Dec 13

5 Tips for Handling Behavior Interview Questions

Behavioural Interview questions are questions designed to let you talk about your previous experience in a way that gives the questioner an insight into the way you behave in a given situation at work.
The interviewer will generally have a score sheet where they tick the behaviours that your answer displays, and if your profile fits the job profile then hey presto, it’s yours. The downside of this is that if you don’t fit the matrix then it can be difficult to be hired for the job, so thinking carefully about the kind of interview questions you’ll be asked before the interview will help.

Interview Tips for Behavioral Interview Questions

1. Prepare
The interview questions in a behavioural interview will be designed to match the job profile, so if you can get your hands on a copy of this before the interview then it will be a great help. If not, think about what you do know about the job, and the kinds of behaviours that are likely to be important. For example- is it important that you can work with numbers, work well as part of a team, have independant ideas and the drive to put these ideas into practice, or more important that you know how to win difficult customers round? List the behaviours that you think are important for the job- these will probably form the basis of the interview.

2. Think about your own experiences
The interviewer will ask you interview questions to try and elicit your experiences. For example, they might say ‘Tell me about a time when you’ve had to work as part of a team. What was the situation and why was it important?’. Preparing a list of your positive experiences at work, and mindmapping or brainstorming your part in these experiences will help you to give a more fluent and convincing answer. interview questions

3. Listen carefully
One of the biggest mistakes people make with interview questions is answering them before they’ve thought them through. This kind of interview asks you to describe times in your working career, and so the interviewer will be able to tell if you’re making it up as you go along. Listen to the question, consider what the interviewer wants and why they might be asking that question and then answer. If you need to ask for a couple of seconds thinking time don’t worry- the interviewer will be impressed that you’re taking the time to think rather than panicking.

4. Role play
Look for a list of common behavioral interview questions and role play answering them with a friend or family member. Remember the earlier advice about considering the behaviours required for your chosen job though, there’s no point in preparing answers to interview questions about times that you’ve had to handle large sums of money if this won’t be part of your role. Ask the person you’re role playing with to give you some feedback on your answers and let them help you to improve them.

5. Relax
On the day, try to relax. Behavioral interview questions are only being used because the interviewer wants to get to know you and it can be very hard to do this if you’re wound up. Take a deep breath, a sip of water and smile. Good Luck!

Dec 11

How to Approach Interview Questions with the Right Attitude

Preparing for interviews is not all about rehearsing the routine typical interview questions and memorizing them; it may help you succeed that interview but it will never help you in the long run. No matter how hard you try, you will always end up with new Human Resource interview questions that you did not even prepare for. The best way to tackle those Human Resource interview questions is to enter that room with the right attitude. People who opt for memorizing have this risk of going blank the last moment.interview questions

Attitude & Interview Questions

What is the right kind of attitude for an interview? Generally people go for interviews after college or in their twenties, when they are just learning to face the real world. And they are still vulnerable and weak in personality. When an interviewee presents himself, he may lack in certain qualities but he should project himself as a person he would be in the future, not his present self. We all have certain weaknesses and the interviewers know this fact. They just want to see whether the candidate will adapt and improve upon those shortcomings or not. A candidate who succeeds an interview is never perfect, he just performs better than other candidates in a ten minute interview. Those important ten minutes need proper planning and preparation. If you are low on self-confidence but you are working on it, then project yourself as the person you will be after five years, who is confident and smart.

Many people underestimate the importance of simple HR interview questions; one example is, “Tell me about yourself.” You will be surprised that people stumble on interview questions as simple as this, even after long hours of preparation. Psychologically, people who are low on self-esteem when asked about this simple question tend to think in the following steps:

1st thought: I hate myself because I am not good. I am not fit for this company.

2nd thought: How should I lie?

They end up with two lines, that is already on their resume. Low self esteem is common and can be tackled. Therefore it becomes important to change your view about yourself before convincing the experienced HRs. Always try to include things in your introduction that are not on your resume. Tell them about your hobbies, interests, your goal in life, etc.

Always see the positive side of things. And remember, you can take time to think before you speak. Whenever the interviewer asks your view about an issue, try to think about the positive solution. Be unconventional, think out of the box.

If you are already employed, never ever criticize your present job, be ready with a good reason for leaving your job, but never criticize your past seniors. Your resume is an important part of your job application. Make sure that it is not copied and you mean everything that is written in your CV. If you have stated you are hard-working, be ready to demonstrate your quality. If you have listed reading as one of your hobbies, you should be ready with your favorite book and author; even your favorite story and the reason why it is your favorite. Never lie about your hobbies, there is a one in fifty chance that the interviewer may share your so called hobby and passion. Remember: Approach your interview questions with confidence, be yourself and be positive.

Dec 09

CEO: Interview Questions and Answers Reveal the Real You

As an executive who has hired and fired many people I can say, without qualification, that the purpose of interview questions and answers is to reveal a potential employee’s inner heart. Qualifications and skills are great, but the ultimate question is: How are you to work with? interview questions

An employer is looking to bring you into the fold. In many cases a boss will openly consider his or her department or business as a family. You, the person being interviewed for the job, will be a new family member and they don’t want to be uncovering the skeletons in your closet after the deal is done.

I remember one interview session very clearly. I was managing a gym and conducted the interview with us bouncing on exercise balls around the weight room. I ended up hiring the gal who bounced the highest! She wasn’t the best qualified to start out with, but she certainly had the most enthusiasm, and that was a quality I wanted as an infection in my gym!

As you head into an interview you should prepare more than just your answers to your interview questions. This is a good time to do an inner house cleaning and make sure you are bringing only the best to this new relationship.

As a job seeker you might be in a very down position. You are likely battling with money problems, and could be suffering with a very real depression and dwindling confidence. It’s unrealistic to think that you can put all that instantly behind you, but you can take a stance of constant self improvement and be willing to drop the effects of unemployment as soon as you have a job.

You are probably thinking that this is easier said than done, and you would be right! Especially in today’s economy, job interview questions and answers can be tough. As you go through the various scenarios possible in your field, keep your mind focused on the positive: the improvements you have made in previous jobs, the feelings you have when things are going well, and most important, your ability to drop the drama and bring your life back into focus as you move forward with your new job.

For instance: Say that one of the interview questions is, “How did you get along with your old boss?” and the truth is that you did not get along. Don’t go on and on about how everything was their fault.

    Try to put a positive spin on it.

You could say something like, “Betty and I had some pretty tense moments, but I understood how much pressure she was under and don’t hold any of that against her. In fact, since we have parted ways I’ve thought of several other things I could have done to help out. I really learned from our relationship.”

Putting a positive spin on a negative situation shows your potential supervisor that you have a good heart, you try your best, are willing to admit to mistakes, and are always learning. That is the kind of heart that helps walk you through the door. Always be honest and positive during interview questions and answers. Remember, you are looking for a new work “family” too.

Dec 08

Two Tricky Interview Questions That Can Take You By Surprise

interview questionsAs a potential employee you should always head into a job interview with hope and excitement, a freshly edited resume clutched in your fist, and sporting your most appropriate outfit. You feel ready for all those interview questions.

Hope and excitement helps get you through the door. That fabulous outfit helps you feel good and gives a good first impression. The freshly edited resume has helped refresh your memory of exactly how many years you have worked, the list of equipment you have run and all those other details of your employment history.

You sit down, ready to answer any interview question about former employers, work duties, improved revenues and length of employment. But before you even have time to adjust yourself in the seat you might be blindsided by a few “trick” interview questions. Trick questions that will actually determine if you will be hired or not!

Tricky Interview Question #1:

Why are manhole covers round?

One of the craziest “trick” interview questions has been made popular by the hiring team over at Microsoft – “Why are manhole covers round?” This is a question that is designed to knock the interviewee out of their typical mindset of resume thinking, and force them to quickly think on their feet.

What the heck do manhole covers have to do with computer operators, motel operation, office assistant or whatever job you may be applying for? It doesn’t! This question is often used in businesses where a new employee will come in to work as part of a dynamic team. It is designed to show if the candidate can think of their feet, be flexible, work through a problem and work with others.

Manhole covers don’t have to be round, and that’s the whole point. Can you adapt to this sort of question quickly, punt a good answer off your hip and keep a smile on your face? Most important, this sort of question is designed to help the interviewer see how you respond when wrong. Because the question doesn’t really have a ‘right’ answer, it will help bring out any deep personality flaws that show you will not be good working on a team.

Always answer these types of interview questions with a smile and a confident, “Maybe.” You don’t know the answer; don’t pretend that you do. A good sense of humor here will win you lots of points.

Tricky Interview Question #2:

Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is a question that can easily take a prospective employee by surprise. Job seekers find themselves living in the moment, one day at a time, and often are not giving a lot of thought to a future.

This question can be particularly difficult for someone who has been out of work for a long time, or for someone who has multiple resumes in play. Job hunting is a difficult task for most people, and it can play havoc with your future dreams.

Perhaps one day you are giving up on the job hunt all together and starting to plan your own business. Perhaps another day you are gazing longingly at the yellow rubber gloves in the cleaning aisle of the grocery store and thinking wistfully of a job washing dishes. More than likely you don’t have a clear picture of your future, and this question can both take you by surprise and create a terrible awkward moment in the interview.

So be prepared for interview questions that make you stop and think. If you are taken by surprise with these or similar interview questions go ahead and do exactly what you need to do. Stop and think. Answer honestly with a smile. Remember, tricky interview questions like these could be what lands you the job!

Dec 03

Human Resources Generalist Finds Her Calling (HR Interview Questions)

interview questionsI am a Human Resources Generalist. I have over 15 years of experience in the field. If I had to describe myself in three adjectives, they would be organized, intelligent and intuitive.

I am an Asian-American woman. My race and gender have neither hurt nor helped me in my career, although some people seem to believe women are better at reading character and expressions. That definitely has helped me in my field. My job is quite multi-faceted. As a generalist, I am responsible for almost every area of human resources for the company. I do the hiring (including coming up with the interview questions) and the firing (unfortunately). I implement training programs for the staff as well as handle employee conflicts. My work entails long hours and attention to detail. Many people believe that Human Resources is the easy part of the company’s operation. They think that we just come up with the typical interview questions and simply interview people. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. We handle labor disputes, negotiate contracts and deal directly with the labor unions.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate my job satisfaction a 10. I love being able to interact with people daily and make their work lives easier. I do sometimes wish I had greater control over some aspects of my job, but overall I’m very happy. I definitely feel like I’ve found my calling with this job. I’ve always been organized and able to negotiate well, so I think I’m well suited for every aspect of human resources, including the difficulties of letting go of employees and figuring out which customer service interview questions or information technology interview questions I should ask the next candidate.

I started my career in human resources as an intern. I was studying business in college and I took an internship with a large company in their H.R. department. I instantly loved it because it appealed to my meticulous nature. After that I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in human resources. If I could go back and do things differently, I would have taken an additional internship at a different type of firm to expand my experience, knowledge, and job interview abilities. There is a huge difference in working in H.R. for a large company than for working for a smaller one or a government agency.

I learned a lot of things the hard way in this job. One of the most important lessons that I’ve learned is that not everything is going to go “by the book.” You have to have intuition, judgment and great decision-making skills. In one of my previous jobs we had an employee that was chronically late to work every day. We made the decision to fire him. But a few days later, we did more research on said employee and found out that he had a very long commute to work and his tardiness was due to regular transportation issues. We worked out a way that he could work from home for two hours in the morning then come in a bit later. Because he was working before arriving to work and was now arriving on time, we ultimately saved the company money and saved him from losing his job.

The single most important thing I’ve learned outside of school is that the working world can be very cutthroat. You have to have a set goal in mind and work toward it no matter if you’re in nursing world, legal world, or the like. When you’re in school, you have a class that lasts for a specific duration, then you move to the next class and so on until you graduate. In the working world, you have to set goals for yourself and keep yourself on track.

The strangest thing that has ever happened to me in this job was a funny interview when an interviewee brought in a surfboard. I’m sure you can understand that I lost my train of though and couldn’t remember any of my prepared interview questions! He claimed that he was going to the beach after our meeting was over. Regardless, the surfboard was like seven feet tall and very distracting for both of us. Interview tip of the day: don’t bring your surfboard to your next job interview!

When I wake up in the morning, I get up and go to work each day because I know I’m helping people. I help people have a meaningful career and a great work and life balance. One of the accomplishments of which I’m most proud is advocating for a mother’s room within our building so that new mothers could pump milk during work time. The project was a success and I am glad that I was able to help provide that for all of the recent mothers in our company.

I face a lot of challenges on the job. Being a generalist leads people to believe that you are supposed to have the solutions to all of their problems. That’s simply not the case. I have a lot of fires to put out every day to make sure everyone gets paid on time and that their benefits are being received and are working.

My job is very stressful. On any given day I have to make sure the payroll is done, interview new candidates, write job descriptions and interview questions, run meetings and deal with the unions. All of this while someone is complaining to me that they don’t like the person’s perfume in the next office. I’m able to maintain a healthy work/life balance because I can disconnect at the end of the day. Some people can’t do this, and this can cause a great deal of stress. No matter your job, you should never take your work home with you (unless of course you’re working from home!).

Most human resources professionals start off as assistants and make an hourly wage. For my position, the average starting salary is about $55,000. I believe I’m paid enough for the work that I do, but there’s always room for a raise! I’m offered three weeks vacation every year but I rarely take all of it. I always feel that my staff is going to suffer if I’m gone, so my resolution is to take more vacation time in the coming years.

To get hired in the field of Human Resource, you generally need a Bachelor of Arts degree, preferably in a business-related field like Business Administration, Finance or Marketing. In addition, you should have some experience in a human resources department and your experience should include progressing levels of responsibility.

If I had a friend considering a career in human resources, I would tell her to invest in an extra helping of patience. It’s a great job if you can handle the stress and can keep your work separated from your personal life. For any future job interview, be sure to research the job interview questions that are relevant to your position, as well as the most common interview questions that you will likely face on the big day.
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This is a true career story as told to LatPro Learn. This site features real stories from Hispanic professionals in a myriad of professions. If you have considered a career in the employment industry, read on to learn what the job is really like from this Human Resource Generalist. Visit LatPro for more interviews with employment professionals including one from a Refugee Employer Services Representative a Job Fair Event Planner and many others.

Dec 01

Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator Talks About Interview Questions & Importance of Networking

Interview QuestionsI am a man in my 40s who has been a Class II Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator for 12 years. It can be a gross job, but someone has to do it. And it doesn’t hurt that the pay is very good for my area.

I was very lucky to get this job. I was working for a printing company in Atlanta, but the commute was killing me. I drove almost three hours each day to work and back. Even then, with gas prices lower than they currently are, the commute was not worth the pay. I was working a third shift job and was looking for something closer to home. I was also looking for a first shift job. Job search boards were new at the time. I found this job on the City of Madison’s website. Madison was one of the first small towns in Georgia to have a website. Although I did not have a home computer with Internet at the time, I was able to use the computers at our local library to search for the job.

As I went through the application and interview process (interview questions, etc.), I learned how important networking is to a successful job search. Although I am a Class II Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator now, I applied for the job as a Class I. A Class I Operator is an operator who has no current certifications. Within 90 days on the job, an operator must attend special classes and take tests to earn his or her certification. It doesn’t matter if the operator hired has a college degree or not. The operator still has to attend special classes and take tests. Each year, the classes must be taken and a test must be taken to keep certifications up-to-date.

Most jobs of this nature are city or county government jobs. Because the job I was interviewing for was a city position, I had to interview with the Plant Operator as well as the entire Madison City Council. Luckily, I had a friend who worked for the city in a different job capacity. He told me what the interview process was like and what interview questions I could expect to hear – many of which are the typical interview questions you will face on most jobs. I found out who sat on the Madison City Council. That was the first time I ever believed the statement, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” If I had not gotten references from friends of council members, I wouldn’t have been offered the job.

Based on my own experiences, I would have to tell others who are searching for environmental jobs to research the job. I had to ask many questions about my job before I ever had my interview and had to do some serious research on the types of interview questions I would be facing. Anyone who goes into a job interview and does not know the interview questions will likely have issues getting hired. The Plant Operator did not want to hire someone who had a false idea about the duties of the job. He had hired people in the past who had no idea they would actually have to wear contamination suits and walk in human waste. The city had already spent thousands hiring people who quit not long after training.

I would also advise people who are looking at a career in Environmental Services to make sure they have the money to undertake the job. Yes, the city pays for my training classes, but my licenses are mine. I am responsible for keeping them. I have to pay for them each year. They can cost hundreds of dollars to maintain. The city does provide a stipend to help pay for them, but I pick up the largest cost. To work, my licenses must remain current. If they were to expire, I would be suspended without pay until I could renew them. In addition, the city provides me a uniform and a hazmat suit. However, I have to buy my own boots. I have two different types of work boots. One pair are the type that come to my ankles, the other to my knees. Good boots can be expensive.

Finally, I would say anyone who wants to work for the city or county has to be able to get along well with others. Mostly, I work alone. However, there are always people from the EPA visiting. Classes from the local schools take field trips here. Madison City Council members drop by to see how things are running. The mayor stops by to talk to us. No matter how busy I am, I have to talk to these people.
The “getting along with others” is the hardest part of the job to me. I work better alone and sometimes I really resent having to stop and explain what I am doing to the mayor. Tuesdays are very busy because the EPA is here every Tuesday to take samples of untreated and treated water. Trying to do my job, work with the EPA and talk to the mayor can be frustrating. In the first year of my job, I let my attitude show how frustrated I got and came close to losing my job. My scores and certifications didn’t matter. I was told I had an attitude problem. I really had to work on that aspect of my job.

Although knowing the interview questions is a huge help, I would say to be sure to use all of your networking resources when searching for a job. It is also important to get along with other people if you really want to be successful.

Nov 30

IT Technician Interview Questions & Discovery of Importance of Internships

interview questionsThis interview will take you through the ups and downs you can expect as a computer repair technician, what it takes to land the job, what you can expect to earn and more.

I work as a computer repair technician at a small family run business and have been working in this field for the last year. My job title tells it like it is; I repair and build computers. Most of my work is removing viruses from computers or troubleshooting hardware issues. One of the most common misunderstandings that people have about my position is that I can fix everything. The truth is there are just some problems that cannot be solved. Am I happy with my job? You bet. I would rank my choice at a solid 8 out of 10. I am currently working on certifications that will not only give me more experience and a better understanding of my job but also more money. More money will put me at a 10.

I have always loved tinkering with the computer. I always wanted to know what made them tick and got really tired of paying high prices for repairs. I looked at it as a puzzle. As a kid puzzles were my favorite thing to do so why not get a job solving puzzles all day. The challenge for me was finding a way to solve those puzzles. I tried on my own, and I did okay, but I only got so far. A close friend suggested that I try taking a few courses to better understand what I was doing. It was the best decision I ever made. After I finished school I have continued to learn new things every day on the job. Some are hard, some are easy, but I enjoy every minute of it.

My current position started out as an internship. I actually found my internship by accident. I had a computer problem and needed a part. I walked into the store, asked for my part and got to talking to the technician on duty and mentioned that I needed an internship. He told me I needed to speak to the owner. I came back later that week, when I knew he would be in. I walked in and introduced myself and simply asked him if I could work for him for free. He looked at me rather strangely for a second and said, “When you can start?”

I started a month later after the school approved the internship. The lead technician was honest with me after a few months of being on the job. He mentioned that he didn’t think I would make it being older and female and that the other young man, doing a similar internship would do better. Boy did I prove them wrong! The young man that worked with me even fit the look of a computer geek; but, I am still there and he is long gone.

The thing that makes my job unique to me is that I am a female in a male dominated field. I had a customer recently ask to speak to the technician on duty. When I walked out, he looked at me and said, “You’re a girl!”, I had to laugh and told him I was the last time I checked. I learned the hard way that being a female in this field has made it harder for me to find a position, but it has not stopped me and I would not change a thing.

The one thing I learned from school and took with me into the workplace was simply the ability to learn. Every day at work is a learning experience. No two work days are ever the same. No two problems are the same and I need to learn how to correct those problems. That is what gets me out of bed in the morning, because I never know what is waiting for me when I get there. There are always days that are harder than others. Yet nothing makes you feel better then when it is time to leave for the day and you have completely cleared your bench, and are ready for a new set of challenges the next day. I always walk out of work with a smile on days like that.

Do not get me wrong, there are days when I just want to pull my hair out. Those are the days when nothing goes right and every problem solved is another problem uncovered. There are days that no matter how hard I worked, it looks as if nothing is finished.

Starting out with my internship I was paid a sad minimum wage. I guess it was better than working for free. I have since then received a few raises based on my performance. Getting certifications will help improve my pay as time goes on. It’s definitively worth it to apply for scholarships for college to help out with the expenses, and to avoid debt after you leave school. Working for a small family owned business does have its draw backs as far as pay goes, but working in a family atmosphere is where I feel the most comfortable. I feel that I have learned more than I would have at a big company. After working with this company I can see myself owning and running my own computer repair business in the next five years.

Getting an internship, and getting hired as a technician, worked in my favor. I had proof of my knowledge in my portfolio. Without school it would have been harder. It is a definitely a, “show me what you can do”, field. My advice is, go for it!


This true career story, as well as an Interview With an Addiction therapist, has been developed by LatPro, who will organize the 2012 Diversity Jobs Fair for bilingual professionals in a few cities throughout the country.

Nov 22

Interview Tips for Employers

interview tips for employers
Hiring the right person for the job can be difficult. By nature, an interview is a brief and formal meeting to meet job candidates, but it is not necessarily the most accurate way to get to know candidates or even insure their success at the company. Believe it or not, the best interviews and interview questions should not be intense or stressful for either party because even the best candidates can misrepresent themselves when they feel uncomfortable during the interview process. Here are some tips to improve the interview process for candidates.

  • Check the screening process
  • Be careful about how you execute the screening process because it could actually hurt you if it is causing good candidates to get screened out. Make sure you to talk to the screener and thoroughly explain what types of candidates you are looking for and what are the specific requirements they must meet. If you are using some type of resume screening software, then at least check the settings first.

  • Treat all job candidates the way you would want to be treated
  • The interview process that you conduct will say a lot about you as an employer and how you run your company. If you neglect to follow up with candidates or show up late for interviews, then it will reflect poorly on you. All candidates should be aware of the interview process, including upcoming interview questions, and approximately how long the interview will take. Inform the candidate as to whether you are seriously considering hiring them and how far along are they in the process. If you say that you are going to call a candidate back after barraging them with interview questions, then you should be true to your word and do so even if it is just to tell them that you have decided to select a different candidate. As cliche as it sounds, just think about how you would like to be treated if you were applying for the job and treat your potential employee in the same manner.

  • Keep interview questions open-ended
  • Although some employers think they are being clever by asking a lot of tough questions, it does not usually reveal much about the candidates. You never want to come across as cold or difficult to candidates, so never try to ask trick questions or figure out ways to trap people during the interview questions process. Candidates will usually reveal more information if they feel calm and at ease during the process, so it is to your advantage to make them comfortable and to let them speak freely.

    The interview process should be an exchange of ideas that allows both parties to know if they are a good match for each other. Employers should make the interview process more open and transparent to the job candidates because it will benefit them and you as an employer.

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    Successquote.org is a website centered on articles and quotes about success, wealth, and business. It has informative articles about these topics and more.

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