(This is Part Three of 50 Tough Interview Questions. Use the navigation links below to read the other parts.)
Strengths and Weaknesses
39. Describe a few situations where your work was criticized (at work or at school) and how you handled it.
Be specific, and don't be emotional.
- Think of a time when you were presented with constructive criticism.
- Show that you responded positively and benefited from the criticism.
40. What would your current boss (teachers, peers) say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Name three or four strengths and one weakness. Be honest but not negative. Make the weakness something that you can overcome.
41. What are your strong points?
Present three.
- Use concrete examples from work or school to illustrate them (briefly) as a story: "When confronted with a complex task, I'm able to break it down into a series of simpler issues, like the time when I..."
- Try to relate your answer to the skills and attitudes needed for the organization and job you are interviewing for.
42. What are your weak points?
Don't say you have none. Don't pretend that a good attribute is a weakness ("I'm a perfectionist"). Make sure you talk about how you compensate for the weakness.
For example, "I get impatient if a task is taking too long and I have to calm down or take a break rather than pushing myself."
- Don't offer a list of weaknesses.
- An interviewer may press you and ask "Anything else?" Fend them off by saying what you mentioned is the major issue.
- If the interviewer persists, come up with a second weakness. Don't offer negative information unnecessarily.
- If the interviewer asks for a third weakness, say politely that you have covered the important issues.
Salary-related Questions
43. How important is salary to you?
This is a trick question. You don't want to say that salary isn't important because then they will feel they can pay you less. And no one wants to hire a person who thinks that salary is the most important part of the job. Say that salary is only one component of job satisfaction but you expect to be compensated fairly for your skills and potential. Don't be defensive.
44. What salary are you looking for?
Salary is a tough topic. You should review "Negotiating Your First Salary".
You should defer tying yourself to a specific figure as long as you can do so politely.
- You might say, “I understand that the range for this job is between $X and $Y. That seems appropriate for the job as I understand it.”
- You might answer the question with a question. “Perhaps you can help me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the organization?
- If you’re asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about the responsibilities involved before giving a meaningful answer. Here too, either by asking the interviewer or doing research during your investigation of the company, you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you.
- If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, “You know I am making $X now. Like everyone else, I’d like to improve on that figure, but my major interest is in the job itself.” Remember the act of taking a new job does not, in and of itself, make you worth more money.
- If no price range is attached to the job, and the interviewer continues to press the subject, then you will have to respond with a number. You can’t leave the impression that it doesn’t really matter, that you’ll accept what ever is offered. Be sure to check out online resources like glassdoor.com.
- Don’t sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how much you want the job. Don’t leave the impression that money is the only thing important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself.
- If a search firm is involved, your contact there may be able to help with the salary question. A search firm representative may even be able to run interference for you. If, for instance, this person tells you what the position pays, and you respond that you are earning that amount now and would like to do a bit better, he or she might go back to the employer and purpose that you be offered an additional ten percent.
- But, whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the final stage of the interviewing process. At that point, you know the company is genuinely interested in you and is more likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.
- However, as a junior employee you are likely to have little leverage in salary negotiations.
Personality Traits
45. Do you have any objection to psychological tests?
Some employers will ask you to take assessment tests. Answer truthfully. If you don't want to take them, you probably won't be offered the job.
46. Do you typically initiate conversations with others, or do you wait for them to talk to you?
The interviewer is probably trying to determine how comfortable you are in social situations.
- Answer honestly. If you are an outgoing person, say so.
- Say that your actions depend on specific circumstances.
- While you wouldn’t normally start a conversation with a stranger on the street, for example, you feel comfortable initiating discussions with people you don’t know in normal business or social settings.
47. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
Try to show that you lead a balanced life when answering questions about outside activities.
48. Do you consider yourself to be a creative person?
Be prepared with work-related examples of creativity.
49. How would you describe your own personality?
Think about this beforehand and answer honestly. Don't volunteer negative information.
"When Can You Start?"
50. When could you start?
Be prepared to give a date or give a time in the near future that you can commit to a start date. For a junior position, anything longer than two weeks will require explanation. (Some companies interview on campus for positions after you graduate and may dictate the start date.) You could also ask "Are you offering me the position?"
BUT WAIT A MINUTE! DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START INTERVIEWING?
>>>Take this short quiz to find out: "Are You Ready to Look for a Job?".
AND ARE YOU INTERVIEWING FOR THE RIGHT KIND OF JOB?
>>>Find the right work environment for you at "Who Should I Work For?".
(This is Part Three of 50 Tough Interview Questions. Use the navigation links below to read the other parts.)
[This guide is an adaptation of a document I found originally on the University of Nebraska at Omaha website. It subsequently disappeared from the site. It was presented without attribution or copyright. I've made substantial changes and tried to target the questions to people looking for their first jobs. -DK]
