GOOD JOB INTERVIEW ANSWERS

Job Interview Answers

Bad, ugly or good job interview answers may depend on how well you understand the job interview process.

As a job applicant it is critical to learn all the job interview information you can. A job interview strategy should involve educating yourself about:

The company
Job interview dress
The industry
Your demeanor
Being On Time

A part of learning your basic employee rights involves the first step…getting the job! Applied knowledge should lead to wisdom. Walking into a manager’s office not knowing the job interview how to is certainly not wise.

Hello I’m Yancey and I have always found job interview questions to be challenging, idiotic, intriguing, stupid, thought provoking, incompetent, relevant, discriminatory, creative, irrelevant and… well you get the picture. In over 30 years of employment I have encountered many different managers, supervisors, interviewers and company owners.

The one thing that has been consistent is the inconsistency of job interview questions. Job seekers should understand that the person doing the interview may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer. He or she may not have been adequately trained. That is one reason learning to give good job interview answers is so important.

good job interview answers

Interview Questions and Answers

The questions asked at job interviews often hide what the job interviewer really wants or needs to know! One of the things in the job interview process for the applicant involves discovering what that is. As a job seeker ask yourself why am I being asked these employee interview questions?

For example the interviewer asks, “Do you have problems working with different types of people?” From my experience here is what the job interviewer was really asking. “Have you had trouble dealing with different racial groups?”.

Job seekers need good job interview help before the job interview to have successful job interviews. When looking for employment learn all you can about the potential employer. Here are some quick job interview tips.

Be Yourself
Stay calm, cool, collected and in control
Be Honest
Remain Focused
Make good eye contact
Stay Professional
Stay away from “yes and no” answers, always try to give statements
Give job interview answers that are relevant to the job you want

Oh and by the way…BE ON TIME! It’s amazing how many people believe they can show up late for job interviews and think it will not hurt them.

good job interview answers

Answer Job Interview Questions

Giving good job interview answers to job interview questions requires knowing what some of the most common job interview questions are. As I mentioned earlier what is the true need of the interviewer or employer?

Job Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some sample job interview answers with sample job interview questions.

What would you like to tell me about yourself?: Ah…if only I had a million dollars for every time I have heard this in a job interview. This classic question can cause you all kinds of problems upfront. Some job applicants find themselves going down rabbit trails like personal issues and irrelevant work history.

Stay Focused! Show the interviewer why your qualifications are a good fit solution for the needs of the position.
Explain the time gap between your last job and now.: One of the best tips for a job interview is to BE HONEST. If there has been a significant period of time since you last worked be prepared to give an answer. Things like going back to school to prepare for this job, volunteer work, personal projects or actively seeking employment are good examples.

good job interview answers

Job Interview Question and Answer Tips

What were your job duties in the last job?: Always describe in detail and link those former duties with the new position. This shows you are qualified for the current position. Remember to be honest and not lay it on thick about your qualifications.
Tell me about your strengths.: Have specific examples prepared that address the requirements of the position you are applying for. Don’t give the perception of thinking you are “all that and a bag of chips.” Be confident without sounding arrogant.
Tell me about your weaknesses.: An inappropriate answer might blow your opportunity for the job. Again, stay focused on the requirements of the job applied for. A statement about your confidence of handling situations directly related to the essential functions of the position addresses the needs of the job interviewer.
Will you travel or relocate?: You might not get the job with a “no” answer. I would answer with a “with not?”. That way I keep myself in position for the job while other opportunities way surface later.
Where do you see yourself in five years?: This is another one of my favorites. Personally, I think it is idiotic however; many employers place a lot of importance on this question. They use it to judge whether this job is just a stepping-stone and measure your level of commitment to it.

It is like guaranteeing the future. Who knows where they will be in five years. Again, stay focused on the qualifications you have for the job and your willingness to stay.

good job interview answers

Common Job Interview Questions

Why did you get fired?: I have experienced the awkwardness of having to answer this question. Joyce Lain Kennedy, a career expert and author offers her twelve best job interview answers to the question “Why were you fired?”

The important thing to remember is BE HONEST. You should have a prepared answer in advance of the job interview. Ms. Kennedy advises, “Practice in advance what you will say. Then keep it brief, keep it honest and keep it moving”. Stay focused on talking about your skills that qualify you for this job.
What are your salary requirements?: I have had interviewers ask this question very early in the job interview. Some do this before you have had an opportunity to sell yourself as the one they need for the job. If the interviewer has reviewed your resume and job application she may be wondering if the company can afford you.

The general rule is:

Never bring up salary, let the one interviewing you bring it up first.
Be honest about what you earn in your current job.
Do the research in your job interview preparation on the company and market to get an idea of the salary range for the position.
Decide before the job interview what salary you will accept.

good job interview answers

Best Job Interview Answers

You could respond to the early interview salary question by saying “I would like to talk more about what the position requires to see if it is a good fit for me”. Another example could be, “I’m sure the company has placed a salary range on the job, could you tell what it is?”

You don’t want to accept a job for what could be far less than the company is willing to pay. You don’t want to miss the job opportunity by expecting more salary than the company feels it or you are worth. That’s why it is important to do the research to maximize your qualifications in addressing the employer’s needs.

What are your goals?: This is another one of my favorites. I told the interviewer who was also the department director, “My goal is to end up on a beach in Tahiti”. After I was hired, the director told me that was the most honest answer he had heard in all the interviews for the position.

I’m not recommending you respond with an answer like that. That answer could have just as easily backfired on me. But, I remained focused on showing why my qualifications were the best match for the position based on my knowledge and experience.

Many employers put heavy emphasis on setting goals. So be prepared to demonstrate your goals for your job, life, family, etc. Remember to keep the focus on how your goals show you to be an asset for the needs of the interviewer.

good job interview answers

Tips for Job Interview Answer

Did you like working with your manager?

This question could also be “Do you like working with your present manager?” The interviewer wants to know how well you work with others. He may also want to know if you will speak negatively about former employers. I have found it is best to talk about positive contributions supervisors and managers have made in my professional development that helped me to be successful.

Why do you want to quit your present job?

This question could also be “Why did you quit your last job?” If you were fired refer to the my suggestions above. If you quit on your own stay away from negative comments about the management or owner of the company. The best good job interview answer to give if you were laid off is to simply say so. I have been laid off before and had no problem telling the job interviewer.

I demonstrated that while I was employed I excelled in my position. Employees have little or no control over getting laid off and employers understand this. Here are some other possible answers to prepare and practice before the job interview.

I am ready for a position that provides more of a challenge
I am looking for a job that is a closer match with my training and experience
My current employment has no room for professional growth and I am ready to move on
I believe this position is a perfect fit for my qualifications
My family situation caused me to leave my last job. That has since changed and I am ready to grow with a stable company

good job interview answers

These are samples of good job interview answers. To give good job interview answers requires learning more about the company and the issues that may be of concern to the job interviewer beforehand. However, you can never know all the things that may be asked in a job interview to give good job interview answers without continuing to learn your workplace rights.