Executive and senior level individuals face different challenges
than others in the job market. Knowing that job opportunities
are not abundant and the competition great, your ability to perform
well at the interview is critical. The interview gives you
the opportunity to market yourself and demonstrate your skills,
experience and qualifications. At the senior level past
skills and experience are important to articulate, especially your
leadership skills. The interviewer is looking to determine if
you can do the job, are compatible with the culture of the
organization, will "fit" in, and if there is "chemistry" between
you and others within the organization. Always go into the
interview with a confident mindset, thinking you are already part
of the team. Explain how you can add value to the company and
its bottom line.
Traditional Interview Questions
- Why did you join your present firm?
- Why are you leaving?
- What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
- Have you managed people before?
- What are the key reasons for your success?
- Which previous jobs did you enjoy the most?
- How would others describe your work ethic?
- What are your capabilities that will help us?
- What do you think you are worth?
- What do you look for when you hire people?
- What are the key reasons for your success?
Behavioral Interviews
When you are asked behavioral questions the interviewer wants
you to give specific examples of how you handled situations or
problems in the past. The interviewer wants to hear your
real-life examples. Your responses to behavioral questions
will indicate to the interviewer how you handled situations similar
to those you may handle for this company. If you demonstrate
through examples that you have succeeded in certain areas, you will
position yourself as a strong candidate for the position. The
key to a successful behavioral interview is to prepare a list of
your skills that are relevant to the position and company and write
out your stories before the interview. Determine what stories
would be applicable to the position using the job description as a
guide.
Behavioral Interview
Questions
- Tell me about yourself?
- Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation
that demonstrated your coping skills.
- Give me a specific example of a time when you used good
judgment and logic in solving a problem.
- Give me an example of a time when you had to make a spilt
second decision.
- Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and
developed preventative measures.
- Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular
decision.
- Explain to me a time when you had to motivate others to
complete a project. How did you handle this?
- Describe a very difficult decision you have made in the last
year.
- How would you describe your management style?
- How do you deal with conflict? Give me an example.
- Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to
a policy with which you did not agree.