Interview Tips: Answers to tough questions Part 5-5

Intro To Series: Click Here
Week One Answers: Click here
Week Two Answers: Click Here
Week Three Answers: Click Here
Week Four Answers: Click Here

Welcome to the final part of the series Interview tips: Answering the tough questions. (part one , part two, part three, part four) This week we will discuss the following questions:

1. If you could choose any company to work for, where would you go?
2. Where else have you applied?
3. Why do you want this job?
4. What have you been doing since your last job?
5. Tell me what you know about the company.
6. What questions do you have for me?

We will take an in depth look (with a simple format to follow) of what the interviewer is asking, what they do not want to hear, what they do want to hear and example answers you can use in real life scenarios. If you are not already following this series, follow us as we discuss 20 hard to answer interview questions. (Subscribe by RSS feed or Email to follow the series) Answers to these questions have the ability to make you more money, accentuate your job experiences and get you the job. That is, if answered truthfully and correctly.

1. If you could choose any company to work for, where would you go?
There is a reason you are there and interviewing with the hiring manager. What are they?  Talk about the reasons you applied and what drew you to them.

Do: Talk about the job and the company for which you are being interviewed.
Don’t: Never say that you would choose any company other than the one where you are interviewing.
Example Answers:“I wouldn’t have applied for this position if I didn’t sincerely want to work with your organization.” (Continue with specific examples of why you respect the company with which you are interviewing and why you’ll be a good fit.)

2. Where else have you applied?
You want to hint that you’re in demand, without sounding like you’re interviewing with too many companies. So, be honest and mention a few other companies but don’t go into detail.

Do: End on a positive note of why you are interested in working with them.
Don’t: Talk too much about the other companies you have applied to.
Example Answers: “I have applied to a very few and selected group of companies with a lot of thought and consideration. A few of them are (name a few companies). One of the main reason I was drawn to applying to this company is (reason).”

3. Why do you want this job?
Any research you’ve done on the company should have led you to the conclusion that you’d want to work there. After all, you’re at the interview, right? Put some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention your career goals and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.

Do: Talk about the reasons you want the job.
Don’t: Use generalities, you want to dig in and explain why you truly want the job.
Example Answers: “This is not only a great opportunity, but this company is a place where my qualifications can make a difference. (name a few reasons you want the job) are a only a few reasons I am interested in employment with your company.”

4. What have you been doing since your last job?
There are many positive activities a person can do between jobs. Here are a few: Up-skills, Job Search, Volunteering and/or Contracting. We are going to assume you are involved with one of these activities. If you are not, I suggest you start.

Do: Stay positive and focus on productivity.
Don’t:Do not talk about social activities or hobbies.
Example Answers:”I am utilizing the down time to my advantage: researching, planning, and executing a thorough job search. I have also taken time to (up-skills, volunteer, contracting work)”

5. Tell me what you know about the company.
Do your homework before you go to any interview and learn about the company.  Has this company been in the news lately? Who are the people in the company you should know about? This will make you stand out as someone who comes prepared and is genuinely interested in the company and the job.

Do: Study to see if the company has been in the news lately.
Don’t: Go into the interview unprepared to talk about the company’s news.
Example Answers:Use the information you have gathered to create a list. Talk about the items on the list and ask questions.

6. What questions do you have for me?
It is very important to have a list of questions already identified before you go into an interview. You having a blank stare is a terrible way to finish the interview. Do your research and identify who their competitors are, company history, leadership, etc. The company is giving you a chance to show how eager and prepared you are.  Here are a few questions for you to start with:

1. I noticed in doing my research that you have been with the company (two years, ten years, etc.).  What brought you to the company and why do you like working here?
2. What have you found to be the greatest personal rewards in being with the company?
3. What do you think the biggest challenges are for the company in the near future?
4. How do other employees feel about the work environment?
5. What trends do you see in the industry for the next three to five years, and how is this company positioned for them?

I would be interested in hearing what you have to say. Do you agree with the answers? Or have more ideas/suggestions? Please leave a comment below.
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Christopher McGill impacts businesses by giving companies access to the best and the brightest within the IT Profession. He provides 360 degree full service talent management solution that help companies hire with precision & insight.

What they are saying: “Chris is the example of what I expect a recruiter to be.”
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Tagged as: Career, Getting Hired, Interview