Allen J.G. - The Complete Q&A Job Interview Book (2004)(4th ed.)(en)

CHARACTER TRAITS

ence and the arts, such as ________________________, are people I admire.

46. Name five things that motivate you.

One, daily challenges. Two, tangible results.

Three, understanding and assisting to achieve my employer’s goals.

Four, the opportunity to work as part of a talented team of individuals.

Five, respect for a job well done and encouragement to use creativity and initiative in finding new ways to do things.

47. What would you like to be remembered for?

For accepting new challenges and being equal to them. For always being willing to go the extra mile, work the extra hour, and give what was needed to get the job done. For getting the job done with a minimum of complaints. For encouraging others in the company to give their best.

48. Tell me a story.

Once upon a time there was a (man/woman) who heard about a great company to work for, called

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___________________. So (he/she) did some investigating and found that the good things were true, that the company hired creative, self-motivated professionals and gave them the opportunity to shine, both individually and as part of a dynamic team. (He/She) also found that the company expected excellence from its employees.

(He/She) saw that (his/her) skills and abilities matched the company’s needs, so (he/she) completed an application, attached (his/her) resume, sent it to the company’s (human resources director/personnel manager), and obtained an interview. The interview went very well, and the (man/woman) was even more enthusiastic about the possibilities for (his/her) career growth at this company. To be continued . . .

49. How would a friend describe you?

Likeable, energetic, and an organizer who is always thinking of different ways to make being with friends fulfilling and enjoyable. Someone who keeps personal commitments, protects personal confidences, and makes the time to help the community. A family person whose house is in order.

50.Would you prefer to work with numbers or words?

(If you are applying for a position that requires strength in a specific area, you should emphasize your

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particular abilities and how they apply to the target job. The first answer below is a neutral answer, the second answer is for numbers-oriented professions, and the third is for jobs that require special communications skills. Choose one for your script.)

Actually, I like both. I’m a good communicator, and language skills—written and verbal—have always come easily to me. At the same time, I enjoy numerical analysis and number crunching. I appreciate a job that requires the use of both talents because diversity in my work allows me to change gears, get something else done, and then come back to the first task with a fresh approach.

OR

While I am skilled at both, this work requires an exceptional grasp of numbers and the statistical side of business, which has always been a strength of mine.

Statistical reports logically tell you about financial strengths and weaknesses. The numbers don’t lie. As you can see from my resume, I have a great deal of experience in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting statistical data.

OR

While I have a good head for figures, as they say, my main strength is in communications, both written and oral. I’m a creative and expressive writer and an organized and fluent speaker. Both of those skills are essential to success in this business. I know how to use

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numbers to arrive at a conclusion and support my decisions, however.

51.Do you think you can get along with

________________?

(This is a loaded question. When it is asked by an interviewer, he or she usually has someone specific in mind. Often, it’s a company president or other top manager whose personality is rigid and everyone else in the organization must learn to adapt to it. A common variation is, “Do you think you can get along with a very dictatorial, strong-willed individual?” Your reply should be:)

I have always found that people admire in others the traits they like about themselves. Someone with a strong will is very likely proud of that strong will and doesn’t mind when others show conviction. Sometimes you can be of greatest assistance by speaking your mind candidly but carefully.

In the past, I’ve always been conscious of my position and acted accordingly. I don’t let the personalities of others affect how I feel about them. I judge them by the quality and quantity of their work. I get along with anyone whose accomplishments I can respect.

There’s a saying “Everyone looks strange to someone else.” When it comes to accepting others, that says it all.

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52.Will you be able to cope with a change in work environment after working ____ years in your last job?

Definitely, I welcome the challenge of learning about and adapting to a new environment. That’s one of the reasons I’m seeking to make a change right now. Any organization benefits from new blood, and I’d like to transfer all I’ve experienced to this company, while at the same time having the opportunity to meet new challenges and achieve new goals.

53. How do you feel about company policy?

Policies are an essential part of any business. Some structure is necessary. It helps people make decisions and gives them a sense of direction. I’ve always followed company policy and have been instrumental in translating it into understandable, workable procedures.

54. Are you a self-starter?

Yes, I am. I have the ability to see what needs to be done and the resources to do it. I can set expectations for my work that are usually higher than others set for me, and I can achieve them. I’m a quick study and can be up and running with a minimum of instruction and training.

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55.Would you work if you did not need money to support yourself?

Yes, I would. Having something meaningful to do— a reason to wake up in the morning, problems to solve, and goals to accomplish—is what life is about to me. I feel much better in a business suit than a leisure suit.

I suppose a life of leisure would be nice for a while; and, if I acquired a fortune, I might try it—for a month or two. But then I would get restless. Because there’s not much chance I’ll ever be independently wealthy, my career remains my first priority.

56. Are you sensitive to constructive criticism?

Not at all. Constructive is the key word in that question. It is important to see criticism as useful feedback on what we’ve done, not who we are. Managers, or any individuals, who have learned to criticize constructively can help others realize much more of their potential than if no one ever gave them the benefit of such insight.

57. Do you have an analytical mind?

In the sense that I can identify problems and work out solutions to them, yes. I have above average ana-

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lytical skills. Like anything else, good analytical skills come through practice, through using that amazing computer between your ears on a regular basis. That’s why I’m looking for work that requires me to think and act.

58. Are you interested in research?

I’m always interested in new developments that will make operations more efficient or improve the product. When we stop discovering, learning, and creating, we cease to exist—as an industry and as a civilization. I welcome any job assignment that would call on me to further the research in this field.

59. Do you arrive at work on time?

Yes. If I have a problem being on time—due to car trouble, for example—I always call and explain the situation. Also, I’m very diligent in making up any time I’ve missed due to an emergency.

More than obeying a clock, I look on work and my job as an assignment that must be done and done well. If the work I’m required to do in a day is not done, my day is not over. I either stay to complete it or take it home. The next day’s work awaits when I arrive in the morning.

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60.What is the most foolish thing you’ve ever done?

I suppose we’ve all had our foolish moments. Mine were mostly the result of youthful free-spiritedness. I’m fortunate that nothing I did had any negative or longlasting consequences.

When it comes to my career, I’m pleased there’s no foolishness to report. Every step has been carefully planned and executed to give both me and my employer maximum benefit. Although there have been a few mistakes and disappointments, I was quick to learn from them so I didn’t repeat them.

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DELIVERY

Have you ever noticed how much initiative you have when you’re uncomfortable? You’re also highly creative in devising ways to bring yourself back into your comfort zone. The more you itch, the more you scratch.

For interviewing purposes, concentrate on the parts of former jobs that you improved. Then work backwards—if “Necessity is the mother of invention,” then “Invention is the daughter of necessity.” Focus on what you did, then why.

Next, tie these improvements into the target job. You’ll be surprised how easy this is, because initiative and creativity are highly transferable. Once you learn how to scratch, it doesn’t matter where you itch.

Scratch out your script using the following questions as a guide.

SCRIPT

1.What do you do when you have trouble solving a problem?

One thing I don’t do is ignore it and hope it will go away. I’m not afraid to ask questions or to look for the answers myself. There is a solution to every problem. Sometimes, it just takes creative investigation. I’m a problem solver by nature. Nothing puzzles me for long—if it does, I just keep working until I find the solution.

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