Virtual job interview
Resumes (hopefully!) go hand-in-hand with job interviews. I thought it might be helpful to provide answers to some standard interview questions I have had to answer.
I agree with an article posted on yahoo.com by Caroline Levchuck about the types of questions that are usually asked in an interview. They fall into four general categories:
- 'Future' questions
- 'Why' questions
- 'Salary' questions
- 'Seemingly silly' questions
Here are my generic answers.
NOTE: They are hypothetical and your actual answers will vary, depending on the situation. If you have more questions, let me know.
'Future' questions
These questions are usually worded something like, "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Answer:
As stated in my resume, I have many years of varied experience in the field of business and marketing communications. I have reached a point in my career where I know what I enjoy doing, what I do well, and what I do because I am disciplined enough to understand it is part of the job.
I think of myself as someone who 'does tasks' rather than someone who 'manages people.' I am happiest, and therefore at my best, when someone hands me a big stack of work (articles to edit or Website content to develop), gives me a due date and says, 'let me know if you have any questions.'
I have been doing this kind of work for twenty years and hope to continue for at least another ten years.
'Why' questions
These questions are usually worded something like, "Why should we hire you?"
Answer:
Success is a two-way street. If I put myself in a position to succeed, I probably will (and usually have). The trick is for us to work together. I work to make you look good. You put me in a position to succeed.
Whenever those two factors have been in place, my employer and I have both succeeded. Whenever either is missing, we haven't.
In general:
- I have a lot of experience.
- I am sensible enough to determine whether or not I would be happy doing the job as you have described it to me.
- I am flexible enough to understand that things always change and that part of my career (not 'your job') is to stay current with all appropriate, emerging technologies.
'Salary' questions
These questions are often approached gently and often don't even take the form of a question. If they do, it is usually worded something like, "What kind of salary are you looking for?"
Answer:
We have all heard that "the first one to mention salary loses." I don't agree completely. The question can also help the interviewer see how diplomatic (or whatever character trait interests the interviewer) you can be. Sometimes, honesty is not only the best policy, but the shortest distance between two points. Since I began working as a contractor several years ago, I have earned between $15 and $75 an hour. If this range fits your budget, and the position seems a good fit, we will probably be able to figure something out.
'Seemingly silly' questions
These questions are usually worded something like, "If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?"
Answer:
I saved this one for the end because, when I hear one of these, I know we are near the end of the interview. I like crossword puzzles and this question reminds of one. It depends on whether or not I have decided whether or not I really want the job. But, OK, I'll give it a try.
If I were a car, I would be an old pickup truck. One that has been used for a wide variety of jobs. Some were tough, some easy, some nasty but most were simply good old-fashioned, honest work. Tasks for which this truck was used as intended.
Over the years, its owner has taken good care of it, kept it waxed, changed the oil and tuned it up regularly. If you need a Porche, or you'd rather walk, then this truck is not for you.
I am a writer. I could go on and on with this truck analogy. (You know, it has a trailer hitch so you can pull a boat, etc. But I think you get the point.)