Interview Questions Answered Flashcards
Lesson 1 - Tell me about yourself
SUMMARY OF TIPS:
Your Goal: To prove to the interviewer that you have the skills and experience to be the ideal or perfect candidate for the job
! Keep the answer short at about two minutes.
! Focus on work-related skills and accomplishments, not personal information.
! Tell the interviewer why you think your work-related skills and accomplishments would be an asset to the company.
! Describe your education or work history very briefly.
! Tell the interviewer about things you have done and jobs you have had related to the position you are interviewing for.
! Mention one or two personal characteristics that have helped you accomplish your goals, giving short examples to illustrate.
SAMPLE ANSWERS
Sample Answer 1:
I have always enjoyed working with computers, so it was an easy decision to major in computer science at California University with a plan to enter the IT field. In school, I excelled in my computer-related classes and during my college years, I became particularly interested in software development, especially software that would help consumers. That’s why I applied for and completed a one-year internship with Lotadoe Industries. At Lotadoe, I learned how to formulate new ideas for software and how to communicate those ideas
effectively to the rest of the development team.
I am a very focused person and I tend to be product-oriented. At Lotadoe, I made sure that whatever projects I worked on, I saw to completion. For instance, I worked with a team that was developing a new version of a piece of popular software called Rototype. I asked to be part of every step of software development and at the end of the project, I was given the responsibility of
getting final technical approval. I made sure that I followed through with the right departments, keeping my team informed of the progress. This is the type of work I enjoy and that’s why I applied for a position with your company.
Your company is a leader in software development and is in the forefront of new ideas in the field. I think that the products your company has developed in the past several years have been outstanding and are the best on the market. I want to work in a company where I can be challenged and where I can make a contribution. I would very much enjoy working in your company to develop new software and to improve existing ones.
Sample Answer 2:
I have worked successfully in sales for over 10 years. One of my first sales jobs was in college, where I majored in business. I worked for the college newspaper
selling advertising space, and as an extrovert who likes interacting with people, I was very successful in the job. What also helped me sell more than any other salesperson was my persistence. I was willing to follow up with a potential client over weeks and even months, developing a relationship with them until they were
ready to make a deal with us.
I’m currently working as a sales rep for the Michmuney Company. I have been their top salesperson for the past two years. Last year, I sold over $3 million worth of products.
Now, I’m ready for a new challenge. I want to work in public relations because it is an area where I can use my creativity together with my knowledge of advertising and sales. I have a proven ability to work well with people and I can develop good long-term relationships with clients. I want to work for your company in particular because you work primarily with Internet-based
companies, which is an area that is growing at the rate of 40% a year. This makes your company a leader in the industry and I’d like to be part of that.
GLOSSARY
to major in – to study something as one’s main subject area in a college or university
* He’s majoring in business and German because he wants to work for an international business based in Berlin.
to enter a field – to begin to work in a specific industry or field
* She wants to enter the field of medicine and is taking a lot of biology courses and volunteering at the hospital.
to excel – to do very well; to be very good; to receive excellent grades
* She excels in her foreign language courses and her professors have recommended that she become a translator.
internship – a short-term position with a company that allows a student to get work experience in his or her chosen field
* Jacob did so well in his internship that the company offered him a job when he graduated the following year.
to formulate – to think of something; to create something step by step
* Many organizations are trying to formulate a plan to reduce poverty in developing countries.
effectively – in a way that achieves a goal quickly and thoroughly, using the least amount of resources possible
* If we want to manage this business more effectively, we have to find a way to reduce our costs.
to be focused – to be concentrated; with clear goals; not easily distracted
* She is very focused on becoming an actress. She’s always taking acting classes and going to the theater.
product-oriented – thinking about products; focused on products; being most concerned about the results of the work
* Sometimes Henry gets so interested in the day-to-day work that he forgets what we are trying to create. I wish he were more product-oriented.
to see (something) to completion – to make sure that a project gets finished; to be involved in all stages of a project, from start to finish
* Even though Abdullah was excited about his promotion, he was disappointed because it meant that he wouldn’t be able to see his old project to completion.
to follow through – to finish what one has started
* After sending my resume to a company, I always follow through by calling to request an interview.
forefront – the leading position in an industry or field
* His ideas are at the forefront of cancer research and many people believe he will find a cure soon.
to be challenged – to be presented with difficult, interesting tasks that require using one’s skills and abilities
* I don’t like working as a receptionist. I want to be challenged, but all I do is answer the phones all day.
contribution – something that one does or gives to help a project, organization, or society
* He received an award in honor of his contributions to world peace.
extrovert – an outgoing person who enjoys spending time with other people; not shy
* My sister is an extrovert and is always going out with her friends, but I prefer to spend most of my time alone.
persistence – determination; willingness to continue trying to do something even when it is difficult; never giving up
* That author’s persistence is amazing. Even though 30 publishers have rejected her novel, she’s still trying to find a publisher.
top – best; highest-ranking
* Selecting the top five candidates for interviews was difficult, because they had received more than 100 applications for the position.
creativity – ability to think of new, unique ideas; ability to create something new
* The company wants to hire a graphic designer with a lot of creativity who can make its website better than it is now.
proven – tested; shown to be true; having evidence that something is real
* According to this article, it is a proven fact that people lose weight when they eat more fruits and vegetables.
in particular – especially; specifically; particularly
* I hope that all of my friends come to the party, but in particular, I hope that Jason comes because I haven’t seen him for months.
Lesson 2 - Why did you leave your last job? / Why are you looking for a new job?
SUMMARY OF TIPS:
Your Goal: To minimize any problems and to show that you had positive reasons for leaving previous positions
! Mention positive reasons for leaving.
! Never criticize supervisors, co-workers, or the company/organization.
! Don’t mention major problems with management.
! Tell the interviewer about any neutral reasons for leaving.
! Stay positive no matter how bad the situation you are leaving may be.
! Use the right words so you don’t sound self-serving. Instead of saying “I left to seek better opportunities” say “I’m looking for a situation which will use more of my skills and experience.”
! Avoid sounding like a “job hopper.”
! Turn this into an opportunity to tell the interviewer about your skills and abilities, if possible.
! Keep your explanation short or the interviewer may think you’re making excuses.
SAMPLE ANSWERS
Sample Answer 1:
I’ve been with Lotadoe for over five years and I’ve enjoyed working there. I learned a lot about software development and how to work effectively with my
colleagues.
About two years ago, I began getting interested in other aspects of design and started learning about new ways that the field is creating and developing new designs. I completed training that qualifies me to oversee other types of projects than the ones I work on now at Lotadoe. That’s why I’m now looking for a company that will allow me to more fully utilize my new skills and where I can take on new challenges. What I see in this position is also the opportunity for growth and advancement. I think that my current skills and abilities are a good
match with the current needs of this company.
Sample Answer 2:
The primary reason I left Michmuney Company was because the company went through a restructuring and my position was eliminated. Up to that point, however, I had a very good track record and received positive employee evaluations each of the three years I worked there.
Leaving Michmuney actually allowed me to make a career change that I had been thinking about for some time and that is more aligned with my career goals. Although I’ve worked successfully in sales for the past several years, my education and my interests are more closely related to marketing. I’d like to find a position that would allow me to use my knowledge and skills to do challenging work. This position would also give me more responsibility than I had at my last company and more promotion opportunities. I think that my skills and abilities
are a good match for this job.
GLOSSARY
colleague – co-worker; the people one works with
* Tam often brings home-baked cookies to work to share with his colleagues.
training – opportunities to learn new skills or improve old skills to do one’s job better.
* Susan has excellent spreadsheet skills, so her boss asked her to organize a training to teach the other people in the office.
to qualify – to meet a minimum level of skills or abilities to a job
* Jack is the most qualified to do the job, because he has 15 years of experience in this area.
to oversee – to supervise; to have responsibility for a project or for someone else’s work
* Nobu is overseeing textbook sales to high schools in the western region of the United States.
to more fully – to better; to more thoroughly
* Roger speaks four languages, but in his current job he only needs to know English. He’d like to find a new job that would more fully use his talents.
to utilize – to use
* We didn’t utilize all the funds that were available for the project, so now we have extra money for the next project.
growth – personal or professional development; becoming better
* Her plans for professional growth this year include taking a computer class and learning how to type more quickly.
advancement – promotion; working in higher-ranking positions
* Her advancement through the company was incredible! She began as a mail clerk, but just two years later, she’s the vice-president of sales.
a good match – complementary; suitable; something that combines well
* Juan and Marita are a good match. They go to the same church, they like the same kinds of activities, and they both want to have a lot of children.
needs – the things that a person or a company requires; the things that a person or company doesn’t have right now
* Parents know that teenagers have different needs for privacy than younger children do.
restructuring – a period of time when a company is reorganizing within the company, usually to become more efficient
* When the employees heard that their company was going to go through a restructuring, they all became very worried about keeping their jobs.
to eliminate – to get rid of; to remove; to destroy
* I’ve heard that eating nothing but fruit for three days will eliminate bad chemicals from the human body, but I’m not sure I believe it.
up to that point – until then; prior to that moment; before that point in time
* When Kathy’s father died, she became very depressed. Up to that point, however, she had always been a very happy child.
track record – one’s history of doing something well or poorly
* He has an excellent track record for getting his projects done on time.
employee evaluation – a written assessment or official opinion of an employee’s performance in a job
* Employee evaluations are often used to determine whether employees should receive raises.
career change – to switch from a career in one field to a career in another field
* After years of working as an economic analyst, Greg decided that he would like to make a career change and become an economics professor at the university.
to be aligned – to be in line with; to be in a correct position in relation to something else
* These products weren’t aligned with what customers were looking for, so the company stopped making it.
career goals – what one wants to do professionally; what one wants to do professionally in the future
* I know you want to be a doctor, but what are your specific career goals? Do you want to have your own office, work for a hospital, or do medical research?
responsibility – the duty and expectation to take care of someone or something
* Mailing the invitations was your responsibility. I can’t believe you forgo to take them to the post office.
promotion opportunity – opportunity for advancement; opportunity to begin working in a higher-ranking position
* Five managers quit in one week, and suddenly, there were a lot of promotion opportunities for everyone who had been working under them.
Lesson 3 - Why do you want to work here?
SUMMARY OF TIPS:
Your Goal: To show that you know a lot about the company and that your qualifications match the company’s needs
! Find out all you can about the company, including the department where you would work and the people you would work for.
! Research the company’s products or services and the positive things it has done for the community or society.
! Be familiar with the company’s mission statement and core values.
! For large U.S. companies, look for information about the company through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or the Better Business Bureau, in addition to the “About Us” section on the company’s own website.
! Don’t make the answer all about you. Focus on the positive things about the company, including its reputation in the industry.
! Tell the interviewer how your qualifications meets a need in their company.
! Show the interviewer that you are being selective about where you want to work and are not willing to take just any job offered to you.
Sample Answer 1:
This company is an industry leader and is at the forefront of exciting new developments in this field. Its mission to change the way consumers get and send information is, I believe, where the biggest areas of growth are in the
industry. Based on the company’s financials and its general performance in the past year, Lotadoe is poised to take over as one of the top suppliers of online service in the world. I have read about the company’s many future projects that are designed to move the company forward toward achieving its mission. I want to be part of this company because I believe I can be part of that
growth.
In the past several years, I have led a number of innovative projects along the same lines as the current direction of this company. By doing this, I was able to
help my current company get a foothold in the market. I’m confident that I can bring my proven skills in management, development, and technology to succeed
in your organization.
Sample Answer 2:
There are several reasons why I want to work for this company. First, I was impressed with the backgrounds of the founders and their vision for this company. Their innovative thinking is, I believe, in line with the best thinking in the field right now. Your company also has one of the best reputations in the industry for innovative thinking and taking serious corporate responsibility for
making a difference in the local communities.
As I learned more about the company and its growth potential, it became clear to me that I may be able to make a significant contribution to its goals. Since I
have been working for the past five years as a successful marketing strategist, I believe I can bring those skills and the knowledge I’ve gained to help the
organization reach its mission to become an industry leader.
I am now looking for a new challenge where I can take my proven skills and apply them to new situations, as well as learning new techniques to continue my own development. This is the company I’ve been looking for, a place where my background, experience, and skills can be put to use to make things happen.
GLOSSARY
industry leader – a company that is the best (strongest and wealthiest) in its industry
* Do you think that Microsoft will still be the industry leader for computer software 20 years from now?
at the forefront of – in the leading or first position in an industry or field
* This medical research company is at the forefront of the race to find a cure for AIDS.
mission – purpose; one sentence that summarizes why a company or organization exists.
* The mission of this organization is to make low-cost housing available for the largest number of people in the country.
growth – increase or expansion
* Recently, there has been a large growth in the world’s demand for oil.
financials – a company’s financial statements or financial performance; the numbers showing what the company spends and earns
* She always studies an organization’s financials before she donates her money.
performance – how well or how poorly an organization, company, or person does something
* No one wants to invest in that company because of its poor performance last year.
to be poised to – to be in a position to do something; to be ready to do something
* The swimmer was poised to jump into the pool when those three children got in and started playing in the water.
innovative – new, unique, and creative
* They received the Nobel Prize in Mathematics for their innovative ideas.
along the same lines as – similar to; related to
* Her new book is along the same lines as her previous one. The characters are different, but they face the same problems.
foothold – a hold on something; a position in an industry or field; a place to enter something
* When the soccer team’s star player broke his leg, the team lost its foothold in the competition.
to be impressed – to have a favorable impression; to be pleasantly surprised
* Weren’t you impressed with his resume? He went to the best schools in the country and he has been published in ten academic journals.
founder – a person who starts something, usually an organization, school, or company
* The university’s library is named after the university’s founder.
vision – an idea or picture in one’s mind about what one wants for the future
* I think that we all agree on the organization’s vision: to create a world without hunger or poverty.
in line with – compatible with; similar to; the same as; like
* Their noisy conversations aren’t in line with what I would expect to hear from librarians during work hours.
reputation – how a company or a person is perceived (seen) by others
* The politician’s reputation was damaged when the newspapers announced that he had stolen money from the city.
corporate responsibility – a company’s duty to make positive contributions to the local community
* Shannon manages the company’s corporate responsibility programs, encouraging employees to volunteer and donating money to local schools.
growth potential – a company’s or a person’s opportunity or ability to expand and develop in the future
* The computer industry has huge growth potential because almost everyone wants to buy a newer, faster, and better computer every few years.
to put (something) to use – to use something; to be able to use something for a purpose
* She loves cooking, painting, and finance, and she would like to put her interests to use in one job, but she hasn’t found anything yet.
Lesson 4 - Where do you see yourself in five years?
SUMMARY OF TIPS:
Your Goal: To assure the interviewer that if the company hires you, you will continue working for them, and that you have given careful thought to your future career plans
! Reassure the interviewer that you are not a “job hopper” by telling the interviewer that you plan to stay and grow with the company.
! Research the company to find out the logical next positions to move up in the company.
! If there is more than one direction you can move in to move up in the organization, name these paths and talk about your options depending on your future interests and performance, and the company’s needs.
! Show that you are motivated and have definite plans about doing more in the company.
! Avoid naming a specific job or position or you will seem too narrow or inflexible.
! Do not talk about personal goals or plans.
! Questions about marriage, babies, and childcare are illegal, but if you don’t plan to make any big personal life changes soon, you can volunteer that information.
Sample Answer 1:
My goal is that in five years, I will be working in a managerial position in this company. I see the next few years here at Lotadoe as an opportunity to gain the
skills and knowledge to run one of the departments in this company. One of the reasons I am applying for this position is that this is a large company with a lot of
opportunities for advancement. If I continue working in the department where this position is, I hope to be a senior manager with a hand in shaping the strategic plans for development in this area of technology. Another possibility in five years is to transfer to one of the regional offices, where I would oversee local operations.
Ultimately, the direction I would take in this company depends on many factors, such as the changing priorities of the market, the expertise I will have gained at the end of the five years, and the changing needs of the company. I have worn different hats in the company I’m working for now, and my flexibility has allowed me fill the needs of that company. I hope to have even more
opportunities to learn and advance here at Lotadoe, and to contribute to its future growth.
Sample Answer 2:
At the end of five years, I intend to be a leading expert in the field of marketing, working with some of the largest accounts in the country. That’s why I want to work for Michmuney. As a leader in the industry, Michmuney has the resources, talent, and the vision to be the best in the business.
Working for this company is an ambition for many people in this field, and I’m no different. If I’m hired, I plan to cultivate new accounts in industries that
Michmuney has not yet explored, including the automotive and healthcare fields. By doing this, I hope to break new ground for this company and to expand its
influence in the marketplace.
I see being here at this company long term, not only to continue to build my expertise, but to influence the direction that this company will take in the next ten
years. I could do this in any number of official roles in the company, such as managing a region or heading one of the main offices.
I’ve had the opportunity to work all over the country, but I consider this city my home. Working with Michmuney would allow me to come back to my hometown,
where I’d plan to stay for a long time. I can’t think of a better place to call my new professional home than Michmuney.
GLOSSARY
managerial – related to a manager or management; related to a high-ranking supervisory position within a company
* All of the managerial offices have windows, but the rest of us have to work in the central part of the building.
to run (something) – to manage something; to be in charge of something; to be responsible for a project or program
* Since Beatrice started running the department, sales have doubled.
senior – high-ranking; superior; someone who has worked in an organization for a longer period of time than the other employees
* This company has seven senior vice-presidents and one president. That’s a lot of management staff!
to shape (something) – to develop something; to have influence over how something is made or done
* That company’s robots are shaping the future of how cars are made.
strategic – ideas and ways for achieving a long-term goal or purpose
* The board of directors is looking for strategic projects that will make the company better than its competitors.
to transfer – to begin working in a different office or department within the same company
* Timothy’s family was angry when his company transferred him to the office in Los Angeles because they didn’t want to move to California.
regional – relating to one place, area, or region of a company’s business; not national
* Denise is responsible for regional sales in the southern United States.
operations – the activity and work that is done in an office or by a company
* What do you think of the company’s decision to move its call center operations overseas, where labor is cheaper?
ultimately – in the end; eventually
* Whether I can afford to study for a master’s degree will depend ultimately on whether I receive a good scholarship.
priority – something that is more or less important than something else
* Lily’s top priority is to find an interesting job. In her opinion, the location and the salary are less important.
expertise – specialized knowledge and experience about something
* How did you gain your expertise in finance? Was it by studying finance at the university, or by reading articles and working in the finance industry?
to wear different hats – to work in many different positions; to do different types of jobs; to have many different types of duties
* Melanie is a mother, a wife, a performer, and a volunteer. She wears so many different hats!
flexibility – willingness and ability to adapt to change
* His manager was impressed by his flexibility during the company’s recent reorganization. No matter what they asked him to do, he did it without complaining.
leading expert – the most knowledgeable person in a field or industry
* This textbook was written by the nation’s leading expert on chemistry.
ambition – a desire to achieve something; a professional desire for something; wanting to have or to be something
* Her greatest ambition is to write a best-selling book.
to cultivate – to care for something so that it develops and grows; to try to get someone to like you or to think of you favorably
* Finding new customers is important, but cultivating relationships with old customers is the key to maintaining high sales.
to break new ground – to expand into a new field or area; to try something new
* The company broke new ground when it developed a car that ran on solar energy.
long term – for a long time; not temporary
* In the short term, going to school at night while working full-time is very stressful, but in the long term, it’ll improve my chances of making more money.
role – position; function; job
* In his role as the committee chairman, Terry is responsible for coordinating meetings and leading the team’s discussions.
Lesson 5 - What are your strengths?
SUMMARY OF TIPS:
Your Goal: To show how your strengths match the needs of the job
! Know your strengths in three categories:
“ Knowledge-based skills – These are skills developed through education and experience, such as computer skills, university degrees, languages you speak, and technical ability.
“ Transferable Skills – These are skills that you can take from one job to another, such as being able to manage people well, being good at solving complex problems, being good at planning, and being a good communicator.
“ Personal Traits – These are qualities about you are a person, such as being dependable, being hard working, being flexible, and being outgoing.
! Review with the interviewer your strengths, which are already noted in your resume and cover letter.
! Give specific evidence or examples of how your strengths have helped you in the past.
Sample Answer 1:
As you can see from my resume, I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity to complete training to develop technical knowledge in this field. Now I’m considered an expert in the technologies that my current company is working on. Last year, when the company decided to expand in this area, the management selected me to head the new project.
To head this team effectively, I used my planning skills to make sure that the team was on task and on time, at all times. My management skills came in handy to get the most out of each person on the team. For instance, two of the team members came from competing departments. I work with both of them closely and entrusted them with the most important part of the project. This way, I was able to develop trust between these two team members. This resulted in producing excellent work, while forming one of the most sought-after partnerships in the company.
Because this was a new initiative, the nature of the job changed as the project developed. Another one of my strengths is that I’m flexible and I’m able to handle change in the company or in my job responsibilities. When I started on this project, we had four team members. By the end, we had 16. That means that I needed to go from working one-on-one with each team member to having to delegate responsibility as the project grew. This was possible because of the trust I had built up within the team and my ability to shift gears when the project changed over time.
Sample Answer 2:
One of my biggest strengths is my communication skills. In my current job, I work with people from all over the world and many different backgrounds. I’m able to understand that everyone has different perspectives about projects and work tasks.
One of our most recent hires comes from a developing country. It’s very tempting when talking about the latest technological developments to dismiss or at least ignore her perspective. However, as the head of the department, it was clear to me that this new employee brought a fresh perspective on why we needed to consider different options when deciding on the type of technology to adopt. Through hard work and determination, I was able to get the rest of the department to make important changes that moved us in the same direction as the project.
I was fortunate that I was able to develop these analytical skills when I was an undergraduate student at McQuillan University. The program I was in used case-based teaching so that we worked on solving real-life problems under real-life conditions. I graduated at the top of my class, and now, I make use of the skills I learned there everyday.
Other strengths: ! I have a positive attitude. ! I’m dependable and punctual. ! I’m able to prioritize. ! I believe in myself and have self-confidence. ! I’m able to handle failures and learn from my mistakes. ! I’m a team player. ! I have good interpersonal skills.
GLOSSARY
to take advantage of (something) – to use an opportunity as much as possible to one’s benefit
* Carlotta took advantage of the company’s free computer classes to train as a website designer.
planning skills – ability to plan; ability to make arrangements for events or projects in an organized way
* A wedding coordinator must have good planning skills to manage all of the small details for a successful event.
management skills – ability to manage; ability to control and guide a business, project, or team
* Thanks to his strong management skills, Jorge was able to save the project from failure.
to get the most – to get as much as possible; to get the maximum
* I think Michael got the most out of his study-abroad experience because he tried very hard to learn the language and to spend time with his host family.
sought-after – desired; wanted; something that others would like to have
* After many years of trying, he was finally able to get a bottle of the most sought-after wine from France.
to delegate – to give responsibility to someone else; to give someone else responsibility for something
* One person couldn’t do everything, so Yvonne delegated the sales calls to Roger and the billing to Nora.
to shift gears – to quickly and smoothly move from doing one thing to doing another
* They thought the investor wanted to hear about the company’s history, but when they realized that he wanted to hear about their current projects, they
shifted gears and changed their presentation.
communication skills – ability to communicate; ability to write, speak, and present ideas clearly
* He is brilliant but his communication skills are horrible, so it is difficult for him to share his ideas with others.
hard work – strong physical or mental effort needed to do something
* Moving to a new house is hard work! It’s difficult to pack boxes and carry furniture all day.
determination – a mental decision to continue to do something that is difficult or frustrating
* We were amazed by the little boy’s determination to learn how to ride a bicycle. Even though he fell off of the bike over and over again, he never stopped trying.
analytical skills – ability to analyze something; ability to examine and understand something
* A financial analyst uses his or her analytical skills to understand a company’s past performance and likely future performance.
top of (one’s) class – the highest-ranking graduate of a school or program; the graduating student with the best grades
* Tracy received all A’s in high school and graduated at the top of her class. Naturally, she was accepted at several very good universities.
attitude – outlook; approach to life; the way that one thinks, feels, and behaves toward something else
* I don’t like spending time with Gina because her negative attitude about everything always makes me feel depressed.
punctual – on time; not late
* Why can’t you be more punctual? I have been waiting here for you for more than 40 minutes!
to prioritize – to put things in order of importance; to identify which things are more important than others
* Roland always prioritizes his wife and children over his work. He never works late at night because he wants to eat dinner with his family.
self-confidence – a belief in one’s own ability to succeed
* When I was at the school meeting, parents were told to praise their children to increase their self-confidence by saying, “Great work!” and “You’re a really good
soccer player!”
team player – someone who works well with a group of people; someone good at sharing responsibility and work with others
* Tara is a good team player. She always supports the other people in her team and is willing to do extra work when needed.
interpersonal skills – ability to work well with other people; ability to interact well with other people
* Doctors need to have good interpersonal skills because it’s important that their patients feel comfortable talking to them.
Lesson 6 -
SUMMARY OF TIPS:
Your Goal: To name weaknesses that can be improved on and that may be an asset in the right circumstances
! Don’t try to present a strength as a weakness, such as being a workaholic or being too detail-oriented.
! Keep the weakness a small one.
! Show how you are working to improve on your weakness.
! Give specific evidence or examples of how you’re working to overcome your weakness.
Some options:
! Tell the interviewer about a weakness you have already overcome.
! Tell the interviewer about a mistake you made in the past to show that you can learn from your mistakes.
! Tell the interviewer about a weakness that does not relate to the duties of this job.
Sample Answer 1:
A weakness that I have is that I don’t like to do public speaking and I get nervous when I have to give a presentation or a speech in front of other people. I
realize that I won’t need to do any public speaking in this job right now, but I want to overcome this fear so that when the time comes, I’ll be prepared. It’s important to me to identify any shortcomings that may affect my job
performance or career advancement opportunities, and to do something about them.
To combat my fear of public speaking, I took a public speaking class at Litton College a few months ago, and after I finished the course, I joined a Toastmaster club. I have been going to the club meetings regularly where I give speeches in front of other members and I get constructive criticism about my performance.
I can say that in the past five months, I have become a better and more confident speaker. I think, however, I can be even better, and that’s why I’ve continued to attend meetings and to look for opportunities to put into practice what I’ve learned. I’m confident that in a very short time, I’ll be an even better and more effective speaker and presenter.
Sample Answer 2:
When I started my first job, I had trouble with procrastination. Even though I never missed a deadline, I found that procrastinating put me under unnecessary
stress, and this hurt my enjoyment of the job. Fortunately, I realized the problem fairly quickly and did something about it.
The first thing I did was to talk to my colleagues about how they managed their time effectively. I learned that many of them used project management software,
which I also began to use. This type of program allowed me to set deadlines and benchmarks for the different tasks I had to do, and gave me reminders about how far along I should be on a given task. This helped with my planning and has made me more organized overall. Now, I use this type of planning for all of my major job tasks, and procrastination is no longer a problem for me.
Other weaknesses and remedies:
! I sometimes lose patience when I attend long meetings. What I do now is I prepare myself mentally before each meeting to expect a certain amount of discussion. Setting that expectation in my mind helps me to be more patient and to be a better listener.
! Sometimes when I’m working on a big project, I focus too much on the details. So now, I always spend a few minutes at the end of each day sitting back and thinking about the general scope of my work. It forces me to keep priorities straight and helps me keep the right mindset.
! I used to have some problems with organization. Now, I keep a schedule book with me at all times throughout the day and that keeps me on track.
GLOSSARY
public speaking – speaking in front of an audience; giving a speech or a presentation
* When I was in college, I took a public speaking course so that I could learn to be more comfortable in front of an audience.
to overcome – to deal with or control something so that it is no longer a problem
* Becky wants to start traveling for work, but first she will have to overcome her fear of flying.
when the time comes – when something happens; at the appropriate time; at the right time
* Rosie has been saving her money for years, so when the time comes to buy a house, she will have enough money in the bank.
to identify – to recognize something or someone; to select the right thing or person
* Chuck pays a lot of attention to detail and he’s very good at identifying small mistakes in other people’s writing.
shortcoming – something about oneself that isn’t as good as it should be; something that is lacking in one’s abilities or experience; a fault; a defect
* One of her greatest shortcoming is that she’s always late. I don’t understand why she can’t get to meetings on time.
to combat – to fight and win; to overcome
* The United Nations has programs that are working to combat world hunger.
constructive criticism – negative feedback (comments) about one’s performance that is intended to help someone improve
* Can you please give me some constructive criticism about this design? Please don’t just say that “it’s fine,” because I want to know your honest opinion.
confident – believing that one can do something; convinced that one can do something
* During an interview, it is very important to be confident and let the interviewer know that you are the best candidate for the job.
to put into practice – to use information or knowledge in a real-life situation
* Diana took a class to learn how to help someone who isn’t breathing, but she has never had to put her knowledge into practice. Do you think she could really
save someone’s life during an emergency?
procrastination – a tendency to delay doing things until the last minute; waiting until close to the deadline to complete something
* She’s always saying that she’ll start on that new project tomorrow. Her procrastination is really becoming a problem.
stress – worry about one’s personal or professional problems
* Be nice to Alison. She’s under a lot of stress at home because her mother is sick.
to manage (one’s) time – to schedule one’s activities so that one can finish everything that needs to be done
* If I learned to manage my time better, I wouldn’t have to study all night before an exam.
benchmark – a goal; a standard; the time or place when one’s performance and progress can be measured and evaluated against what is expected
* The company tests all of its new employees and uses the results as a benchmark for their performance on the same test the next year.
to lose patience – to become frustrated and lose control because of a delay or because something is happening too slowly
* Damian isn’t a good teacher because he often loses patience when his students ask him to repeat an explanation.
to set an expectation – to establish the type of behavior or performance that is acceptable
* Their boss sets high expectations for all of the employees in the office and doesn’t accept any complaints about the work being too difficult.
scope – the full or large range of ideas and tasks involved in something
* The publisher and the photographer signed a detailed contract that described the full scope of the work they would be doing.
mindset – a combination of attitudes and opinions about something
* The reason Derrick and I don’t get along is because he has a very traditional mindset, believing that women shouldn’t work outside of the home.
organization – the neat and logical arrangement of ideas or things; good arrangement of ideas so that they can be understood by others.
* Creating an outline helps many students improve the organization of their writing.
