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How to Answer "Why do you want this job?" Interview Question

Why do you want this job is a versatile question which will be asked in 99.9% of interviews. A corresponding 99.9% of the time the absolute honest answer will be "for the money". However, this is an opportunity for you to sound genuinely enthusiastic about you potential new employer. It also offers the chance to give your view on why you believe you would be a good fit for the company.
   
Example answer : In my last post I feel I have taken my skills as far as they can go. Looking into your company I can see an opportunity for me to take my talents to the next level and believe I can be a strong asset to your team.

Here you are putting the point across that you feel there is more to be gained from employing you than your previous achievements might suggest.

If the job you have applied for is one in which you can physically see, such as a shop assistant or secretary. Then you can tailor your answer to suit this.

1-

"Having visited this store many times over the last few years, I have witnessed your staff at work and believe I would fit in well. I enjoy interacting with people and believe I can be a big help to the stores customers. I have often considered trying to get a position here and I am delighted to be given the chance at this interview. "

With this answer you are telling the interviewer that you have had an active interest in working here for some time. If the job involves a team and/or customers explaining that you enjoy working with people will be necessary. A follow up question to this answer could be "Then why didn’t you apply sooner?" Be prepared for the follow up and nip it in the bud with a response along the lines of; Finishing studies, other employment etc. 

Another example answer could be:

2-

“I would really love to join your team as I have been working in this field for a very long time now, and I really want to make the next step up now into management. I feel I have a lot to offer, and a lot to teach others, and also a lot more to learn.”

3-

“I would love to be a sales assistant on your beauty concession as I love cosmetics, and I have a good eye for colours. I love helping my friends with choosing the right colours and shades and I know that your brand is the best. I would absolutely love to use the skills I have already to help customers in store to find the right cosmetics for them, and teach them the best ways of applying them. As I’m such a people person, people enjoy chatting with me and taking my advice, so I think your customers would really love me.”

Good luck.

  
Financial Advisor Interview

A financial advisor is required at a large range of companies and industries. It could be that a bank would like to take on staff in order to sell loans, mortgages or other financial packages to customers. Similarly as an insurance company financial advisor, daily tasks would involve trying to sell the insurance companies product. The interview questions will therefore depend on the specific job you have gone for.

Obviously you will be asked about previous experience you have acquired and the qualifications you hold.

While these are very important, in a situation where many candidates have the same or similar experience and qualifications, the answers to the interview questions and your interview technique could be what sets you apart from your competition.

Interview technique:
The way you present and project yourself in an interview is an important part of any interview and should not be underestimated.  Always dress smartly with thoroughly pressed clothing and clean polished shoes. Sit up straight in the chair provided and don’t fiddle with pens, bits of clothing, thumbs etc.When speaking to the interviewer, ensure you make eye contact. If there is more than one interviewer, shift your body position in order to face the person talking to you, or the one you are talking with.Speak clearly and slowly, ensure your answers are understood.Financial Advisor Questions

In any industry, it is possible to predict certain questions which are likely to come up. Research these questions and pre-empt the answers you will use. Practice delivering your answers and you should feel confident come the day of the interview.

"Why are you interested in being a financial advisor, and why do you think you would be good at it?"

For this question it would be advisable to explain that you enjoy working with people and would like to be given the opportunity to explain the company’s product to potential customers. Obviously the reason why you think you would be good at the job will be along the lines of being a people person, with the ability to gently persuade people towards your point of view.

You will be asked questions about the product you will be expected to sell and what you know about the company itself. To answer this question to a satisfactory standard, ensure you have done your research.
Are you comfortable meeting with clients on person and talking to them on the phone?Are you connected to the community?What are your wealth management strategies?If I were a client, why should I work with?Why do you want to work for us?Tell me about yourself.Why do you want to be a Financial Advisor?Tell me about your education and professional development as it qualifies you for this job.What is the average portfolio of your clients? How do you achieve your goals?How do you build relationships with clients?How will you grow your book?Describe a situation in which you went above and beyond for a customer.How do you stay current on tax and investment laws and regulations?What licenses and certifications do you have?What sales experience do you have? What are your career goals?If we were to hire you, what would be your expectations for this firm?What is the difference between a broker/dealer and a financial advisor?Do you consider yourself conservative or a risk taker?Do you like numbers?Describe a time when you had to help someone make a difficult decision.How many people do you know salaried at 100k or more in a year?The main advice with regard to an upcoming interview is to prepare. Compile a list of possible questions and rehearse your answers.
What do you know about this company?Is there anything i haven’t told you?Why are you the best person for the job?What can you do for this company?Are you overqualified for this job?What applicable attributes experience do you have?What interests you about this job?Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled itIf you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?Good luck.

  
Telemarketer Interview

Telemarketing more commonly known in the UK as Telesales is a method of direct marketing which a salesperson contacts prospective customers to sell products either by telephone or face to face.

In an interview for a Telemarketing position you will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills and customer service skills.

You will probably get asked:
What sales positions have you held in the past? What were you targeted on? Can you sell me eg: this bottle of water? How would you rate your telephone skills out of 10 and why? The core skill to this role is communication and confidence. You will need to demonstrate this during your interview as well as being able to back this up with previous work history. The interviewer will need to be confident that you are not going to be phased by people unwilling to talk to you on the phone  and that you may need to make call after call after call before anyone is willing to listen to what you have to offer.

Role play difficult customers with a family member or friend as you may be asked to demonstrate this kind of scenario during your interview. Above all make sure you can actually do this kind of role and you really know what it entails, it doesn’t suit everyone and at times can be very hard. Best Wishes.

Check out example answers:
Tell me about yourselfWhy 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 teamworkDescribe a difficult work situation project and how you overcame itAre you willing to travel?What can you contribute to this company?Do you have sales experience?
Sell me your phone
What do you know about our company?
What makes you best person for this position?
What did you do in your last telemarketing job?
Do you have your own transport? a car?
How much experience do you have in the field

Good luck.

  
Secretary Interview Questions

Going for an interview for the role of a secretary, you could find your interview has tasks attached to it such as a typing test, sending an email, fax etc.

Maybe find an online test you can do to test your words per minute so you can feel confident if tested, its not very easy being put on the spot so you will feel more comfortable if you already know.

The interview will be looking for you to demonstrate the key skills they need from a secretary such as:
How skilled are you in Word, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint etc? How do you put a letter together? How would you go about booking a venue for an event? How you would you plan an event and make sure you have the correct documentation etc? The role of a secretary is a very important one, usually privy to sometimes sensitive  and confidential information, you will need to demonstrate how trustworthy you are, use examples from past roles or experiences.

The interviewer will also be keen to know how you get on with other colleagues whilst maintaining an exceptional level of professionalism at all times. A secretary usually has face to face contact with most of a company for one thing or another as well as dealing with external people. Your communication skills will need to be second to none.

Most asked interview questions:
What is your greatest strength?Why should we hire you?What motivates you?Give some examples of teamworkTell me about yourselfGood luck.

  
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?

Depending on the circumstances this could be a difficult question to answer! Tread carefully.

Think carefully what has been your greatest disappointment. Don’t start telling the interviewer something that is going to make you upset or that you are going to be unable to tell the whole story, only tell them something that is truly a disappointment but demonstrate how you dealt with this.

For example

When you applied to University, you did not get on the course you actually wanted. This was the biggest disa ppointment you have had to face. However you instead focused on what course you had been accepted on and how you could work up to the other course, or chose a different location and in the end after what at the time had been the biggest disappointment in your life you managed to turn it around.

The reason the interviewer will ask questions such as these is to see how you deal with rejection and disappointment, they will see if you continue the fight or throw the towel in. This is very important if they are to employ you, they will want you to work through difficulties.

If you haven’t had a greatest disappointment in your life then say so. Not everyone has but try and say something like:

"Unfortunately I don’t feel as though I have been in this situation but if I did have a massive disappointment I would try and work through it to turn it into a positive"

Be honest. Good Luck.

  
Can you Describe a Time When your Work was Criticized?

At some stage or another we always have to accept some form of criticism whether we agree with it or not. Its how you deal with that criticism that matters.

Explain to your interviewer what you were criticized for. Did you agree? Be diplomatic, you do not want to come across as being arrogant. No ones work can be perfect all of the time, therefore accept that this once something was not up to scratch but explain the reasons why on this particular occasion.

If you can view criticism as a learning curve then this will serve you well. Try and think why your work has been criticized, are they right to critise your work? If yes then its simple you know where you went wrong.If not then this is where you need to think carefully about the reasons behind your work being criticised to ensure that next time this won’t happen.

Be calm, don’t over react, try and give your self time to digest the information and learn from it.

Good luck.

  
Have you Ever been Discharged from any Employment or Asked to Resign?

If you have been in this unfortunate situation and this is a question you are asked at interview you must ALWAYS answer it honestly.

Most employers realise that people sometimes make mistakes, its what happens next and how you dealt with that mistake that matters now.

Do not be bitter towards your former employer when you are explaining, that will come across as childish.

An potential employer will always take up your references so will find anything out that has happened in the past so this is your chance to come clean and explain your situation.

Don’t tell an elaborate tale, make sure you are factual for example:

I was dismissed as my time keeping was very poor. It was because of  XYZ (please good reasons) but I understand now that I was warned several times and I deserved to be dismissed as my employer needed someone they could rely on to not be later.

If to this date you do not agree with your reasons for being dismissed then you need to explain carefully but do not sound bitter, companies have a duty to follow legal routes for these matters and will have considered all the evidence before drawing their conclusion. The person interviewing you will be well aware of this so please do not make them feel that you know better.

Be honest, admit if you did something wrong and now you want to make amends.

Good Luck.

  
Tell Me About a Time Where you had to Deal with Conflict on the Job

I think most people at some time or another have come up against this and the trick is how you deal with it.

The interviewer is purely looking for your reaction and whether you remain calm when you have to deal with any conflicts.

Whilst doing your preparation think of scenarios surrounding this question and strategies on how you deal with such conflict.

Maybe you have had conflict with another employee that you have to have a good working relationship with. How do you continue this working relationship whilst not being the best of friends. The answer is not always easy but it is about rising above situations and concentrating on your career to the best of the company. That is what the interviewer is looking for, whether any disagreements will damage the day to day performance or reputation of the company.

Be honest, how do you deal with conflict? Try and come across as calm and that you think first and weigh up the options before reacting.

All companies need a good balance of people, question such as these allow an interviewer to know what your personality is and whether you are a fit for their company.

Good Luck.

  
How would you describe your work style?

Your potential new employer wants to know if they can work with you. Are you someone that works like them? Do you have different skills that will compliment or not?

Think carefully how you do work.

Are you organised? Only say so if you are. And if you are then how can you demonstrate that you are?

How is your time management? Or do you need guidance? Remember be honest, you will only get found out if you can’t live up to what you have said during your interview.

Can you describe to your interview a typical day in a previous role? How do you start? When do you start?

People all work differently, some people need to stick to a rigid routine including having their lunch and breaks at the same time each day, others can be a lot more flexible. Depending on what kind of person you are will depend on whether you will fit into that particular company. It has to be right for both parties – for example: there is no point saying that you are self motivated and can work on your own initiative if you need to work with others.

Think about your skills and how you operate carefully before answering this, there is no right and wrong answer just simply a fit to that particular company. Be honest.

  
Give Examples of Ideas you Have Had or Implemented

If you haven’t got any ideas then yes this is hard. However you need to break the question down and maybe re phrase, its not as scary as it first appears.

Try this:

What have you done in your past roles that has been new to the company? or what have you brought into the company that is a new idea?

Does that help? Think, what have you done?

For example – a receptionist in a new role just orders stationery from the same supplier because that’s what the company has always done. However notices that  there is a better/cheaper supplier they could use that would cost less and be more efficient delivery wise so she introduces that to the company and it works well.

Or – Depending on your role have you had an idea which gets all the staff working together as a team, maybe an idea of a team building exercise to help with this?

No matter how small or insignificant you think something is, if you have implemented it or had a good idea about something this is what your interviewer is looking to hear about, it shows you have initiative and that you can think outside of just day to day duties. Good Luck.