Interview Questions
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- AprilRains
Hey guys, can you tell me some tough interview questions you've had to deal with....and your responses. Also any interview tips would be helpful. Thanks!
ps this isn't for me, it's for my bf and it's a federal "Software Engineer" position.
- nLHb0
i hate these questions:
"what are your weaknesses"
and
"why should we hire you?"
i never know what to say.
- ganon0
How many piano tuners are there in the world?
- Mimio0
When someone asks you "Where do you see yourself in two years?"
resist the urge to say to them..."Sitting where you are."
- nicora20
*bump*
I'm the bf looking for advice =)
- ********0
somebody in another thread made the great suggestion of answering the "what are your weaknesses" question with something that isn't really a weakness from an employer's viewpoint, such as "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard"
- piperboytoy0
why should we hire you?
- ********0
ask them what goals they have for the individual at the position. Also you could say what would my requirements be?
- nicora20
One of my true weaknesses is lack of education. The firm I currently work for has a freeze on tuition reembersement. What if I were to say something like "not enough opportunity to learn new things, I'd like to expand my education and work for a firm willing to nurture this." something like that...
- piperboytoy0
my only concern with your answer is that most company hires people for their skills and knowledge. If they want someone they can nurture they can hire an intern.
You should always try to learn new things on your own, and employers like people who are self motivated.
You should say that you want a company who supports professional development and help you reach your professional goals.
- monkeyshine0
yikes...I wouldn't say that about a company willing to nuture education...that transparently reads as a company willing to pay for my education...which can sound like you're just looking for a free ride.
Just make sure to frame in a way that says you are driven and want to continue growing and developing professionally.
Those weakness answers make me laugh. I've had to interview and I always asked that question simply because the pat answers amused me. Don't say, my weakness is that I'm a perfectionist. Dig deeper.
- nicora20
Great insight guys, thanks! Any other suggestions, do's and don'ts?
- piperboytoy0
I'm working on a project and we are using the same dandilion image as on your home page.
- BonSeff0
why is there no cat-flavored dog food?
- nicora20
*claps*
amusing indeed =) but not much help, I must admit.
- BonSeff0
if the employer asks you canned questions and you give canned reply's should make for a pretty boring interview, so take good notes from this thread i guess..
just be confident in yourself and honest in your responses. what else is there to say. make sure you research the company and position. if you are well prepared you really cant go wrong. the rest is up to the employer and out of your hands.
- Mimio0
Subtly name drop people you're acquainted with in the agency too.
- nicora20
how about this for an answer to "what are some of your weaknesses?"
One of my weaknesses comes from working in small groups over the last 5 years, I tend to take on most of the responsibilty and in result, spend time working on solutions durning personal time. I look forward to working in a large group environment where I can better distribute work tasks and concentrate on hobbies and family durning personal time.
Too cheesy?
- monkeyshine0
That sounds a little bizarre, like maybe you're saying that you look forward to kicking up your feet and not working so hard. And the work during personal time statement could be construed that you're a slow worker.
- arench0
I like JazX's approach of asking THEM questions.
Your goal should be to ask more questions of them than they do of you.
I've been in many interviews where I feeling they got turned off by me talking too much about myself.
- nicora20
After further review and considering monkeyShine's statement, I have desided to completely mothball that answer. Thanks for the perspective mankey, I don't want to come off as a free-loading lazy bastard.
I'll keep it short and honest, and ask many questions.