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Home » Archives for Learnist.org » Page 16

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How to Answer Difficult Interview Questions

Last updated : 10 October 2018

By Learnist.org

What would be your best answer for the interview questions? What did you like or dislike about your previous job?, What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? and What Was the Biggest Accomplishment / Failure in This Position?.

What Was the Biggest Accomplishment / Failure in This Position?

Your biggest accomplishment

Doesn’t necessarily have to be work related, could be personal – passed your driving test etc. You interviewer wants to know what made you proud of what you have achieved.

They will be looking to see how you accomplish tasks that you are proud of and how much work you are prepared to put into it to make sure you succeed.

Your biggest failure

If there is something that it will be all too engraved in your mind. Try to explain this to your interviewer in a factual way. If there isn’t something then don’t worry just maybe explain that although it was not your biggest failure as you don’t believe you have had one although XYZ was a disappointment to you but you did XYZ and to turn this around.

Try and make both answers to the questions directly related to the role that you are being interviewed for making your answers relevant and specific.

The questioned is asked frequently to assess what your future performances could be like and if you have had a particularly stressful time that you dealt with it effectively and it didn’t hinder any further roles.

Be honest but specific and relevant when answering this question.

Example Answer

My biggest accomplishment in my last role was training one of my pupils how to control their pitch in their voice, and they are currently selling top ten singles in the charts! I am very proud of them, and proud of myself for that. I would have to say that perhaps my biggest failure in that position was not being able to get my dance group through to the finals of a national competition, however we tried our best.

What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

This can be a tricky question of sorts. How you answer it will tell a lot about your thoughts and personality. No pressure there then.

Be diplomatic. Your interviewer wants to know what you liked about your previous role so they can assess if there is something similar in their environment and also what you like and how you like to work.

What did you like? Make sure your answer is sensible!

Don’t answer that you liked the people or anything like that as the only answer. Make sure you say something like you enjoyed the variety of work given or the freedom to manage your own time etc.

Regardless of them being a past employer it is never a good idea to speak badly of them, it reflects badly on you.

What did you dislike? I think most people have a few things that they dislike about any job. Explaining that to your potential new employer is a different matter. Make a list about what you did dislike and work through it. For example if you disliked:

  • The hours
  • The salary
  • Repetitive tasks
  • Think about those 3 examples and try and answer them with a positive slant.

    The hours – you are contracted to 40 hours a week with an hour for lunch – you want to work through your lunch and finish an hour earlier except you work through your lunch and probably work an hour over. This happens a lot but to your interviewer you would need to say that you disliked the hours due to not being able to work flexibly. A lot of employers are now a lot more open to people working flexibly.

    The salary – possibly the one thing people are rarely satisfied with – explain that you have not had a pay review for X amount of time and you find this disappointing.

    Repetitive Tasks – you do the same jobs over and over day in day out – explain that you are keen to do a variety of tasks as well as the more mundane ones that are essential.

    Just remember to be diplomatic and positive and this question will be easy to answer.

    What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?

    This question is referring to your experiences in your previous employment. It is a question designed to make you think and the most important part of your response is in how you answer the question rather than the answer itself.

    It can be tempting to get drawn into the negatives of the last job, there will be a reason why you don’t work there anymore. However, it is important to remember that the more negative your answers, irrespective of their content, the more negatively the interviewer will start to see you. Therefore, you should answer this question in as positive a way as you can.

    For example

    When I took my previous post I was hoping to gain experience in this industry, honing my skills along the way in order to meet my ambitions of career progression. However, due to a recent downturn in profits, the prospect of promotion has all but disappeared. This made me feel like it was the right time to move on. Looking at your company, I can see that such opportunities exist with right amount of enthusiasm and hard work and I am therefore, very excited to be given the opportunity to work here.

    This answer starts positive, then delves into a negative aspect before finishing on a positive note. This is known as the bath tub effect and should leave the interviewer with a positive impression of you.

    With some good insight into the way the company works, you should be able to find a way to tailor your answer to match in with there ethos. If not then try to answer the question positively, The more you practice delivering your answers, the more confident you will become. This will then shine through in the interview and will hopefully leave the interviewer with a positive impression of your performance.

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    Best Answers for Job Interview Questions

    Last updated : 14 October 2018

    By Learnist.org

    What would be your best answer for the job interview questions below? Who was your best boss and who was the worst?, [Read more…] about Best Answers for Job Interview Questions

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer Job Interview Questions

    By Learnist.org

    What would be your best answer for the following interview questions?: Do you take work home with you?, How many hours do you normally work?, Describe a typical work week. [Read more…] about How to Answer Job Interview Questions

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer: What do you expect from a supervisor?

    Last updated : 14 October 2018

    By Learnist.org

    This question is a great opportunity for you to show your potential for development and career progression. [Read more…] about How to Answer: What do you expect from a supervisor?

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer: How Would You Describe the Pace at Which You Work?

    By Learnist.org

    How to answer “How would you describe the pace at which you work?” interview question. What would be your best answer? [Read more…] about How to Answer: How Would You Describe the Pace at Which You Work?

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer: What are your pet peeves? Interview Questions

    Last updated : 10 October 2018

    By Learnist.org

    Your response to the question “What are your pet peeves?” will help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit with the company culture. [Read more…] about How to Answer: What are your pet peeves? Interview Questions

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer: When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

    Last updated : 21 January 2020

    By Learnist.org

    When the interviewer asks “When Was The Last Time You Were Angry? What Happened?” he or she wants to know if you lose control. [Read more…] about How to Answer: When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?

    By Learnist.org

    How to answer “If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?” interview question. What would be your best answer? Here is ours:

    When the interviewer asks “If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?” he or she wants to know what your perception is of what others think about your qualifications and abilities.

    Best Answer

    I’m sure if you asked my friends that question they would say you should hire me because I have the skills outlined in the job description and I bring 10+ years of expertise to this position. Words they’ve used to describe me are: hard working, professional, trusted and a team player.

    More…

    It is a pretty safe bet that the interviewer is not going to ask for your mobile phone in order to phone your friends and clarify your answers. This therefore, is another chance to sell yourself in the interview and should be answered confidently to project the image that you believe in what you are saying. Questions of this nature are virtually guaranteed to be asked in all interviews and should be given adequate time for preparation.

    It is important to tailor your answer to highlight key characteristics that the job requires. You should have done some research on the company before the interview and have a fair idea of the model of employee they are seeking for.

    For example: “The people who know me can vouch for the fact that I am a trustworthy and reliable individual. They would recommend that I was hired because of my strong working ethos and ability to fit into new surroundings seamlessly. I believe that they would also say that my dedication to my work is second to none and that if I didn’t think I would be the best candidate for the job, I wouldn’t have applied for it.”

    This response aims to encapsulate everything about you. It should be used to highlight your strengths and give yourself a glowing reference. When delivering your answer you should do so confidently. This will help convince the interviewer that you have conviction in what you are saying and fully believe in yourself.

    When researching the company, write down a number of keywords that they seem to be looking for. Examples may include; trustworthy, integrity, teamwork, good communication, honesty, hard working. Try to work these words into your interview where you can. This will help affirm the idea that you would be a good fit for the company.

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer: What type of work environment do you prefer?

    Last updated : 9 October 2018

    By Learnist.org

    How to answer “What type of work environment do you prefer?” interview question. What would be your best answer? Check out our answer [Read more…] about How to Answer: What type of work environment do you prefer?

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

    How to Answer: What have you been doing since your last job?

    By Learnist.org

    How to answer “What have you been doing since your last job?” interview question during an interview. What would be your best answer for this question? Here is ours:

    If your CV includes an extended period between leaving your last job and the present day, your interviewer may enquire as to what you have been doing. Although this question is unlikely to make or break the interview, it is still important to consider your answer.

    The main problem an interviewer will have with periods of inactivity is because of any possible reasons as to why you weren’t employed. If there is any serious reason that other employers have turned down your services, natural any future potential employers are going to be keen to know why. Bear in mind that it may make you seem less appealing if you say you have been to countless interviews. This may be your reflex answer, and you could feel that it would be proof that you are enthusiastic to get back into work, however, it is possible that the interviewer will see warning signs and may be suspicious as to why you have failed so many times. Of course, this could simply be down to the sheer numbers competing for each post, but you may find that disclosing how many times you have been rejected may have a negative effect on your chances.

    Other options you could use, to make sure the interviewer understands that you have used your time constructively include:

    • I used the time to further my education and pick up some qualifications I felt I needed.
    • Due to the birth of my child, I have taken time away from work to be at home.
    • I was working on a personal project.

    Responses of this nature should help to smooth over any fears your interview may have about your extended absence from employment. You should try to show that, at least to some extent, being unemployed was your decision in order to progress your life in some other way.

    Example Answer

    I have been filling my time doing volunteer work at a PDSA charity shop close to home. I enjoy still having the customer interaction and it fills my days, i’d be lost without doing some type of work.

    Filed Under: Interview Questions

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