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This is the easier question to “what are your weaknesses” except people still struggle to answer it because they are not sure what an employer wants to hear.

The answer is anything! They are looking to see what you consider to be your strength and it doesn’t have to be purely work related. They are also looking to see what your level of confidence is and how honest you are.

The interviewer wants to see how you handle this stressful question firstly then secondly how you handle it. Just be honest.

As with any interview and most tasks you will feel comfortable if you have done your research and preparation, not just about the job and company but about yourself. Can you talk carefully and confidently about your skills? This is what you need to practice.

There are many standard questions in an interview, this being one of them but there are no standard answers and no right or wrong answers when it comes to questions like these.

Make an honest list of what you think your strengths are then select a few of them that you can remember. Practice your responses so that they sound natural not like a script and then you will feel better and able to answer the question.

Also remember that some weaknesses could also be seen as strengths such as: I am a workaholic, I work all of the time. You might view this as a weakness but an employer will probably view it as a positive.

Just remember to be prepared for any standard question.

Good Luck.

  
How to Answer "What do people most often criticize about you?" Interview Question

In order to grow and improve in your career, you must be open to criticism as a method of identifying and therefore, eradicating your weaknesses. You should never answer this question by saying you are not criticised because you have no weaknesses.

Everyone has room for improvement and this question can help you show that you are capable of dealing with criticism. You could always try to show ways in which you are attempting to address the problems and weaknesses that have been identified with your character. However, don’t go too extreme and mention weaknesses that could have a seriously detrimental effect on your prospects of getting the job.

Example Answers

An example answer could be to say,

"I have been criticised about occasionally being too outspoken and forceful in putting my ideas to the group. It was always done with the best of intentions but I am aware that I must be mindful about how I put my point across. In order to improve on this, I always take a notepad and pen into meetings. Now I can put my ideas to paper and therefore will not forget them. This enables me to wait for a more appropriate opportunity to press my point."

This answer will show the interviewer that you have given this issue serious consideration. Furthermore, they will be impressed with your efforts to turn a weakness into a strength. 

Another answer can be:

I sometimes talk over people: “People have said I sometimes interrupt people, so I have been really concentrating on making sure to wait until people speak before countering their argument. I only do it because I’m keen to solve the problem, and don’t often need all the back story that some customers feel the need to give.”

By doing your homework on this company you should be able to get a good picture of the type of employee they are looking for. Make sure you tailor your answer to suit this model. Although this is a negative question, if you can give a positive and confident answer it will be reflected in your projection to the interviewer.

  
How do you evaluate success?

Evaluation is a word that can be used to describe a short term, fixed value or worth, or it could mean a mid to long term appraisal charting cumulative worth or value. Therefore you should answer this question referencing both forms of evaluation. Of course success can be gauged in a similar fashion and this should be projected in your response to the question.

This question will also give the interviewer an impression of how you would define success. Careful consideration should therefore be given to this question, if you have done a good amount of research on the company you should be able to tailor your answer to suit. Most company’s today will have some sort of mission statement or corporate aim. For example, BAE systems uses the slogan "Innovating for a safer world". Therefore, within your answer you should make some sort of reference to safety and innovation is often a process that takes time from development to application. Therefore, for this example, you should tailor your answer to long term evaluation.

Example Answers

"I would evaluate success by analysing a process from its initial conception, right up to the final development and eventual safe application. If all criteria have been met along the way, I would consider the project to be a success."

“As a manager I evaluate success by having a happy, productive team, who are all achieving their goals, and are happy in their jobs. That to me is success.”

Panasonic has the slogan "Sense and simplicity". Although this company will inevitably have long term goals and will evaluate its success accordingly, the slogan gives you a brief insight into the ethos of the company. This slogan is meant to be short and snappy so I would revise my answer to the question to reflect this. For example, "I would evaluate success with an in depth analysis of results set against clearly defined aims." This answer, although implying there could be long term trends to follow, shows a preference for taking short term snap-shots to gain results.

  
ICT Technician Interview Questions

If you are going to have an interview for an ICT Technician job then you must be careful about it and check that you are aware of followings:

Always check cable connections thoroughly.

If monitor is on, but black, check brightness/contrast.

Check IP settings on network interfaces.

Don’t be afraid to ask anything else about the setup that may help you, or for a replacement component.

Event logs can be useful!

– A printer is broke – what steps would you take to try and fix it?
– What is DHCP?
– What is DNS?
– How to add a network printer?
– How to add a PC to the domain?
– How do you see the full ip configuration details for all network adapters of the PC you are using?
– How to get a program or document to open up automatically when the computer is turned on?
– What is the difference between a router, switch and hub?

Some of the tests:

– Map a Network Drive
– Open an Excel File
– Solve the error

The interview will be technical most times however you may be asked typical interview questions too such as:You can view all other interview questions and answers here.
Tell me about yourself
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want this job?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
What are your salary expectations?
What motivates you?
Give some examples of teamwork
Describe a difficult work situation project and how you overcame it
If you ever had an ICT Technician interview then why not let us know about it?

  
Interview Hints and Questions for Social Workers

There are a huge variety of tasks which are undertaken by Social Workers.  They are needed to assist individuals and families for a wide number of reasons and in many different situations.  There are Social Workers who specialise in specific areas; perhaps the elderly, disabled or children’s services.

A Social Worker needs to have educational qualifications including a degree in social work.  Those people who have a degree in a different subject will probably be able to take a two-year post-graduate course in social work.  It is also necessary to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) background check. 

There is a considerable amount of paperwork involved within the working life of a Social Worker.  There are reports which need to be written after every appointment with each client, and it may be necessary to attend court hearings.  When people want to adopt a baby or child, they will have a Social Worker to support them until the adoption is complete.  Social Workers are involved with lots of clients at any one time, so they must keep impeccable records of every meeting.

A Social Worker’s life is never dull.  They must act on their own initiative, whilst still being part of a team.  They need to emphasise with clients and understand their position, rather than being judgemental.  Good computer skills are also required.

Read more:

Social Worker salary

Social Worker CV Example

Social Worker cover letter example

Interviews

This is a career, not just a job, and prospective employers will choose to interview you after reading your CV.  There is a shortage of good Social Workers, and provided you are dressed appropriately and conduct yourself reasonably at an interview you stand an excellent chance of succeeding. 

It is important to understand the breakdown of the clients, and previously you will have decided whether you prefer Adult or Children Social Services.  There are excellent opportunities to advance to Senior Social Worker after a few years’ experience.

Ensure that you have answers to all questions, and in fact it may be beneficial to make a note of questions to refer to during the interview.  The interviewer will appreciate that you have given some thought regarding what you want to ask at the interview, and will be able to answer all questions. 

It is always helpful to the interviewer if you indicate whether you would like to accept the position if it were to be offered to you and this should be mentioned at the end of the interview.

Social Worker interview questions:

How do you evaluate success? Interview Question
What can you do for this company? Interview Question
Why are you the best person for the job? Interview Question
What are your salary expectations? Interview Question
Describe a difficult work situation project and how you overcame it
Give some examples of teamwork – Interview Question
What motivates you? Interview Question and Answer
What is your greatest weakness? Interview Question
Why do you want this job? Interview Question
What is your greatest strength? Interview Question

View the full list of typical interview questions and answers!

  
The first questions you will be asked in an interview for a graphic designer will be in relation to your qualifications and your experience. It will be a good idea, if not already requested, to take your portfolio with you to the interview. This should effectively highlight your proudest achievements so far and should aim to impress the interviewer, who will be casting a critical eye over your previous projects.

You will also be asked about your skills and methods of tackling a project. For example, if not obvious from your qualifications or portfolio, you will be asked about what range of software you are comfortable and effective using. This company may only have limited options with regards to often expensive design software and it therefore follows that the company will show preference to individuals that are already comfortable with the existing software.

Here are some possible questions you may expect to get at an interview:

Question: Which graphic design software are you most comfortable with? How could it be improved?

With some research into the company, and possibly from the job advertisement, you should be able to determine which software this company uses. As long as you are competent using it, you should answer with this software. The second part of this question is an attempt to gauge how in depth your familiarity is with your most preferred option. If you use it often enough it is inevitable that you will uncover flaws or personal touches you would change.

Question: If you were to re-design the company logo, how long would this take you and how would you approach the task?

This question is mainly trying to gauge your methods and approach work. You could start by being complimentary of the current logo. There is always the possibility that the interviewer was the one that designed it. You should give a realistic time scale of how long you believe this task will take. The company will have a set out framework denoting how long certain tasks typically take. By making the time scale too long or too short, you are indicating to the interviewer that you don’t know what you are talking about. Approaching the task would involve explaining how many designs you would create, the selection process, developing the chosen design and so on. 

More questions:
Are you available to learn more about how to maintain website?Name two file types which support transparent backgrounds?How would you set up a Twitter feed on a website?How would you send a large file?How would you apply a drop shadow to text in Adobe InDesign without using the drop shadow effect?What is your prior experience?Describe your process for creating a portfolio pieceYou wouldn’t mind if I copied your designs, artwork, inspirations would you?What is your favorite style?What did you use to create this project?What do you consider to be the current trends in the area of graphic design?Can you work with Adobe Photoshop?Why do you want to become a graphic designer?What characterize a great graphic designer? Why did you apply for a position of graphic designer in our company?

  
What kind of personality do you work best with and why?

This question is attempting to gauge how well you work with others. It may be, especially in a small business, that the employer has a set kind of personality they want to hire. This could be because of the people they have working there already and won’t want to hire someone who is likely to upset the existing staff.

The best way to answer this question is honestly. However, it is always wise to take the honest answer and tailor it towards the job you have applied for. For example, you may enjoy working as a team and through researching the company, you may have noticed that the employees go to numerous social events together. In this scenario you could tailor your answer as is shown in the example:

"I thoroughly enjoy working as part of a team. My ethos throughout many of my jobs has been to work hard, play hard. During working hours I like to knuckle down to gain a sense of achievement and I feel that interacting socially with team members strengthens bonds and increases the efficiency of the team as a whole." The interviewer would probably expect you to fit in well with this team as you seem to share the work place mentality.

If your research doesn’t uncover any of the current staffs’ personality traits, it might be best to remain a little vague with your answer. Generally, you will be working with people who have a similar set of skills to yourself. Therefore, your experience will be able to help you to work out a kind of stereotype for your industry. If you don’t want to risk saying something wrong with regards to a social aspect then don’t take on this subject. For example, you could use this answer, "I find it easier to work with people who mirror my work ethic. If people try hard and don’t easily give up, it tends to resonate with me and I find it best to work with these people."

  
On first glance this question can be hard to understand and when broken down, it still remains vague. However, this is by design and this question is a fairly popular one amongst employers. It is designed to make you think and the way in which you deliver your answer is often more important than the answer itself. A top tip is to not give a one word answer on this, i.e structured/entrepreneurial, as you will undoubtedly be asked to expand on your answer.

The question is asking about how you prefer to operate. Do you lean towards the more structured side of working life, where you will operate inside a set framework. This would most likely involve delivering certain results and working within set time-scales. Entrepreneurial is referring to a preference more towards doing things your own way. Thinking outside of the box and coming up with your own methods of achieving goals and finding the solution. Both are valid and sought after personality traits, but you will want to tailor your answer towards the job you have applied for.

If the job involves design or a large degree of creation, then you should choose entrepreneurial. If you will be working as a fitter and turner who will be required to produce a set number of products per day, then you should choose structured. If this choice becomes a grey area then you could take the safety option and sit on the fence.

For example, If you want to work in a call centre with set weekly sales figures, it might at first appear you should go with structured. However, getting the potential customers to agree to buy the product will involve some improvisation on your part. An example answer in this scenario could be. "While I enjoy the structure of knowing where I stand. I feel it is important to me that I am allowed to exercise and develop my entrepreneurial skills in all walks of life."

  
What do you think of your previous boss?

This is a potential banana skin of a question. If you hated your previous boss and let your interviewer know, you risk having it reflect badly on you. Generally, speaking negatively, regardless of subject, will create a negative impression of you. Especially when talking to relative strangers. Speaking negatively could also indicate a sense of insubordination towards your superiors. This will not be a characteristic the interviewers will be looking for. Therefore, it is highly advisable to be positive of your previous employer, or failing that, at least neutral.

More often than not, there will be positive aspects to most of the people we meet. When tackling this question, the interviewer is not necessarily interested in your personal relationship, or your personal feelings of your last boss. Instead, they will be gauging how perceptive you are to other people’s qualities. For example you could say, "My last employer had exceptional communications skills, I was particularly impressed how he managed to defuse irate customers and hope I have managed to learn from that. He was also very approachable and I believe any member of staff would have felt comfortable to go to him with a problem." This shows your ability to see positive characteristics in people and learn from them. It is also evidence that you are willing to improve yourself and actively try to do so.

In answering this question positively, you are enforcing a positive projection of yourself. Although you are directly speaking about someone else, you are proving that you have the ability to see and identify key characteristics in other people. This will be interpreted in a way that it will be assumed if you can see this in your superiors, then you will be able to do it with those below you. With subordinates, using this skill you will be able to positively influence behaviour and increase productivity.

  
What would be your ideal working environment?

As long as you have done your research on the job you will hopefully be doing, this question should not pose any undue stress. Your answer should be tailored in some way, if not completely, towards the job and working environment you expect to be in. Although generally telling the truth is the best policy, if you tell an interviewer for a call centre that your ideal working environment is outdoors in total isolation, you would be fairly safe to assume you needed to keep on looking for a job.

If the interview was for a call centre you could say. "I enjoy keeping busy. For me, I like a fast paced working  environment where I can be dynamic and feel like I am genuinely helping people." This answer gives the impression that you favour the conditions that you will inevitably encounter should you get the job. Expanding to add that you enjoy helping people will hopefully help project positive characteristics which they will remember after you have left the interview.

If for example, you will be working as part of an engineering team. You could easily tailor your answer to suit. "My ideal working environment is one in which I am part of a highly functional team. I love having my ideas heard and really getting the chance to contribute to achieving a set goal. I enjoy working with my hands and working with…(something related to the job)."

This question is designed to determine whether or not you fit the "mould" for the job. Answering truthfully will result in your suitability for the job being better assessed. Also it would be detrimental to both the individual and the company for you to end up in an environment that you hated. However, with some research and being a little creative and targeted in relation to your answers, you will hopefully increase your chances of landing the job.

More answers:

"I like working in small companies since I get exposed to more things much faster".

If its a big company then you can say "I would reach to the resources easily, meet different people in the same industry".