21.

Answer These Questions

Now that you've gotten some practice providing answers that your potential employer wants to hear, try your hand at these:

• What got you interested in what you do? Why did you choose to do what you do?
• What makes you a good candidate for this job?
• What new skills have you recently developed?
• How do you handle deadlines?
• How do you balance your priorities?
• How do you deal with criticism?
• How do you deal with stress?
• Give me an example of a time you failed.
• Give me an example of a time you showed leadership.
• Why should we hire you? What unique qualities or abilities would you bring to this job that would make you successful?
• Give me an example of a time you had to be creative to solve a problem at work.
• Give me an example of a time you persuaded or influenced a group of people.
• Tell me about your most difficult boss. How was he or she difficult? How did you deal with him or her?
• Why is there a gap in your résumé?
• How does your previous experience relate to this position?
• Why do you want to work here? What do you know about this company?
• Tell me about your experience at your college or university. Why did you choose to attend that school?
• What was your favorite class in school, and why? What was your most challenging class in school, and why?
• What are you passionate about?
• Tell me about one of your most creative moments, either professional or personal.
• What are the most rewarding aspects of a job for you?
• What successful people in your field inspire you, and why?
• Sell me on my company or product.
• What are your pet peeves?
• What does success mean to you?
• If you felt any weakness pertaining to this job, what would it be?
• What has been your biggest career-related crisis?
• What are the things that motivate you?
• Describe your ideal job.
• At what point did you choose this career?
• What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
• Give examples of experiences at school or in a job that were satisfying. Give examples of experiences that were dissatisfying.
• Provide examples to convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments.
• Tell me about a time you had to juggle multiple responsibilities. How did you organize the work?
• Tell me about a time you had to make a decision but didn't have all the information you needed.
• Give an example of something you did to build enthusiasm in others.
• Give an example of a time when someone you worked with criticized you in front of others. What was your response?
• Give an example of a time you had to sell a supervisor on a concept or idea. What steps did you take? Did you win?

Practice your answers to each of these questions. Among the most important and useful exercises in my career courses and workshops are the mock interview. Mock interviews provide an opportunity to rehearse and refine your answers. And because they take place in a safe environment where there's no downside to giving the wrong answer, the stress of interviewing is reduced. The more time you invest in learning to handle these questions, the more your answers will become muscle memory and the more comfortable you'll be if and when you ever need to participate in a formal interview.