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.

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

© 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.

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.