Tough Interview Questions and Answers
Every other week we'll pose a question you might get asked during an interview and a suggestion on how you might formulate your answer.
This week's question:
If you were hiring a person for this position, what qualities would you look for?
Among other things, your interviewer wants to know how much you know about the position you are interviewing for. This question is less likely asked of people looking for an entry level position, but could still be part of an in-depth interview. Your answer will reveal not just what you know about the position and the company’s expectations, but how you see your own qualifications in relationship to this job opening. You don’t want to suggest the position should be filled by someone with substantially higher skills or experience levels! If you have read and understood the employer’s formal job description – not just the job announcement – choose two or three key applicant qualification points you believe to be the most important and tell the interviewer those would be among the qualities you would seek in a candidate. Also, mention that the applicant should have experience similar to, or exceeding your own (but only by a little more!). The candidate should also have industry insight, and knowledge of trends and best practices. Tell your inquisitor the person they hire must be motivated for success, have a cooperative attitude, and specify any other key qualities you know to be a necessity for success in this position. And you can complete your answer by acknowledging how many of those qualities you possess and their applicability to the job you want.
To see previous installments of
Tough Interview Questions and Answers, click here.
Hank London provides Personalized Career Development Solutions and Communication Strategies that generate results... whether you're an employer or a job seeker.
For Businesses and Organizations...
Contact Hank if your business or organization needs help with...
· Communication strategies
· Public Speaking and Refining Sales Presentations
· Finding and retaining appropriate applicants
· Staff motivation
· Team building
· Outplacement
· A Dynamic Public Speaker for Events or Conferences
For Individuals...
As an individual, contact Hank when you need help with...
· Career development and employment solutions
· Creating artist or performer portfolios that get attention
· Self-promotion
· Interviewing or networking strategies
· Personalized resumes and cover letters that get results
Click Services to see the many ways we can help you succeed.
The E Books Are Coming! The E Books Are Coming!
We're proud to announce our series of E Books on Interviewing and Networking skills will be available for download soon. You'll learn:
· How to improve your communication skills
· How to create opportunities for effective & successful networking
· How to practice effective interviewing techniques
· How to answer some of the most difficult interview questions
Please watch this space for more information about the e books.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Join The Discussion!
Click Here to Register & Sign in to Share Your Thoughts!
Marco, a brilliant graphic designer has worked for the same advertising agency for nearly ten years and received a number of awards for his artwork. But recently, there were some issues at work that nearly cost him his job. If Marco had been familiar with his employer’s policies and procedures, he could have saved himself ... Read More
Back in the day, workers spent a lot more years with a single employer than they do today. We once thought we’d spend our entire careers with a single employer, but this is no longer the case. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly rare for employees to spend more than 5 years with a single employer. Younger workers are certainly more inclined to ... Read More
Was recently discussing customer service issues and experiences when the question came up: Would you feel guilty if an employee was fired because of the poor customer service you experienced? Obviously, the answer depends on the circumstances of the employee’s errors; the punishment should fit the crime. Customer service is the lifeblood of so many ... Read More
A recent story in the Wall Street Journal (links below) started a firestorm of reactions across the country from both employers and jobseekers, as well as from legal corners and privacy rights groups. There is a growing trend by employers to demand that applicants provide their logins and security passwords to their ... Read More
Hank’s work with clients at Raphael House has greatly contributed to our program’s success. Hank has provided professional mock interview services that have given clients a realistic experience to interviewing. ... Read More
Hank inspires his students and clients to put their best image forward through consistent positive energy. Hank helps each person look beyond his/her (limitations) and build self confidence through promotion of skills and interests. Overall Hank is a charismatic leader in his field.
Maureen H, LA, CA
Hank helped me through my transition when I had to leave the apparel industry where I had been in sales for over 20 years, to sales in consumer electronics. He studiously refocused my core experience to show its continued relevance, which helped me secure new business and more diversified lines. Hank really knows his stuff!
Larry S, Sharon, MA