Best interview questions and answers

[GT1999]

I'm prepping for a big interview next week. List the best interview questions you've been asked and what you think an appropriate answer would be... also, if it's a panel interview how that may change your interviewing style.

I used to be good at interviewing but recently suck at it, so maybe this will help...

 

[Specop 007]

A good interview isnt necessarily a canned interview. Which means the questions I feel are good probably wouldnt apply to you very well. Things like "Whats your expectation of the position".

Of course theres all the shit general questions. "What do you know about <insert employer>" and "Give an example of a time you were in a stressful situation" or some such.

 

[jingramm]

What kind of position is it? That will help us give you a better insight

But some general questions that you will most likely get in some variation:
Why this firm
What are your strengths/weaknesses
Why are you interested in this position
Why are you looking to leave your firm


Have 2-3 solid examples that you can use for any of the "tell me about a time" behavioral questions

 

[ShawnD1]

Of course theres all the shit general questions. "What do you know about <insert employer>" and "Give an example of a time you were in a stressful situation" or some such.

People don't realize how important that one question is. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS COMPANY DOES?? Spend at least 5 minutes reading the company website. What does it say their goals are, how are they involved in the community, etc. Don't just research the parts releated to the job, but see what the entire company does. Do they build roads? Trains? Do they also handle waste management? Which countries are they doing this in? How old is the company?

I don't have any advice on how to make up bullshit answers. Different people have different ways of dealing with dumb questions.
What I would say is bring a pen and paper and write things down as they are said. Have several questions written down that you can ask them at the end of the interview. The ones I ask are:
-Approximately how many people work at this location?
-As a rough estimate, what would you say is the average age of the employees here? (older people means it's a better place to work)
-What is the average employee retention time? Do people quit after 6 months or do people work here for decades? (longer retention time is better)
-This company does not appear to be publicly traded. Would I be able to buy private shares in the company?
-Does this company encourage employees to get training and certifications related to the job? (good companies want you to be certified, shit companies want you to not be certified so it's harder for you to leave)
-What do you like best about this company? Why do you still work for this company?


At least show some interest in this process. You will want to know a lot about this company if it's going to be your employer.

 

[Specop 007]

People don't realize how important that one question is. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS COMPANY DOES?? Spend at least 5 minutes reading the company website. What does it say their goals are, how are they involved in the community, etc. Don't just research the parts releated to the job, but see what the entire company does. Do they build roads? Trains? Do they also handle waste management? Which countries are they doing this in? How old is the company?

I don't have any advice on how to make up bullshit answers. Different people have different ways of dealing with dumb questions.
What I would say is bring a pen and paper and write things down as they are said. Have several questions written down that you can ask them at the end of the interview. The ones I ask are:
-Approximately how many people work at this location?
-As a rough estimate, what would you say is the average age of the employees here? (older people means it's a better place to work)
-What is the average employee retention time? Do people quit after 6 months or do people work here for decades? (longer retention time is better)
-This company does not appear to be publicly traded. Would I be able to buy private shares in the company?
-Does this company encourage employees to get training and certifications related to the job? (good companies want you to be certified, shit companies want you to not be certified so it's harder for you to leave)
-What do you like best about this company? Why do you still work for this company?


At least show some interest in this process. You will want to know a lot about this company if it's going to be your employer.

I'm not downplaying the "This company" question. Just that its one of those canned questions someone should expect, and I do agree on knowing a bit about the company.

One question I like to ask is how did this position become available? Through growth or did the last person filling the position leave/get terminated.

ETA:

You have a good list of questions to ask.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Q: "How smart are you?"

A: "Smart enough not to answer that question without asking for your definition of "smart" first."