How to determine what a hiring manager wants to know
Robert Half International
You've probably been on quite a few job interviews in your career, and you know that there are certain questions that every hiring manager seems to ask. Because you've heard them so often, you feel you can practically answer them in your sleep.
But are you providing the best responses possible?
Often, a seemingly simple question can have hidden layers of meaning. What is the interviewer really hoping to learn when he or she asks why you want to work for the firm?
Following are a few interview questions you're likely to hear the next time you meet with a prospective employer and insight into the qualities employers may be assessing with each one. Armed with this information, you can get to the heart of what a potential employer truly wants to know.
Question: "Why do you want to work here?"
Many people talk in vague terms about how they feel they could excel in the role, why the job sounds appealing or what they admire most about the company. But hiring managers want you to cover more than the basics in your response.
What it really means: "How much do you know about this company, and why are you hoping to work here instead of for one of our competitors?" When answering this question, mention specifics. You might note, for example, that you're excited by the firm's cutting-edge research, a recent merger or the company's corporate social responsibility programs. A detailed response will tell the interviewer that you are interested in more than just a paycheck. At the same time, showing that you've done your research lets the hiring manager know that you came prepared and are serious about the opportunity.
Question: "What are your strengths?"
Answers such as "I work well with others" or "I have a can-do attitude" may in fact be strengths, but many job candidates make the same type of statements, and a generic response will do little to distinguish you from other applicants.
What it really means: "How have you used your strengths to add value to your employer?" The interviewer wants to know how the particular talents you bring to the table will benefit the firm if you're hired, so put your best qualities in context. Talk about how your strengths can help meet a prospective employer's specific needs. In this economy, many firms are trying to cut costs, for instance. Your experience negotiating vendor contracts, for instance, could be a boon to your chances.
Question: "What are your weaknesses?"
People usually try to list weaknesses that can actually be seen as strengths, such as "I'm too much of a perfectionist" or "I never say no when people ask for help." These types of answers can seem canned and could make the interviewer wonder what you're hiding.
What it really means: "How honest and self-aware are you?" and "How have you successfully dealt with a challenge in your career or adversity on the job?" Everyone has weaknesses, but not everyone will admit to it. Employers look for workers who can recognize their own weaknesses and also take steps to overcome them. Show the hiring manager you can do both. If one of your weaknesses is a fear of speaking in public, for example, you could point out how you had to speak in front of your executive team to present a project proposal. Although nerve-racking, the situation forced you to confront your weakness and take steps, such as first presenting at smaller meetings with your colleagues, to improve in this area prior to the big meeting. Since then, you've also joined Toastmasters International and continue to improve.
Question: "Would you rather work alone or in a team?"
This borders on being a trick question, because it's rare that someone would be required to just do one or the other in today's workplace.
What it really means: "Can you work with minimal direction?" and "Can you describe a time when you worked with a colleague or group to solve a workplace challenge?" Managers seek individuals who can take the ball and run with it. They may not always have the time to walk you through a project step-by-step, so you need to be able to work autonomously and devise solutions on your own.
At the same time, you need to be able to work with individuals from different levels, departments, offices or even companies, so the hiring manager is trying to gauge how well you can collaborate with others. You might cite an instance when you led a project team, for instance, to improve your chances of securing the job offer.
By knowing what types of responses interviewers truly seek with seemingly simple questions, you give yourself a much better chance of impressing the hiring manager. After all, he or she has probably gotten used to hearing the same responses over and over again. Distinguish yourself with a response that gets to the heart of the matter.
Next: 8 Worst Things to Say In An Interview >>
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 6:54AM lisa
i was just recently asked in a job interview what are my weaknesses; i paused a moment ; and said; "boy; i DO have weaknesses; right now i just cant think of any".he grinned a little & went on to the next question; 2 people interviwed me; i was in their almost 35-40 minutes; luckily later that same day they were calling me ryfrences already; my previous job i was there 7 years' my manager was horrible- didnt leave on the best of terms; but i had years of that experience under my belt; they called my former manager; must of caught her on a good day; because the following day they called & got the job! im just starting mandatory training; but right in time before the holidays; now my 6 yr old daughter will for sure have a christmas.good luck to everyone else out there.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:20AM Jill
Lisa! The very same thing happened to me! I was interviewing for a preschool teaching position when the director asked me: "What are your strengths?" Well, after some thought I did manage to think of a few. Then came the dreaded question: "What are your weaknesses?" UGH! There was a long silence.... she didn't take her eyes off me.... then I finally said; "Well, I KNOW have do have some weaknesses but I just can't think of any right now!" I was so embarrassed! Up until that point, I thought I had the job. However, that was the final question and the end of the interview. I left thinking I messed up and so ANGRY with myself! For the next 2 weeks I would work that question over and over in my head, thinking of all kinds of weaknesses I could have mentioned that at the same time weren't damaging! Well, I DID get the job. I later told her that I thought I totally ruined my chances. She laughed and said she thought it was one of the best interviews she has ever conducted! HA!
Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:55AM ed
Good answer. After blowing that question in an interview at GE, I came up with a standard 'false negative' response. I'll say something like' "sometimes I have to catch myself and work on my life balance issues. I work too hard and care to much about my work". or " I really need to get a hobby or outlet as I spend too much time at work or obsessing at it".
Interviewers usually move after something like that.
Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:55AM dana
congrats ..whoever you are.
I HATE those intense interviews!
Nov 1st 2009 @ 10:05AM mcshnew
I sure hope you learn how to spell and prepare proper sentences in your new job. Otherwise, they may have made a mistake unless you are going to flip burgers or make tacos.
Nov 1st 2009 @ 11:47AM Tracy
God Bless You, Lisa. Your comments about interviewing & working with a difficult boss were honest and you care about your daughter and your closing remarks were thoughtful about others who are unemployed. I hope you get an opportunity to read this comment. Enjoy your holidays!
Nov 1st 2009 @ 7:01AM C
Talk about "canned" responses. Does anyone here actually have anything to say about the article... or is this just a place to try to sell your "product"?
About this article... it was helpful and informative to me, although I have had the same job for over 20 years, it never hurts to expand one's awareness of what it takes... to secure a position... or even to keep the one you have.
Not trying to diss the work-at-home opportunities... but I have fallen for several rip-offs.
Good luck with yours.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:46AM marti
Excellent reply! I was thinking the same thing! The article was very helpful. It spelled out exactly what the interviewers are looking for instead of just repeating the same old lame questions. Do they have a form they HAVE to follow? Interviewers could be a little original and base questions several other points as well. I find them so routine any more I could mail my answers.
Nov 1st 2009 @ 12:22PM Tracy
What a well-rounded useful comment to all the feedback provided. Thank you.
Nov 1st 2009 @ 7:07AM C
I was typing my response before I read yours... that's great that you landed the job... and there will be a Christmas for your 6 year old...
I heard a song yesterday, I think it was by Steven Curtis Chapman... about a father and how he looks at his daughter... I think it was called "I see God's Face" or something like that.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:46AM Mary
say what???
Nov 1st 2009 @ 7:30AM Man on the Hill
Job interviewing is so phony and full of bull. Most people get hired because they know somebody in the company and eventually have to know the job or bull their way until the pink slip. However, in today's work climate most people who work in a corporation are sheep and could never be a herder including the bosses. The other factor to why many incompetent people get jobs is they went to a name college are brown nosers and know how to play the social game. I have too much to do and way too much ability ito be bothered with such unproductive nonsense. And we wonder why this country is failing its people. It's not the Democrats or the Republicans it's the Corporations that have screwed the people in this country. Work for yourself because small business is where its at. Independents get things done and Unions are stagnant.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:14AM abbicat
You hit that nail on the head "man on the hill".
I did not have the advantage of attending college, and have worked twice as hard to succeed only to get overlooked or treated as inferior by some idiot that had a piece of paper, but knew less than me. Only 30% of the population has a degree and there are billionaires that do not.
Employers are holding to interview standards and questions from 50 years ago. It's a joke and a waste of time. And those conducting the game are clueless to why they are even asking me what my hobbies are or what I do in my spare time, as if that will identify what type of person I am.
A more effective way of choosing a candidate would be to pull a name out of a hat, you would have the same success/failure candidate rate.
Nov 1st 2009 @ 12:03PM greaterth
You may or may not be successful, but you may also have some kind of personality disorder too! Knocking those of us who can function successfully within whatever "system" we work is an indication of your own failure to be able to do the same.
To abbicat - you may think the interview process is bull, but chances are, if I interviewed you, I wouldn't hire you. Not because you don't have the education, but because interviews are about drawing out what is on the inside of a person. Change your insides and you may get a decent job offer and maybe even become a billionaire!
Nov 1st 2009 @ 12:39PM gr8bsn
Abbicat, college degrees don't help much either. After working my ass off to get mine (no easy feat as a working adult), the plan turned out to be the ultimate backfire in my life.
Nov 10th 2009 @ 4:12PM kymberlyc89
Man on the Hill..you are spot on with your comment. I wish you were my boss at my old company! More than half of those I worked with were there due to who their relatives were and they screwed up all day long. They also got promoted faster than anyone else working there, never saw anything like it, it was disgraceful. My old boss fired a very nice, hard working, retired lady because she "lacked people skills". She had been with them for 3yrs. and they never had a problem with her before. They embarrassed this poor 65 yr old woman by standing by as she packed her desk and escorted her out to the parking lot, too.
Needless to say, the very next morning, a lady who was a neighbor/ friend of the boss started in the cubicle of the lady that was fired. It was sickening. Of course, they are all still employeed while those of us who are not related to any fat cats in the corporation were given a pink slip this past June. But, that's ok..my hatred for my co workers and how they treated us "non-relatives" was reaching its boiling point. I may be unemployed still but I am relieved to be out of that arrogant, hell hole and all of idiots that work for it.
Nov 1st 2009 @ 7:38AM C
I agree there are a lot of lazy people that would get fired if they actually worked for a company that wasn't afraid to make them accountable... I work my a$$ off every day no matter how I feel or how many distractions... people standing around talking not working and they wonder why the work doesn't get done... Open Your Eyes America....
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 7:41AM C
Okay thanks for the info.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 7:43AM P.D.
"it's the Corporations that have screwed the people in this country. Work for yourself because small business is where its at. Independents get things done and Unions are stagnant."
ABSOLUTELY!
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I have first hand experience.
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Nov 1st 2009 @ 8:11AM Ken
In 1972 I interviewed with the Air Force for a civilian management intern position. Only question I remember is, "What would you do if you made a mistake which cost the Air Force $7M?" I quickly replied if I made the right decision at the time, based on the information available to me, then it wasn't a bad decision. I would, of course, have to go back to review that information. Was there information available but overlooked? Was too much emphasis placed on information of little related value? I was later told it was my reply to that question which resulted in my being hired.
Years later I was given interviewing responsibilities. I agree some interviewees were 'clueless'.
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