Interview Questions

  
How do you handle stress and pressure?

The interviewer is looking to see how you cope when things are not so straightforward which happens in every business either ad hoc or frequently.

Do you think you can cope? Answer honestly.

How do you cope with stress?

In stressful situations its always important to take a moment to think and prioritize what needs to be done first. If there is time you can make a quick list and tick things off a list. In these times its important to stay calm and almost ignore the pressure around you by focusing on the job you need to do.

The trick is not to let the stress get to you, not to be negative but rather turn it into a positive and a challenge.

Questions you may get asked:
Can you tell me of a time where you had significant stress and how did you handle this? Do you thrive on pressure? How do you cope with many demands on your time at once? What causes you stress at work and why? The interviewer will be looking to see if you can identify that:
Stress and pressure are an every day part of life That you understand the effect of stress and pressure on yourself That you are able to deal with it and take it in your stride? Most jobs at some stage or another have stressful elements to them just remember that the stress always ends and its how you cope during the middle of it that is important. 

Good luck.

  
What are your salary expectations?

Before you start talking pay (and salary negotiations) with a prospective employer, you need to find out how much the job (and you) are worth. You will need to take the time to research salaries, so, you are prepared to get what you’re worth and a job offer that’s realistic and reasonable.

Salary Negotiations

Once you know what you should be earning, how do you go about getting it? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer. If you’re asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you’d like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you’ve done up front. Once you’ve received the offer you don’t need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple "I need to think it over" can get you an increase in the original offer.

And if you’re ambivalent about the position a "no" can bring you a better offer too. I turned down a position I knew I didn’t want, regardless of salary, and received three follow-up phone calls upping the compensation package. Be careful though, if you do definitely need that new job there’s a risk that the employer may accept your declining the position and move on to the next candidate.

Negotiating a Raise

If you are currently employed and want a raise, start by being prepared. Gather your salary survey information, recent performance appraisals that document the job you’re doing, and any other relevant information. Be aware of company policy regarding compensation. Some employers are limited by budget constraints and can only give raises at certain times of the year, regardless of the circumstances. Have a clear idea of what you want. Determine the salary range you’re looking for and justification for the increase and have both ready to review with your supervisor. Be flexible. Would you consider an extra couple of weeks vacation instead of a raise? I know someone who’s regularly taken time-off instead of money and now has six vacation weeks a year… Then, ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss salary. Present your request, supported by documentation, calmly and rationally. Don’t ask for an immediate answer. Your boss is mostly likely going to have to discuss it with Human Resources and/or other company managers.

Despite your best efforts, there may simply not be enough money in the budget to increase your salary or compensation package offer. The company may also not want to create inequities by paying one person more than others in a similar position. In that case, you can at least know you tried. Plus, if this is a job you really think that you’re going to love, consider whether the company culture, the benefits, and the job itself are worth it – regardless of the salary.

  
Are you willing to relocate?

The key to answering this question is simple. Be honest. If you said that you could relocate and then were expected to, you would be in an awkward situation if you decided that in reality you wouldn’t be able to. It would probably end up in you losing the job and the possibility of a good reference. Neither of which you want.
   
If you would be willing to move but only within certain areas then you should take this opportunity to lay them out. A relocation will have a huge impact on your life, especially if you have children or any dependants, and the consequences of this should be thoroughly thought through before any commitment is made. Of course for many, a new start in a new place could be exactly what is being sought and again, this should be fully disclosed when answering this question.

A thorough set of research done on the company you wish to work for should highlight any potential requirement for a relocation. You should also be able to determine, if any, the likely destinations you may be asked to relocate too. It is possible that the relocation may not be far and therefore, would not have such a big impact. However, certain jobs require international relocations and this, obviously, will have huge implications for your future.

Whether relocation is for you or not, it cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to be honest with your answer. If you don’t get the job because you were not willing to relocate, that means the job wasn’t suitable for you. However, relocation can also offer up new opportunities so it is an issue that is worth consideration. Just make sure the consideration is thorough and you have an idea about where you may be expected to go.

Example answers:

Are you really willing to relocate for your new job? If yes then answer is easy " Yes, I am willing to relocate".

"Relocation is not my option for now however maybe in the future."

"I am not willing to relocate now but I want to."

"If move is necessary then I will move for my job!"

Good luck.

  
When were you most satisfied in your job?

When asked a question such as, when where you most satisfied in your job, an interviewer is trying to determine more than just the answer from you. What you say will have a meaning that the interviewer will take from the way you choose to answer. It is designed to be an unexpected question that takes you by surprise to put you slightly outside the realms of your comfort zone. This will help to determine your ability to think through a problem.

Avoid giving an answer that is self serving or can create a negative opinion of you. For example, "I was most satisfied when I received a large Christmas bonus." Although you may be trying to put a point across that you deserved a bonus due to some outstanding work on your part, this statement will have a negative effect and make you appear greedy.

Another bad example:"I was most satisfied in my last job when I was promoted". Although this could seem like it should be a justifiably satisfying time in your career, the interviewer will take away a negative opinion of your answer because it centre’s around you.

Try instead to give an answer that has relevance to the job you have applied for. For example, if the job involves maintenance of machinery, you could answer with: "The most satisfied I am in my job is when I see a defective piece of machinery brought back online as a direct result of my involvement." This now makes you seem to have pride in your work. You could follow this up with a specific example and if you worked in a team say so, taking the glory for yourself can highlight your skills, but sharing the glory with the team shows you have the ability to work in one. Which of course is a characteristic employers look for.

  
While for some, this question could look like a potential land mine that has been placed in the interview to blow the chances of landing the job with one wrong word. Maybe unsurprisingly, it can. Obviously statements such as "the customers", in an in interview for a job which involves dealing with the public would not go down too well.However, this is an excellent chance to show your potential employer that you have great interpersonal skills. The "how do you deal with it" part of this question is the most important part but be mindful not to start with something that might be completely negative.

It is important to note that "deal with it" denotes a positive action. Answering this part of the question with "I just ignore it", or "I don’t let it bother me too much" are too passive and could make you come across as a weak character. No matter what the job is, the employer will be looking for a workforce brimming with moral courage.

Try to give examples in your answer of situations you have personally been in. For example, "I once had a customer come into my workplace who was unhappy with the service they had received from one of our staff. Initially unwilling to listen to my reasoning, I adopted a calmer tone and came around from behind my desk to get rid of the physical barrier that was between us. This helped calm the customer and then I was able to reassure him and we managed to quickly resolve his issues."  This example shows that you are willing to assess a situation and then take affirmative action in order to resolve it. You could also use examples of how you have helped unhappy or unmotivated employees with your positive effects improving the individuals productivity.

  
How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?

This question is aimed directly at you and possibly implies that the interviewer would like to know about your wider interests. However, you should keep any improvements career orientated. Anything that is not related to your job specifically should be discounted as a possible answer. It would also be unwise to answer with expectations far and beyond the job you have applied for. Talking about getting off this stepping stone and onto the next towards your ultimate goal may be the truth, but if your interviewer thinks you might not be hanging around, you probably won’t be considered for the post.

To play it safe with this question, answer in a way that suggests a steady progression in your career. You could throw in some examples of advantages to the company and benefits that certain improvements could have on your job. Just be careful not to go too far. As a rule, questions about you should be answered briefly. The main reason you are at the interview is to explain why you would benefit the company and not why the company can benefit you.

For example, If the job eventually required you to gain qualifications, you could say "By this time next year I hope to have added to my level 2 in…. and will hopefully have achieved a level 3. This will allow me to take on more day-to-day responsibilities and allow me to build on my skill base". This is a positive response as it shows that you care about your career, and are therefore more likely to be motivated and enthusiastic in carrying out your tasks. It also includes benefits to your job which is the sort of response that the interviewer wants to hear.

Overall, it is important to keep your answer short and sweet. Don’t swell on it for too long and don’t bring in personal goals that have nothing to do with the job.

  
This question most frequently appears in administration orientated job interviews. It holds no hidden agenda and makes no attempt to dissect your psyche. It is a simple, straight to the point question, which aims to ensure that you have the necessary skills to carry out a specific job. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be tripped up by this question. Many people will be aware that they have certain skills or talents, but because they become almost second nature, it is sometimes hard to put into words exactly how we achieve what we do. Therefore, it is worth taking the time to identify all of your strengths and the reasons behind them.

Common techniques and tools people use to keep themselves organized include; keeping business and personal e-mails separate, keeping a detailed diary of daily tasks done and upcoming, planning as far in advance as is practicable, using a specific filing system and the list goes on and on.

An example answer could be, "keeping my work space tidy is always my number one priority with regards to organization. Keeping my desk clutter free help keeps my mind clutter free. I am also keen on ensuring all planned tasks are recorded in at least two mediums. Usually on the computer’s calendar and by hand in my work diary. Through my experience I have found that filing papers as soon as they become available to me, instead of letting them build in my in tray, is a much more efficient way to stay organized."   

If organization is one of your strengths, given a little time and effort you will be able to give a brief concise insight into your personal methods. However, it is important to practice delivering your answers to the interviewer to ensure you do not miss an opportunity to highlight your talent.

  
How to Answer "What is your greatest weakness?" Interview Question

“What is your greatest weakness?” This question is another mainstay in the typical interview. Here you need to turn a negative trait positive! Your prospective employer is actually trying to find out if you are able to be critical of your own behaviors. Here are a few examples of how you can do this. Add a personal example to them if you can.

Related: What is your greatest strength?

“My greatest weakness is…..

BEING A PERFECTIONIST:

“I tend to criticise my work a lot and continue to look for ways to improve on it. I rarely am happy with my first draft of a piece and find myself going over and over it. This trait also sometimes means I will do extra research on the project in my own time so I can be happy with it. I like to know that my clients can be assured they will always get a quality piece of work from me”

DOING MANY THINGS AT ONCE:

“I often find myself working on tasks simultaneously when I have several projects ongoing, some people think you should do one at a time; however I feel that by varying what I am doing me actually am more productive, as I do not get fatigued by one subject, whilst boosting my creativity as I am able to think more freely.

IMPULSIVE:

“I tend to be quite impulsive and instinctive. I seize opportunities when they arise. I learned to harness this trait quite effectively in my last role by training myself to use it to sense when somebody might be interested in products and services and introducing them to the products that would suit them.”

SEEKING APPROVAL:

“I often find myself needing to check my work with others before signing it off or asking for feedback from clients. I do tend to worry that I might have made a mistake, and I always want a client’s work to be perfect. I don’t need constant supervision or anything like that, I just like someone to say ‘that is fine’ when I am done. It makes me feel good about what I have done”

PLANNING EVERYTHING:

“I often find that I have to plan everything. I like to know exactly when I will be somewhere, how I will get there, how I will get back, what I will be doing. I even like to know exactly when people will be visiting me at home etc. Some people dislike this aspect of my personality, however it keeps me organised and means I can make the most out of my day. I hate having empty time, or turning up too early or too late for appointments due to lack of planning.”

Just be sure never to use negative words when answering such as ‘Bad’, ‘Failure’, ‘Weakness’ etc.

photo by: uniondocs

  
If you had any formal performance reviews you could actually quote what you last boss said about you but if not think positively about your relationship with your last boss and what would he or she say about you.

If you had any performance issues and the comments could be less than favourable then focus on your positive skills when you answer this question.

Think about a time where you have been thanked for getting something done on time and efficiently then you can use this as an answer – my previous manager thought that I was very efficient and organised and was very grateful for me getting a project done in excellent time accurately.

Remember to match the skills you pick as your 3 positive things to the position that you are being interviewed for as this will help the interviewer link your good skills to what they are looking for.

Try to include:

1 example showing your ability to do the job.
1 example that shows your commitment to the work.
1 example that shows you are a good person to have in a team.

EG: “My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can always rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour.”

Remember that this is an opportunity to see yourself through someone else’s eyes and an interview is like a sales pitch, you are the product so sell, sell, sell.

Examples
Trustworthy / HonestGreat sense of humorHard workerWilling to work extra hoursFlexibleGreat under pressureKnows the professionEnergetic

  
Telesales interview: tips and questions.

Telesales staff usually work in call centres or within specific telesales departments of large companies.  The job is to contact existing customers or potential new customers to purchase the company’s products or service.

Some people in telesales may be asked to deal with market research for their own or another company to find out the general public’s response to specific products.  An excellent telesales person must always be polite, even when customers are rude and may blame them for ringing at an inopportune time.

It is essential to remain calm, and try to explain to the customer exactly what you are offering.  Some telesales staff make appointments for sales representatives to go and see the customer, so it is important to enter the correct information regarding the date and time.  If you are selling products, you will need to produce an invoice or receipt for the item sold, so being able to operate a computer quickly and accurately is also important.

Telesales staff often work in a large open-plan office with their own workstations.  They wear a headset so that the customer can hear them clearly, and it also leaves the hands free for typing any orders.

Many people who work in telesales don’t have formal qualifications, although many university students work in call-centres during vacations, and some may return after completing their degree.

The Interview

An aptitude for the work rather than specific qualifications is important, although any relevant qualifications should be clarified.  Before attending an interview take a look at the website of the company to get an insight into their business.

Ensure you are smartly dressed and arrive in plenty of time for your interview.  Smile at the interviewer and make a point to remember their name and use it occasionally.  During the interview, you may be asked if you would like to see the department where you’ll work if you are successful.  This should be accepted and once you’ve had a tour of that part of the business, speak positively about it.  Be enthusiastic – a telesales person must always appear to be happy, as this creates the rapport with potential customers.

Ensure that you speak clearly throughout the interview as your voice is important.  It is the only opportunity to assist the customer to like you, and therefore want to purchase the product you are selling.

At the end of the interview thank the interviewer for showing you round and make it clear that you want the job if it is offered to you.