http://www.rapiddebtloss.com/blog/2008/08/08/common-interview-questions/
Had an interview the other day and it got me to thinking. All interview are usually the same. There's, "how well you play with others", "How much of a geek are you" and "how do you fit mesh with our company" type interviews.
Just so happens that I had all 3 rolled into one.
I'm in IT so the interviewer would be foolish to not test my technical knowledge while considering hiring me for a technical position.
Enough of me... To the point:
Tip: Give specific examples. If you don't have any, make up one they're just testing to see how you handle yourself under pressure.
HR type ?
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Question 1: Tell me about a time you had to settle a disagreement or compromise with your coworkers.
Meaning: Here the interviewer is looking at how well you'll play with others and to see if you're stern, don't budge, or if you're a peace maker.
Answer: Talk about how someone wanted to rush a deadline & that you were able to persuade the individual in a diplomatic manor that the project can't be rushed because it's a dire situation. Explain that you told the individual that there's processes that have to be followed and that you're determined to comply with the processes and that you've looked for alternatives to possibly make the project go faster.
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Customer Service ?
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Question 2: Tell me about a time you've had to deal with an angry customer and how'd you handle the situation?
Meaning: They want to know how you react to irate individuals and how well you handle stressful situations.
Answer: Too easy: Tell about the (fake or real) customer that called and was cursing because the expected a product to be working as expected. Explain how you understood that the customer wasn't upset with you personally so you let him get what all he had to say out. Then tell the interviewer that you assured the customer that you'd take care of their problem and that you're sorry that they weren't happy with the product. Then explain that you realized the customer calmed down after you started using the customer's first name in order to calm the customer down even more. To summarize, (make up) some sob story about how the customer actually, emailed you boss with a letter of recommendation or whatever and that you're actually in good with the customer.
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Multitasking type ?
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Question #3: Give an example of a time you've had multiple projects due and how you managed them to get them done.
Meaning: (I hate this question) It's too obvious. None-the-less, it's aimed at seeing how you manage your time and multi-task and how you perform under pressure.
Answer: Make up some detailed story about how you had 2-3 projects due at the same time and that you worked overtime while putting more attention to the highest priority project first.
-------------------
That's all I got. If you have questions, ask them. I've been on dozens of interviews and have been to interview trainings, etc I don't mind sharing.
Each one teach one.
If you liked: Could you please digg the article?
Had an interview the other day and it got me to thinking. All interview are usually the same. There's, "how well you play with others", "How much of a geek are you" and "how do you fit mesh with our company" type interviews.
Just so happens that I had all 3 rolled into one.
I'm in IT so the interviewer would be foolish to not test my technical knowledge while considering hiring me for a technical position.
Enough of me... To the point:
Tip: Give specific examples. If you don't have any, make up one they're just testing to see how you handle yourself under pressure.
HR type ?
-----------------
Question 1: Tell me about a time you had to settle a disagreement or compromise with your coworkers.
Meaning: Here the interviewer is looking at how well you'll play with others and to see if you're stern, don't budge, or if you're a peace maker.
Answer: Talk about how someone wanted to rush a deadline & that you were able to persuade the individual in a diplomatic manor that the project can't be rushed because it's a dire situation. Explain that you told the individual that there's processes that have to be followed and that you're determined to comply with the processes and that you've looked for alternatives to possibly make the project go faster.
-----------------
Customer Service ?
-----------------
Question 2: Tell me about a time you've had to deal with an angry customer and how'd you handle the situation?
Meaning: They want to know how you react to irate individuals and how well you handle stressful situations.
Answer: Too easy: Tell about the (fake or real) customer that called and was cursing because the expected a product to be working as expected. Explain how you understood that the customer wasn't upset with you personally so you let him get what all he had to say out. Then tell the interviewer that you assured the customer that you'd take care of their problem and that you're sorry that they weren't happy with the product. Then explain that you realized the customer calmed down after you started using the customer's first name in order to calm the customer down even more. To summarize, (make up) some sob story about how the customer actually, emailed you boss with a letter of recommendation or whatever and that you're actually in good with the customer.
-------------------
Multitasking type ?
-------------------
Question #3: Give an example of a time you've had multiple projects due and how you managed them to get them done.
Meaning: (I hate this question) It's too obvious. None-the-less, it's aimed at seeing how you manage your time and multi-task and how you perform under pressure.
Answer: Make up some detailed story about how you had 2-3 projects due at the same time and that you worked overtime while putting more attention to the highest priority project first.
-------------------
That's all I got. If you have questions, ask them. I've been on dozens of interviews and have been to interview trainings, etc I don't mind sharing.
Each one teach one.
If you liked: Could you please digg the article?
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