Page Body Text
What did you like best and least about your previous job?
STRATEGY:
This is potentially a trick question. You want to indicate that what you liked best about your last job are things that will appeal to the Hiring Manager. Show that your last job allowed you to demonstrate many of the positive and desirable Behavioral Competencies that are discussed in-depth at the beginning of the Guide. Give specific examples of how your last job allowed you to flex your skills and show your maturity.
"What I liked about my last was I was able to really develop my "XYZ" skills which I know will help me succeed here if I am fortunate enough to be able to join your team. What are the qualities of the people who have been most successful in your department?"
(Notice the "data-mining" question ↑↑ about the skills and characteristics of other people. You're sniffing for clues about what they want to hear!)
"One thing I liked about my last job was it allowed me to develop my project management skills ... FOR EXAMPLE, I was put in charge of a project where I had to earn the "buy-in" of people from several different departments — and I had all the responsibility for getting the project completed but no real authority over my teammates. I was successful because I involved key stakeholders from the beginning. My team knew that other people were on board, so I was able to negotiate them to an agreement on deadlines. Then day-to-day I made sure everyone was completing their work on time by setting up a progress tracking system … Can I tell you about it?"
Interview Question
What's the worst mistake you ever made on the job, and what did you learn from it?
STRATEGY:
Think about what they want to hear. Show that you are able to learn from your mistakes, but don't offer up any negative examples concerning your past performance. Show that you have been successful, but that you have the maturity it takes to examine your own behavior so you can learn and grow and be a better employee. Be brief.
"Good question. Well, I have been successful at every job I've had, but I have had the normal ups and downs. I'd say that I do actively try to monitor the quality of my work so I can constantly be improving myself. FOR EXAMPLE, I have had one or two hiccups with clients (or customers) where their satisfaction was not exactly where I thought it was. I learned that I have to really monitor certain difficult clients closely and "take their temperature" so I can keep their satisfaction level as high as possible. Have YOU had any customers like that here?"
“Will Fill You With Motivation And Confidence!â€
Interview Question