Cynopsis: Five Questions You'll Be Asked On A Job Interview

Article for Cynopsis email newsletter FIVE QUESTIONS YOU’LL BE ASKED ON A JOB INTERVIEW

By Mark Levine Job interviews are one of those rare instances when you’re better off facing an experienced adversary. Individuals who rarely conduct candidate interviews are likely to ask unpredictable questions they may think are clever and insightful but are only self-serving. A pro will ask practiced questions designed to gather necessary intelligence, but for which you can prepare. Here are five questions you’re apt to face in any well conducted job interview: WHAT’S YOUR STRONGEST ASSET? While this seems an easy pitch to hit you can whiff if you don’t realize it’s an effort to see whether you understand your role in an organization. In a cost center department, your strongest asset should be the ability to control expenses. In a profit center department you want to stress your creativity in boosting revenue.

CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU DEALT WITH A PROBLEMATIC COWORKER? (OR)WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR SUPERIOR MADE A DECISION WITH WHICH YOU DISAGREED? Variations of a hunt to see if you “know your place.” They want to see you can handle coworker issues directly rather than running to “mommy” or “daddy.” And they want to know that while you’ll be 100 percent candid with your opinions, you’ll also be 100 percent supportive of superiors’ decisions.

HOW MUCH WERE YOU EARNING AT YOUR PREVIOUS JOB? Answer this with a specific and you’re limiting your future earnings. The best answer is you were earning fair market value before and hope that they’ve budgeted the same.

WHY WERE YOU FIRED? (OR) WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR CURRENT JOB? Simple answers to simple questions. You were terminated for economic reasons by a company struggling to stay afloat. You’re looking for a new job because you’ve run out of challenges in your current one.

DON’T YOU THINK YOU’RE OVERQUALIFIED? Time for jiujitsu. Say you’re flattered they would think so, and believe their assessment is an indication you’re the person best suited to do a great job for them.