How to Handle a Job Interview

In today’s news, it has been cited that the US unemployment rate has increased to 10.2%. It may be quite alarming considering the stiff competition in the employment industry. Applicants may come from different sectors. It may come from the new college and high school graduates, people with experience but was recently retrenched, housewives who decided to go back to work, new immigrants venturing into a new future, and even those who are currently employed but looking for better opportunities. Tough, isn’t it?

Interviews are done by the company to get a general overview if the applicant has the right qualification for the job. As a Human Resource practitioner, I have interviewed candidates from different levels ranging from staff up to the senior management. There are different sets of questions that your interviewer may possibly ask you. It varies based on the position you are applying for in their company. Here are some specific questions to help you.

GENERAL QUESTIONS - These are some areas that may be asked regardless of the position.

Ø What can you do for us that other applicants can’t?

Ø Why should we hire you?

Ø Why do you want to work for us?

Ø What do you consider as your greatest achievement in your career?

Ø How do you foresee yourself 3 to 5 years from now?

Ø Why do you want to leave your present work?

STAFF POSITION - These are the employees who do the blue collar jobs, clerical or administrative work and require much supervision.

Ø Who watches your kids while you’re at work? (for some Asian countries)

Ø What do you like most (or like least) in your work?

Ø How do you handle customer complaints?

Ø What will you do if you don’t like your boss?

Ø How do you typically organize your daily work?

Ø What is your greatest learning in your job?

Ø What will you do if your co-worker will annoy you?

Ø What will you do if you see your co-employee not working during his official duty?

Ø How are you going to handle the following tasks . . .? (citing specific job tasks)

Ø Why do you think you are fit for this job?

SUPERVISORY POSITION - These are the personnel who usually directly supervise the staff. They require minimum supervision at work. They have a lesser responsibility in the decision making process. They are more in-charge in the implementation of the company’s operational guidelines.

Ø How do you handle a problem employee?

Ø How do you handle a difficult boss?

Ø How do you deal with an irate customer?

Ø What is your greatest contribution to your employer?

Ø What are you going to do if the Senior Management instructs you to do something in the absence of your department manager?

Ø How can you help lessen the operational expenses of a company?

Ø What is your procedure in handling a meeting?

Ø Why do you think should we give you this job considering that you still lack relevant experience?

MANAGERIAL POSITION – These are the people who oversee supervisors and staff in a department or division level. They require no supervision. However, they are expected to perform based on company’s vision. This position involves a good decision making skills. Interviews are usually done in a panel of interviewers.

Ø How do you go about terminating a supervisor or staff?

Ø What is your management or leadership style?

Ø How will you handle Senior Executives who have different points of view in the company?

Ø What is your biggest frustration in your career?

Ø What are the 3 things that you are going to do within your first month with the company?

Ø How do you manage to perform in a company with limited resources?

Ø How do you plan to increase the sales of the company?

Ø What measures have you contributed to help your team make operational improvements?

SENIOR MANAGEMENT / EXECUTIVE LEVEL – This position usually doesn’t require standard questions to ask the applicant. They usually discuss the achievements and expertise of the candidate. They tackle things on a macro-level regarding the business operations and strategies. This is usually done in a panel interview.

So, how do you handle a job interview? You have to answer all questions better than your best. In any job interviews, you will still encounter random questions based on your answers. Be confident. Do not brag. You have to be honest. Being truthful is different from being boastful. Give a truthful answer because your interviewer can determine if you’re lying or not. Do not go around the bush. Go straight to your answer. The road is clear. Just do your best.