(This is Part Two of 50 Tough Interview Questions. Use the navigation links below to read the other parts.)
Team Work and Management
26. How do you like to be managed?
Some possible answers are:
- Task-oriented (Given tasks one at a time)
- Results-oriented (Told what the goal is, but not how to achieve it)
- Participative (Working within a group of people with different talents and responsibilities)
- Hands-off (Management is there to deal with problems but otherwise doesn't interfere)
27. Have you ever managed or led a group of people? Can you give me some examples? Did you enjoy the experience?
Keep your answer achievement and task-oriented. If you can, try to show that you have had some leadership experience.
- Rely on examples from your career or school experience to support your statements.
- Stress your experience and energy.
28. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or an executive?
Mention planning, execution, motivation, and cost control. The most difficult task may be to motivate employees and assemble resources to get tasks planned and executed on time and within budget. Even if you aren't being hired for a management position, show that you have an understanding and empathy for the challenges of management.
29. Do you consider yourself a leader?
Cite examples from your work or school experience.
30. What is the most important thing that we should look for in a new hire?
Think in terms of your own skills, initiative, and adaptability to work productively with others. Mention that hiring people who can be promoted is important.
31. Have you ever had to deal with a non-productive or non-cooperative team member on a work or school project? How did you handle the situation?
Cite a real example from work experience or school. Admit that the situation wasn't easy, but say it worked out well for you and the individuals involved (if it did).
Industry Trends
32. What important trends do you see in our industry?
Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate you have done some research about the company and its industry.
- Technological challenges or opportunities
- Economic conditions
- Competitors
- Regulatory demands
- Hiring and finding talent
33. What are the frontier or cutting-edge issues in our industry?
Be prepared with two or three key issues.
Your Job Search
34. Why are you looking for a job?
If you are just finishing college, this is easy. Otherwise, be brief and honest without hurting yourself.
- If you were laid off in a staff reduction, say so. Otherwise say it is your decision to advance your career.
- Don't mention personality conflicts.
- If you were terminated but not in a general staff reduction, expect the interviewer to probe further. You may want to say "We agreed to disagree."
- Don't ever fabricate a story, but it's ok to withhold facts unless directly questioned about them.
35. Why haven't you found a job by now?
It's ok to cite the tough job market. Say that you have had some interesting interviews (if true) but finding the right job deserves time and planning.
36. If you are leaving a job, why are you leaving now as opposed to six months ago?
You might say the challenge of the job held you, or you tried to work through some of the issues, but now it's time to investigate other opportunities.
37. What do you think of your current boss (if any)?
Be as positive as you can. Show that you empathize with the challenges of your boss's job.
38. Should your new boss be afraid you will take his or her job?
As a junior employee, say that you hope you will learn a lot on this job and that it will be some time before you are ready to challenge leadership. Say that while you certainly hope for additional responsibility, you will be focused on getting the current job done.
