CHAPTER 14 (27-100)

How should you respond if an interviewer asks, Why should we hire you when other applicants have better credentials?

• Admit that you are less qualified, but stress you can be paid less than more experienced applicants.

• Describe how you are correcting one of your most significant weaknesses to display your strong work ethic and determination.

• Confidently explain your strengths such as your openness to new ideas and knowledge of the latest methods and equipment.

• Since it is clear that you will not get this job offer, do not answer this question.

When the interviewer asks you questions about the future, you should provide answers that _______.

• show ambition and interest in succeeding with the company

• are vague because no one can predict the future

• indicate that you want the interviewer's job

• focus on your needs

Which of these is an effective response to the question, What do you think is your greatest weakness?

• One of my long-term goals is to learn more about accounting, so I signed up for a course.

• To tell the truth, I become frustrated with lazy coworkers who don't pull their own weight.

• My typing speed isn't as fast as I would like, but this position doesn't require me to use the computer.

• I've worked hard to eliminate every weakness, and I am confident you will find me the perfect employee for this position.

Which of the following is an effective answer to the question, What type of people do you have no patience for?

• I hate working with people who talk too much--it exhausts me.

• I get along with everyone.

• I consider myself a strong team player and usually can get along with anyone, but I get easily irritated by people who don't accept responsibility.

• I don't like working with people who are different from me.

Which of the following is an example of a situational question?

• If you were aware that a coworker submitted false data, what would you do?

• What is your ideal work environment?

• What do you predict for the future of our industry?

• Tell me about a time when you dealt with confidential information.

Which of the following is an example of a behavioral interview question?

• Who in your life has most inspired you and why?

• An irate customer is demanding her money back. How would you handle the situation?

• Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult problem.

• What is your greatest strength?

When the interviewer says Describe a time when you worked successfully as a member of a team, your correct response will be to _______.

• reply that you have been a member of so many successful teams that no particular instance stands out

• say that you not only enjoy teamwork, especially problem-solving groups, but also work well independently

• tell a success story about a specific group project, your contributions, and the results

• list the names of all work teams on which you participated and stress that all were successful

In which part of the STAR technique for answering behavioral interview questions should you focus on yourself (rather than a group or team)?

• Situation

• Task

• Action

• Results

What is the correct way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview?

• If you find the question harmless and you want the job, go ahead and answer it.

• Confront the interviewer about the illegal nature of the question.

• Storm out of the room in anger; after all, you wouldn't work for a company with such low ethics.

• Refuse to answer the question because it is your legal right to do so.

Which of the following is a legal interview question?

• Are you married?

• Are you a U.S. citizen?

• Do you have any disabilities?

• Are you authorized to work in the United States?