Interview Questions

Interview Questions

1. What do you know about our company know products, size, income, reputation, image, goals, management style, skills, history project informed interest, let the interviewer tell about the company, let them define their business in their terms

2. Tell me about yourself team player, leader, I put my heart in everything I do resume summary as a base to start

3. Why do you want to work here I enjoy my work and I'm proud of my profession and believe in giving value to my employer I share values that make possible to offer services, set up PMO etc Wish to be part of a company project, would like to solve company problem Make a definite contribution to specific company goals

4. Why should I hire your I have the qualification you need, I'm team player and can lead the team relate past experiences which represent success in solving some problems because of knowledge, experience, abilities and skills

5. What do you look for in a job- an opportunity to use skills, to perform and be recognized

6. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm? very quickly after little orientation and a brief period of adjustment on the learning curve

7. How long would you stay with us as long as we both feel Im contributing, achieving, growing

8. What did you like/dislike about your last job the reason I want to leave is to find position where I can make a greater contribution

9. Why are you leaving your present job group answer our department was consolidated/eliminated

10. What would you like to be doing 5 years from now I have desire to be regarded as true professional and team player and to have potential to grow, having exciting opportunities

11. What are your biggest accomplishments- I'm proud of my involvement with

12. Can you work under pressure- yes, I usually find it stimulating

13. How do you take direction I take direction well and recognize opportunities. .. I take direction and get on with job w/o taking offense

14. What is the most difficult situation you have faced once I examined the problem and reach conclusion, I act quickly and professionally

15. Do you prefer working with others or alone I can work alone as well as in the team..but prefer to work with group as more people can make more achievements

16. Would you like to have your boss's job? I'm looking for a manger who will help me develop my capabilities and grow with him

17. Are you a good manger answer achievement and task oriented, planning, organizing, controlling, interpersonal skills

18. what did you look when hired people skills, initiative, adaptability

19. what do you see as the most difficult task in being manager getting things planned and done on time within the budget

20. Sell me this pen let me tell you about special features of this product how many gross should we deliver?

21. Why shall we hire outsider? those are my general attributes (skills + profile strengths)

22. why were you out of work for so long? I determined that my next job I took would be one where I could settle down and do my best to make a solid contribution

23. You were long time in one company w/o ranking upgrade, why? My current employer is a stable company with a good working environment, but there was a minimal growth in my area ( hasn't been any promotion for long time). I have skills and ability to take on more responsibility and looking for place to do that.

24. How would you evaluate your present firm? an excellent company which afforded me many fine experiences

25. Personal weaknesses - what are your weaknesses regarding this job? I believe that my skills and abilities are a good fit for this position. Do you have any specific concerns?26. what is your weakness (as manager) having problem reprimanding people, so I always begin with something positive first

27. Going the extra mile would your current boss describe you as the type of person who goes that extra mile? always backup statements with specific examples Absolutely. In fact, on my annual evaluations, he writes that Im the most dependable and flexible person on his staff. I think this is mostly because of my ability to juggle and prioritize

28. standing out from the crowd - what new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that our internal candidates dont offer?- because Ive worked with the oldest player in this industry, I can help you avoid some of the mistakes we made in our established markets.

29. Being specific why did you choose this particular career path? I like fast-paced high energy environment, dynamic environment

30. tough question about your past - why didnt finish studies, do you tend to complete things.. when I do anything, I always give 150%

31. great expectations - what do you want out of your next job? Im really interested in taking over a territory where we arent very well positioned

32. what can you contribute? telling about individual initiative

33. helping the company the biggest contribution was my ability to accurately measure customer satisfaction and to continually feed this information back to our design and production dept.

34. Salary expectations current salary information published by our national association indicates a range of - - while Im not certain how your salaries compare to the national norms for this industry, my feeling is that my value would certainly in the upper half of this national range

35. In 5 years I would like to have progressed to the point where I have bottom-line responsibility and the chance to lead a unit

36. showing your determination I led an effort to change our production systemI persuaded management to increase the profit-sharing to get bonus for employees diligence, time I preserved to accomplish a goal, to achieve important results, describing how to predict obstacles and how gathering resources

37. previous bosses with all of my bosses I developed a close rapport

38. off- the wall questions questions to see if able to work under stress

39. Illegal question about age, race, religion, national origin, sex, plans to have children

Im not quite sure that I understand what youre getting at would you please explain to me how this issue is relevant to the position? Im very interested in developing my career, travel is not definitely problem for me That question makes me uncomfortable. Id really rather not answer it.

Asking questions:1. What is possible career pathnext position that it can lead to2. Its a great company and Im confident I could do this job well what is the next step in selection process3. I assume that you are going to put that offer in writing to me and once I have received it, I will have a few days to review it an get back to you, is that right?

Perfect Image:

1. first minutes are the most important come on time, dress for success, confident approach, sincere smile, firm handshake (have free hand), remember the interviewer name, eye contact, make small talk easily2. to show interviewer that seriously interested in a career in that particular field at that particular company3. tone of voice, body language capability, enthusiasm, confidence, flexibility, dependability, resourcefulness, easygoing manner, strong work ethic (try to relax an visualize myself as smooth and confident, will project these qualities)4. adapt the answers to match the type of company for which am interviewing5. never make negative statement about former boss or colleague6. project positive, upbeat attitude

Situational Interview QuestionsSituational interview questions give managers keen insights into your ability to do the job.The idea is to ask you to describe how you would handle a certain situation, or what you would do under certain circumstances.It's easy to list skills and accomplishments on your resume. Now you need to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the interviewer how you successfully go about solving problems, resolving conflicts, and making things happen.What makes situational interview questions challenging, is there are an infinite number of situations or circumstances.How do you know in advance what specific situational interview questions you will be asked? Actually, it's really not that difficult once you know the pattern to answering these types of questions.Employers want to know 2 critical things about you:1. Will you fit into our company culture? 2. How well do you manage change and respond to problems?

What employers fear or want to know about youHow well do you get along with people and influence others? Resolving conflict Coping with difficult people Influencing co-workers Working in a team Flexibility, adaptability How do you cope with stress and disappointment? Missing deadlines Getting criticized Dealing with demanding customers Do you have the skills you say you do, to do the job? Technical abilities and knowledge of systems Product knowledge Sales abilities Service, management, organizational skills Are you a self-starter and easy to manage? Do you take the initiative to solve problems and get things done?

Top 10 Situational Interview Questions1. Describe the ideal working environment to do your best work. - Often on the list of human resources interview questions, and could be a deal breaker if you don't tell them what they want to hear.

Large companies = more than $750M in sales, 2,500+ people. Medium companies = $150-750M in sales, 500-2,500 people. Small companies = less than $150M in sales, under 500 people.Large companies: More layers of management Policy and procedure driven More structured More image conscious Slower decision making process Diverse culture More 15-25 year vets in their workforce More politics Global presence and the need for people to relocate and travelMedium companies: Growing pains with a fair amount of confusion and chaos Need for more structure and systems Long hours expected The need to be flexible Fair amount of hiring so workforce will be newer Culture evolving Need for upward mobile people to fill management positionsSmall companies: You will wear more than one hat Quicker decision making More important you fit in as everybody knows everybody More casual work environment More conservative attitude Slow to change Loyalty expectedExample for large company: I enjoy working in large complex organizations. I am well organized and patient. I work well within teams as a leader or a follower. I'm open to travel and relocation.Example for a medium company: I thrive in a fast-paced work environment and welcome change. I am flexible, hard working, and open to long hours and travel to get the job done. I enjoy a challenge and I'm good at problem solving. I'm a self-starter and do my best work when I'm given the freedom to do my job with minimal oversight. Example for small company: I enjoy working for a smaller organization where everyone knows each other. I am flexible, hard working, and get along well with people. I don't mind pitching in to help others with their work. I do my best work when I can see a company from a big picture perspective.

2. Share with me an idea or improvement you implemented that made a difference. - Employer interview questions about your ideas or improvements provide you with a tremendous opportunity to stand out from other candidates. Every good story delivers... an attention grabbing introduction (problem or crisis), a compelling story (characters/details that build interest), a crescendo that invokes strong feelings or emotions. Apply these 3 steps in 60 seconds...or less1. Describe the problem or situation 2. Describe the steps you took to resolve or improve the situation 3. Share the measurable results of your efforts Pearl of Wisdom: Employers are most interested in improvements that save them money, make them money, or save them time. Your improvement story should speak to these 3 objectives to really impress hiring authorities.

3. Describe the toughest challenge you ever faced and how you worked through it. - This is one of my favorite free interview questions. Your company was losing or wasting money Spending too much on overtime Poor quality or warranty issues High overheads or cost of materials Too much inventory 2. Your company was inefficient or wasting time Low productivity Low morale Negative or unmotivated workforce Resistance to new technology Lack of sales due to weak sales strategy 3. Your company was negatively impacted by outside factors beyond anyone's control Natural disasters Recession Competitor with new technology Overseas competition Large price spike in materials or commodities It doesn't matter if you are a manager or not. What actions did you personally take to overcome a challenge?

4. Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you made even though it made you unpopular. - This is one of those questions that tests your resolve to stand firm when the situation dictates. Examples might include: Putting a customer on COD for slow pay history Not bending on a company policy or procedure Increasing prices on your products or services Reducing or denying a warranty claim Limiting personal use of company phones, vehicles, merchandise, or supplies Enforcing safety rules Not relaxing quality requirements for your products Not accepting calls or permitting interruptions during a certain time block of the day Not accepting a project or report unless it is filled out neatly, completely, and correctly Not serving alcohol at company functions Charging employees for lost or misplaced items The real question is, can you stand firm on a decision when the situation warrants it?There is a lot of hype and sensitivity in the workplace today about teamwork and harmony. This is all well and good, but sometimes we need to have the courage to simply do what is right.There is a flip side to answering questions like this.Sometimes people go overboard about doing what is right. There is a fine line between taking a firm stand on something, and being overly rigid and inflexible. As a general rule, throwing the gauntlet down over an issue should be a rare exception in your work environment instead of the norm.

5. Discuss a situation during the past year in which you had to deal with an upset customer or coworker. - One of the sample job interview questions centered around a common situation faced by every company.

Rule #1: The customer is always right. Rule #2: If the customer is ever wrong...see Rule #1. 6. Describe the most difficult boss you worked for and how you dealt with them. - Among my interview tips and questions are tough situations you won't relish answering, but here is an example of what works well. Here are some positives my interviewers might be thinking about me: He can work with demanding managers His management style is participative...which is what most employers want He can stand up to a tough boss He learned and grew from this experience He is self confident, solves problems, and gets results Maybe the reason you are being asked this question is because this employer knows you will be facing one or more of the following challenges: Your manager is autocratic and few people can work for him/her. Your overbearing manager is nearing retirement and they see you as his/her replacement. Expectations are high, and you will be held strictly accountable. Can you handle the pressure? Your boss may be a good person, but a micro-manager. You may be asking yourself, why would I even want this job if I may have to work for a tough boss? Here are a few possibilities: This is a turnaround division of a large stable company with an overall good culture and reputation. This could be fertile ground for you to make a difference and advance your career quickly. This could be a start up operation of a great company that is experiencing short term headaches and problems. This employer may have hired poor leaders in the past and now wants to infuse strong leadership into their organization. This could be a stepping stone along your career path and you need specific skills and experience that this job provides.

7. What would you do if the priorities on a major project you were working on were suddenly changed - Find out why HR interview questions like this can be a double edge sword. Set-up question examples: Have priorities ever changed on a project you were working on? How often do priorities change on your major projects? Do you find it frustrating when priorities are suddenly changed on a major project? For all you know, the company is sick and tired of priorities changing all the time, and no one having the backbone to put their foot down about it.Whenever project priorities change, it costs employers money...and people get upset about it.The essence of this HR interview question is, HOW would you handle this situation?A good starting point would be to first answer this question by asking a question. Who is changing the priorities on this project? Your boss? The customer? Engineering? External factors like weather or strikes? A key supplier? Your answer to this question depends on who is initiating the change and why. Like all situational interview questions, the company really wants to know how you think under pressure, how you analyze a situation, and how you will likely respond to others. Can you be a leader when circumstances call for it? Will you blow a gasket if things are changed? What's your line of logic when someone throws you a curve ball? Is your name Caspar Milquetoast when someone is controlling? Can you suck it up and adapt even if you truly believe in this project and have many hours invested in it?

8. Tell me about a time when your work was criticized. - Here are 2 approaches to tough interview questions answers of this nature...both positive. The best way to answer this question is to share a criticism about yourself that had a measurable positive outcome. Good examples: Cost cutting measures Restructuring department resulting in layoffs or consolidations Reducing or eliminating overtime Raising quality standards Replacing weak performers with strong ones Standing up to a demanding customer or supplier Increasing sales visits Restructuring dealer network eliminating weak dealers Greater scrutiny of warranty claims Raising standards of professionalism including dress code Firing malcontents or underachievers Despite your good intentions, and positive results, you may have been criticized about: Over planning--with positive outcomes--but causing delays Demanding sacrifices of others or ourselves Being too lenient or tolerant Taking a fire-ready-aim approach

9. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the call of duty to get something done or resolve a problem. - See why this is always included among my sample interview questions and answers. Often times it's adapting to changes in a shifting business climate or solving a problem before it gets out of hand. Companies want to employ flexible people who are easy to manage and can make good judgement calls when the situation warrants.All of us have done this at some point in our careers.Example answer:"One of my strengths is my willingness to adapt to change. I understand that during a business downturn I may be needed more in another department, or asked to make other sacrifices.""As a matter of fact, when my current company was hit hard by the recession I was asked to step down as a sales administrator to a receptionist in the lobby.""No one wanted this job because of the frantic pace and the challenges of dealing with the public. However, I gladly accepted the position and excelled at it.""If hired by your company, you can depend on me to adapt well to change and to put my best foot forward."

10. Give me an example of an important goal you set and describe your progress in reaching that goal. - Answers to interview questions like this provide keen insights into your character and motivations. Another way of asking this question could be: Do you even set goals? What are your priorities? How do you measure success?Good examples of personal goals you accomplished: Taking online computer training courses to stay current Attending night school to complete your college degree or MBA Learning a foreign language Sticking with an exercise regimen Paying off your debts and living debt free Getting your pilot's license Fund raising for a community or humanitarian causeGood examples of work related goals you accomplished: Increasing sales or market share Reducing costs Winning back a key customer Reducing employee turnover or improving morale Overcoming a company's reputation of poor quality or service

Top 10 Situational Interview Questions

1. Describe the work environment where you perform your best work. This is a common question asked by hiring managers who work as part of a company's human resource department. This can be a great question, if you give the right answer -- but it could also be a deal breaker. It's important that you know the environment of the company, or department you're applying too, before you answer this question. Make sure to perform your due diligence about the company, it's culture and the working environment it provides, before you arrive for the interview.

2. Please provide an example of an improvement you made at your previous job that made a real difference. Give a good answer to this question and you'll stand out from the competition. Give a bad answer and you'll like end up at the bottom of the list of job candidates. You want your answer to leave a lasting impression, so structure it in a storyboard fashion. Describe the probem you faced, the steps you took to resolve it, and the results of your efforts.

3. What is the biggest challenge you've faced, and how did you solve it? When answering this question, you want to share a work related challenge. This is a great question because it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and show the interviewer what you bring to the table. Suggestions for challenges you've faced include your previous employer losing or wasting money, inefficiently using time, or being impacted by a factor outside your control. If you are early in your career, and haven't faced any work-related challenges worth mentioning, you can use a personal challenge.

4. Describe a time when you had to defend an unpopular decision you made. As you might guess, this question is designed to test your ability to stand firm and defend a decision when it's unpopular with other employees, or even superiors. This question allows the interviewers to see that you can demonstrate leadership and good judgement when the situation warrants it -- notwithstanding opposing pressure.

5. Describe a recent situation where you dealt with an upset coworker or customer. Dealing with discontentment in the work place and upset customers is a regular occurance. Hiring managers and employers want to know that you're able to resolve concerns of customers and work well with others -- if they aren't that easy to work with.

6. Tell me about your most difficult boss and how you were able to deal with them. This one of those situational questions that's a bit more difficult to answer. There are several reasons an interviewer may be asking this questions, one of which may be that you're going to have a difficult boss to work for. However you respond, you want to stay positive. You want to show you can work with demanding people, you can stand up for yourself, that you're a problem solver and that you can get results -- even in a difficult situation.

7. What would you do if you were working on an important project and all of the sudden the priorities were changed? When faced with this question, interviewees often assume the interviewer is trying to gauge how flexible they can be. In some instances, this may be true. However, the interviewer may just easily be trying to determine if you're the type of person who will put their foot down about it. Like all situational interview questions, the interviewer is trying to determine if you can think under pressure, how you analyze a situation, and how you're likely to interact with others.

8. Please describe for me a time when your work was criticized by your boss or other co-workers. No one is always perfect, and the interviewer knows this. The interviewer wants to see if you can admit that you've made mistakes, but more importantly how you dealt with the situation and learned from it. You want to share with the interviewer an example criticism that had a measurable positive outcome. Make sure to turn the negative criticism into a positive experience.

9. Share with me a time you went the extra mile to resolve a problem or accomplish something. Employers want employees who contribute to the success of the company, and don't just show up to collect a pay check. This question is designed to see if you'll be a contributing team member, can adapt to changing situations and to ensure that you're flexible. You don't need to share something overly spectacular, but you do want to show that you're the type of person who will go above and beyond the call of duty.

10. Provide me an example of a meaningful goal you set and how you achieved it. Situational interview questions relating to goal setting provide an interviewer insight into your character, motivation and dedication. When asking this question, the interviewer wants to find out if you set goals, what are your priorities, how you go about accomplishing a task, and how you measure success. We recommend starting out by sharing a work related goal. However, sharing a personal goal gives an interviewer a deeper look into your character and values.Example Situational Interview Questions and AnswersBelow you'll find some of the most common situational interview questions and answers a hiring manager or interviewer is likely to ask. Familiarize yourself with each question and answer to improve your chances of performing well in situational interviews.

Team members you've been assigned to lead during a new project object to your vision and ideas for implementation. What specifically would you do to address their objections?

Answer: I usually ask for feedback about my ideas and take into account everyone's opinions prior to beginning a new project. When possible, I organize meetings with group members to discuss my plans and explain how the company will benefit after the project is successfully completed. Likewise, I make it clear to team members that policy changes can be made if they are dissatisfied after beginning a new project.

You're responsible for an important project near completion but receive another important project that must be completed immediately. How do you multi-task and prioritize?

Answer: Before beginning the new project, I determine what must be completed and estimate how long it will take and what resources are needed to successfully complete the project. If I'm confident it cannot be completed by the deadline, I would request that a superior be assigned the project, while recommending another co-worker to take responsibility for any current projects the superior is working on.

When a subordinate is performing below average, what specific steps do you take to correct the problem?

Answer: I begin by identifying what factors have contributed to the poor performance. I then figure whether the cause of the poor performance is work related or personal. When the problem is related to the individual's private life, I determine whether it's possible, or appropriate, for me to recommend solutions.

Additionally, when dealing with a subordinate's personal problems, I attempt to evaluate how much of his or her poor performance is due to the problem. I then try to help the subordinate understand the importance of remaining productive while handling the problem, and encourage the individual to do what is necessary to resolve the issue.

You're responsible for ensuring a large amount of work be finished before the end of the new year. A subordinate decides to use sick hours to take an entire week of work off. What would you do to address the problem?

Answer: I start by finding out how much vacation time the worker used during the year. If the individual has used few vacation hours, I do not report the situation to my superiors, but will encourage the individual to remain at work during the week and consider using their vacation time during a less critical time for the company. If the individual has lied about being sick in the past to take time off work, I would refer the situation to the human resources department.

What would you do if you realized a project you completed just before deadline did not meet all of the project specifications?

Answer: First, I would not expect that this would ever happen as I always review all project specs, time requirements, and deadlines prior to starting any new assignment to ensure my work is done on time, within budget, and that it meets all project specifications. If it ever were to occur, I would bring the issue to the attention of my superiors and ask for a realistic extension to make sure the project met all specifications. I would review my project planning process to see what went wrong, why the project was not done on time according to specs and take steps to make sure it never happened again.

Suppose you don't see eye to eye with your supervisor on how to deal with a problem? How would you handle the situation?

Answer: I would first try and put myself in my supervisor's shoes and view the problems from his or her perspective. If I was still struggling to see eye to eye with my supervisor's assessment and/or solution to the problem, I would analyze the problem and come up with a few other ways to address the problem. In private, I would then discuss the problem with my supervisor and suggest how I think it should be addressed.

If hired, what steps would you take to make important job related decisions?

Answer: 1. First, I would determine if the decision is one that would benefit the company.2. I would then assess if and how the decision would fit within the scope of the company's core values.3. I would assess how a decision might negatively impact the company.

What would you do if you knew your boss was absolutely wrong about an important work related issue?

Answer: It would depend on a number of factors, including the personality of my boss, how critical the issue is, and the overall situation.

If my boss did not like having his authority brought into question or challenged, or was prone to anger, I would probably never tell him he's wrong. I would simply be polite, try to understand his perspectve and what he is wanting to get accomplished, handle the situation the way I know it needs to be handled, and then provide my boss with the results he desired.

If my boss was a little more open to outside suggestion, or constructive criticism, I would first validate his opinion/view by sincerely considering his perspective and letting him know I understand why he might feel the way he does. I would then suggest that there might be a better, more efficient, or more effective way to accomplish what he wants.

Job Interview Question Database:Situational Job Interview Questions & Excellent Sample Responses, 1-101. What would you do if the work of a subordinate or team member was not up to expectations? Sample excellent response:Luckily, I have quite a bit of previous team experience, and have faced this situation a few times in the past -- so let me tell you how I've learned to handle the issue. The most important first step in dealing with an underperforming subordinate or team member is honest communications -- talking with the person can lead to some surprising discoveries, such as the person not understanding the assigned tasks to being overwhelmed with the assignment. Once I discovered the problem, I could then forge a solution that usually solved the problem and allowed the work to move forward. So often in situations like this, the problem is some combination of miscommunications and unrealistic expectations. 2. A co-worker tells you in confidence that she plans to call in sick while actually taking a week's vacation. What would you do and why? Sample excellent response:I would tell this co-worker that being dishonest to her boss, as well as her co-workers, is not wise, and being dishonest in her job is wrong. I would say how we all want more vacation time, but we have to earn it -- and that taking this extra time hurts everyone in the department because the person's absence will affect productivity. 3. Describe how you would handle the situation if you met resistance when introducing a new idea or policy to a team or work group. Sample excellent response:The best way to convince people is to be able to understand where they are coming from and address their questions and concerns about the new idea directly. It is also important to stay confident and believe in yourself because if you don't buy it, no one else will either. 4. What would you do if the priorities on a project you were working on changed suddenly? Sample excellent response:I would notify everyone working on the project of the changes. I would then want to know why the priorities have changed, and if there is risk of them changing again in the future. I would then meet with everyone involved with a new strategy to address the new priorities. 5. How would you handle it if you believed strongly in a recommendation you made in a meeting, but most of your co-workers shot it down? Sample excellent response:I would continue to explain why the recommendation was good, giving concrete examples what the benefits of my recommendation could be. Ultimately if my co-workers continue to resist my recommendation I would have to let it go and move on. 6. In a training session, you find that the trainer has a thick accent, and you can't understand what's being said. What would you do? Sample excellent response:Certainly not call the trainer out on it. I would try my best to understand what the trainer is saying, ask many questions to clarify any unclear parts about the session and compare notes with someone in the session afterwards. This way I could make sure that I understand what was being explained and discussing it afterwards would help reinforce the things I learned in the session. 7. List the steps that you would take to make an important decision on the job. Sample excellent response:1. How would the company benefit from this? 2. How does it relate to the company's values and beliefs? 3. What are the negative and positive impacts this decision has on the company? 8. What would you do if you realized at deadline time that a report you wrote for your boss or professor was not up to par? Sample excellent response:Hopefully this would never happen to me since I always make sure to plan my time properly to ensure that my work is always done. If it ever did happen I would meet with my boss and explain the situation and request an extension. I would also evaluate my actions and identify what I did wrong to not complete my work and make sure that it did not happen again. 9. How would you deal with a colleague at work with whom you seem to be unable to build a successful working relationship? Sample excellent response:This situation would certainly be unique to me. Ever since I can remember, I've had a knack for finding something in everyone that then becomes common ground for a friendship and/or good working relationship. Certainly there are all types of people, some less motivated to work in teams or simply unhappy in their jobs, but we're all people when you strip away titles and such -- and it's at that base level in which I find a connection that results in some degree of rapport -- even when few others can do so. For example, in my senior year of college, I was placed onto a team that had one member that the rest of the team disliked. This team member was kind of an outcast, but I knew we needed this full commitment to make the project work. Even though I was not the team leader, I took it upon myself to forge a connection -- and discovered we had a mutual passion for horses. We did not end best friends or anything, but through our common interest, I was able to build enough rapport to connect and engage him as a key team member. There is always something that bonds us all together -- it is just harder to find with some people than with others. 10. You disagree with the way your supervisor says to handle a problem. What would you do? Sample excellent response:I would evaluate why I disagreed with my supervisor and come up with a different way that I think the situation should be handled. I would then sit down with my supervisor -- in private -- and discuss the problem with him and how I think it should have been addressed. 11. Who would you talk to if you discovered that a co-worker was disclosing confidential information that should not be divulged? Sample excellent response:I would first sit down privately with my co-worker and let him or her know what is happening. I would make it a dialogue rather than a lecture -- with the goal of helping the co-worker realize what a serious mistake he or she is making and how it could impact both the company and his or her personal life -- and the lives of family and friends. If nothing comes of the meeting -- either the co-worker is defensive and denies it -- or does not agree to stop divulging confidential information, then I would be forced to go directly to my manager with the proof that I have of the unethical activities. 12. When would it be appropriate to bring in your supervisor while dealing with an angry customer? Sample excellent response:As an employee it is my job to explore all the possible options to satisfy customer demands. However, if I see the customer is angry with me personally it is better to bring in a supervisor because he or she is more likely to listen to my supervisor than me. Also it is important to stay friendly and always stay respectful and polite when dealing with customers in the face of frustration. 13. How would you attempt to make changes in the process if you felt a policy of your organization was hurting its members/workers? Sample excellent response:I would ask my co-workers if they felt the same way. I would want to make sure that I am not the only employee who feels like the policy is hurting members/workers. If others agreed with me, I would try to set up a meeting with a supervisor or someone who is in control of changing the policy and explain my concerns. I would then develop an alternative solution and present the problem with my developed alternative solution to the head of the organization. 14. What would a good manager do to build team spirit? Sample excellent response:Most importantly, any plan to build team spirit has to be authentic. We've all seen -- or experienced -- work environments like in Office Space or The Office. Anything less than authenticity will be seen as simply rah-rah -- or going through the motions. A good manager brings the team together -- perhaps even a retreat -- to foster communications and develop common goals and objectives. During this meeting, the manager should also show how all the team members play a role in making the team successful -- and that only by working together and respecting each other can the team fully succeed. Sometimes, too, when the team is from different departments or backgrounds, it's important for the manager to address this issue from day one -- if possible. I was once put in a team with a mix of marketers and accountants, and the manager sat us all down and told us a story of a successful competitor and how their accounting team thought like marketers and how their marketers understood the importance of return on investment for new marketing initiatives. Using the story of a successful competitor helped us realize that we had more in common than we had differences and that we could come together as a team and succeed. 15. How would you organize the steps or methods you'd take to define/identify a vision for your team or your personal job function? Sample excellent response:I believe a good team vision starts first with a strong understanding of the organization's mission. So, my steps would be as follows. First, review my organization's vision. Second, develop some rough ideas of how I would word a team vision statement in preparation for a team meeting to discuss the issue. Third, I would call a meeting of the team and have a discussion of what we do best, how what we do fits with the organization. Then I would discuss the organization's vision and ask for ideas and suggestions for the team's mission. If asked, I would mention some of my thoughts on our team vision. Fourth, following the meeting, I would craft a vision statement -- perhaps with the help of one or two other team members -- and then distribute it to the team and ask for feedback. Fifth, I would finalize the vision statement from the comments and feedback from the team... and then post our vision statement in places where all the team members could see it on a regular basis. 16. How would you react if two teammates were embroiled in a conflict that kept the team from completing its task? Sample excellent response:To build team spirit, it would be important that all team members are on the same page and agree on a common goal. Team-building exercises bring a team closer together and strengthen team spirit. For example, there's an exercise called "Hammeroid" that involves comparing a hammer, string, ruler, and table to work-style preferences. Participants are tasked with bringing a team in conflict into harmony by perfectly balancing the hammer, string, and ruler on the table. Team members should also be made to feel like their opinion matters and their input/ideas are valued by their manager. 17. You don't have the information you need to prioritize your projects. Your co-workers and supervisor are unavailable for you to ask for assistance. How do you handle the situation? Sample excellent response:This is a great question because in all my work experience, I have never faced this issue. Whenever I'm given a new task to accomplish, I immediately seek to understand its importance and priority given my other projects and assignments. So, my first inclination would be that I would sit down and review all the projects and examine a couple of key issues -- things like deadlines, potential impacts, and involvement of others. Obviously, projects that are mission-critical and have the shortest deadlines need to be addressed first. If I wer still stumped -- and my manager and team members were truly unavailable -- rather than sitting there paralyzed, I would probably consult a mentor within the organization and seek his or her advice -- more as a sounding board for my own thoughts than seeking a solution from them. 18. As a supervisor, you've made an unpopular decision. What action would you take so that morale in the department is not negatively affected? Sample excellent response:I would call for a meeting to let my employees know that their opinions about my decision are valued, however I would also explain to them why the decision needed to be made. Sometimes people are more empathetic once they know the reasons for a certain action. I would also ensure employees that positives are to come from this decision and reinforce that their opinions and ideas are valued, but that this was a decision that needed to be made. 19. In a team-leadership role, you discover that a team member has gone "over your head" to propose an idea or complain about an issue without talking to you first. How do you handle the situation? Sample excellent response:Too often something like this happens when an individual feels his or her opinions or ideas are not being heard, so rather than assume the person is simply trying to make some sort of power play or make you look bad to your boss, you first need to get the details of the situation. Sometimes someone does deliberately does go over your head, but sometimes these things happen because of a chance meeting between the person and your supervisor, and the conversation is spontaneous, not malicious. If you discover the discussion was in fact a planned action, the first thing you need to do is evaluate how you -- and your team -- have treated this person. Next, I would call a private meeting with the person and simply have a conversation about the situation and how and why it happened -- and how this person can get his or her voice back within the team so that the situation will not repeat itself. Finally, if it turns out the person is simply a disgruntled employee and there is little that can be done to change his or her future actions, and you've exhausted all options to bring the person back into the team and the organization, then you need to meet again with your boss and then with the person and have a discussion about possible consequences of future occurrences. 20. You been placed in charge of a project team for a new project. What are your first steps to get the team going and complete the project? Sample excellent response:I would call the team together for an initial meet and greet -- and make sure we all know each other on some basic level -- and to set some initial expectations for the team. Once the team has been established, I would move ahead with the project in these basic steps: First, make sure we fully understand the problem and task at hand. We need to define the problem that will be solved by the project. Second, we need to brainstorm possible solutions to accomplish the project. Third, we get back together and choose the best path/process to completing the project. Fourth, we divide the process into smaller parts and assign individual team members parts to complete -- based on their individual skill sets -- assigning deadlines and budgets. Fifth, we execute the plan and deal with any circumstances that arise as we move forward toward completion. Sixth, we complete the project -- as planned, on deadline and budget (hopefully) -- and meet as a team one final time to discuss any unanticipated problems or issues that arose and how we can prepare and better address them in the future.

Job Interview Question Database:

1. How would you describe yourself? Sample excellent response:My background to date has been centered around preparing myself to become the very best financial consultant I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself. I am an undergraduate student in finance and accounting at ____________ University. My past experiences has been in retail and higher education. Both aspects have prepared me well for this career. 2. What specific goals, including those related to your occupation, have you established for your life? Sample excellent response:I want to be working for an excellent company like yours in a job in which I am managing information. I plan to contribute my leadership, interpersonal, and technical skills. My long-range career goal is to be the best information systems technician I can be for the company I work for. 3. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career? Sample excellent response:I have prepared myself to transition into the the work force through real-world experience involving travel abroad, internship, and entrepreneurial opportunities. While interning with a private organization in Ecuador, I developed a 15-page marketing plan composed in Spanish that recommended more effective ways the company could promote its services. I also traveled abroad on two other occasions in which I researched the indigenous culture of the Mayan Indians in Todos Santos, Guatemala, and participated in a total-language-immersion program in Costa Rica. As you can see from my academic, extracurricular, and experiential background, I have unconditionally committed myself to success as a marketing professional. 4. Please describe the ideal job for you following graduation. Sample excellent response (equates ideal job with job he's interviewing for):My ideal job is one that incorporates both my education and practical work skills to be the best I can be. Namely combining my education in finance with my working knowledge of customer-service operations, entrepreneurial abilities, computer skills, and administrative skills. I want to utilize my analytical expertise to help people meet their financial goals. This is exactly why I am convinced that I would be a very valuable member of the Merrill Lynch team. 5. What influenced you to choose this career? Sample excellent response:My past experiences have shown me that I enjoy facing and overcoming the challenge of making a sale. Without a doubt, once I have practiced my presentation and prepared myself for objections, I feel very confident approaching people I don't know and convincing them that they need my product. Lastly, I like sales because my potential for success is limited only by how much of myself I dedicate toward my goal. If any profession is founded on self-determinism, it surely must be sales. 6. At what point did you choose this career? Sample excellent response:I knew that I wanted to pursue information-systems technology about my sophomore year in college. It was then that I realized that my that my hobby (computers) was taking up most of my time. My favorite courses were IT courses. I also realized that I so enjoyed the computer-oriented work-study I was doing that I would have done it for free. 7. What specific goals have you established for your career? Sample excellent response:My goals include becoming a Certified Financial Advisor so I can obtain a better working knowledge of financial research analysis. That background would enable me contribute to my client base as a better financial consultant since I would have that extra insight into the companies they seek to invest in. I could then be a portfolio manager or even branch office manager. 8. What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them? Sample excellent response:I've already done some research on other workers at Merrill Edge to see how they achieved similar goals. I know that Merrill Edge encourages the pursuit of a graduate degree and will reimburse for tuition. I plan to pursue an MBA to give me an even more extensive knowledge of business and financial analysis. 9. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career? Sample excellent response:I believe successful salespeople put forth that extra effort that turns potential clients into first-time customers. Salespeople who attend to the details by doing whatever it takes to win over a prospective customer distinguish themselves from the countless others who don't go to any extra effort. Second, I think that if you label success as an attainable goal, you will never consistently remain successful. You can only succeed if you learn all there is to learn about your product, your competitors, and personal selling. Since this learning process is continuous, it's an unattainable goal. With good reason, salespeople should not consider success an attainable ending point but an objective that will always linger slightly beyond their reach. 10. How do you determine or evaluate success? Give me an example of one of your successful accomplishments. Sample excellent response:Last semester I was hired by my university's Council for Student Activities. The group negotiates contracts of entertainers, sets up sound equipment, markets the entertainers to students, and generally decides what kind of programming should be done. When I got hired, I didn't know the first thing about how fill any of those responsibilities. I decided, however, that I wasn't going to fail. Four months later, I have become the Webmaster for the group. I also write our campus newsletter and created Game Night, a student competition of table games. That event yielded the biggest audience ever for a non-concert event. 11. Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career? Sample excellent response:I believe I have a combination of qualities to be successful in this career. First, I have a strong interest, backed by a solid, well-rounded, state-of-the-art education, especially in a career that is technically oriented. This basic ingredient, backed by love of learning, problem-solving skills, well-rounded interests, determination to succeed and excel, strong communication skills, and the ability to work hard, are the most important qualities that will help me succeed in this career. To succeed, you also need a natural curiosity about how systems work -- the kind of curiosity I demonstrated when I upgraded my two computers recently. Technology is constantly changing, so you must a fast learner just to keep up, or you will be overwhelmed. All of these traits combine to create a solid team member in the ever-changing field of information systems. I am convinced that I possess these characteristics and am ready to be a successful team member for your firm. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 12. What has been your most rewarding accomplishment? Sample excellent response:A recent satisfying accomplishment occurred when I was sent to one of our branch banks that was notorious for not growing its loan base. The branch had logged $75,000 in new loans in an 18-month period prior to my arrival. Having a reputation as a "hired gun" when it came to loan production, I succeeded in soliciting and booking $700,000 in my first six months at the branch. 13. If you could do so, how would you plan your college career differently? Sample excellent response:I wouldn't change anything. All that I have done was a great learning experience that I will carry forward throughout the rest of my life. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 14. Are you more energized by working with data or by collaborating with other individuals? Sample excellent response:I like the validity of information and also like the energy that comes with working with people. The best thing about working in a group is combining the great minds from different perspectives and coming up with something extremely great, compared with when you're working alone. At the same time, information can generate vitality in the project you're working on. No matter how many heads you've got together, without information, you can't go very far. The perfect situation would be a combination of working with information and people, and I'm confident of my abilities in both areas. [Submitted by "Stacey"] See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 15. How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team? Sample excellent response:I have had many opportunities in both athletics and academics to develop my skills as a team player. My tenure as a rower with my college's crew team serves as a good example. I learned a great deal about teamwork while rowing because all the rowers in the boat must act as one, which meant that we incessantly worked to keep each movement in the boat synchronized. On an individual basis, we still worked toward group goals through weightlifting and land-rowing. My experience as a marketing research team leader also helped me to learn the role of "team player." I viewed my position as that of group leader and of group member. I ensured that everyone in the group had equal opportunity to contribute, maintained excellent communication among group members, and coordinated their energies toward reaching our team's goal. 16. What motivates you to put forth you greatest effort? Sample excellent response:You would think that because I am interested in sales, only financial compensation would motivate me to achieve. Although monetary rewards are important to me, I am driven to succeed internally. More than anything, I want to be respected by my friends and coworkers for being the best at what I do. Whether I am considered to be the best car detailer in my hometown or the best columnist for my college newspaper, I want to be recognized as the best. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 17. Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you? Sample excellent response:I sincerely believe that I'm the best person for the job. I realize that there are many other college students who have the ability to do this job. I also have that ability. But I also bring an additional quality that makes me the very best person for the job -- my attitude for excellence. Not just giving lip service to excellence, but putting every part of myself into achieving it. In college and at my previous jobs, I have consistently reached for becoming the very best I can become. I think my leadership awards from my college, and my management positions result from possessing the qualities you're looking for in an employee. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 18. Would you describe yourself as goal-driven? Sample excellent response:Yes, and I demonstrated my goal orientation as president of the local Jaycees, a community-service organization. I am very proud of the fact that I set a goal of signing 50 new members by the end of the year, and I accomplished that. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 19. Describe what you've accomplished toward reaching a recent goal for yourself. Sample excellent response:My first few years in banking had me on the fast track to branch management. I realized at some point along the way that my true passion was in offering financial advice not limited to checking accounts and loans. It was at that point that I made the necessary arrangements to go back to school full-time to pursue my goal, which I am just about to achieve. 20. What short-term goals and objectives have you established for yourself? Sample excellent response:My short-term objectives are to graduate from the Professional Development Program before the standard two years and begin developing a clientele. As an intern, I prepared ahead of time by studying for the Series 7 and Series 64 exams that constitute a majority of a beginning financial consultant's time. I'd like to make make the company that hires me wonder what it ever did without me. 21. Can you describe your long-range goals and objectives? Sample excellent response:My primary objectives are to learn as much as possible about your company's product offering, organizational structure, and professional sales techniques so that I may become the most productive member of your sales team. 22. What do you expect to be doing in five years? Sample excellent response:Although it is hard to predict the future, I sincerely believe that I will become a very good financial consultant. I believe that my abilities will allow me to excel to the point that I can seek other opportunities as a portfolio manager (the next step) and possibly even higher. My ultimate goal continues to be -- and will always be -- to be the best at whatever level I am working at within Charles Schwab's corporate structure. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 23. What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? Sample excellent response:Ten years from now I see myself as a successful consultant for a world-class firm like yours. I want to have developed a wonderful bond with my employer. I will have proven myself a highly competent systems analyst and will represent my company in helping others find solutions to their information-systems needs in a professional and timely manner. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 24. How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict? Sample excellent response:I believe I am quite good at handling conflict. Working in retail and in the residence halls required that I make unpopular decisions at times, whether it was terminating an associate or taking judicial action on a resident. Often the person in conflict with me would be upset and sometimes physically outraged. I would always make sure that I fully explained the situation, the policies behind my decision, and why those policies exist. Usually by the end of the conversation, the person could see the other side of the situation. 25. Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor or instructor? How did you resolve the conflict? Sample excellent response:Yes, I had an incident with my Spanish professor. I turned in an essay that she said was too good to be mine. I was honest with her; I told her that I had a native speaker review the essay, but he made very few corrections. However, I had broken the Golden Rule of Spanish Composition -- the essay must not even touch the hands of a native speaker. To prove to her that I was capable of producing an essay that exceeded her expectations of a non-native speaker, I offered to re-write another essay in her office. I earned an A-minus. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 26. Tell me about a major problem you recently handled. Were you successful in resolving it? Sample excellent response:While working at K-mart, I was one of three people to work in the electronics department. One day upon arriving at work, I was told the district manager was coming the next day to do a store inspection. The two other people who worked in electronics were both over 55. Neither could lift heavy objects, and one refused to work at all. As a result, the electronics department was usually left to me to keep stocked with product and kept in order. I had about five hours of work time to get the entire department in shape. Those five hours passed, and there was still a substantial amount of work to be done. I asked the store manager if I could stay and work after hours while the overnight stockers were there. He said that because of the employment budget, he could not let me. I was faced with bringing the entire store's rating down, so I suggested a creative staffing solution, allowing me to work the extra hours while temporarily reducing the hours of the other two members of the department. Because of this solution, in a matter of hours, the department was in tip-top shape -- and still under budget. And the results? The electronics department got a score of 95 out of 100. 27. Would you say that you can easily deal with high-pressure situations? Sample excellent response:Yes. My past experience as an Administrative Coordinator required me to deal with many serious situations since I held emergency on-call duties as a supervisor. One example was when I was called by a Resident Assistant to deal with an attempted suicide on her residence-hall floor. The situation required that I think clearly and quickly in this life-and-death situation. I had to weigh the many tasks that needed to be completed. I had to assign RAs to call 911, make sure that EMS could get into the locked building, while at the same time applying first aid, and ensuring that the rest of the residents on the floor were OK. I also had to make sure the privacy of the resident in need was respected. I basically prioritized and dealt with each task by its importance. I delegated responsibility to RAs for things that they were capable of handling because I could not physically be in many places at once. Once the resident was taken to the hospital, I was responsible for paperwork and follow up to make sure the staff members, residents, and the resident-in-need adjusted back to "normal" life. I know this is an extreme example not found in the financial consulting field; however, it shows just how well I can deal with extreme pressure. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 28. What quality or attribute do you feel will most contribute to your career success? Sample excellent response:My greatest strength is my flexibility. I have learned that work conditions change from day to day and throughout the day, as well, no matter where I have worked in the past. I also have realized that certain projects require individual attention and others involve a teamwork approach. These are just a few examples of the changes that happen in the financial-consulting field, as you are well aware. My flexibility to adapt to the demands of the job has allowed me to surpass my supervisor's expectations. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 29. What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty in school or on the job? Sample excellent response (shows how he recognized his weakness and worked to improve):My greatest weakness used to be delegation. To improve my workers' efficiency, I would take it upon myself to do many small projects throughout my shift as a manager that could have been done by others. Once I realized that I was doing more work than the other assistant managers, and they were achieving better results, I reevaluated what I was doing. I quickly realized that if I assigned each person just one small project at the beginning of the shift, clearly state expectations for the project, and then follow up, everything would get done, and I could manage much more efficiently and actually accomplish much more. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 30. What were your reasons for selecting your college or university? Sample excellent response (tells how education specifically will benefit the employer):My college has always had a reputation as having an excellent accounting department, so I knew that if I enrolled there, I would achieve first-class preparation for my chosen career field. It is also a highly accredited school known for satisfying employers with the preparation of its graduates -- that's why companies like yours recruit at my school -- the school produces top graduates. The school offers an excellent liberal-arts background, which research shows equips graduates with numerous qualities, such as versatility and strong critical-thinking skills. Finally, having visited the campus before enrolling, I knew that the business school emphasized group projects. During my four years in the school, I participated in more than 35 group projects, which taught me invaluable teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 31. If you could change or improve anything about your college, what would it be? Sample excellent response:My major department had a wonderful internship program, and I completed three valuable internships with my department's guidance. Some other departments in the business school don't have internship programs that are as strong as my department's. I'd like to see all the departments have strong internship programs so all my school's business grads would have the same opportunities that I had. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 32. How will the academic program and coursework you've taken benefit your career? Sample excellent response (response is very specific to the job he is interviewing for):As you will note on my resume, I've taken not only the required core classes for the finance field, I've also gone above and beyond by double majoring in accounting. I doubled majored since I knew that the financial-consulting field requires much knowledge of portfolio analysis and understanding of the tax laws. I believe that my success in both areas of study have specifically prepared me for this career. But it's not just taking the classes in these two areas that allows me to offer Merrill Lynch clients more. I minored in Spanish to understand the growing hispanic clientele in the Central Florida area, which as you are well aware is a growing source of revenue for the industry. If you like, I can elaborate on other aspects of my education further. 33. Which college classes or subjects did you like best? Why? Sample excellent response:My favorite classes have been the ones pertaining to my major, which is marketing. These classes have laid the groundwork for my career in marketing. They have also taught me skills that I can bring to my employer, ranging from communication skills to interacting with others. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 34. Are you the type of student for whom conducting independent research has been a positive experience? Sample excellent response:Yes, I love it. I thoroughly enjoyed my senior research in college while many others in my class were miserable. I was never tired of learning more about my topic and found it exhilarating to be researching something that had not been studied before. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 35. Describe the type of professor that has created the most beneficial learning experience for you. Sample excellent response:My favorite professors were the ones who gave me hands-on learning experiences that I can apply to my career. Any person can make you memorize the quadratic equation, but someone who can show you how to use it, and why, were the professors I liked. I liked teachers who realized that sometimes there is more then one answer and everyone thinks differently. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 36. Do you think that your grades are a indication of your academic achievement? Sample excellent response:I have focused much of my energy on work and obtaining real-world experience. I commend my classmates who have earned high GPAs, but I also feel it's important to be well-rounded. In addition to work experience, I participated in sports and extracurricular activities in school. These activities taught me leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. Sometimes my heavy load has not allowed me to keep up with some of my studies, but I have learned an enormous amount that I can apply in my future industry. As you will discover if you talk to my supervisors, my ability to work effectively much more reflects my future potential than does my GPA. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 37. What plans do you have for continued study? An advanced degree? Sample excellent response:I plan to continue my education for the rest of my life. In any technology-related field, keeping up to date through continuing education is of the utmost importance. Continuing education can include on-the-job training, courses sponsored by the employer, and courses taken in new technologies as they emerge. I plan to be not only a career employee but a career student so that I can be the best information systems analyst I can be. I will ensure, however, that any education I pursue not only doesn't interfere with my job or the company's policies, but will enhance my value as an employee. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 38. Before you can make a productive contribution to the company, what degree of training do you feel you will require? Sample excellent response:My background has been focused on preparing me for the financial-consulting industry, so I can be productive right away. I already have obtained the educational credentials and skills to allow me to become an immediate asset to Wells Fargo. After interning for a semester, I am well aware of the shared beliefs of the organization and its corporate values. I already have a very good working knowledge of the financial-consulting business. I am confident of my ability to get up to speed quickly in any assignment with which I'm not familiar. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 39. Describe the characteristics of a successful manager. Sample excellent response:A successful manager should have the vision and capabilities to formulate strategies to reach his or her objectives and communicate these ideas to his or her team members. In addition to serving as a positive role model for co-workers, successful managers must also be capable of inspiring others to recognize, develop, and apply their talents to their utmost potential to reach a common goal. These are the traits I hope to demonstrate when I'm a manager. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 40. Why did you decide to seek a position in this field? Sample excellent response:I want to work in the marketing and PR industry because ever since I took my first marketing course in college, I have felt very passionate toward the industry and cannot imagine myself doing anything else. 41. Tell me what you know about our company. Sample excellent response:You're large and respected worldwide. You're both a clinical and teaching hospital. Over the last 60 to 70 years you've produced award-winning research. In reviewing your Web site, I've familiarized myself with many of your corporate goals and objectives. [Submitted by "Judy"] See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 42. Why did you decide to seek a position in this company? Sample excellent response:I am convinced that there would be no better place to work than Accenture. You are the top consulting firm in the United States. You provide your employees with the tools they need to stay competitive and sharpen their skills while working in an open, team-based environment. I am also aware that you provide a mentor for all new employees, and I would embrace any opportunity to work with a mentor and eventually become one myself. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 43. Do you have a geographic preference? Sample excellent response:Although I would prefer to stay in the Mid-Atlantic area, I would not rule out other possibilities. 44. Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our company is located? Sample excellent response:Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend several days in your community, and I fell in love with it. I love the fact that you have a thriving riverfront. I'm impressed with the many cultural opportunities here -- opera, theater, art, and independent films. I've also already become a fan of the Saints and the other sports teams based here. I have conducted significant Internet research on this city, so I am quite comfortable with your location. 45. Would it be a problem for you to relocate? Sample excellent response:I'm open to opportunities within the company; if those opportunities involve relocation, I would certainly consider it. 46. To what extent would you be willing to travel for the job? Sample excellent response:I am more than willing to travel. I understand the importance of going above and beyond the call of duty to satisfy customer requests is sometimes required and that Merrill Lynch's customer-focus belief means that travel is expected in some circumstances. I am willing to make this commitment to do whatever it takes to develop that long-term relationship with a small business or client. It is only through this relationship that loyalty can be maintained and financial gains and growth can occur for both the client and Merrill Lynch. It is my understanding from other financial consultants that I have interviewed at Merrill Lynch that this occurs maybe one or two times a month. 47. Which is more important to you, the job itself or your salary? Sample excellent response:A salary commensurate with my experience and skills is important, but it's only one piece of the package. Many other elements go into making up a compensation package, but more importantly, it's critical to me to enjoy what I'm doing, fit into the corporate culture, and feel I'm making a genuine contribution. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 48. What level of compensation would it take to make you happy? Sample excellent response:I am not depending on money to make me happy. What makes me happy is having a satisfying job that provides challenge and new situations daily. 49. Tell me about the salary range you're seeking. Sample excellent response:I am sure that I am the candidate you are looking for. If you feel the same, then I'm sure your offer will be fair and commensurate with the value I can bring the company. See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial. 50. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way? Sample excellent response:Recently my company asked for bids on a phone system for our new college campus. Two companies came in very close with their bids, and most of my department wanted to go with a vendor that we have used in the past. After I looked over the proposals, it was clear that this was the wrong decision. So, I talked individually with each member of our staff and succeeded in changing their minds and get the best product that would save money and provide the highest quality. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 51. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation. Sample excellent response:When I was a resident assistant at my college, a student I did not know asked me if he could use my phone to call another room. Although I did not know the student, I allowed him into my room. He used the phone and in the course of this conversation, he stated that he had just come from a fraternity party and was high from taking some drugs. Well after his conversation, I had to enforce the student conduct code by writing him up. He became very hostile toward me and would not give me any identification or information. I stood in the doorway to prevent him from leaving. I noted the serial numbers on his keys, so when the situation got to the point where I felt unsafe, I allowed him to leave. I still preformed my job without jeopardizing my or his physical welfare. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 52. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem. Sample excellent response:I had a client come into the bank where I worked and request a $5,000 personal loan to "pay off some bills." In the customary review process, I determined that what was really needed was a $25,000 debt-consolidation loan. Rather than giving the customer a "quick-fix" to the problem, I logically solved the problem in a way that was in the best interest of both the bank and the client. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 53. By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments. Sample excellent response:I've shown my ability to adapt by successfully working in several very different jobs. For example, I lived with a native family in Costa Rica. I worked as a nanny for a famous writer in Cape Cod. I was responsible for dealing with Drug Court participants. And I catered to elite country-club clientele. I did it all well and had no trouble adapting. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 54. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills. Sample excellent response:Arriving at the language school I was attending in Costa Rica in the middle of the night with very minimal Spanish-language skills, I found my way to a very small town with no street addresses or names and found my temporary residence. I was scared, but I handled the situation very well, very calmly. In very stressful situations, I am always the one in the group to stay calm and focused. My friends, family, and professors have always said that I am an oasis of calm in a storm. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 55. Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision. Sample excellent response:This happens often in the IT industry, but one recent example was when we had a core backbone switch die. It died at the worst possible time -- during exams -- as they always seem to do, and I needed to get it back up and running quickly. I analyzed the logs and system status, and using my previous experience, I made some quick decisions that rectified the problem and got the equipment back up only minutes later. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 56. Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across. Sample excellent response:As an Administrative Coordinator, I had a staff of 27 students. Having such a large student staff all working different shifts and having varying class schedules meant that meetings could not be held with everyone at one time. I needed to communicate with everyone about important policies and information often, so I came up with the idea of designing a Web page for my staff with written announcements. Each Desk Assistant was required to check the Web page daily at the beginning of his/her shift. I also sent email communications by a distribution list that allowed each Desk Assistant to keep informed about anything. The one situation that stands out in my mind is a last-minute summer camp that decided to come in a day early with only one day's notice. I had no staff scheduled to check in the campers or to organize the keys. I posted an update to the Web page and sent an email. Within four hours, I had the following day completely staffed and desk assistants there to organize room keys for the campers that night. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. Sample SAR story: Situation (S):Advertising revenue was falling off for my college newspaper,the Stetson Reporter, and large numbers of long-term advertisers were not renewing contracts. Action (A):I designed a new promotional packet to go with the rate sheet and compared the benefits of Reporter circulation with other ad media in the area. I also set-up a special training session for the account executives with a School of Business Administration professor who discussed competitive selling strategies. Result (R):We signed contracts with 15 former advertisers for daily ads and five for special supplements. We increased our new advertisers by 20 percent [quantities are always good] over the same period last year. 57. Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree. Sample excellent response:When I worked at Home Depot as an assistant manager, I was always looking for way to boost my employees' morale. Unloading trucks is a very routine and physical job and can become very boring and exhausting, so to improve the unloaders' attitude toward their duties and make the best of the situation, I put a radio in the receiving dock. It worked; however, the district manager did not approve of the radio in the workplace even though it did not interfere with any set policy or company objectives. The radio was also out of any areas where customers would hear the music. I did not agree with my DM's decision to remove the radio; however, I understood his point of view once he explained it to me and promptly complied with his request. The employees were not happy that their radio was gone, so I found an alternative method of reward and morale boosting by implementing a program in which we provided lunch for the unloaders from any restaurant of their choice if they unloaded the trucks faster than normal. This program succeeded by increasing their unloading time from 2 1/2 hours to only 1 1/2, a savings in payroll of 8 percent of sales for that shift. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 58. Give me an example of an important goal that you set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it. Sample excellent response:As a senior in high school, my goal was to attend college and play college golf. But I was nowhere near the player I needed to be to play or even get on the team. So over that summer I worked on my golf game to the point where I won almost every tournament I entered. I spent every hour I had during the day to make myself a better all-around player. I eventually walked on my freshmen year and was exempted from qualifying because I played so well in my first outing. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 59. Describe the most significant or creative presentation that you have had to complete. Sample excellent response:The most significant presentation I have ever had to deliver was at a national research symposium. I was presenting research I had completed on digital analysis of mammograms and had to present to a panel of more than 100 judges who were at the top of their field. I focused on the research, which could sell itself, and just let the information flow. It went over very well, and I received many more invitations to present the research, including on national television. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 60. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done. Sample excellent response:Although I had already punched out, I stayed behind to help a colleague solve a problem. A customer was very angry as he had waited very long for his coffee. My colleague was new, she was quite slow. I came out and explained things to the customer. Although he was very angry at first, I just listened to him and told him that we try to bring our best out to each customer who walks in to our store. After a one-hour discussion, he left with a happy face and was satisfied. [Submitted by "Fizah."] Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 61. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa). Sample excellent response:During my time in the theater, I had one director with whom I absolutely did not work well. However, because of my track record, she would assign me as stage director and/or assistant director. I was usually involved in the day-to-day operations of the play and the details of how the play would be performed. I handled the operation for the play by directing scenes the best way I could and then showing them to her for approval. If she did not like the way a scene worked, I gave her my opinion as to why it should be my way. If we still could not compromise, I would follow her directions to the best of my ability. Understanding that people don't usually have malicious intentions is key, and understanding that you will never be able to convince some people that your way is right is the best way to avoid conflict and still get the job done. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 62. Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head." Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment. Sample excellent response:It's impossible to know everything in the IT field because of rapidly changing technology, so recently when we were having troubles with our circuit emulation over our ATM network, I had to call in some engineers from North Carolina to come help me out. The nice thing about asking for help is that when you get the assistance, you can learn from what you are told and apply it to future situations. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 63. Give an example of how you applied knowledge from previous coursework to a project in another class. Sample excellent response:Last semester I was taking a microeconomics and a statistics course. One of the microeconomics projects dealt with showing the relationship between the probability that customers would stop buying a product if the price was raised a certain amount. Through what I learned in statistics I could find the median where the price was the highest and still kept most of the customers happy. Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story. 64. Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do? Sample excellent response:I was on a project team in a business class in my freshman year in college, The group brainstormed ideas for the video we were assigned to produce, and everyone but me was leaning toward an idea that would be easy. I suggested instead an idea that would be more difficult but would be something different that no other group would be doing. I used my communications skills to persuade the rest of the group to use my idea. During the project, we really learned what teamwork was all about, became a close team, and ended up putting a lot of hard work into the project. All the team members ended up feeling very proud of the video, and they thanked me for the idea -- for which we earned an A. 65. Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take? Sample excellent response:Recently I was asked to put together a proposal for a migration of network systems. Misunderstanding my boss, I thought it was ju