Most Asked Interview Questions Flashcards
Why did you leave your last job?
- it was a good company to work for
- learned a lot and got to experience something most won’t while working for a start up
- unfortunately, they we an Asian based company trying a new investor concept
- the concept proved effective until a major investor pulled out, and myself and the entire operations team were laid off.
What are your future goals?
in 5 years
- My long term goal is to grow professionally, eventually to have the role of go-to person.
- I want to be viewed as a top performer, an expert who is a key contributor inside the organization.
Why should we hire you?
- I have all the skills and experience you’re looking for (list skills experiences matching job)
- and I know I would exceed in this role.
- however, it’s not just my background and experience, it’s my passion for my work that drives me everyday to delivers results.
How would you describe yourself?
I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. I’m not comfortable with settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. In my previous role at Cheldan Homes, I was promoted three times in less than two years moving into management.
What time of management style do you prefer?
While I’m flexible in working with many different personality types, I’ve found that the management style I thrive most under is both trusting and involved. While I don’t like to feel micromanaged, I do very much enjoy quality time to brainstorm ideas and receive feedback for the projects I’m working on and how I can do better in my role.
When looking/negotiation for a new subcontractor what are you looking for?
- A key consideration should of course be cost. Gathering several quotes from a variety of vendors will give a comparative market cost.
- The scope of work should be laid out and examined to ensure all pricing is based off the same work
- Labor capacity is another important objective to consider. Many subcontractors and laborers work for several homebuilder and are already stretched to capacity.
- A vendor’s reputation should also be considered. The home construction vendor field is big and yet somehow small. With a few phone calls to field superintendents, suppliers, subcontractors, reps, and acquaintances in the construction community it is likely to find someone who has worked with them and get feedback on their work quality, their product and work ethic.
What do you do when you are hit with a price increase?
The home construction vendor field is big and yet somehow small. So, with a few phone calls to field superintendents, suppliers, subcontractors, reps, and acquaintances in the construction community it is likely to find someone who is currently working with them and get feedback if they too received a price increase.
I would also gather several quotes from a variety of competing vendors who could give a comparative market cost, ensuring that our vendors price increase is still inline with market value.
Then if warranted I would sit down with the vendor and discuss future pricing. (Is this the best you can do right now? has he heard of any more possible pricing increases? How long is this pricing good for?)
If not warranted - i would sit him down and explain after doing market research that this is where they need to be for us to stay with them.
Tell me a time when you disagreed with a coworker.
Once, a colleague and I disagreed on what product should be put into a home. After a sit down, we both saw where each other were coming from. He was looking at it from his years of experience in the field building homes and doing it one way, where I was looking at it a cost perspective. We agreed to move forward in a few test homes to see if the cost saving was worth it, later both agreeing that it was we implemented it across all new builds
Tell me about your last position?
As purchasing manager it was my responsibility to reduce costs and maximize profits while overseeing purchasing of all activities. This was accomplished by tracking and analyzing spending, negotiating and awarding new contracts, ensuring accurate quotes and takeoffs, and implementing a rebate program. I saw on your job description that you seem to be looking for someone who can do similar work for you.
How would others describe you?
Actually, in my most recent review, my supervisor described me as the one he could rely on and never had to follow up on. I contribute this to my ability to manage my time and priorities in an organized fashion. My role at this start up involved wearing many different hats, and things wouldn’t always go according to plan. So, it was critical that I was organized and be able to re-prioritize my time when urgent matters would arise.
What is your greatest strength?
My greatest strength is my ability to work effectively with many different people. My strong communication skills made me an effective purchasing manager over the past four years where I was in constant contact between subcontractor, suppliers, superintends, and managers. I know that my strength make me an ideal fit for the position.
What is your biggest weakness?
I’m not versed with some of the software that larger corporations, such as you, use. I’ve spent my time at smaller to midsize companies using and even implementing various software systems, I have always been willing to learn new things. Throughout my career software has constantly changed and I’ve always been willing to adapt to changing technology. And I will put in the time it takes to learn this new software.
