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Talking to an employer? What questions were asked? How did you answer them.
When talking in an interview what questions were asked and how did you answer them? Did you answer sincerely or added some embeleshment?
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9 answers
Updated
Sikawayi’s Answer
Hello Eric, thank you for your question. First of all, during any interview answer the question as honestly as possible and try to remember to only answer the questions they are asking you. I always ask questions about being a team player to see where the candidates head is at, I also ask about the work record to see if they have had several different jobs. You will be asked this because no employer wants to invest 6 months training an employee only for them to take that experience some were else. Lastly don't embellish just be yourself. Best of luck
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Eric
Updated
Melinda’s Answer
Hi Eric,
My recommendation is to answer as honestly and sincerely as possible. I suggest practicing BEFORE the interview. Look up behavior-based questions on Google for your field. Then take the time to think about how you would answer the question. Many companies use the STAR format. That stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Using this format to formulate your answer will help you be concise when giving your answer. Practicing will help you to remember all the important details you want to share. Also when you practice you will start to remember more situations, therefore giving you the chance and providing the best answer.
I also recommend doing some research on the company and asking questions about what you may have learned. This tells me that you are sincerely interested in working for my company.
Best of luck!
My recommendation is to answer as honestly and sincerely as possible. I suggest practicing BEFORE the interview. Look up behavior-based questions on Google for your field. Then take the time to think about how you would answer the question. Many companies use the STAR format. That stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Using this format to formulate your answer will help you be concise when giving your answer. Practicing will help you to remember all the important details you want to share. Also when you practice you will start to remember more situations, therefore giving you the chance and providing the best answer.
I also recommend doing some research on the company and asking questions about what you may have learned. This tells me that you are sincerely interested in working for my company.
Best of luck!
Updated
Alice’s Answer
Hi Eric,
Agree with Dexter. During job interviews, most hiring managers are looking for good team player as the academic/career info is already on your CV. Be yourself, be honest, be a good listener, and have good eye contact & smile.
As much as the employer is looking for a new joiner, the interviewee should inquire relevant questions if this job is right for the interviewee. I personally would ask "positive" type of questions like
• why is this job position open? is that a brand new role ? new product/business initiative? (I can then assess if this role fits me, and if there is bad work culture if there is a high turnover rate)
• what excites the interviewer about his/her current job? ( Most interviewers I've come across, they like to talk about their job/career.. this can pivot some of the stress being in a job interview.
Hope this helps.
Alice
Agree with Dexter. During job interviews, most hiring managers are looking for good team player as the academic/career info is already on your CV. Be yourself, be honest, be a good listener, and have good eye contact & smile.
As much as the employer is looking for a new joiner, the interviewee should inquire relevant questions if this job is right for the interviewee. I personally would ask "positive" type of questions like
• why is this job position open? is that a brand new role ? new product/business initiative? (I can then assess if this role fits me, and if there is bad work culture if there is a high turnover rate)
• what excites the interviewer about his/her current job? ( Most interviewers I've come across, they like to talk about their job/career.. this can pivot some of the stress being in a job interview.
Hope this helps.
Alice
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Eric
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your question! Most interviewee's will ask relevant questions related to the role: Tell me a time when you had to do X, What would you do in this scenario, etc.
However, they typically also ask questions regarding your personality and how you specifically solve tasks at work.
It's always important to be honest and do not embellish. If you are lacking experience in a certain area, you can talk about how you are excited to learn that aspect.
Most of us are lacking some experience when we are hired for a role but it can typically be overlooked if they think you have the ability to learn that task.
Definitely ask questions regarding the position and the company in general. Ex: What challenges would this role face? What would a typical day look like in this position?
Good luck!
Thanks for your question! Most interviewee's will ask relevant questions related to the role: Tell me a time when you had to do X, What would you do in this scenario, etc.
However, they typically also ask questions regarding your personality and how you specifically solve tasks at work.
It's always important to be honest and do not embellish. If you are lacking experience in a certain area, you can talk about how you are excited to learn that aspect.
Most of us are lacking some experience when we are hired for a role but it can typically be overlooked if they think you have the ability to learn that task.
Definitely ask questions regarding the position and the company in general. Ex: What challenges would this role face? What would a typical day look like in this position?
Good luck!
Updated
Ralph’s Answer
For my company, our interview questions follow the STAR format which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This helps me, as the interviewer, better understand a candidates thought process. In my experience, asking questions like "what are your strengths or weaknesses?" are too vague that the candidate might not even answer with enough substance to make a decision.
As an interviewee answering in the STAR format, even if the interview format doesn't dictate it, should be relevant to the job you're applying for. Take some key words from the job posting, and work them into your responses. This will help connect the dots, especially if you are switching industries.
As an interviewee answering in the STAR format, even if the interview format doesn't dictate it, should be relevant to the job you're applying for. Take some key words from the job posting, and work them into your responses. This will help connect the dots, especially if you are switching industries.
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Eric,
In talking to a prospective employer, I highly recommend being sincere and enthusiastic about the opportunity. In the hundreds of interviews I've conducted, nothing makes me tune out faster than figuring out that the interviewee is not being totally honest. As if I figure that out, then I'm going to not trust anything else that the interviewee has stated.
Also, when talking to an interviewer, I do recommend that you ask questions about the company, company values, team dynamics, team values, managing style, expected salary, average tenure, example project you'd be working on, etc. To me, it shows engagement and how seriously you're taking this opportunity. I really enjoy answering questions as an interviewer.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best!
--
Dexter
In talking to a prospective employer, I highly recommend being sincere and enthusiastic about the opportunity. In the hundreds of interviews I've conducted, nothing makes me tune out faster than figuring out that the interviewee is not being totally honest. As if I figure that out, then I'm going to not trust anything else that the interviewee has stated.
Also, when talking to an interviewer, I do recommend that you ask questions about the company, company values, team dynamics, team values, managing style, expected salary, average tenure, example project you'd be working on, etc. To me, it shows engagement and how seriously you're taking this opportunity. I really enjoy answering questions as an interviewer.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best!
--
Dexter
Updated
Karl’s Answer
This answer is relevant for all interviews and was referenced above. I have interviewed over 500 people in my career. Most interviewees answer based on hypothetical situations as to what they would do in a situation and some interviewers ask questions in that manner. Investigate a process called Targeted Selection. This process asks and answers questions based on what a candidate has done in the past under similar situations as that reflects more strongly on how future endeavors will be handled. The basics to the process are: 1) When asked a question, frame your answer by first outlining a similar experience that you have had in the past that is related to the question (Situation); 2) Describe what you wanted to achieve (Target); 3) Outline the actions that you took to achieve your target (Actions); 4) Describe the results that occurred good or less than good with key learnings (Results). This is the STAR method of interviewing and will set you apart from other candidates because it will show how you have approached challenges and situations in the past as a model for how you will tackle aspects of your job in the future.
Updated
Emer’s Answer
Hi Eric,
It's very exciting that you're getting ready to apply for jobs – you're going to be great! A resource that I've found extremely beneficial is Glassdoor.com. If you haven't heard of it, basically it's a database that allows previous interviewees / employees login and provide details around the hiring process / salaries / company culture / management. There is usually a specific area dedicated to what questions were asked in interviews, how many interviews took place and what style of interview you can expect within a given company.
While it is usually larger companies that are featured on this site, if you search by position (e.g type Office Manager into the search Glassdoor search bar), it will probably yield some common questions that are asked in interviews for that type of job.
I have always found it's best to be honest in interviews – your interviewer will probably have interviewed many people and will be adept at recognising the visual queues associated with dishonesty. Showing a willingness to learn and being transparent are attractive qualities in a potential employee.
My top 3 interview tips are as follows:
1. Do your research on the company and type out some standard questions you might expect (Why do you want to work for this company?, Tell me about yourself). Write out detailed responses and read them aloud to yourself (or in front of someone else if you feel comfortable doing that). Even if the questions don't come up, this makes me feel more confident.
2. Don't be afraid to ask an interviewer to re-phrase a question if what they're asking isn't clear to you. Your interviewer wants to give you the best chance possible to succeed – they've invested their time in you and wouldn't have called you for interview if they didn't see something special within your CV / résumé.
3. Start interview day with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of all you have to offer and visualise yourself working for the company. This could be an exciting new chapter for you and it begins with a friendly chat with a potential future colleague. You got this :)
Good luck with everything Eric, I hope this was helpful!
It's very exciting that you're getting ready to apply for jobs – you're going to be great! A resource that I've found extremely beneficial is Glassdoor.com. If you haven't heard of it, basically it's a database that allows previous interviewees / employees login and provide details around the hiring process / salaries / company culture / management. There is usually a specific area dedicated to what questions were asked in interviews, how many interviews took place and what style of interview you can expect within a given company.
While it is usually larger companies that are featured on this site, if you search by position (e.g type Office Manager into the search Glassdoor search bar), it will probably yield some common questions that are asked in interviews for that type of job.
I have always found it's best to be honest in interviews – your interviewer will probably have interviewed many people and will be adept at recognising the visual queues associated with dishonesty. Showing a willingness to learn and being transparent are attractive qualities in a potential employee.
My top 3 interview tips are as follows:
1. Do your research on the company and type out some standard questions you might expect (Why do you want to work for this company?, Tell me about yourself). Write out detailed responses and read them aloud to yourself (or in front of someone else if you feel comfortable doing that). Even if the questions don't come up, this makes me feel more confident.
2. Don't be afraid to ask an interviewer to re-phrase a question if what they're asking isn't clear to you. Your interviewer wants to give you the best chance possible to succeed – they've invested their time in you and wouldn't have called you for interview if they didn't see something special within your CV / résumé.
3. Start interview day with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of all you have to offer and visualise yourself working for the company. This could be an exciting new chapter for you and it begins with a friendly chat with a potential future colleague. You got this :)
Good luck with everything Eric, I hope this was helpful!
Updated
Tímea’s Answer
As recruiter Iam always curious about the growth mindset what people have. Asking to talk about past experience, and come with specific examples about challenging project, biggest achievement etc. Then I dig deeper in the situation to understand what actions the person took, what was the outcome and the learning from the situation. Recommend taking a look into STAR interview model, this can be helpful: https://www.themuse.com/advice/star-interview-method
Timi
Timi