| 235 | | |
| 236 | | |
| | 235 | === Career Goal Questions |
| | 236 | ==== 16. Please Describe the Job You've Applied For |
| | 237 | //We know you know, else you wouldn't be here - but how well can you sum it up?// |
| | 238 | |
| | 239 | **Tactic**: Have the confidence to give them the briefest of answers. |
| | 240 | |
| | 241 | * The question tests your ability to summarize information correctly. |
| | 242 | * Pick the essence of the job, usually something to do with making a profit or keeping stakeholders happy, then add in 1-2 everyday tasks. |
| | 243 | * Add KPIs for yourself, the team or product. |
| | 244 | * 1-2 key challenges to be overcome in the industry. |
| | 245 | |
| | 246 | ==== 17. How did You Hear About the Position? |
| | 247 | //How plugged in to the company are you?// |
| | 248 | |
| | 249 | **Tactic**: If possible, take this opportunity to highlight your personal connection to, or passion for, the company. |
| | 250 | |
| | 251 | * Likely testing whether you sought out this particular firm or type of employer and fell strongly about what they do or if you just stumbled upon the job opening. |
| | 252 | * If you heard about the job from a contact / friend, mention that without sounding like an obnoxious name-dropper. |
| | 253 | * If via a job board / agency, add details about why this opportunity got you excited and fits your skill / experience. |
| | 254 | |
| | 255 | ==== 18. Why do you want to work at this company? |
| | 256 | //Have you been following us for a long time, or have you just read about us?// |
| | 257 | |
| | 258 | **Tactic**: Show that you are familiar with the company's regular outputs, not just its "About Us" page. |
| | 259 | |
| | 260 | * It's about showing that you want to commit to that company, and it's not just a job. |
| | 261 | * Do research and tailor your answer accordingly. |
| | 262 | * If the interviewer is your boss, and then focus on your personal contribution. |
| | 263 | |
| | 264 | ==== 19. What motivates you? |
| | 265 | //Will this job, specifically, motivate you to do great work? Are you in it for just a paycheck? // |
| | 266 | |
| | 267 | **Tactic**: Put all that preparation you did to good use. |
| | 268 | |
| | 269 | * Show how this job has intrinsic motivation for you and that you'll enjoy it in some way. |
| | 270 | * Avoid excessive flattery, trivial motivations (e.g. Shorter commute) and the appearance of random chance. |
| | 271 | * When talking about career oxidation, emphasize a rational progression from job to job - a coherent career story. |
| | 272 | * A thoughtful answer lays out how your personal motivations and the specific characteristics of the job line up. |
| | 273 | |
| | 274 | ==== 20. Would you stay with your current employer if they offered you a pay raise? |
| | 275 | //Doyou what the job or not? Am I being played off against your current boss? // |
| | 276 | |
| | 277 | **Tactic**: There would be no dilemma; you want progress much more than you want money. |
| | 278 | |
| | 279 | ==== 21. Would you be OK with the commute to this job? |
| | 280 | //Nobody likes a long commute; you know other candidates live closer than you, right? // |
| | 281 | |
| | 282 | **Tactic**: If you're not prepared to move, say so. And if you genuinely don't mind the commute say that too - and don't wait to be asked. |
| | 283 | |
| | 284 | ==== 22. How does this job fit in with your career plan? |
| | 285 | //How much do you really want to solve your immediate problem? What about after that?// |
| | 286 | |
| | 287 | **Tactic**: Interview for the job, not the employer. |
| | 288 | |
| | 289 | * The message you want to get across is, "I plan to do this job well enough that you'll tell me where you want me next." |
| | 290 | * The question tests your commitment to the employer's immediate problem. |
| | 291 | * Focus on the job at hand, not the next step in your career. |
| | 292 | |
| | 293 | ==== 23. Give me the names of three companies you would like to work for. |
| | 294 | //We want you here - buy will you love it here? Do you understand the competitive terrain?// |
| | 295 | |
| | 296 | **Tactic**: Use your research to draw distinctions between the usual suspects in your industry vs. the new kids on the block. |
| | 297 | |
| | 298 | * Talk about the (1) the hiring firm (2) the hiring firm's closest rival & (3) the upstart newcomer. |
| | 299 | * E.g. I would work for a new vertical group (Expedia, Healthvault) at Microsoft, Hotwire (if they were in Bellevue), or the east coast startup that sells custom shirts. |
| | 300 | * Talking about an upstart challenger who could turn the industry on its head will show that you're aware of what's going on in their industry. |
| | 301 | |
| | 302 | ==== 24. Where else have you applied? Who else are you interviewing with? |
| | 303 | //Is a competitor about to snap you up? // |
| | 304 | |
| | 305 | **Tactic**: Sound as though you're in demand. |
| | 306 | |
| | 307 | * Be brief, leave them wanting more information. |
| | 308 | * Mention close competitors or well-regarded firms if you can. |
| | 309 | * Talk bout similarities of the roles you've applied for - this shows that you're conducting a small, targeted search. |
| | 310 | |
| | 311 | ==== 25. Why have you changed jobs so frequently? |
| | 312 | //Will you leave this job mere months after we hire you? // |
| | 313 | |
| | 314 | **Tactic**: Explain each move in terms employers can sympathize with. |
| | 315 | |
| | 316 | * Acceptable explanations: |
| | 317 | * Short-term contract / project-oriented work. |
| | 318 | * Relocation |
| | 319 | * Career advancement |
| | 320 | * Change of employer type |
| | 321 | * Structural changes at the company |
| | 322 | |
| | 323 | ==== 26. What is your dream job? |
| | 324 | //Can we help you on your way, or is this the wrong job for you? Do you really want to work here at all? // |
| | 325 | |
| | 326 | **Tactic**: Play down the dream, play up the things your dreams are made of. |
| | 327 | |
| | 328 | * Respond in **good** humor and move on quickly. |
| | 329 | * Refer to the role by its specification, not its title. |
| | 330 | |
| | 331 | ==== 27. What is your ideal work environment? |
| | 332 | //Are your preferences compatible with how we do business here? // |
| | 333 | |
| | 334 | **Tactic**: Say that what you want is what they're offering. |
| | 335 | |
| | 336 | * Goal is to determine the fit between how you like to work and how things get done at this company. |
| | 337 | * Questions like this are really about **the company's needs** - they just **__appear__** to be about your preferences. |
| | 338 | * Choose aspects of your ideal atmosphere that match up with the company. |
| | 339 | * Skip preferences that this company cannot meet. |
| | 340 | |
| | 341 | ==== 28. Why do you want to leave your current job? |
| | 342 | //Do you know what this job is? And, to be a little paranoid, do you have some murky problem that I can't see now? Are you about to get fired? Help me out here. // |
| | 343 | |
| | 344 | **Tactic**: It's not about you. Link your answer to what the company needs. |
| | 345 | |
| | 346 | * Even if there is a negative reason for leaving, give a sincere and positive answer. |
| | 347 | * Play this from the front foot, not the back foot. |
| | 348 | * Show that you're running towards something, not away. |
| | 349 | * There are 2 skeleton answers: |
| | 350 | * In my current job I do X. You do X here too, but //this is a better place to do X//. Here's how I would do X for you. |
| | 351 | * My employer does X, //but you do Y, and Y is what I want//. You is also what I'm good at & enjoy. Here's how my resume relates to Y. |
| | 352 | * Your terrible boss was never going to solve your interviewer's problems, so why bring him into the room? |
| | 353 | |
| | 354 | ==== 29. Talk me through (the gaps in) your resume / career history. |
| | 355 | //Did you stay at home watching TV for six months? Were you in jail? Is there something wrong with your mindset? // |
| | 356 | |
| | 357 | **Tactic**: The best defense is offense use your time productively when you're out of work. If you have a gap, be prepared to explain it. |
| | 358 | |
| | 359 | * Managers would rather hire someone with **no** relevant experience that someone who has been out of work for longer than six months. |
| | 360 | * Acceptable reasons for gaps: |
| | 361 | * taking time out to raise children |
| | 362 | * caring for an ill family member. |
| | 363 | * a medical issue or accident. |
| | 364 | * education or further training. |
| | 365 | * traveling. |
| | 366 | |
| | 367 | === Character Questions |
