Interview Q&A Flashcards
What are your weaknesses?
Probably the most notable weakness is that I don’t have much experience. Other than that, though, I can sometimes spend too much time on things trying to get them perfect when just getting them done and out of the way would be better in the long run. I can be obsessive like that. An example is when I write a paper for school - I spend so much time rewriting and rewording when it’s not necessary. Just realising that I do that has helped, though.
Tell me about yourself.
My name is Josh. I go to college part time, and I’ve been able to maintain A’s and B’s the entire time I’ve been there, so I consider myself hard working. Several of my classes have been online, so I am self-motivated as well. I don’t have a lot of job experience, but in the past I’ve worked as a babysitter, and I believe the patience you need to work with children will serve me when helping customers.
What are your strengths?
I believe I have a few. I’m a team player, I work well alone or as a member of a team. At school I’ve been able to maintain a good quality of work whether I was on a team or by myself, so I’m flexible that way. A few of my classes have been online, so I’m self motivated as well. I’m also a quick learner, so you rarely have to show me how to do things twice.
Why are you interested in working for [insert company here]?
Based on my research, I’ve been impressed with this company’s commitment to serving customers and giving them the best value for their money. That is something that aligns with my personal passion, which is taking care of others and doing what I can to make their lives better. [Optional: It’s an establishment that I’ve frequented myself and I’ve always been impressed with the products and services, etc]
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
I wouldn’t say that I have a concrete plan. I know I want to advance and move up within a company that helps people and contributes and gives back to the community. But I don’t know what position that will ultimately lead me to exactly
Why is there a gap in your employment?
I understand that I don’t have experience, and that’s largely because for the past couple of years I’ve been focusing more on education than on career. I finished high school and then very quickly moved on to undergraduate classes at a local community college, so that’s where a lot of my energy has been focused.
What do you know about us?
(Google the employer.)
What can you offer us that someone else can’t/Why should we hire you?
I’m eager to listen and take directions, and I have the determination to do the job as well as I possibly can. I’m a quick learner, I’m self motivated. I believe I’ll be able to learn and effectively implement anything you ask me to do without much trouble. I’m also reliable, I always make it a point to show up on time.
Tell me about a mistake you made.
That’s a tough one. While I can’t think of a particular mistake off the top of my head, I know that they’re bound to happen. I make it a point to learn from everything and not make the same mistake twice.
What is your dream job?
Ultimately, I would like to be in a position that serves others and makes their day/life better in some way. So my dream job really is to work with a company that shares those same values.
How did you hear about this position?
I heard about this position online, at…
Why are you looking for a job?
It’s kind of the next logical step for me at this point in time. I’m evolving and changing and trying to grow as a person, and I feel working with and serving others is a big part of that process for me.
How would you deal with an angry or irate customer?
I believe it’s important to remain calm even if they’re very angry, and try to help them from a place of being calm. They’re not angry at me personally. So I would let them vent and then do what I could to help them out, or find someone who could help them.
Give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a project.
Well, honestly, I never do anything half way. And, actually, that can sometimes be a weakness, especially in school. I often spend so much time writing a paper that I can’t spend as much time as I would like to on other projects. I’m working on managing my time spent on those projects by using calendars and timers. But I would say that’s how I’ve gone above and beyond in the past.
What was your biggest failure?
I don’t know if it’s my biggest, but right off the top of my head I can think of the first time I took a road test to get my driving license. Everything was going really well until we got to parallel parking. I failed big time when I rolled onto the curb. I felt so bad about it that parallel parking was the only thing I could think of until my next test. I practiced parking for hours upon hours to get it down.
