for you to research it, or are you going through the motions without preparation, making it up as you go? "The best answer?" Kennedy says. "You very much want this job, and of course you researched it starting with the company website."

4. Do you know anyone who works for us? The friend question is a two-way street. "Nothing beats having a friend deliver your resume to a hiring manager, but that transaction presumes the friend is well thought of in the company," Kennedy says. "If not -- ouch! Remember the birds-of-a-feather rule: Mention a friend inside the company only if you're certain of your friend's positive standing."

5. Where would you really like to work? Doing what? The real agenda for this question is assurance that you aren't applying to every job opening in sight. "Never, ever mention another company's name or another job," Kennedy says. "A short 'Hire me!' answer is a version of: 'This is the place where I want to work, and this job is what I want to do. I have what you need, and you have what I want. I can't wait to get to work here.'"

6. What bugs you about co-workers or bosses? Develop a poor memory for past irritations. Reflect for a few moments, shake your head, and say you can't come up with anything that irritates you. Continue for a couple of sentences elaborating on how you seem to get along with virtually everyone.

7. Can you describe how you solved a work/school problem? This forthright question is tricky only in the sense that most job seekers can't come up with an example on the spot that favorably reflects on their ability to think critically and develop solutions.

8. Can you describe a work/school instance in which you messed up? The question-within-a-question is whether you learn from your mistakes or keep repeating the same errors. A kindred concern is whether you are too self-important to consider any action of yours to be a mistake. "Never deliver a litany of your personal bad points," Kennedy says. "Instead, briefly mention a single small, well-intentioned goof and follow up with an important lesson learned from the experience."

9. How does this position compare with others you're applying for? Are you under consideration by other employers now? The intent of these questions is to gather intelligence on the competitive job market or get a handle on what it will take to bring you on board.

10. If you won the lottery, would you still work? This question goes to your motivation, work ethic and enthusiasm for work. "The 'Hire me!' answer is this," Kennedy says. "While you'd be thrilled to win the lottery, you'd still seek out fulfilling work because working, meeting challenges and scoring accomplishments are what make most people happy, including you. Say it with a straight face."

Bonus advice: What to say when you're uncertain. If a hardball question comes at you out of left field, try not to panic. Take a deep breath, look the interviewer in the eyes, and comment that it's a good question that you'd like to mull over and come back to.
 
The interviewer may forget to ask again. "But if the question does resurface and your brain goes on holiday, say that you don't know the answer and that, being a careful worker, you prefer not to guess," Kennedy says. "The interviewer probably won't consider your lack of specifics on a single topic to be a deal-breaker," she says, adding, "As with most things, in the world of job interviews, practice makes perfect."

[ 打印 ]
阅读 ()评论 (8)
评论
tern2 回复 悄悄话 跟你一同。我一月底的时候也收藏了这个在我的老box里面:)

元宵节快乐,Richard!问下面的所有sexy们好。
Richard 回复 悄悄话 看到安安眼前一亮,我最近已戒酒,不知安安在忙些什么,好久不见人影.

响应安安号召, 以后就称清风sexy哥哥,九月sexy妹妹!
Anne6 回复 悄悄话 呵呵,一阵没见,九月又有了新昵称?

Richard最近表现好吗,有没有经常喝高?
清风明月 回复 悄悄话 回复Richard的评论:
老弟, sexy是九月, 哈哈
Richard 回复 悄悄话 回复清风明月的评论:
清风哥哥面试过多少美女啊?
清风明月 回复 悄悄话 回复Richard的评论:
这十个问题, Sexy经常问面试者的。 :))
Richard 回复 悄悄话 回复九月独处的评论:
居然过来捣蛋, 还说看不懂英文, 哼!
九月独处 回复 悄悄话
嘿嘿嘿,英文滴,俺看不懂?~~~~~
登录后才可评论.