Interview Questions

•General information questions 1.Why do you want this job? \"My skills and experience are directly related to this position, and my interest lies especially in this field.\"Then relate examples of your experience,education,or training that are pertinent to the job you are seeking;base this on your employer and job research. Emphasize your interest in developing your career in this area. Add that you would pleased to be a part of the organization,remembering that the point is what you can do for company.

2.What type of work do you most enjoy? Suggested Answer:Play your research card;name the types of tasks that would be involved in the job. Demonstrate your research and how you are qualified for the position.

3.What are your strongest skills? Suggested Answer: Review your abilities and accomplishments and your 60-second Commercial. Use these to develop your answer.Again,try to relate your skills to those required in the position for which you are applying

4.Are you a team player? Suggested Answer:Teamwork is highly valued in today's workplace.Give examples of your successful team roles at school,on the job or other activities.

5.Do you have a geographical preference? Are you willing to relocate? Be honest

6.Under what management style do you work most efficiently? Suggested answer: I am flexible and can be productive under any style. The management style I enjoy working with most is

7.What are your long-range career goals and how do you plan to achieve them. Suggested answer: Emphasize your strengths,state that your goal is to make a strong contribution in your job,and state that you look forward to developing the experience necessary for career growth. Mention plans to continue your education and expand your knowledge to become a more valuable employee.

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Good questions to ask

1.Do you have a training program for this position? If so, would you describe it? 2.Will you describe the duties and tasks in a typical workday for this position? 3.May I have a copy of the written job description?

4.Could good job performance in this job lead to career growth opportunities with the company? 5.Will the responsibilities of this position expand with time and experience on the job? 6.Could you tell me about the people with whom I would be working? 7.Do you require any more information about my qualifications or experience?

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the common interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also, review sample answers and advice on how to answer these typical interview questions.

Then take the time to research the company and to prepare for an interview. This way, you will be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.

Interview Questions: Work History

1.Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.

Best Answers:Be prepared to tell the interviewer the names of the companies you worked for, your job title, your starting and ending dates of employment, how much you earned and what your job entailed.

2.What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? Best Answers: The best way to respond is to discuss what you expected when you took the job and give examples of how the position worked out for you. When responding, be specific. Prepare some examples to share with the interviewer in advance.

3.What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? 4.What have you learned from your mistakes?

I think one of the most important things I've learned is persistence. Not to give up too soon, because the solution is probably right in front of me.

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5.What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

When you're asked what don't like about your previous job, don't be too negative. The reason is that you don't want the interviewer to think that you'll speak negatively about the new job or the company when you're ready to move on, if you get this job. Rather, it makes sense to talk about yourself and what you're looking for in a new role.

6.Which was most / least rewarding? When interviewing, always be cognizant of the job you are interviewing for and tailor your response accordingly. Try to accentuate the positive, regardless of what question you have been asked, because you don't want to be construed as someone who is negative about work, in general.

What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position? Questions about job demotions. Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. What problems have you encountered at work? Describe your ideal boss.

Job Interview:Questions About You 1.What is your greatest weakness? My greatest weakness would that I expect perfection out of myself when completing a task and that often leads me to over think small errors I may make. I perceive these small errors as greater flaws in my mind, and will not declare a task complete until it is perfect. I have learned to use this to my advantage by never making the same mistake twice through my critical thinking process. I have also realized that pushing myself to perfect a task makes me self-aware that I need to begin another, making my work ethic more productive.

2.What is your greatest strength? I keep on motivating myself in every situation and with the passage of time. I am capable of learning from others. I want to move ahead towards perfection by learning, especially through my experiences and interaction with people.

3.How will your greatest strength help you perform? * My greatest strength is my ability to work with many different people. I enjoy learning from everyone I meet, and in this position I believe that will enhance my ability to perform on the team. * My greatest strength is my ability to focus on my work. I'm not easily distracted, and this means

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that my performance is very high, even in a busy office like this one.

* My organizational skills are my greatest strength. I'm capable of keeping many projects on track at the same time.

4.Are you nice? There are many kinds of \"niceness\" - being compassionate towards others, being a team player, being respectful of your boss or your staff, etc. Think of the job at hand, and what kind of \"niceness\" would be important at that job. Then provide an anecdote about how you have demonstrated that kind of \"niceness\" at work in the past, and how it helped you achieve something at work. For example, you can tell a story about how you were \"nice\" while working on a team project (perhaps you listened to every teammate, helped out a teammate who was frustrated, etc.), and how your kindness helped everyone work together and successfully complete the project.

You can balance this response by also describing how you use kindness to set high expectations for yourself and your staff, and hold your colleagues accountable. This will prove that you can also be tough and demanding. For example, you might want to describe a time when you used kind words rather than insults or punishment to encourage a staff member to improve his performance.

5.How would you describe yourself? * I'm a perfectionist. I pay attention to all the details, and like to be sure that everything is just right.

* I'm efficient and highly organized. This enables me to be as productive as possible on the job. * I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.

6.Describe your work style. * I am very focused on my work, and consequently, am able to work quickly.

* I keep a steady pace, and check my work as I go along, to prevent mistakes from snowballing. * Because I am very organized, I am able to accomplish a lot in a limited amount of time. * I'm organized and efficient and I'm able to multi-task very well.

* I'm always on top of my projects, but I do welcome input and will consult with team members to ensure we're all on the same track.

7.Do you work well with other people? Yes, I think I am a team player. In fact, during my college, most of my courses require us to form a

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group for our assignment. I am always chosen to be a group leader and my classmates like working with me. The first key is to specify the types of interactions with people, which are attractive to you or at which you are particularly adept. In addition to specifying how you work well with managers, co-workers, customers, vendors and others, you should also speak to what you accomplish during those interactions. Here are some examples:

* Assessing the skills, personality traits and work ethic of candidates by applying behavioral interviewing techniques.

* Motivating subordinates to improve performance.

* Leading group discussions in a way that incorporates diverse views and draws consensus. * Developing a comfortable rapport with clients and determining their preferences for products and services.

* Listening actively and emphatically to encourage clients to share their feelings and problems. * Creating and delivering training sessions which engage the audience in active learning. * Providing difficult news to employees targeted for layoffs. * Mediating conflicts between employees or with clients. * Resolving customer complaints with patience and creativity.

The next key to interview success is to give examples of situations at work where you have used these people skills. Prepare concrete examples to convince employers that you actually possess those strengths. Your examples should convey how, when, and where you applied your skills or interests and the outcomes. Personalize your examples so they reflect your skills and experience as they relate to the job for which you are applying.

8.Do you take work home with you? In most case, because I am efficient, I can finish my work at office. But if the time is limited and I can't finish my work at work time, then I will also consider take work home with me. When I need to, no problem. I realize the importance of meeting deadlines and getting work done on time.

9.How would you describe the pace at which you work? I work at a steady pace, but usually complete work in advance of the deadline. Discuss your ability to manage projects and get them done on, or ahead, of schedule. If you work at a job where you have set criteria (i.e. number of calls made or responded to) that measures accomplishments, discuss how you have achieved or exceeded those goals.

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10.How do you handle stress and pressure? Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive.I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't become stressful.

* I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment.

* Prioritizing my responsibilities so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done when, has helped me effectively manage pressure on the job.

* I find that when I'm under the pressure of a deadline, I can do some of my most creative work. * I'm not a person who has a difficult time with stress. When I'm under pressure, I focus, and get the job done.

* I find it exhilarating to be in a dynamic environment where the pressure is on. * I find a past pace to be invigorating, and thrive when the pressure is on.

* I've done some of my best work under tight deadlines, where the atmosphere was very stressful. * I'm the kind of person who stays calm under pressure, and handles stress fairly easily.

11.What motivates you? I've always been motivated by the desire to do a good job at whatever position I'm in. I want to excel and to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and for my employer.

12.Are you a self motivator? * Absolutely. I am a very active person, and I enjoy my work. I'm always looking for new and innovative ideas to bring to a project.

* I believe I am a self motivator. I give my all to a project, and am always looking ahead to the next one at hand. Successfully completing one and moving on to the next is very exciting for me. I am passionate about my work, and truly enjoy working toward the next big goal.

* I have always been self motivated. Coming from my background, not very much was expected of me after I finished High School. I always wanted more, and put myself through College and Grad School with very little support from my family. In the workplace, I bring that same drive to managing projects and deadlines.

13.What are your salary expectations? Start by being very patient. When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up

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compensation until the employer makes you an offer. If you're asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you'd like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary.

14.What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?

I think my most difficult decision is whether I should continue for graduate school or go to work directly after my college.

15.Tell me about yourself.

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Give them \"your synopsis about you\" answer, specifically your Unique Selling Proposition. Known as a personal branding or a value-added statement, the USP is a succinct, one-sentence description of who you are, your biggest strength and the major benefit that a company will derive from this strength.

16.What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about making a difference. When I'm involved with a project at work I want to do my best to achieve success. I feel the same way about what I do in my personal life.

17.Why did you choose your major? I like education more than any other majors when I choose my major before the college. And I know I have got the best choose when I get into the college so I continue this field for my graduate degree. I think education is the most important field to one's life. I like teaching and educate, when my students appraise me and really learn something from my class or my teaching, I feel so satisfy and joy. I think I would like to devote my whole life to develop my career in education.

18.What do people most often criticize about you? Some people might criticize me being too quiet especially at the first time they meet me. Because I am an introvert and I will tend to observe and talk little at the first time I met someone new. But when we get familiar, I can become much talkative and nice to my colleague.

19.What is the worst thing that you have ever gotten away with? I have gotten away with a interview once because I feel so much pressure and I didn't have many interview experience at that time. I heard that would be a group interview and people will like to

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judge everybody, I didn't have prepared for it so I was too scared so I decide to got away with it instead.

20.When was the last time you were angry? What happened? Wow, I seldom get angry in fact. I am a good temper person. The last time when I get angry might be a friend of mine told me he want to visit me but he didn't , and I have to rearrange my schedule for him.

21.If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? I might probably do the same as now, because I have nearly no regret to any decisions I made in these 10 years.

22.If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? I'm sure if you asked my friends that question they would say you should hire me because I have the skills outlined in the job description and I bring 10+ years of expertise to this position. Words they've used to describe me are: hard working, responsible, intelligence, trusted and a team player.

23.Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? I am equally comfortable working as a member of a team and independently. In researching your mission statement and the job description, I could see similarities to my previous position where there were some assignments that required a great deal of independent work and research and others where the team effort was most effective. As I said, I'm comfortable with both.

24.Give some examples of teamwork. During my college time, most of my universities courses require we to form a team and complete the group assignment to pass the course. I always chosen to be the group leader, so I organize the group schedule and strategies for finish our assignment, arrange group meeting and distribute the tasks for team members. When I am the team member, I would give my best effort to provide good-quality assignment for my team project. Therefore my team can always got the good result to complete the courses.

25.How Do You About Feel Working in a Team Environment? I enjoy working in a team environment, and I get along well with people. In my past work experience, I implemented a system to help organize the communication between my coworkers to enhance our productivity as a team.I believe that I have a lot to contribute to a team environment, and am comfortable in both leadership and player roles. I'm outgoing, friendly, and have strong

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communication skills

26.How do you evaluate success? I evaluate success in different ways. At work, it is meeting the goals set by my supervisors and my fellow workers. It is my understanding, from talking to other employees, that the GGR Company is recognized for not only rewarding success, but giving employees opportunity to grow as well.

27.If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?

It depends on the situation and the personality of the supervisor.\" To elaborate, give examples. If I were a new hire on a job, I would probably not question a supervisor because I might think I didn't know enough. Except on the new job I'm going to. The director has admitted that she's new on the job and there are alot of things that a secretary does that she doesn't know how to do, so she will be depending on me to know how to keep the office running.

28.Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened at work. Then discuss what you did to solve the problem. Keep your answers positive and be specific. Itemize what you did and how you did it. The best way to prepare for questions where you will need to recall events and actions is to refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You can use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times when you have successfully solved a difficult situation.

I remember when I was in my internship in GuangYa High School. My instructor teacher told me that I need to complete the research related to teacher training during the internship. I feel stress to complete this task at the very beginning because I have no experience on teacher training or course development. But I still take the task and start to do the research by reading related articles and references, then I developed the Moodle course by organize the teaching materials and design the course activities by myself. Finally develop two teacher-training courses on electronic whiteboard and Photoshop, and I have completed a thesis as my graduation thesis in this topic too. I think everything seem to be difficult when you didn't have tried before, but what you can do is to learn new things and put knowledge into practice. Then you can figure out the solution in the end.

29.Why do you think you will be successful at this job? The interviewer is concerned as to whether you see this as a career move, or stop-gap employment. As my resume reflects, I have been successful at each of my previous places of employment. My

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research of your company, the job description outlined, and the information we've exchanged today, lead me to believe I have the skills and experience for which you are looking; and I'm eager to be a contributing employee.

Job Interview: Questions About the New Job and the Company 1.What interests you about this job? When you're asked what interests you about the position you are interviewing for, the best way to respond is to describe the qualifications listed in the job posting, then connect them to your skills and experience. That way, the employer will see that you know about the job you're interviewing for (not everyone does) and that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. In all cases, you will want to convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview, along with your solid ability to do the job.

2.Why do you want this job? * This is not only a fine opportunity, but this company is a place where my qualifications can make a difference. As a finance executive well versed in the new stock options law, I see this position as made to order. It contains the challenge to keep me on my toes. That's the kind of job I like to anticipate every morning.

* I want this job because it seems tailored to my competencies, which include sales and marketing. As I said earlier, in a previous position I created an annual growth rate of 22 percent in a flat industry. Additionally, the team I would work with looks terrific.

* I well understand that this is a company on the way up. Your Web site says the launch of several new products is imminent. I want be a part of this business as it grows.

* As a dedicated educator, I like doing essential research. Being part of a breakthrough team is an experience I'd love to repeat.

* This job is a good fit for what I've been interested in throughout my career. It offers a nice mix of short- and long-term activities. My short-term achievements keep me cranked up and the long-term accomplishments.

* The work I find most stimulating allows me to use both my creative and research skills. The buzz on this company is that it rewards people who deliver solutions to substantial problems.

3.What applicable attributes / experience do you have? The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job.

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Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job's requirements.

It's also important to be honest and accurate. Don't embellish your job, because you don't know who the hiring manager will be checking with when they check your references.

4.Are you overqualified for this job? Fortunately, I've lived enough years to develop the judgment that allows me to focus on the future. Before we speak of past years, past titles and past salaries, can we look at my strengths and abilities and how I've stayed on the cutting edge of my career field, including its technology?

5.What can you do for this company? Why should we hire you? Why are you the best person for the job? What can you contribute to this company? First of all, be sure to have researched the company prior to the interview, so you are familiar with the company's mission. Respond by giving examples why your education, skills, accomplishments, and experience will make you an asset for the employer. Take a few moments to compare your goals with objectives of the company and the position, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other jobs. Be positive and reiterate your interest in the company, as well as the job.

6.What do you know about this company? Start by researching the company online. Review the \"About Us\" section of the company web site. Check the company's LinkedIn page and the company website to review information provided by the employer. Also check to see if you have any connections at the company who can provide you with insight and advice. Use the information you have gathered to create a bulleted list of relevant information that you can easily remember during the interview. Taking the time to research will help you make a good impression with how much you know about the company.

7.Why do you want to work here? Compare your goals with the objectives of the company and the position, then reiterate why you would be an asset to the employer. Let the interviewer know what you can do for the company, if you get a job offer. Even though the question is about why you want to work here, you still need to convince the interviewer that hiring you will benefit the company.

* This company is internationally known for its (widgets), and my experience in the (marketing/planning/production/etc.) of (widgets) has me intrigued by the opportunity this position presents.

* The businesses in this area are known for their commitment to the community, and I would like

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the opportunity to participate in making this a better place to live.

* I am a (widget) connoisseur, and would love the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for (widgets) with customers.

8.What challenges are you looking for in a position? You can also mention that you are motivated by challenges, have the ability to effectively meet challenges, and have the flexibility and skills necessary to handle a challenging job. You can continue by describing specific examples of challenges you have met and goals you have achieved in the past.

9.What do you see yourself doing within the first 30 days on the job? I'll work on cultivating positive relationships with co-workers. I plan to come in early and stay late in order to expedite my learning. I will ask my manager for suggestions of key employees to engage with. I'll ask lots of questions about goals and methods.

I won't share my opinion until I understand what is being done and why it is being done that way. I will spend time learning from as many different staff members as possible to avoid being a burden to any one individual.

I'll introduce myself to key partners in other departments and learn their expectations for someone in my role.

I will focus my interaction on staff who are positive about the company and work environment. I will treat all staff with respect. I have found in the past that support staff, as well as management, has been very helpful as I adjusted to new positions.

In general, relating examples of adjusting quickly and effectively when starting a new job in the past can be an effective way to prove your track record of onboarding into a new company.

10.How long do you expect to remain employed with this company? * I believe that this company has the capacity to offer me a rich and satisfying career, and I would like to remain employed here for as long as I am having a positive impact. * I would like to pursue my career here for as long as I have the opportunity to. * I would like to remain employed here for as long as my services are needed.

Interview Questions: The Future

1.What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? Two things are very important to me. One is my professionalism at work; the second is my family life. My next job will be also my first job. I think what is most important for me is my career development,

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to develop my ability in one specialism is important for my career, I hope my first job can enable me to develop my teaching skills and make me a better teacher.

2.Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?  Outline a Career Path

In order to prepare well for this question, research a reasonable career path which will flow from the position for which you are applying. How long does one ordinarily spend in that job? What are the next steps within five years. Some employers will clearly outline pathways in the career section of their website. However, you may need to approach professionals in the field through alumni, family, friends or professional associations to gain an accurate picture.  Start With Your Interest in This Job

It is often advantageous to emphasize your interest in thoroughly mastering the initial position before moving on. If it seems like you are rushing past that first job, employers might question how motivated you are to carry out those duties.After all, the manager will probably want someone who will be happy and competent in that role for at least a year or two. Integrating a clear rationale into your answer regarding how your interests and skills equip you to do the job you are being considered for can help to alleviate any concerns about how long you will want to stay at the job.  When There is No Clear Career Path

Not all jobs are stepping stones to higher positions. For positions like counseling, sales, event planning, teaching and computer programming, for example, it will be perfectly appropriate to emphasize mastery of that job as your five year goal. Think about components of the job in which you can excel. For example for a sales job: \"Within 5 years I would like to be recognized as an professional and good teachers, have developed very close relationships with my students, have significantly developed my teaching skills and research skills\"  Goals = Results

Stating your goals in terms of results which you would like to produce is another angle for responding. So, for example, a prospective teacher for a district which is trying to upgrade performance on standardized tests might say \"I would like to significantly increase the percentage of students reading at or above grade level through creative instructional methods.\" Of course, you would need to be able to share some examples of how you would achieve this.

* My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much of value as I can.

* I see myself as a top performing employee in a well-established organization, like this one. I plan on enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in (related) professional associations.

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* Once I gain additional experience, I would like to move on from a technical position to management.

3.How do you plan to achieve those goals? * I plan on gaining additional skills by taking related classes and continuing my involvement with a variety of professional associations.

* I noticed that XYZ company (the company you are interviewing with) provides in-house training for employees and I would certainly be interested in taking classes that would be relevant.

* I will continue my professional development my participating in conferences, attending seminars, and continuing my education.

4.How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done? I use my time efficiently at work and, for the most part, it's not the number of hours I work; but how effective my time has been to accomplish the job. I'm sure my references will tell you I was more than willing to put in the time to be sure the job was completed as quickly and as professionally as possible.

5.How do you measure success? I measure professional success by the standards of the company for which I work, the feedback I receive from my peers, supervisors and subordinates. Personally, it is to know I'm regarded as a good husband, father and member of society.

6.What will you do if you don't get this position? I am committed to this company and its advancement so, should I not be selected, I will work with and support whoever might get selected. However, I do feel that my experience in the department and with the team would make me the best candidate.

7.Where else are you interviewing? Often the best approach is to mention that you are exploring a number of other similar options in the company's industry. It can be helpful to mention that a common characteristic of all the jobs you are applying to is the opportunity to apply some critical abilities and skills that you possess. For example, you might say \"I am applying for several positions in education organizations where I can use my educational background.\" It can be a mistake to overplay your hand and mention too many other highly respected firms which are recruiting you. The employer may figure that you are unattainable and move on to more realistic prospects.

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Be sure to include an enthusiastic statement about how motivated you are to work with the organization in your answer. For example, you might say \"While I am seriously exploring other positions where I can leverage my teaching and educational skills, your position is a primary target for me.\" You can then elaborate on how you feel that you would be a valuable addition to their team.

Specific job-related questions: Teacher Interview Questions and Answers http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/teacherint.htm

Questions you might be asked during a teacher job interview, suggested answers, and advice for acting a teaching job interview.

1.Why did you decide to become a teacher? It is helpful to expand on this by providing personal anecdotes. For example, perhaps one of your own teachers inspired you to follow in their footsteps. Share stories of how you made a difference to a child in a classroom or how you successfully taught a challenging lesson.

* While I was student teaching, I had the opportunity to take a student aside to help him with a particularly difficult math concept that he was having trouble understanding. When I was able to show him a different way to approach the problem, and he 'got it', I knew that I had chosen the right field!

2.What type of classroom management structure would you implement if you were hired? Sample answers might include redirecting the student, involving students by agreeing on a set of classroom rules together as a class, having students sign a learning contract that they help create at the beginning of the year, listening to a student in a one-on-one meeting, mediating issues between students, and involving parents in the disciplinary process. Be sure to give personal examples of your method - and how it worked well for you:

* In my First Grade Classroom, I implemented a system where the students were each given a clip on a chart. At each infraction, the students would move their clip along a progression of colors. The disciplines ranged from a warning, losing 1/2 recess, losing all recess, to a call home or to the principal's office. I made very few phone calls!

3.How have you used, or how will you use, technology in the classroom? Since my major is educational technology. I have quite familiar the advanced technology and their

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implementation methods in education. I have some theories about how to incorporate technology into teaching and learning, which can enhance classroom efficiency and effectively.

4. What is your teaching philosophy? Your teaching philosophy should be a self-reflective statement about your beliefs on teaching and learning. In the document, you should discuss how you put your beliefs into practice by providing examples of what you have done and/or what you plan to do in the classroom. Teaching styles and methods change, so it's important to review your philosophy from time to time, update it, and make changes when necessary. Be definite about your beliefs, but remember to stay open to change and growth, based on the needs of the school you are applying to.

My teaching philosophy might more tend to be constructivism, which advocate that students are the master of their learning. Teacher's role in students' learning is instructor as well as mentor, which provide students inspiration for thinking and learning. But students should not be the passive receiver but should be the active learner in their own study. Therefore, in my classes, I will design more students' activities and tasks for them to active engage in classes to think and learn by themselves or with their peers.

5. Have you had experience boosting a student's self-esteem? If so, how?

When answering this question, provide personal examples of how you have helped a student on an individual basis. Most likely, you were not only helping them with something that they were having difficulty with, but by showing them that they could do it, you also boosted their self-esteem. Working one-on-one with students is a very effective way to boost self-esteem as they feel recognized as an individual, not overlooked in the classroom, and pride in their achievement.

6. Would you be interested in participating in after school activities? During your interview, you want to show how enthusiastic, positive, and engaged you plan to be at school. Once you get the job, you can accept or decline any after school activities based on your schedule and interest. It is highly recommended though, that you become involved by coaching, leading a club, or participating in homework help, at least until you are tenured. Some schools require participation in extra-curricular activities, and you should try to find out ahead of time what the school policy is.

7.Do you have any questions for me? Things you might ask could include questions about the after school and community athletics

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programs, art or music clubs, and chess or academic clubs, especially if you've noted that the district excels in a particular activity. You could ask how involved the school is with the community, what kinds of programs they participate in (for example, students getting credit for working at the local soup kitchen), especially if you plan to move there.

Second Interview Questions

1.What challenges are you looking for in a position? You can continue by describing specific examples of challenges you have met and goals you have achieved in the past.

2.Why are you the best person for the job? The best way to respond is to give concrete examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you the best candidate for the job. Take a few moments to compare the job description with your abilities, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other positions. Be positive and reiterate your interest in the company and the position.

3.What applicable experience do you have? The best way to respond is to describe your responsiblilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job's requirements. It's also important to be honest and accurate. Don't embellish your job, because you don't know who the hiring manager will be checking with when they check your references.

4.Why are you interested in working for this company? In all cases, you will want to convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview, along with your solid ability to do the job.

5.Why should we hire you? The best way to respond is to give concrete examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you the best candidate for the job. Take a few moments to compare the job description with your abilities, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other positions. Be positive and reiterate your interest in the company and the position.

6.Your career goal

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Start with your graduation from college and explain the rationale behind each of your career moves. When I graduated from college, I was immediately recruited by the ABC Company. As my resume reflects, I received two promotions and then a recruiter contacted for the position at the XYZ Company. I've been there for the past 4 years and have learned a great deal, while making significant contributions to my department.

Also, explain the thinking process that went into make each of those decisions.

For my first job, I was happy to know I would be working in a job that utilized my education. It was exciting to know that within just a few weeks of graduation, I had my first paycheck. My thinking behind the XYZ position centered on the fact that they have a global presence, it was a definite promotion and positioned me to be a viable candidate for the marketing position with your company.

Difficult Job Interview Questions and Best Answers

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/toughquest.htm

These are some of the tough interview questions that you may be asked on a job interview. Review the questions and consider an appropriate response, based on your background and skills. There aren't necessarily any right or wrong answers, but carefully consider the job you are applying for, your abilities, and the company culture before you respond.

Questions About Co-Workers and Supervisors

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a co-worker who wasn't doing his/her fair share of the work. What did you do and what was the outcome? I worked closely with Ann who, for the most part, always carried her fair share of the work load. During a stressful time, working on a project with a deadline, I realized Ann's contributions to the project were almost minimal. I made the decision to wait until after the project to speak with her. I'm glad I did, because I learned she'd been going through a very tough time in her personal life and she appreciated my willingness to go the extra mile so the project was completed on time. As a result, our ability to work well together significantly increased.

Give me an example of a time when you took the time to share a co-worker's or supervisor's achievements with other? At my most recent position, one of my co-workers, Dan, did an outstanding job of calming an irate customer, solving the customer's problem and completing a sale. When our boss asked me how things were going, I told him everything was going fine and that Dan had just completed calming an irate customer and closing a sale. It was a win-win-win- for our boss, Dan and the customer.

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Tell me about a time that you didn't work well with a supervisor. What was the outcome and how would you have changed the outcome? Early in my career, I had a supervisor (Judy) who was in a fairly good mood on Monday, but it deteriorated each day until by Friday, the supervisor was finding fault with everything I did. I didn't realize, until I left that position, that I had been a contributor to the decline in her mood. Judy would ask me how my weekend was (on Monday) and during the week she would ask how it was going. I would tell her how much fun I was having (I was single) and how I was looking forward to the weekend plans. After I left, I realized my life was in complete contrast to hers and I reminded her of it almost daily. When she asked the questions, I should have had a quick answer, and then asked her how she was doing!!!!

Have you worked with someone you didn't like? If so, how did you handle it?

Yes, I've worked with someone whom I found difficult to like as a person. However, when I focused on the skills they brought to the job, their ability to solve problems and the two things I did appreciate, slowly my attitude towards them changed. We were never friends, but we did work well together.

Tell me about a time that you helped someone. Most recently, we had a new hire (Paul) that was really struggling with getting to work on time, and I knew the boss (Harry) was getting irritated. Over lunch one day I explained to Paul how important it was to our boss for everyone to be there at least 10 minutes early. It was personal with the Harry, but you could really get on his bad side when you were frequently late. The new employee was grateful for the advice. At his previous employment, the boss was only concerned about the work getting done on time; he/she did not \"watch the clock\". Tell me about a time that you misjudged a person.

There was a long-time employee (George) at my second company who was very gruff when he spoke to me. At first, I went out of my way to win the George's approval. Then I realized that was compounding the problem. So I observed how he interacted with other employees and discovered I wasn't alone. He was gruff to most people. I quit trying to gain his approval and, in the process, discovered he'd learned his behavior from a former boss he'd had whom he admired.

How do you get along with older (younger) co-workers?

if your co-workers are older: There are times when I just know that a new way of doing something makes more sense to me; but, first hand, I learned that my \"better way\" may not be the best way to

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get the job done. As a consequence, I respect my older co-workers knowledge and I've learned how to make a suggestion at the appropriate time.

Questions About Your Abilities

Tell me about a time that you worked conveying technical information to a nontechnical audience. The Interviewer wants to know how you relate to people outside your area of expertise.

While I worked for Mr. Smith in the accounting department, I was selected to explain the financial section of the employee's paycheck to all new hires. After my first two sessions, I realized I needed to reframe my information so the new hires would have an accurate understanding of the impact of their decisions as it related to their pay. I worked with colleagues in human resources and marketing, and developed a training outline that was implemented at the other locations throughout the company.

Tell me about a time that you worked with data, interpreting data, and presenting data.

If you are in a non-technical profession, this question is designed to see if you are comfortable with information not directly related to your position.

While at the GHI corporation, one of my job assignments was to work with the IT department to prepare the annual meeting brochure complete with financial data, graphs and related SEC requirements. I became proficient at designing graphs that gave an accurate picture of the financial data, as well as editing the legal information into a more readable format.

Why do you think you will be successful at this job? The interviewer is concerned as to whether you see this as a career move, or stop-gap employment. As my resume reflects, I have been successful at each of my previous places of employment. My research of your company, the job description outlined, and the information we've exchanged today, lead me to believe I have the skills and experience for which you are looking; and I'm eager to be a contributing employee.

Tell me about a time that you participated in a team, what was your role?

Companies, for the most part, do not want \"Lone-Rangers\" - - they are looking for employees who will adapt to the company culture and get along with others.

In high school, I enjoyed playing soccer and performing with the marching band. Each required a different kind of team play, but the overall goal of learning to be a member of a group was invaluable. I continued to grow as team member while on my sorority's debate team and through my advanced marketing class where we had numerous team assignments.

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Questions About Yourself

What would you do differently if you could start your working life over? The interviewer is looking for a detour that continues to be a professional block in your career. Looking back over my career, I would have returned to school much earlier to complete my Masters degree. Even though I got my degree later than I had originally anticipated, I never lost sight of the goal.

How do you balance life and work? The interviewer wonders if you've made arrangements for the days when your child is too sick to go to school and/or daycare or if you're \"out of there\" as soon as it's quitting time.

Best Answer: Being organized helps me balance my professional life and personal life. Consequently, I can be fully engaged while I'm at work. For those unexpected times, I have a good back-up system of child care for my children.

What is your preferred way to communicate? This is a good opportunity to show you understand the importance of adjusting your preferences when necessary.

At home, I enjoy talking on the phone and emails. At work, I follow the established pattern. Each of my bosses, in the past, has had a preferred method I've followed their lead.

Do you check voicemail and email when on vacation? The interviewer is wondering whether they will always be able to find you.

Best Answer: While on vacation, I can be reached for emergencies; however, I also know the people with whom I work are very capable of making good decisions while I'm away. I understand the importance of recharging my battery.

What is your favorite book? How about your favorite movie? The interviewer wants to know whether you read to stay current and if you will you fit into the company culture.

Best Answer (include your personal favorites): I read many different kinds of books. My current \"favorite\" book is The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. My favorite movie?Miracle on Ice.

What historical figure do you admire and why? The interviewer wants to know whether you are well read and what characteristics you admire.

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Best Answer (include historical figures you personally admire): Personally, I most admire Abigail Adams, John Adam's wife; professionally I admired the leadership style of Ronald Reagan.

What did you do during this six month gap in employment? Everyone, at some point, will probably have a gap in employment. Do not \"waste it\".

Best Answer: For the first month, I worked on my \"to do list\" at home and accomplished a great deal. Then I began building a plan to reenter the workplace. While it took a little longer than I'd anticipated, I've learned a great deal about myself, am rested and looking forward to new challenges in the workplace.

What led you to this point in your life? The interviewer wants to know if you are unhappy, frustrated, or lost?

My \"road of life\" has been interesting, sometimes challenging and always rewarding. The steps along the way that have led to this point in my life are, in some ways, very different than I had imagined; however, I like who I am today in part because of my past. An example is when the second company on my resume suddenly closed their doors during a down-turn in the economy. For a very brief time, the road ahead was unknown; however, I discovered I had previously untapped strengths such as perseverance.

Questions About Your Career Goals

How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done?

I use my time efficiently at work and, for the most part, it's not the number of hours I work; but how effective my time has been to accomplish the job. I'm sure my references will tell you I was more than willing to put in the time to be sure the job was completed as quickly and as professionally as possible.

If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move? The upward mobility at my current company would most likely be in the global marketing department.

How do you measure success? I measure professional success by the standards of the company for which I work, the feedback I receive from my peers, supervisors and subordinates. Personally, it is to know I'm regarded as a good husband, father and member of society.

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Describe your dream job. As a child, I dreamed of being the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. When I realized I did not have a fast ball, or a change -up; I concentrated on my skills in marketing because I realized it is an area where I not only can make significant contributions, but I enjoy using my talent in a corporate environment.

General Questions Are you a risk taker?

If you were an animal what would you be? Convince me to hire you. Why shouldn't I hire you? What is your favorite game?

What was the most recent book you have read? Who is your favorite singer?

Soft Skills It's important because even if your role in the company doesn't require a lot of communication, you will still need to deal with those you work with in a professional and personable manner. Companies are as interested in your soft (people) skills as they are in your hard (quantifiable) skills. Here's more on hard skills vs. soft skills and what employers are seeking in applicants.In addition, regardless of the job, employers don't want to hire people who are difficult to get along with because that will cause workplace issues and conflicts. It can make sense to screen out applicants who don't have strong people skills, even if they have solid qualifications for the job.

Expanding Your Response Candidates often say that they \"enjoy working with people\" but don't explain or expand upon their response. Anyone can say that they work well with people, but it's important to show hiring managers how you accomplish it.How can you avoid the pitfall of giving a lame interview answer, but still make a viable point about your suitability for jobs requiring lots of interaction with people - and even for jobs which don't? What do you do that makes you a good people person at work? That's what the interviewer wants to know.

What's important is to show your prospective employer the skills you have and how you have used them in the workplace, using real-life examples.

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Keys to Responding to Questions The first key is to specify the types of interactions with people which are attractive to you or at which you are particularly adept. In addition to specifying how you work well with managers, co-workers, customers, vendors and others, you should also speak to what you accomplish during those interactions. Here are some examples:

Assessing the skills, personality traits and work ethic of candidates by applying behavioral interviewing techniques. Motivating subordinates to improve performance.

Leading group discussions in a way that incorporates diverse views and draws consensus.

Developing a comfortable rapport with clients and determining their preferences for products and services.

Listening actively and emphatically to encourage clients to share their feelings and problems. Creating and delivering training sessions which engage the audience in active learning. Providing difficult news to employees targeted for layoffs. Mediating conflicts between employees or with clients. Resolving customer complaints with patience and creativity.

Give Examples The next key to interview success is to give examples of situations at work where you have used these people skills. Prepare concrete examples to convince employers that you actually possess those strengths.Your examples should convey how, when, and where you applied your skills or interests and the outcomes. Personalize your examples so they reflect your skills and experience as they relate to the job for which you are applying.

Interview Questions to Ask the Employer

It's your turn! As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is \"What can I answer for you?\" Have interview questions of your own ready to ask. You aren't simply trying to get this job - you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.Here are questions to ask the interviewer so you can ensure the company is a good match for your qualifications and interests.

How would you describe the responsibilities of the position? How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?

Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?

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What are the prospects for growth and advancement? How does one advance in the company? Would you like a list of references?

If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start? What can I tell you about my qualifications? When can I expect to hear from you?

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