101 Job Interview Questions You'll Never Fear Again ¶

Author: James Reed

Review ¶

Coming Feb 1st week.

Notes ¶

3G Mindset ¶

Global (vantage point)	Good (bedrock)	Grit (fuel cell)
adaptability flexibility relationship building collaborative focus openness innovativeness	honesty trustworthiness loyalty sincerity fairness kindness	commitment accountability determination drive energy

Types of Interviewers ¶

1. Unicorn Hunter: "The perfect candidate does not exist."
   Tactic - Get them to specify competencies required and show how you meet them
2. Late-running Runaway Train: Disorganized, nervous, ill-prepared.
   Tactic - Be effusive & expansive. Talk lots.
3. Method Man / Woman: Asks all candidates same questions (competency).
   Tactics - Point our your relevant ones - twice.
4. Napolean: Show-off, talks, asks few questions.
   Tactic - Offer praise where possible, else silence.
5. Suitor: Hires attractive people.
   Tactic - Move on.
6. B Player: Likes to hire C players.
   Tactic - Highlight your strengths & achievements. You probably won't get hired.
7. Dues-payer: Defines success in terms of their career path; their path only. Doesn't like career-switchers.
   Tactic - Show how your skills are another manifestation of theirs.
8. RHINO (Really Here in Name Only): Not engaged during interview.
   Tactic - Be gracious, put on the best show you can.
9. Entrepreneur: Founder & sole owner of the company.
   Tactic - Play up work ethic, loyalty & flexibility.
10. Poker Player: A warm & genuine exterior conceals steely interior.
    Tactic - Focus on showing what you can do for them.
11. Goldilocks (Note: I didn't understand this one.): Neither too cold, nor too hot.
    Tactic - Pat yourself on the back for bringing out the best in people.

Classic Interview Questions ¶

1. Tell Me About Yourself ¶

Who do you think you are? And will you know what to leave in & what to leave out?

Tactic: Break it down, rehearse, breeze it.

• Show a logical progression or underlying theme.
• Indicate that you know exactly what you're going to say & it won't take long.
• No more than 10% personal stuff.
• What you've been up to lately, how that feeds into your skills & experience, and in turn, how skills & experience feed into this position.
• Close clearly - indicate that you're done. Don't leave it hanging.
• Can bounce around chronologically, but show logical progression.
• Can use current job title to start off with the answer.
• Avoid talking explicitly about strengths & weaknesses - this should flow from results you've achieved. Stick to achievements & passions (I'm not so sure about the passions bit).

2. Why are You Applying? ¶

What can you do that we need you to do? Do you even know what we need you to do?

Tactic: Reflect the job spec in every line of your answer. Talk about their needs before you mention your own.

• I'm applying because my skills, experience and motivation are the best fit for the job.
• Imply long term satisfaction.
• A person's values tend to be stable & enduring - so, point out that your personal values align with the firm's values.

3. What are Your Greatest Strengths? ¶

Do you really know yourself? Do you know what our problem is here?

Tactic: Answer with the job description uppermost in mind. Go easy on the adjectives & heavy on the hard data.

• Map the key requirements of the job against your best achievements to date.
• Mandatory: solve the employer's problems.
  Necessary but insufficient: be perceived as smart & professional.
• Showcase aspects that show progression & development over time.
• What was the impact of your strength in context? Who acknowledged it and how?

4. What are Your Greatest Weaknesses? ¶

Am I right in thinking X about you? Are you going to give me the same old evasive & lame answers that everybody else did, or are you going to level with me?

Tactic: Interviewer is probably seeking affirmation of predicted weaknesses, not info about new ones.

• Don't give cliched answers; don't trivialize your weaknesses.
• Stick to weaknesses that are apparent, don't introduce a new monster-under-the-bed that the interviewer hasn't spotted.
• Be clear that you know your weaknesses & that they don't perturb you.
• Show evidence that you're working on your weaknesses.
• If possible, directly reference your key performance indicators (KPIs) - make it a less important KPI.

5. What will Your Skills & Ideas Bring to this Company? ¶

What will be buying from you?

Tactic: Appear generous, no one wants a miser.

• Be open & enthusiastic about your ideas, even if they're not a perfect match - your errors will be attributed to your outsider status, insufficient info / context.
• Present ideas in terms of work executed personally.

6. What's Your Preferred Management Style? ¶

Are you and I going to get along?

Tactic: Aim to be the boss & subordinate you always wanted for yourself.

• Show that you can work under your own steam, but also that you know there's a hierarchy.
• Bosses want to provide course correction, not spell out details.
• Show you can take both good & bad news gracefully.
• Show that you can give out bad news with respect & humility.
• Show you can give off good energy to enthuse troops.
• May help to talk about key experiences as a subordinate or manager w.r.t. conflicts, success, goal setting & staff performance.

7. Where do You See Yourself in Five Years' Time? ¶

Are you after this job or just any job? How soon will you need a new challenge? Do you have a realistic sense of what we can offer you?

Tactic: If you don't know, calmly say so, as if now knowing were the most natural thing in the world - because it is.