By Kate
Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor
There you sit,
waiting to be ushered into your interview. Your suit is pressed, your shoes
are shined and your resume is top notch. But, as the minutes tick past, you
feel a mounting sense of doom as you anticipate the questions that will cause
a deafening silence during the interview.
Want to avoid an interview disaster? Check out these
tough interview questions and their suggested responses:
Q: "What are your weaknesses?"
"Don't take this literally and go into a detailed
explanation of your weaknesses," says John Challenger, CEO of global
outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. He advises taking
a potential weakness and putting a positive spin on it.
A: "I am very detail oriented and in some
industries that may not be a good fit. But for this accounting position, I
think this trait truly will help me excel."
Q: "How would you solve this problem?"
Challenger says that these kinds of hypothetical
questions can be risky. First of all, they may not like your answer; if they
do like it, there's a chance they will steal it. That's what happened to June
Sullivan when she interviewed for an activity director's position at a
long-term care facility. When asked about marketing ideas, June laid out her
entire plan. Well, she didn't get the job, but later recognized some of her
strategies being used by the facility.
A: "I think you can increase product
awareness by enacting some marketing strategies that could employ advertising,
direct mail or media placements."
Q: "Why did you leave your last job?"
Again, Challenger suggests presenting everything in
a positive light. An interview is not the time to dish the dirt on your
previous employer.
A: "The company just wasn't a good fit for my
innovative personality. But what I learned is that organizations have distinct
personalities just like people do. Now I know to concentrate my job search on
companies who value independent thinking and alternative methods."
Q: "Why do you want to work here?"
Questions like these require you to do your homework
before the interview.
A: "I want to be a part of a global company
that last year alone invested $1.4 million in research and development of
eco-friendly industrial processes."
Q: "Tell me about yourself."
This is a chance for you to shine -- but not to tell
your life history. Begin by listing your traits and accomplishments you feel
are relevant for the position. Don't delve into personal information unless it
relates to the position you're vying for.
A: "I am very creative and resourceful. I
have been a sales manager for the past five years and used my creativity to
devise unique incentives to keep the sales representatives motivated. Because
of this my sales team earned numerous company awards."
Q: "Tell me about the worst boss you ever had."
Take the high road and don't give into the
temptation to vent any past frustrations.
A: "While none of my past bosses were awful,
there are some who taught me more than others did."
Q: "What are your goals?"
This is best answered by reiterating your objective
statement on your resume. Keep your aspirations to be a vice president of
marketing, own your own company or retire at 40 to yourself.
A: "I want to secure a civil engineering
position with a national firm that concentrates on retail development.
Ideally, I would like to work for a young company, such as this one, so I can
get in on the ground floor and take advantage of all the opportunities a
growing firm has to offer."