Job Interview: General Questions.

https://www.thebalance.com/top-job-interview-questions-2061228

Are you the best person for this job? Why?

When a hiring manager asks you, “Why should we hire you?” she is really asking, “What
makes you the best fit for this position?” Your answer to this question should be a concise
“sales pitch” that explains what you have to offer the employer.

Remember that employers hire workers to solve a problem, whether it’s boosting sales or
streamlining processes or building a brand. Your goal when making your pitch is to show
that you’re the best person to solve that problem.

The better you do that, the better your chances of landing the job.

Keep It Concise

You want your answer to be brief - no more than a minute or two long.

Therefore, select one or two specific qualities from the list you created to emphasize in
your “sales pitch.” Begin by explaining what you believe the employer is looking for, and
how you fulfill that need.

Focus on Your Uniqueness

The interviewer wants to know how you stand out among the other applicants.

Therefore, focus on one or two qualities you possess that are different from what other
interviewees might offer, or are more difficult to find in candidates generally. For example,
if you are very experienced with a certain skill that the job requires, say so. This is your
chance to tell the interviewer why you would be an invaluable employee.

Examples:

1. “I think that my experience in the (widget) industry and my ability to work

autonomously make me a good match for this position.”
 
2. “I have the savvy, experience, and superior communication ability to be an asset to
your company.”
 
3. “Your company provides many services that I have had experience with, in a
variety of capacities. [Offer a few specific examples.] I believe that my familiarity
with the industry would make me a good fit for this position.”
 Describe a difficult experience at work and how you handled it. Or
How do you handle pressure?

Here are no right or wrong answers to questions like, “What are the most difficult
decisions you have to make in your position?” or “Have you ever had to make a really
tough decision at work?" Employers ask these questions in job and / or promotion
interviews simply because they want to see that, when you face a difficult decision or
situation, you are able to handle it. They also want to see what kind of decisions you
consider difficult.

These are behavioral interview questions designed to discover how you have managed

certain situations. The logic behind these types of questions is that how you behaved in
the past is a predictor of what you will do in the future.

When answering these questions, give one or two concrete examples of difficult situations
you have actually faced at work. Then discuss what decisions you had to make to remedy
the situations. A few of the most challenging decisions that people in mid-management
and senior management have to make include:

 Deciding who to terminate if layoffs become economically necessary

 Terminating well-meaning but incompetent team members
 Deciding who to promotion when you have several great candidates

Also keep your answers positive ("Even though it was a difficult decision to lay off that
particular employee, I did so in an extremely professional manner, and this decision
ultimately led to improvements in efficiency and productivity throughout our
department”).

Examples:

 Decisions I have to make within a team are difficult, only because these decisions
take more time and require deliberate communication between team members.
For example, I was working on a team project, and my colleagues and I had to
make a number of choices about how to use our limited budget. Because these
decisions involved group conversations, our team learned how to communicate
effectively with one another, and I believe we ultimately made the best decisions
for the team.
 
 As a manager, the most difficult decisions I make involve layoffs. Before making
those tough decisions, I always think carefully about what is best for the business
and my employees. While I do not relish making those kinds of choices, I do not
shy away from this part of my job. A few years ago, I had to let some employees go
due to the economic climate. This was a hard decision that was ultimately
necessary for the good of the company and everyone working for the organization.
 How would you describe yourself?

What's the best way to respond when you're asked to describe yourself during a job
interview? Like the interview question, "Tell me about yourself," this question is very
common but not as simple as it seems. Employers ask you to describe yourself for a
couple of reasons. First, they want to see whether or not you will be a good fit for the
position and the company culture. This question, similar to the question “How would
others describe you?

” also shows the employer how you perceive yourself.

When answering this question, be sure to keep the job description in mind, and answer in
a way that shows you are right for the job. However, along with being positive, you should
also be honest and straightforward as to why you're a good fit for the company. This is an
opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer, and show why you're a strong candidate
for the role for which you're being considered.

To prepare for this question, create a list of adjectives and phrases that you think best
describe you (you might even want to ask family and friends for suggestions). Then, look
back at the job description, and circle all the adjectives and phrases on your list that best
relate to the particular position. 

Pick two or three of the terms that best fit the position, and think of specific times when
you have demonstrated each of those characteristics.With a list of terms and examples in
mind, you will be ready to answer any form of the question.

By matching your qualifications to the job, you'll be able to show you've got the right skills
and personality for the position.

Examples:

 I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different
people, and am known for being a great listener and clear communicator, whether
I’m engaging with colleagues or employers.

 I'm the kind of person who knows how to execute difficult tasks with precision. I
pay attention to all the details of a project. I make sure that every task is just right,
but is also completed in a timely manner.
 
 I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have
an open mind about what will work best. My creativity has made me an effective
team leader because I can anticipate problems and innovate solutions.
 What are your goals for the future? Where do you see yourself in five
years? How long do you expect to work for this company?

One of the questions typically asked during an interview is, “What are your goals for the
future?” Employers ask about goals because they want to be sure you won't be moving on
to another job right away. New hires are expensive to bring on board and train. If you
leave in a hurry, they'll be right back at square one.

The best way to respond to the interview question "What are your goals for the future?"
or "Where do you see yourself in five years?" is to focus on the position and the company
you are interviewing with.

While you don't want to lie during a job interview, it's best to stick to the parts of your
vision that include the organization. For example, if you're a newly minted registered
nurse, and the hospital you're interviewing with doesn't have a lot of openings for nurse
practitioners, now is not the time to mention that you're considering going back to school
in a few years.

On the other hand, the hospital might clearly outline a career path for their registered
nurses, in which they encourage them to go back to school while continuing to work part-
time. If you know this is the case, and you are interested in becoming a nurse practitioner,
emphasize your interest in this path.

This is another reason why it's important to do your research before you arrive for the job
interview. Knowing what the company wants, will help you emphasize your ability to solve
their problems. Do not discuss your personal goals outside of work, such as having a
family or traveling around the world, in response to this question. This information is not
relevant and could knock you out of contention for the job. The hiring manager is
interested in how your goals line up with the organization, not what you want to do next
in your life.

Examples:

 My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn,
take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as I can. I love
that your company emphasizes professional development opportunities. I intend
to take advantage of all of these.
 I see myself as a top-performing employee in a well-established organization, like
this one. I plan on enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in related
professional associations.
Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?

When the interviewer asks, "Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?" during a
job interview, he or she wants to know if you are a team playeror whether you would
rather work on your own. Some people do their best work as part of a group, while others
prefer working independently. A question like this aims to assess your personality and
your preferred method of completing a task. 

Why Interviewers Want to Know

Most interviewers or hiring managers, in a best case scenario, want to hear that you are
both comfortable working independently and yet are equally open to working and sharing
responsibility with others.

A person is likely to slightly prefer one over the other, but highlighting the benefits of both
approaches will make you a more dynamic, complex applicant.

Although there is no explicitly correct answer, different approaches may be more

appropriate for different scenarios. Different situations in the workplace may require
independence while others will need the efforts of an entire team.

However, you should take caution in exaggerating your abilities to work independently or
in a group, as this may backfire. Showing too much independence may concern employers
about your ability to work well with others. Likewise, leaning too heavily toward working
in a group may indicate too much reliance on others to provide you with direction and / or
to carry the load.

Examples:

 “I am equally comfortable working as a member of a team and independently. In

researching the LMN company, your mission statement, and the job description, I
could see similarities to previous positions that I have held where some
assignments required a great deal of independent work and research, while others
were better completed as a group.

 I truly enjoy the variety of being able to work by myself on some projects and on a
team at other times.”

 “I have experience with independent and team-based work and I see the value in
both approaches.”
Tell me why you want to work here.

Why do you want to work for our company? Your interviewer is probably going to want to
know. Interviewers almost always ask why you want to work at the organization, or why
you are applying to work at their particular company. It's one of the most frequently asked
interview questions, and saying that the job sounds great or the company is wonderful
isn't enough.

When interviewing prospective employees, employers are eager to determine which

candidates really want the job and would invest genuine effort in bettering the company,
and who just wants a job, any job, regardless of what the position entails.

Though it seems like an easy question, many employers will ask, "Why do you want to
work here?" or "Why would you like to work at our company?" in order to gauge your
level of interest and to see how much you have learned about the company.

The best way to answer this question is to be prepared and knowledgeable about the
company. Spend some time researching the company (the About Us” section of the
employer's website is a good place to start) so you can talk about the benefits of working
for this particular employer.

Check out the company's LinkedIn page, as well. If you have a connection at the company,
ask them if you can get some insight into what the company is seeking in an ideal
employee.

You might also look for the latest press releases and media coverage of the company, so
you have a sense of the company’s future goals. You could even look on the company’s
Facebook page, Twitter account, Pinterest or Instagram account, or other social media
page, in order to get a sense of what clients or product users think about the company.

The more specifics you can provide, the better. However, don't just talk about the benefits
and perks of working there. What you should really try to emphasize is how the company's
mission, values, and work align with your own goals.

Examples:

 This company is internationally known for its healthcare products, and my

experience in the marketing of healthcare products has me intrigued by the
opportunity this position presents.
 Your business is known for making a commitment to bettering the community. I
would love the opportunity to use my ten years of experience in advertising to
better this community with you.
 What is your greatest strength?

"What is your greatest strength?" may seem like one of the easier job interview
questions you'll be asked, but it is also one of the most important. The interviewer wants
to know if your strengths align with the needs of the company and the qualifications for
the job for which you're applying. Asking this question helps the employer decide whether
or not you are the strongest applicant for the position.

When you are asked questions about your strengths, it's important to discuss attributes
that will qualify you for the specific job and set you apart from the other candidates. It's
also critical to show the interviewer that you have the qualities the employer is seeking in
the applicant that they are going to hire.

How should you answer questions about your strengths? The best way to respond is to
describe the skills and experience that you have which directly correlates with the job you
are applying for. Be prepared to answer by making a list of the qualifications mentioned in
the job posting. 

Then, make a list of your skills that match those listed. This list can include education or
training, soft skills, hard skills, or past work experiences. Narrow your list of skills down to
3 - 5 particularly strong skills.

Examples:

 I have an extremely strong work ethic. When I'm working on a project, I don't want
just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of
schedule. Last year, I even earned a bonus for completing my three most recent
reports one week ahead of time.
 I have extremely strong writing skills. Having worked as a copy editor for five years,
I have a strong attention to detail when it comes to my writing. I have also written
for a variety of publications, so I know how to shape my writing style to fit the task
and audience. As a marketing assistant, I will be able to effectively write and edit
press releases and update web content with accuracy and ease.
 I am a skilled salesman with over ten years of experience. I have exceeded my sales
goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my
current employer.
 I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be
difficult situations. With five years of experience as a customer service associate, I
have learned to effectively understand and resolve customer issues. On a related
note, I also have strong communication skills, which help me work well with
customers, team members, and executives. I am known for being an effective team
member with a talent for giving presentations.
What is your greatest weakness?

What's the best way to talk about weaknesses at job interviews? It's important to respond
carefully because you don't want the hiring manager to think that you're not going to be
able to do the job. There are several different ways to answer when you're asked during a
job interview what your greatest weakness is. You can mention skills that aren't critical for
the job, discuss skills you have improved on, or turn a negative into a positive.

Discuss Non-Essential Skills

One approach to answering this question is to analyze the key skills and

strengths required for the position you are interviewing for and then come up with an
honest shortcoming which is not essential for success in that job.

Mention Skills You Have Improved

Another option is to discuss skills that you have improved upon during your previous job,
so you are showing the interviewer that you can make improvements when necessary.

You can sketch for employers your initial level of functioning, discuss the steps you have
taken to improve this area, and then reference your current, improved level of skill.

Turn a Negative Into a Positive

Another option is to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of urgency to get
projects completed or wanting to triple-check every item in a spreadsheet can be turned
into a strength, i.e., you are a candidate who will make sure that the project is done on
time and your work will be close to perfect.

Examples:

 When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I
prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.
 
 Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management
system that helped my organization skills.
 
 I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too
much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a
system to ensure everything is done the first time correctly.