Practice Interview

QUESTION 1

Tell me about yourself and your background.
(Number one question asked by employers).


1. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I have two sisters and one brother. I had a normal upbringing - lots of family interaction. I went to grammar school and high school in Los Angeles, but went to college in Arizona. I have always been interested in sports and I especially like baseball. I got married and had two children, and they are now growing up and I am ready for a more challenging position. I have always been good at math and always wanted to learn more about computers.

(While this answer is very informative about you and your life, it doesn't really contribute to your resume or what you can do for this company, and in particular, this job. It also gives out a lot of information that is not necessary for the employer to know at this stage - in fact gives information that is illegal for the interviewer to ask in an interview. It would be more effective if you talked more about your ability in math and computers, which would be of more interest to the employer who is looking for someone to do the job.)

2. I have worked all my adult life and I've held all kinds of jobs at various companies. I am a hard worker. I am looking for a growth-oriented company where I can utilize my abilities and experience and can continue to learn new things be challenged.

(This answer is very vague to say the least. This sounds like the type of statement a number of people put as their objective on their resume. It tells very little about the person behind the statement. It also focuses on what you want versus what you can bring to the job or company. Employers are looking for people who can bring added value.)

3. For the past six years I have been in the electronics industry working on computer systems. Two years ago I was promoted to lead technician and currently supervise tour testers and technicians. My strength is problem solving. I take an analytical view of what is happening and work through the process by trying various solutions. I work well independently or as a member of a team. I have worked in fast paced environments most of my life, and am very goal-oriented and deadline driven. I am looking for a position as a lead or coach where I can effectively work with a team to bring in results that contribute to the bigger picture or bottom line.

(Gives more information about yourself in terms of a history of your work experience - including your strengths and what you are looking for. This is a more effective way to answer this question. By summarizing your work experience you are giving your interviewer a quick look or snapshot of yourself and what you have to offer.)


QUESTION 2

You mentioned you work well with a team, can you describe a situation when you had to gain cooperation from a team.


1. A few months ago I worked on a team project that was really running behind schedule. The first thing I did was get everyone together to discuss the problem and what was happening and why. I made sure that everyone on the team had a chance to contribute to the discussion. I was surprised at the insights offered by even the quietest members of the team. We then came up with some new ways of approaching the project and schedule. I set up a system so that each person could track his or her own progress - through data entry and frequent check-ins. It seemed to make a a big difference when each person felt like he or she was making a contribution to a bigger project. Within a week the improvement was very noticeable. We not only improved on the schedules for the project, but we formed a much tighter unit and process for future projects.
(Notice the detail and story behind this answer. There is a lot of information about what "your" part in the process was, and how you made a difference. This answer shows a lot of leadership and team support. It also shows a concern for people and each person's opinion. It gives a real sense of the way you work with a team.)

2. I am a real team player. I always work well with a team. Whenever there is cooperation needed I am one of the first to be involved. I have worked on all kinds of teams and some are better than others, but we always get the work done - and on time. I really like being a member of a team.
(A very vague answer. Nothing concrete to tell how you operate in a team situation. Too many "I" statements - might sound like bragging instead to telling about an actual experience.)
3. Whenever I am working on a team, we always work well together. We have a lot of meetings and we work out our problems. We set up guidelines and schedules and we work well together to get the work out on time. One time we were behind, but we all pitched in and made out a schedule and really worked as a team to pull it together. We all were accountable for our part of the project and it made us feel really good to accomplish more than was asked for. We made all our deadlines and got awarded for our teamwork.

(Although this is an ok answer - it has too many "we's". What part of "we" is "YOU". The employer is interested in hiring YOU, not the team. Tell more about your part as a member of the team.)


QUESTION 3

What has been the most difficult technical skill for you to learn?


1. I had a difficult time learning C++ (or the software most difficult for you). I had to keep relearning aspects that were similar to other programs I'd worked on. With some help from some fellow technical people, and a lot of hard work on my part, I was able to get through the program and become fairly proficient.
(This answer demonstrates a great deal more information than Answers #2 or #3. By being specific about the problem, you offer a "success story" - a chance for the interviewer to hear about your behavior. This answer also shows a lot of determination and persistence, as well as an ability to seek help when needed, and to work with others. The fact that you can state the result - I became fairly proficient" is important to rounding out or finishing the story.)
2. I work hard to learn as many programs as possible. I want to have a broad range of languages and programs to offer. They have really all been difficult to learn, but I like a challenge.
(Although this answer is ok, it doesn't say much about the behavior that went into the learning. It is a very vague answer. It tells the interviewer that you have breadth, rather than depth. It does tell the interviewer that you like a challenge and that would be favorable.)
3. I haven't really had any problems learning programs. I usually just hack my way through. I mostly learn through trial and error. I think that's the best way to learn anything - kind of hands-on.

(This answer might indicate you are a computer genius - or a person who isn't very together - depending on your expertise. The answer gives the impression you hacked your way through the process. What about other processes and projects - would they be handled in the same manner? It could give the impression that you approach life in a haphazard way. For some jobs that may be all right , but not for many.)


QUESTION 4

Do you have any questions for me?
(usually asked by the Interviewer at the end of the interview)



1. No, I think you pretty much covered everything. I'm sure I'll have questions later, if I get the job.
(Although this is the most common response to the question "Do you have any questions?", this is not the strongest answer. This may be your one chance to speak up and question some of the things you've heard in the interview, e.g., "When you asked about extra hours earlier, were you referring to an ongoing situation or peaks and valleys of workload?" It's very important that you listen to the questions and think about the concerns behind them. By not asking any questions about the position itself you may appear to be passive and willing to take anything.)
2. Well, I'd like to know more about the benefits of working for the company. What kind of vacation and heath benefits do you offer your employees? What are the hours? What do you pay for overtime?
(While these are legitimate questions, this is not the time to discuss benefits. The focus of this answer is on you and what you have to benefit. How about the fit? It is important to find out if there is a good fit before you start talking about the details of an offer that has not yet been made.)
3. I'd like to know what the company's philosophy is toward its employees. What are this organization's challenges, problems, opportunities? Is there a five-year plan in place? Does the position have a job description? What do you see as the future growth for the company over the next five years? What do you think are the important qualities necessary for this job?

(This is the strongest answer to this question (maybe not all the those questions at once, but as appropriate). This type of answer shows an interest in the future of the company - not just "What's in it for me?" If you do get a job offer with this company you want to know about the overall environment and future of the company. You might be spending a good deal of your life here. This is the time to find out some information so that you can listen for a fit against your expectations and goals and it's a great lead-in for you to let them know you have the desired qualities.)


QUESTION 5

Tell me about a time when you had to sacrifice quality in order to meet a deadline? How did that make you feel?


1. Deadlines are really important to me. I really get upset when I don't meet deadlines. I plan my day so that I'm never late with work.
(While this answer indicates you really care about deadlines, it might not show any flexibility on your part. What happens when the unexpected happens? Being adaptable is a key trait in most jobs today.)
2. The stronger the deadline the harder I work. I recently had a job where I had to work weekends on a rush job because of a deadline. Deadlines aren't movable, my work schedule is, so I just extended myself further to meet the deadline. I blocked out a schedule for each part of the job, allowing time for editing and reworking. The job was not only on time, but it was almost error free. I may make a mistake in a rush job, but I try hard to work smart and fast. This is what I find most challenging about this work.
(This answer demonstrates a focus without an obsession. The work has to get done "no matter what it takes." This is an attitude most employers look for in employees. This answer is also strong because it gives a specific example of behavior in a similar situation. It is good preparation to think about past successes and stories before the interview.)

3. Sometime you just can't get everything done. I do my best, but sometimes you just have to let go and be a little late with things. I always try to get all my work done by deadlines, but sometimes interruptions and priorities get in the way. I don't get upset, it's just the nature of the job.

(While this answer is true - "you can't always get everything done", it doesn't demonstrate a lot of strength in controlling your time. Dealing with interruptions and priorities is part of the judgment you use in day-to-day situations. It would be better if you thought of a specific example when you were able to focus on a deadline where you had to prioritize your commitment to a project. By relating past behaviors you give concrete examples regarding your work style - if you did it somewhere else - you can do it here.)