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Interview Questions: Work History
Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?
What were your responsibilities?
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
Which was most / least rewarding?
What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?
Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?
What was it like working for your supervisor? What were his strengths and shortcomings?
Who was your best boss and who was the worst?
Why are you leaving your job?
What have you been doing since your last job?
Job Interview Questions and Best Answers
Interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the "standard" interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions.
Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.
Interview Questions: Work History
Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.
BEST ANSWER:
Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to review their work history in detail. Be prepared to tell the interviewer the names of the companies you worked for, your job title, your starting and ending dates of employment and what your job entailed.
You'd be surprised how many job applicants fumble when asked about prior employment. Don't be one of them! Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your resume, so, you can speak about your prior work history in detail and accurately.
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?
BEST ANSWER:
In many cases, interviewers will want to know what you expected from your last job when you were hired, so, be be prepared to answer the interview question "What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?"
There isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. The best way to respond is to discuss what you expected when you took the job and give examples of how the position worked out for you. If the job wasn't exactly what you expected, it's fine to mention that. However, you should focus on the job itself, not the company, your boss, or your co-workers (if they were a problem). Do be careful how you answer and don't focus too much on the negative. Instead, address the highlights of the job.
When responding, be specific. Prepare some examples to share with the interviewer in advance. For example, if your job involved creating web applications using Cold Fusion, discuss the specific programs you developed and the responsibilities you were given. If you were provided training and opportunities for professional development to help you achieve your goals, mention that, as well.
What were your responsibilities?
BEST ANSWER:
When you are asked questions related to your current or previous positions, it's important to be specific and to be positive about what you did in your previous position(s).
The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Try to tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job's requirements.
It's also important to be honest. Don't embellish your job, because you don't know who the hiring manager will be checking with when they check your references.
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them?
BEST ANSWER:
When asked the job interview question "How did you handle a challenge?" be sure to include specific examples of how you handled a particular difficult situation. Discuss how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution. Examples of good responses include:
During a difficult financial period, I was able to satisfactorily negotiate repayment schedules with multiple vendors.
When the software development of our new product stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the schedule back on track. We were able to successfully troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a very short period of time.
A long-term client was about to take their business to a competitor. I met with the customer and was able to change how we handled the account on a day-to-day basis, in order to keep the business.
Which was most / least rewarding?
BEST ANSWER:
This interview question can be tricky. You want to make sure that the things you say are least rewarding aren't responsibilities that are going to be a major part of the job you are interviewing for. For example, if the last job you had involved extensive customer service telephone work that you hated, and if being on the phone doing something similar is even a minor part of the new job, don't mention it. Instead, focus on the the tasks that were most rewarding and highlight those.
When interviewing, always be cognizant of the job you are interviewing for and tailor your response accordingly. Try to accentuate the positive, regardless of what question you have been asked, because you don't want to be construed as someone who is negative about work, in general.
What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?
BEST ANSWER:
Our potential employer will want to know what you accomplished, and what you didn't, in your current or last position.
The best way to respond is to give an example of something you accomplished that is directly related to the job you are interviewing for. Review your resume and review the job posting. Find the best match and use that to show how what you accomplished will be beneficial to the company you are interviewing with.
If you wrote a targeted cover letter when applying for the job use the information you included to create your response. For example, if you are interviewing for a job at a school where you will need to manage student registration, explain to the interviewer how you registered students for courses, designed and managed registration software, and solved customer problems.
If you didn't fail at anything, say so. If you can think of an example, be sure that it's a minor one and turn it into a positive. For example, if you were working on a project that was behind deadline, explain to the interviewer how you adjusted the workload and the timeline to get back on track and ahead of schedule.
Questions about your supervisors and co-workers.
BEST ANSWER:
For the most part, the following questions may be asked to determine if you are a team player. Take a few seconds, when asked a difficult question, before you answer. An interviewer is not expecting you to have a ready answer. However, the Boy Scout Motto - Be Prepared - - certainly applies here as well.
Tell
me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn't
doing his/her fair share of the work. What did you do and what was
the outcome?
I worked closely with Ann who, for the most
part, always carried her fair share of the work load. During a
stressful time, working on a project with a deadline, I realized
Ann's contributions to the project were almost minimal. I made the
decision to wait until after the project to speak with her. I'm glad
I did, because I learned she'd been going through a very tough time
in her personal life and she appreciated my willingness to go the
extra mile so the project was completed on time. As a result, our
ability to work well together significantly increased.
Give
me an example of a time when you took the time to share a co-worker's
or supervisor's achievements with other?
At my most
recent position, one of my co-workers, Dan, did an outstanding job of
calming an irate customer, solving the customer's problem and
completing a sale. When our boss asked me how things were going, I
told him everything was going fine and that Dan had just completed
calming an irate customer and closing a sale. It was a win-win-win-
for our boss, Dan and the customer.
Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome?
Early in my career, I had a supervisor (Judy) who was in a fairly good mood on Monday, but it deteriorated each day until by Friday, the supervisor was finding fault with everything I did. I didn't realize, until I left that position, that I had been a contributor to the decline in her mood. Judy would ask me how my weekend was (on Monday) and during the week she would ask how it was going. I would tell her how much fun I was having (I was single) and how I was looking forward to the weekend plans. After I left, I realized my life was in complete contrast to hers and I reminded her of it almost daily. When she asked the questions, I should have had a quick answer, and then asked her how she was doing!!!!
Have
you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle
it?
Yes, I've worked with someone whom I found difficult
to like as a person. However, when I focused on the skills they
brought to the job, their ability to solve problems and the two
things I did appreciate, slowly my attitude towards them changed. We
were never friends, but we did work well together.
Tell
me about a time that you helped someone.
Most recently,
we had a new hire (Paul) that was really struggling with getting to
work on time, and I knew the boss (Harry) was getting irritated. Over
lunch one day I explained to Paul how important it was to our boss
for everyone to be there at least 10 minutes early. It was personal
with the Harry, but you could really get on his bad side when you
were frequently late. The new employee was grateful for the advice.
At his previous employment, the boss was only concerned about the
work getting done on time; he/she did not "watch the clock".
Tell
me about a time that you misjudged a person.
There was a
long-time employee (George) at my second company who was very gruff
when he spoke to me. At first, I went out of my way to win the
George's approval. Then I realized that was compounding the problem.
So I observed how he interacted with other employees and discovered I
wasn't alone. He was gruff to most people. I quit trying to gain his
approval and, in the process, discovered he'd learned his behavior
from a former boss he'd had whom he admired.
How
do you get along with older (younger) co-workers?
Suggested
answer if your co-workers are older: There are times when I just
know that a new way of doing something makes more sense to me; but,
first hand, I learned that my "better way" may not be the
best way to get the job done. As a consequence, I respect my older
co-workers knowledge and I've learned how to make a suggestion at the
appropriate time.
Suggested answer if your co-workers are younger: I quickly realized it was not my job to "parent" the younger people with whom I work; it was my job to get to know them and for us to find common ground where we could effectively work together. It took time, but the result was worth the effort.
What was it like working for your supervisor? What were his strengths and shortcomings?
BEST ANSWER:
A typical interview question is "What Was it Like Working for Your Supervisor?" The reason it's asked it to find out how you got along with your boss. Be careful how your answer. Interviewers don't like to hear too much (or much at all) about bad bosses because it could be someone from their company that you're talking about next time around.
I once had a job applicant who spent 10 minutes responding to this question. She told me how awful her boss was and how her company was a terrible place to work. It so happened that her boss was a good friend and golfing buddy of my boss - our company's CEO - and the company was one of our biggest clients. Of course, she didn't get the job.
Don't make the same mistake she did. Instead, accentuate the positive and minimize any difficult situations. Discuss the strengths your past supervisors had and how they helped you succeed in your positions.
Who was your best boss and who was the worst?
With the question "Who was your best boss and who was the worst?" the interviewer is trying to discover if you assess blame or carry a grudge.
BEST ANSWER:
I've learned from each boss I've had. From the good ones, what to do, from the challenging ones - what not to do.
Early in my career, I had a mentor who helped me a great deal, we still stay in touch. I've honestly learned something from each boss I've had.
Why are you leaving your job?
BEST ANSWER:
One of the questions that is typically asked in an interview is "Why are you leaving your job?" or "Why did you leave your job?" if you have already moved on. If you were fired from your job, use look at the respons below (Question: “Why were you fired?”). If you left of your own accord, review these suggestions on how best to answer and tailor your response to meet your particular situation. Be direct and focus your interview answer on the future, especially if your leaving wasn't under the best of circumstances.
Don't Badmouth Your Boss
Regardless of why you left, don't speak badly about your previous employer. The interviewer may wonder if you will be bad-mouthing his company next time you're looking for work. I once interviewed a person who told me that her last employer was terrible. They didn't pay her enough, the hours were awful and she hated the job. That company happened to be my company's biggest, and most important, customer. And there is no way I would have hired someone who felt that way, justified or not, about our valuable client. So, she gave up any opportunity of getting the job as soon as she answered the "Why did you leave?" question.
What have you been doing since your last job?
BEST ANSWER:
If you have an employment gap on your resume, the interviewer will probably ask you what you have been doing while you were out of work.
The best way to answer this question is to be honest, but do have an answer prepared. You will want to let the interviewer know that you were busy and active, regardless of whether you were out of work by choice, or otherwise.
As I said, it doesn't really matter what you did, as long as you have an explanation. Hiring managers understand that people lose their job - it can happen to anyone - and it's not always easy to find a new job fast. Also, there are legitimate non-employment reasons for being out of the workforce.
