interview answers

[melg]

Can someone PLEASE give me answers to use as answers for job interview questions like .. Give and example of ..etc.."Tell me about a special contribution you have made to your employer." and What are your biggest accomplishments.. "What is the most difficult situation you have faced

[CheekyChops]

errm... how are we supposed to know what contributions you have made, what your accomplishments have been and what difficult situations you have faced?

It may help if you told us what you do at the moment, at least then we could make some senarios up for you!

[Harry Nuttal]

Good points Cheeky! Just to keep things moving along...what the interviewewr doesn't want is a lot of Er, Um, Ah, Well, Like, Er, Ums. I doubt he, or she, will be particularly interested in your contributions, accomplishments, difficulties, etc.. He, or she, really wants to know if you are Up For It. Have you got two heads? You need to appear sharp, snappy, amusing, interested and quick. Hit 'em with a quick and short answer. Let them keep the ball rolling. Remember, it isn't easy interviewing someone - especially someone who gives as good as they get. Biggest accomplishment? Stopping smoking. Biggest contribution? Making him laugh. Difficult situation? Tea or coffee; big decision. And so on. Good luck.

[lady_p_gold]

Always think of something you have done that 'made a difference' as they often ask that ... even if you have to make it up .. like 'I noticed that people were constantly coming up and asking the same question every week and so I decided to to an Excel spreadsheet and e mail it every Friday so they would all know.' Also if they are a company make sure you look at their website the day before you go.

[johnlambert]

Try this most exellent book, it worked for me. It gives examples of the type of Questions employers ask and the kind of answers they are looking for. Its called:-

How to Interview Like A Top MBA, by Dr Shel Leanne priced �10 ISBN 0-07-141827-X

Good Luck

[xrayspecs]

Interviewers that ask those types of questions will tend to know all the stock answers, because they've been reading the same books as you! Repeating parrot fashion something you've read is not always a good plan.

I'd always try to take control in an interview. Walk in and deliberately move the chair they'd laid out for you, ask them to close a blind if the sun's coming through a window regardless of if it's in your eye line or not. If you've been kept waiting, sit down and make a point of looking at your watch. Basicaly assert yourself.

[jennifer_cro]

Erm... I don't necessarily agree with xrayspecs.

I interview candidates regularly and there is a huge difference between confidence and arrogance! (unless of course that particular quality has been specified in the job description!).

You need to tailor your answers to the job description each time, this will prove you actually have interest in the position and company and you're not just reeling off textbook answers.

Try to think of actual examples where you have actually made a real contribution, and your biggest accomplishments no matter how small they may appear. This will show you have prepared fully for the interview and your confidence and enthusiam should shine through!

Hope that helps.

[Hermia]

I'm not sure I agree with xrayspecs either! When we interview for jobs we always get at least one bloke who swaggers in like he is God's gift (& it's often a young bloke who hasn't even got much on his CV!). I've seen 'em do the looking at their watch thing and acting like their time is more important than ours. We never give jobs to these people even if their CV is good because teamwork is essential where I work and we don't want anyone who thinks they are better than anyone else.

When an interviewer asks you what you accomplished they want to know exactly that. It's not a trick question. Just make sure you try to choose an example that is relevant to the job you are going for.

[Harry Nuttal]

It all depends on the type of job you are after. If it's for a job with a po-faced mob then you've got problems. If they are an up-beat mob then be yourself and don't be scared.

My background is in the media and here's a true, short interview for a reporter's job conducted by a pal of mine:

My pal: "Hello, Tony. Take a seat. Now Tony, are you any (expletive) good?"

Tony: "I'm (expletive) better than you, you (expletive)."

My pal: "When can you start?"

Tony: "Monday."

End of interview. My pal knew all he wanted to know. Nothing would put this guy off getting the story.

Finally, we can all understand an interviewer's position. Give the wrong person the job and they are rather lumbered. Why don't you say that you fully understand their difficulty and offer to work a week for nothing to show them that you have the ability to a) do the job and b) fit in. They might go for that. Then it's up to you.

[lady_p_gold]

Just had to share this .. .my friend went for an interview at a sticky label factory. He knew nothing about them at all. They did a tour of the factory. 'Tell me' said the interviewer 'what you know about labels and their manufacture'. My friend replied ...' all I know is they go sticky side down' ........ He got the job !!!!