The rest of the question is, "Were you disturbed by this? What actions did you take?"
I often think of questions like this coming in sales jobs--I failed to make quota for a quarter. Sometimes, it I asked in an operations job--I was given certain performance objectives and failed to meet them.
I think of the answer to this question as requiring an actor to really deliver the answer. The theme to it is the same no matter what the failure is you decide to reference. I'll use sales as an example.
"Frankly, I wasn't disturbed by it (pause) . . . I was angry with myself! Look, failing to meet targets has never happened to me before and has never happened since. Part of it involved not having sufficient time to ramp up . . . but that's an excuse, I needed to manage my tie and effort better and deliver what I was responsible for.
"And that's what I did. I came in $4 million below my $13 million quota and I was determined to make up what I missed and then some and made sure my boss knew. And that is what I did--$18.5 million the next quarter, $22 million the quarter after that and I haven;t looked back since."
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter Concepts in Staffing thebiggamehunter@cisny.com © 2008 all rights reserved. Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, is Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, He has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in many disciplines since 1971. He is a retired certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
He is the author of “Get Yourself Hired NOW! The Big Game Hunter’s Guide to Head Hunting Your Next Job and Every Job After That” (in ebook and audio formats) and “Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!” (ebook) Both are available at www.getyourselfhiredNOW.com Register at the site and you will receive free copies of The International Job Board List and a Guide to Resume Writing. To receive a daily digest of positions emailed to you, search for openings that The Big Game Hunter is working on, to use Jeff’s free job lead search engine, Job Search Universe, to subscribe to Jeff’s free job hunting ezine, “Head Hunt Your Next Job, or his staffing ezine, “Natural Selection”, or to learn about his VIP program, go to www.jeffaltman.com.
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Saturday, April 05, 2008
Tough Interview Question #40: What Motivates You To Go The Extra Mile (on a Project or A Job)
In my thinking, there is a suggestion in this question . . . mjost people do average work and need motivation or crisis to extend themselves. I believe the way to answer this is to acknowledge the suggestion and flip it.
You need to look the interview square in the eye and speak with sincerity.
"It's unfortunate that so many people are unwilling to go the extra mile all the time as part of their job. That they do see the the value of caring enough about their job or their employer to be busting a gut to do excellent work, to see problems, offer solutions or ideas to management . . .Its unfortunate that you have to ask questions like this because so many people most face crisis or be motivated to go the extra mile."
"That problem is not a part of my make up."
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
And then you sit quietly and wait for the next question.
© 2008 all rights reserved.
You need to look the interview square in the eye and speak with sincerity.
"It's unfortunate that so many people are unwilling to go the extra mile all the time as part of their job. That they do see the the value of caring enough about their job or their employer to be busting a gut to do excellent work, to see problems, offer solutions or ideas to management . . .Its unfortunate that you have to ask questions like this because so many people most face crisis or be motivated to go the extra mile."
"That problem is not a part of my make up."
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
And then you sit quietly and wait for the next question.
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tough Interview Quetion #39: How Have You Improved Your Knowledge Over The Past Year or So?
Few employers will care if you have read Tolstoy or Dostoevsky over the past year or became involved with chanting.
What they care about is work related knowledge you have obtained. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't mention reading "War and Peace," but contextualize it.
For example, "I returned to school and have been attending a graduate program in literature because I have always been fascinated by great works. So, this semester, I needed to read 'War and Peace' and 'The Brothers Karamazov' in 4 weeks. Keeping to a schedule like that has helped me with time management techniques, managing resources and asking for help that I found difficult to do before."
Now your answer is always easiest if you reference a professional class you attended or certification training you obtained.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
What they care about is work related knowledge you have obtained. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't mention reading "War and Peace," but contextualize it.
For example, "I returned to school and have been attending a graduate program in literature because I have always been fascinated by great works. So, this semester, I needed to read 'War and Peace' and 'The Brothers Karamazov' in 4 weeks. Keeping to a schedule like that has helped me with time management techniques, managing resources and asking for help that I found difficult to do before."
Now your answer is always easiest if you reference a professional class you attended or certification training you obtained.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tough Interview Questions #38: What Do You Worry About?
Worrying is for losers. Admit to worrying and you are seen as a "Nervous Nelly".
Instead, redefine the word and change the perception.
Re-define it as being achievement-oriented and that you mull things over from different angles.
For example, "
I am a goal-oriented person. What I tend to do to keep turning things over in my mind that keeps me from achieving those goals until I find a solution. That’s part of my tenacity,”
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Instead, redefine the word and change the perception.
Re-define it as being achievement-oriented and that you mull things over from different angles.
For example, "
I am a goal-oriented person. What I tend to do to keep turning things over in my mind that keeps me from achieving those goals until I find a solution. That’s part of my tenacity,”
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tough Interview Questions #37: Behavioral Interviewing: Ambition
1. How many hours a day do you put in at work (or what were your study habits like in school)?
2. Who is the greatest influence in your self-development?
3. Describe the ideal organization that you would like to work for.
4. Describe a project that was implemented primarily because of your efforts. What was your role and what was the outcome?
5. How do you feel about working for a company of this size? What do you see as the benefits and drawbacks?
6. Why should we hire you?
7. Tell us about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get something done professionally.
8. Tell me about a time where you made a suggestion that went beyond the call of duty.
9. Who is or was the greatest influence in your self-development?
10. Describe a time that you pushed through something you believed in.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
2. Who is the greatest influence in your self-development?
3. Describe the ideal organization that you would like to work for.
4. Describe a project that was implemented primarily because of your efforts. What was your role and what was the outcome?
5. How do you feel about working for a company of this size? What do you see as the benefits and drawbacks?
6. Why should we hire you?
7. Tell us about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get something done professionally.
8. Tell me about a time where you made a suggestion that went beyond the call of duty.
9. Who is or was the greatest influence in your self-development?
10. Describe a time that you pushed through something you believed in.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Tough Interview Questions #36: Behavioral Interviewing: Attention to Detail
Behavioral interviewing is a relatively new style of interviewing that was developed in the 1970's by industrial psychologists. Behavioral interviewing asserts that "the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation."
It is one of the current fashions in human resource and management interviewing because it is designed to focus on behaviors and attributes that would allow a new employee to be successful in a new position.
Although I believe that it is often misused, because it is part of the current fashion (much like some of the other questions I have been coaching you for that reflects a previous style of interviewing), it must be paid attention to and prepared for.
In this section, we focus on offering you attention to detail questions that will allow you to be prepared when this line of inquiry begins.
Please give me some examples of things you have done on previous jobs that have demonstrated your ability to pay attention to detail. What resulted from your actions?
Please give me an example of where you may have found an error in some aspect of work that others may have overlooked. What was the error, how did you find out, what actions did you take, and what resulted from your actions?
Do you notice the quality of detailed thought they are looking for in the questioning? it goes beyond that to seeing how you interact with others. Do you create conflict or solutions? Are you cooperative or argumentative?
Here are a few more:
Tell about a time when you needed to develop and use a detailed procedure to successfully complete a project.
Tell us about a job or setting where great precision to detail was required to complete a task. How did you handle that situation?
How did you go about making the changes (step by step)? Please answer in depth or detail such as “What were you thinking at that point?” or “Tell me more about meeting with that person”, or “Lead me through your decision process”.
Please describe your experience in past jobs that required you to be especially alert to details while doing the task involved.
Some people consider themselves to be “big picture people” and others are “detail oriented”. Which are you? Give an example of a time when you displayed this.
This has danger associate with it because you need to understand the nature of the job and the corporate culture to answer it to the interviewer's satisfaction.
Here are a few more to prepare for:
Describe a situation where you had the option to leave the details to others or you could take care of them yourself.
Tell us about a situation where attention to detail was either important or unimportant in accomplishing an assigned task.
Tell us about a difficult experience you had in working with details.
These are all questions that require you to dig a little deeper and reveal facets of your personality as it pertains to attention to detail.
Although I believe that it is often misused, because it is part of the current fashion (much like some of the other questions I have been coaching you for that reflects a previous style of interviewing), it must be paid attention to and prepared for.
In this section, we focus on offering you attention to detail questions that will allow you to be prepared when this line of inquiry begins.
Please give me some examples of things you have done on previous jobs that have demonstrated your ability to pay attention to detail. What resulted from your actions?
Please give me an example of where you may have found an error in some aspect of work that others may have overlooked. What was the error, how did you find out, what actions did you take, and what resulted from your actions?
Do you notice the quality of detailed thought they are looking for in the questioning? it goes beyond that to seeing how you interact with others. Do you create conflict or solutions? Are you cooperative or argumentative?
Here are a few more:
Tell about a time when you needed to develop and use a detailed procedure to successfully complete a project.
Tell us about a job or setting where great precision to detail was required to complete a task. How did you handle that situation?
How did you go about making the changes (step by step)? Please answer in depth or detail such as “What were you thinking at that point?” or “Tell me more about meeting with that person”, or “Lead me through your decision process”.
Please describe your experience in past jobs that required you to be especially alert to details while doing the task involved.
Some people consider themselves to be “big picture people” and others are “detail oriented”. Which are you? Give an example of a time when you displayed this.
This has danger associate with it because you need to understand the nature of the job and the corporate culture to answer it to the interviewer's satisfaction.
Here are a few more to prepare for:
Describe a situation where you had the option to leave the details to others or you could take care of them yourself.
Tell us about a situation where attention to detail was either important or unimportant in accomplishing an assigned task.
Tell us about a difficult experience you had in working with details.
These are all questions that require you to dig a little deeper and reveal facets of your personality as it pertains to attention to detail.
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Tough Interview Question #35: Why Should I Hire You Instead of an Internal Candidate?
When answering this question, you need to understand that they have already made that decision by interviewing you and other external candidates. They have already considered internal candidates and found them deficient in some way. That should ease some pressure from you and offer you a gateway to answering the question powerfully, yet kindly.
Acknowledge the situation.
"It is a great organization that wants to acknowledge give its internal staff opportunities for promotion and advancement. It's a wise one that evaluates all of its options to decide what serves the organization best."
"After interviewing me and, perhaps other internal candidates, you may decide that an internal candidate offers the best choice for serving the needs of the organization. At the same time, it is critical to make a decision that best serves the organization and its needs, instead of being loyal to someone who may not be capable of delivering what is needed."
"Now, I don't know the experience and capabilities of the internal candidates, but you have given me an idea of what you are looking for in someone to fill this position."
You have spoken of . . . .
Now review the job description and how your experience fits the role so that you can help them see what an easy decision it is to choose you.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Acknowledge the situation.
"It is a great organization that wants to acknowledge give its internal staff opportunities for promotion and advancement. It's a wise one that evaluates all of its options to decide what serves the organization best."
"After interviewing me and, perhaps other internal candidates, you may decide that an internal candidate offers the best choice for serving the needs of the organization. At the same time, it is critical to make a decision that best serves the organization and its needs, instead of being loyal to someone who may not be capable of delivering what is needed."
"Now, I don't know the experience and capabilities of the internal candidates, but you have given me an idea of what you are looking for in someone to fill this position."
You have spoken of . . . .
Now review the job description and how your experience fits the role so that you can help them see what an easy decision it is to choose you.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tough Interview Question #34: Tell Me About a Typical Day
This is a fascinatingly simple question that so many people do a terrible job with by going through the minutiae of heir day.
Arrive at work at 9AM
Hang up coat
Pour coffee
I won't go through everything; I think you get the idea just from those three.
But if you think about the job and what the interviewer cares about and illustrate how your work relates to what they care about, then the focus is something positive.
Even if there is no "typical day," you can say that there is no typical day because on some days you do this, and others you do that.
If your work is such that you maintain or preserve certain types of work during some periods and at other times, you do projects where you are doing something completely different, you can say that, too.
Just spend time talking about your daily work in the contxt of the job they are trying to fill.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Arrive at work at 9AM
Hang up coat
Pour coffee
I won't go through everything; I think you get the idea just from those three.
But if you think about the job and what the interviewer cares about and illustrate how your work relates to what they care about, then the focus is something positive.
Even if there is no "typical day," you can say that there is no typical day because on some days you do this, and others you do that.
If your work is such that you maintain or preserve certain types of work during some periods and at other times, you do projects where you are doing something completely different, you can say that, too.
Just spend time talking about your daily work in the contxt of the job they are trying to fill.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tough Interview Question #33: Tell Me Five Words That Describe Your Character
This is one of the few questions for which I will not offer a specific answer, but instead the thinking about the questions.
For a second think of what your answer would be--honestly. No influence from me.
Once you have it, what is the message you convey about yourself with your answer and how would it appeal or repel a potential employer?
For example, answering
Leader
Hardworking
Honest
Caring
Generous
Might evoke follow questions asking you to talk about what you mean by "caring" and "generous". Do you notice how leader, hardworking and honest might be overlooked and the curiosity takes the interviewer to the other, more "sincere" character items?
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
For a second think of what your answer would be--honestly. No influence from me.
Once you have it, what is the message you convey about yourself with your answer and how would it appeal or repel a potential employer?
For example, answering
Leader
Hardworking
Honest
Caring
Generous
Might evoke follow questions asking you to talk about what you mean by "caring" and "generous". Do you notice how leader, hardworking and honest might be overlooked and the curiosity takes the interviewer to the other, more "sincere" character items?
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Tough Interview Question #32: What Qualities Do You Believe a Successful Manager Should Have?
I believe that there are three qualities you should highlight.
Leadership.
Vision.
Knowledge.
Leadership and vision are intertwined.
So, the idea is to say that there are two qualities that are intertwined--leadership and vision and then, ideally, the manager also has knowledge of the function they are managing.
You continue by saying that the ideal leader is one who can set the vision for the staff of where they are going (set the course), provide direction to them along the way based upon their experience and then inspire the staff to achieve it.
Then, offer an example of someone who was such a leader.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Leadership.
Vision.
Knowledge.
Leadership and vision are intertwined.
So, the idea is to say that there are two qualities that are intertwined--leadership and vision and then, ideally, the manager also has knowledge of the function they are managing.
You continue by saying that the ideal leader is one who can set the vision for the staff of where they are going (set the course), provide direction to them along the way based upon their experience and then inspire the staff to achieve it.
Then, offer an example of someone who was such a leader.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tough Interview Question #31: Have You Ever Had to Fire Someone? How did it feel?
Never.
Never.
NEVERNever make it seem like you enjoy firing people. Never seem like you detest firing people.
Just answer that sometimes, it is the right thing to do given business circumstances. Sometimes, that circumstance involves a reduction in staff to help a company survive; sometimes, it is releasing an employee whose behavior does not support the group's objectives, mission or requirements.
Whatever the circumstance, never speak of a responsibility you undertake lightly.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Never.
NEVERNever make it seem like you enjoy firing people. Never seem like you detest firing people.
Just answer that sometimes, it is the right thing to do given business circumstances. Sometimes, that circumstance involves a reduction in staff to help a company survive; sometimes, it is releasing an employee whose behavior does not support the group's objectives, mission or requirements.
Whatever the circumstance, never speak of a responsibility you undertake lightly.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2008 all rights reserved.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Tough Interview Question 30: If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.
For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.
Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
For example: “Although I’m overall very happy with where I’m at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…” …then provide examples.
Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
Tough Interview Question #29: How Has Your Education Prepared You for Your Career?
There are two parts two this question.
The first is to explain how your education helped you with both a good foundation AND an understanding of the way it is concretely applied in the real world. In other words, no one wants to hire someone with just book knowledge. They want to hire someone who has practical experience. Make it clear that there were two parts to your education--the foundation and the practical.
The second part is to give the interviewer specific examples of the difference.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
The first is to explain how your education helped you with both a good foundation AND an understanding of the way it is concretely applied in the real world. In other words, no one wants to hire someone with just book knowledge. They want to hire someone who has practical experience. Make it clear that there were two parts to your education--the foundation and the practical.
The second part is to give the interviewer specific examples of the difference.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Tough Interview Question #28: Why Were You Fired?
This question cuts to most people's core because it suggests that they failed in a previous job, even if they didn't.
Although there are countless ways to answer this question, I'm going to offer a few.
"Our firm experienced extreme setbacks and cut a large number of high performers from business areas that were judged to no longer be a part of the core business they wanted to pursue."
"My experience was not the right match for my previous employer's needs but it looks like they'd be a good fit in yours. In addition to marketing and advertising, would skills in promotion be valued here?"
"A new manager came in and brought in members of his old team. That was, of course, his right and afforded me time to think about what direction I wanted to take with my career; this opportunity certainly is in line with that (Be prepared to answer why).
"After thinking about why I left, I realize I should have done some things differently. That job was a learning experience and I think I'm wiser now. I'd like the chance to prove that to you."
"I made it through several reduction in workforce associated with outsourcing but this one got me."
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Although there are countless ways to answer this question, I'm going to offer a few.
"Our firm experienced extreme setbacks and cut a large number of high performers from business areas that were judged to no longer be a part of the core business they wanted to pursue."
"My experience was not the right match for my previous employer's needs but it looks like they'd be a good fit in yours. In addition to marketing and advertising, would skills in promotion be valued here?"
"A new manager came in and brought in members of his old team. That was, of course, his right and afforded me time to think about what direction I wanted to take with my career; this opportunity certainly is in line with that (Be prepared to answer why).
"After thinking about why I left, I realize I should have done some things differently. That job was a learning experience and I think I'm wiser now. I'd like the chance to prove that to you."
"I made it through several reduction in workforce associated with outsourcing but this one got me."
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tough Interview Questions: If You Had A Lot of Money, What Would You Do With It?
The full question is, "If you had a lot of money, whatever that means to you, tell me three things you would do with it.
Often asked of sales people, "What would you do if you had a lot of money" is designed to find out how high or low you've set the bar.
You could answer like one junior person I interviewed many years ago, "I would buy a used car and fix it up. (No I didn't hire him).
You can speak of helping your aging parents, extensive travel and other mature things.
You need to also put a big smile on your face and include something like buying a Jaguar, moving to this townhouse in Manhattan you saw a few years ago in the 60's and Park Avenue, or some other flight of fancy.
This is becausae Sales managers want to hire people with high goals and measures of attainment that will suggest that they will never be satisfied until they . . . (buy the townhouse, purchse the car, etc.
Often asked of sales people, "What would you do if you had a lot of money" is designed to find out how high or low you've set the bar.
You could answer like one junior person I interviewed many years ago, "I would buy a used car and fix it up. (No I didn't hire him).
You can speak of helping your aging parents, extensive travel and other mature things.
You need to also put a big smile on your face and include something like buying a Jaguar, moving to this townhouse in Manhattan you saw a few years ago in the 60's and Park Avenue, or some other flight of fancy.
This is becausae Sales managers want to hire people with high goals and measures of attainment that will suggest that they will never be satisfied until they . . . (buy the townhouse, purchse the car, etc.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, is Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, He has successfully assisted many corporations identify management leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines since 1971. He is a practicing psychotherapist and is a retired certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues.
To receive a daily digest of positions emailed to you, search job openings, use his free job lead search engine, Job Search Universe. to subscribe Jeff’s free job search ezines, Head Hunt Your Next Job and/or Natural Selection (his free recruiting ezine), or to find out about his VIP Personal Search Agent service, go to http://www.jeffaltman.com.
If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff or locating consultants, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at thebiggamehunter@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
Tough Interview Question #26: What Would You Like to Know About The Job or Company That I Haven't Answered So Far?
When managers or employers interview, they learn a lot from how you answer their questions, as well as the questions you ask. If you are asked this, the wrong answer is to say that they have covered everything.
Dig deeper. Find out more about them as a manager or about your future colleagues.
Minimally cover these points:
How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
How would you describe a typical work week or work day?
Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
What is the company's management style? What is your's like?
What are my future colleagues like? If I am offered the position, can I meet them?
How many people work in this group/office/department?
Is travel a part of this job? How much travel would you expect me to do?
(If you live some distance away) Is relocation assistance possible?
Is overtime expected? How much overtime is normal in this job? Does it occur regularly? At certain times of the year?
What are the prospects for growth and advancement in this job and in the organization?
Can you offer any examples of successful employees and what caused them to be successful?
What do you like about working here? What keeps you here?
Assuming you are interested in moving forward, what will happen next and when might that occur?
When can I expect to hear from you?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you about my experience and qualifications?
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Dig deeper. Find out more about them as a manager or about your future colleagues.
Minimally cover these points:
How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
How would you describe a typical work week or work day?
Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
What is the company's management style? What is your's like?
What are my future colleagues like? If I am offered the position, can I meet them?
How many people work in this group/office/department?
Is travel a part of this job? How much travel would you expect me to do?
(If you live some distance away) Is relocation assistance possible?
Is overtime expected? How much overtime is normal in this job? Does it occur regularly? At certain times of the year?
What are the prospects for growth and advancement in this job and in the organization?
Can you offer any examples of successful employees and what caused them to be successful?
What do you like about working here? What keeps you here?
Assuming you are interested in moving forward, what will happen next and when might that occur?
When can I expect to hear from you?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you about my experience and qualifications?
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tough Interview Question #25: If We Hire You, How Long Do You Expect to Be With US?
Although it is a stupid question, it sometimes gets asked because once in a while, someone naively answers something like, "Well, my wife is up for a transfer to Sioux City in his job and if that comes through we're moving," or "I'm trying to get pregnant and . . . "
Being specific here is deadly to your candidacy.
It is far better if your answer is generic and non-controversial.
"I would expect that I would be here for many years--as long as you believe I'm doing a great job and as long as the firm rewards me well with interesting work and opportunities for growth."
The phrase "rewards me well" is used very intentionally; it suggests money without saying it. Then the rest of your answer speaks about job satisfaction.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Being specific here is deadly to your candidacy.
It is far better if your answer is generic and non-controversial.
"I would expect that I would be here for many years--as long as you believe I'm doing a great job and as long as the firm rewards me well with interesting work and opportunities for growth."
The phrase "rewards me well" is used very intentionally; it suggests money without saying it. Then the rest of your answer speaks about job satisfaction.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Tough Interview Question #24: What Would Your Co-Workers Say About You?
This is only a tough question if you aren't prepared for it; otherwise it is extremely easy.
Without preparedness, sometimes people reveal things about themselves including that they have never gotten any feedback from their colleagues because their work is considered unimportant.
However, the best way to answer is to offer "references" (these are almost like references) rthat speak to some of the problems they have in the department or in the company that they are trying to hire you to solve.
So, pause for a second and think and then answer.
"Well, a peer of mine in the department by the name of _____ has told me on several occasions how much I helped her (or him) with their work. "
"Another person, spoke of how I helped keep us on task without being bullying like a former manager he had did."
My boss has always told me that she gives me the impossible things to do because I make them possible and report to her every step of the way on my progress. "
"Of the managers in a department I support has always told me how reliable I am."
"My manager always tells me that I make him look good."
Answers like these are like the person providing a reference for you.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Without preparedness, sometimes people reveal things about themselves including that they have never gotten any feedback from their colleagues because their work is considered unimportant.
However, the best way to answer is to offer "references" (these are almost like references) rthat speak to some of the problems they have in the department or in the company that they are trying to hire you to solve.
So, pause for a second and think and then answer.
"Well, a peer of mine in the department by the name of _____ has told me on several occasions how much I helped her (or him) with their work. "
"Another person, spoke of how I helped keep us on task without being bullying like a former manager he had did."
My boss has always told me that she gives me the impossible things to do because I make them possible and report to her every step of the way on my progress. "
"Of the managers in a department I support has always told me how reliable I am."
"My manager always tells me that I make him look good."
Answers like these are like the person providing a reference for you.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Tough Interview Questions #23: What Are Your Options Now?
This is a polite way of asking, "Are you desperate?" "Can I get you cheaply?
One of the worst answers to give is to talk about how you've been on a bunch of interviews, gotten close and firms have chosen someone else. Answering like this invites the interviewer to start to think that there is something wrong with your skills or knowledge and probing intently to find out what it is. Often the questions that occur from this juncture explore minutiae so that they can say, "Ah-hah!" and disqualify you.
It is far better to say, I have spoken with a few firms so far and am starting second (rounds with a few. The jobs seem interesting, but this one seems particularly interesting.
Be prepared to answer why this one seems interesting and why one of the other ones does too!
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
One of the worst answers to give is to talk about how you've been on a bunch of interviews, gotten close and firms have chosen someone else. Answering like this invites the interviewer to start to think that there is something wrong with your skills or knowledge and probing intently to find out what it is. Often the questions that occur from this juncture explore minutiae so that they can say, "Ah-hah!" and disqualify you.
It is far better to say, I have spoken with a few firms so far and am starting second (rounds with a few. The jobs seem interesting, but this one seems particularly interesting.
Be prepared to answer why this one seems interesting and why one of the other ones does too!
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
Tough Interview Question #22: Tell Me About Your Ideal Job
It can also be asked of your ideal location or ideal company.
This is an extremely sneaky question. Usually it is asked by an interviewer who senses that you are more qualified than the available job. Thus, if you answer the question honestly, he or she has the opportunity to disqualify you from consideration because they can say you will be bored in the role.
Thus, the only way to answer this question is to speak about the job you are interviewing for as being the ideal one.
If you're working at the #1 firm in it's sector, speak of joining a firm that wants to take over the top spot. If you are working in a leadership role and this is a staff job, speak of getting out of management and returning to your roots. It isn't that you don't like management; it's just that you notice you had a lot more joy when you were in staff.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us
This is an extremely sneaky question. Usually it is asked by an interviewer who senses that you are more qualified than the available job. Thus, if you answer the question honestly, he or she has the opportunity to disqualify you from consideration because they can say you will be bored in the role.
Thus, the only way to answer this question is to speak about the job you are interviewing for as being the ideal one.
If you're working at the #1 firm in it's sector, speak of joining a firm that wants to take over the top spot. If you are working in a leadership role and this is a staff job, speak of getting out of management and returning to your roots. It isn't that you don't like management; it's just that you notice you had a lot more joy when you were in staff.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter
www.TheBigGameHunter.us
© 2007 all rights reserved.
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