Interview questionsand answers

Your CV reads like the job spec, you have an impressive portfolio and glowing references. But the wheels fall off at the first question. Dee Parker, HR Manager for an established integrated marketing communications agency, gives the inside track on the questions that might be asked at your interview – and answers interviewers look for.

• Why do you want to work here?

  Reply with the company's attributes as you see them. Cap your answer with reference to your belief that the company can provide you with a stable and happy work environment.

• How do you feel about your progress to date?

  This question is not about progress; it rates your self-esteem. Be positive, yet do not give the impression you have already done your best work. Make the interviewer believe you see each day as an opportunity to learn and that you see the environment at this company as conducive to your best efforts.

• What would you like to be doing five years from now?

  The safest answer contains a desire to be regarded as a true professional and team player. As far as promotion, that depends on finding a manager with whom you can grow.

• What are your biggest accomplishments?

  Keep your answers job-related. You might begin your reply with: "Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with... I made a contribution as part of that team and learned a lot in the process."

• Tell me about yourself?

  This is not an invitation to ramble on. If the context isn't clear, you need to know more about the question before giving an answer. Whichever direction your answer ultimately takes, be sure that it has some relevance to your professional endeavors. You should also refer to one or more of your key personal qualities, such as honesty, integrity, being a team player or determination. For example, if you choose 'team player', you can tell a story about yourself outside work - perhaps as a member of a sports team - that also speaks volumes about you at work.

• How well do you feel other people rated your job performance?

  This is one very sound reason to ask for written evaluations of your work before leaving a company. You should also ask for a letter of recommendation whenever you leave a job. Don't thrust these under your interviewer's nose, but when you are asked the question, you can produce them with a flourish. If you don't have written evaluations, try to quote verbal appraisals, such as "My manager said only a month ago that I was the most valuable engineer working on that project, because...".

• What is your greatest strength?

  Isolate high points from your background and build in a couple of your key personal qualities, such as pride in your work, reliability and the ability to stick with a difficult task.

• What is your greatest weakness?

  This is a direct invitation to put your head in a noose. Decline the invitation. If there is a minor part of the job at hand where you lack knowledge - but knowledge you will obviously pick up quickly - use that. For instance: "I haven't worked with this type of spreadsheet before but, given my experience with six other types, I should be able to pick it up in a few days. "Another option is to design the answer so your weakness is ultimately a positive characteristic. For example: "I always give each project my best shot, so if I sometimes feel others aren't pulling their weight, I find it a little frustrating. I try to overcome it with a positive attitude that I hope will catch on."

• What are you looking for in your next job?

  You want a company where your talents and experience will allow you to contribute to their business. Avoid saying what you want the company to give you; you must say what you want in terms of what you can give to your employer. The key word is 'contribution'.

• Why did you leave your last job?

  You should have an acceptable reason for leaving every job you have held but if you don't, pick one of the six acceptable reasons from the CLAMPS formula:
  • Challenge: you weren't able to grow professionally.
  • Location: the journey to work was unreasonably long.
  • Advancement: there was nowhere for you to go.
  • Money: you were underpaid for your skills and contribution.
  • Pride or prestige: you wanted to be with a better company.
  • Security: the company was not stable.

• What kind of salary are you worth?

  This question is asking you to name a desired figure but the twist is that it also asks you to justify that figure. It requires that you demonstrate careful analysis of your worth, industry norms, and job requirements. You are recommended to try for a higher' figure rather than a lower one. If their immediate response is to say that's too much, accept it as no more than a negotiating gambit, and come back with your own calm rebuttal: "What did you have in mind?"

• Do you have any questions...

  Almost always, this is a sign the interview is drawing to a close, and that you have one more chance to make an impression. Consider these possibilities:
  • Find out why the job is open, who had it last and what happened to him or her?
  • When will you get the opportunity to meet the person to whom you would report?
  • What type of training is required and how long is it?
  • What would your first project or assignment be?
  • What are the realistic chances for growth in the job?
  • What are the skills and attributes most needed to get ahead in the company?
  • Who will be the company's main competitor over the next few years?