The Best Job Interview Questions

At one point in our life each of us receive the "call" to come in for an interview. More often than not this phone call brings excitement, elation, big smiles and a strange urge to scream "Top of the world MA!"

However, the end result of this phone call can manifest its way into our psyche as the do all / end all to our life. Quickly the accomplishment of making it past the first stage of getting a job can be overlooked. The excitement may remain, but the realization of what's to come begins to set in.

For some the results of the dreaded "call" for an interview can be stressful, nerve-racking, and almost even painful. For others it may be a walk in the park.

In the beginning I too experienced similar emotions and fears. I even found myself stuttering, or even sweating profusely in a couple of interviews.

I can tell you now that I no longer carry that interview burden or weight on my shoulders.

I now "Live for Interviews!"

Friends, family, and even my wife have chuckle when I tell them I live for interviews. Interviewing now brings excitement, enjoyment and regardless of its outcome, an extreme sense of accomplishment.

"What everyone has to endure" no longer applies to me and it doesn't need to apply to you.

(I know, you probably think I'm certifiable.)

Do you want to know why?...if so then continue on and you'll get a piece of insight into what I came to recognize, now understand, and successfully put into action in every interview.

(For more information on having a phenomenal before interview phone call see my lens Pre-Interview Phone Call)

Movies aren't made by turning on a camera and saying action. (Ok, well home movies are.) For a successful motion picture the writer, director and staff have a plan. They put together the pieces of this plan to create the successful motion picture.

In context you must put together all the pieces of an interview process to make it a great interview; ultimately getting you the job you want. Below I explore what I feel is one of the key pieces to interview success.

Give yourself the chance to take an "ok" resume, an "ok" phone interview, a lacking of key credentials or education, or an inability to interview and turn these combined anxieties into something unthinkable...a great interview (and more importantly a successful job).

Take a second to think about this: The only person holding you back is yourself.

To "set the stage for a great interview" start by first talking to yourself. Now I don't mean asking yourself what's for dinner. I mean, open up your mouth and tell yourself out loud..."this is my job".

Look in the mirror if it helps. Let yourself know that "you own this interview", "your competition is only yourself", "your attitude is success and success is you". Don't just say it once. Say it out loud again, and again and again until you're beyond convinced - you just "know".

Do you want to be one leg up and one step ahead of everyone else interviewing for your job? If that's what you want, and you want it that bad then nothing will stop you but yourself. Remember, you're not going up against the world - you're only selling yourself.

Every applicant your prospective employer interviews isn't there to defeat you. They're interviewing to sell themselves. So forget about everyone else and focus on your interview and your future job.

The second you dismiss your fears, set aside your concerns, know that this job is yours and put yourself 100% into this interview, you're one leg up.

Now you just need to be one step ahead.

The most important and often overlooked additive to a great interview is simply to "Have Fun!".

Now I don't mean bring in your favorite 'crazy straw collection' - Don't go overboard.

Having fun means smiling, being personable and heaven forbid, actually enjoying yourself. You may be meeting your next golf partner, ski buddy or lunch companion. The people interviewing you are exactly that - people. Despite all professionalism they may try and hold, if you have fun and enjoy yourself then you'll be the next person they want on their staff.

Having fun translates into Confidence. Confidence is important to an employer. Confident employee's present themselves better, communicate better with others and overall have better success and longevity at their jobs.

Be sure to stay away from "cocky" though - nobody wants a cocky employee - they want a confident employee.

** Important ** Be sure to bring a notepad and a pen. Write down everything important (or not important) when asking the questions. All of the information can be used to show you pay attention and strike up conversation with others. Don't be surprised if you interview so well they want to introduce you to others. Keep yourself prepared by writing down important information.

Now that you're having fun it's time to close the deal, sell yourself and most importantly give yourself the best opportunity to get the job you want.

Remember - These are the questions you're asking the individual(s) interviewing YOU!!!

Be sure to tell them (before your interview gets under way) that you have some questions you'd like to ask them at the END of the interview. You want your questions to be the last part of your interview process. You'll understand why as we explore the questions in further detail.

Considerations: Question one gives you a general overview of your future company and where the company is heading. In addition this question serves as a great way to break the ice.

Useful information is often offered up by the Interviewer. What you learn and remember (and write down - hint, hint) gives you easy topics to refer back to later in the interview.

(For a free download of these questions look for the download link later in the lens!)

Considerations: If the Interviewer pauses on this question then offer up the option to discuss it as "current challenge" or "future challenge". If you give them the opportunity to discuss current or future they'll most likely respond to both.

What you're looking for: This question will hopefully give you a good idea about what the Interviewer (your potential boss) is up against in their job. Indirectly you may also get an idea on what the company is currently experiencing and how they intend on handling (or fixing) the situation. You want to look for your Interviewer to have a plan to conquer or attack their biggest or current challange. If they don't have an answer or a good response be prepared for what you may encounter in the future...

...if you're talking with your future boss you may end up managing up, or the manager may not fight hard for different things. ("Things" can be anything; from salary increases, training or a promotion for themself or for you.) If a manager can't fight for themselves you're less likely to move up in the company quickly. These are only things to be aware of. When you accept a position you want to have a good idea of what you're getting yourself into!!

Another 'general overview' type of question. This could bring the tempo of the interview down from the previous question. The tempo change will depend on the outcome of question two. A change in tempo is a good thing. It gives your Interviewer an opportunity to digest what they've experienced so far. Look for the tempo changes throughout the interview and recognize how they're helping you.

These questions often force the Interviewer to think and will most likely take them off their guard. Remember that the Interviewer isn't expecting to be interviewed (although nearly all Interviewers welcome it). If you can take your Interviewer off guard you've instantly set yourself apart from others, which is what you want!

Considerations: You can learn some personal aspects about the Interviewer - their likes, dislikes, etc. If they dislike something DON'T talk about it. Be real and true to yourself. If they like something and you genuinely have interest in their "like" discuss it in more detail, but watch the time.

The more you relate, the more likely you are to stay at the forefront of their candidate ranking.

This is where you discover what they intend on having you do when you start. This is very useful information for you to absorb. It's important to write these goals down! Expect that these short term goals will be the first things you work on when you start your job.

Don't be afraid to ask them to pause so you can keep writing. Writing the goals down shows you're interested and detail orientated. Also, speak up and satisfy some of these short term goals with answers. Something along the lines of "...and going back to the second short term goal you mentioned...although its tedious work I love deep frying acorns. I get personal satisfaction in knowing these acorns are cooked to perfection...". It may sound cheesy, but it shows you have the skills to do what they're looking for.

Turn each short term goal into something positive, but without doing it in a "donkey" kissing way (if you know what I mean).

When you "satisfy" what their immediate needs will be and demonstrate that you're already prepared to complete the short term goals, you've cemented that you're one step ahead....

(For a free download of these questions look for the download link later in the lens!)

Another good source of conversation. The answer from the Interviewer may go long or short. Either way your concern at this point is to be sure you make it to question 6.

Even if they're cutting the interview short because of time you HAVE to get to Question 6. You'll understand why very soon.

Consideration: Long Term goals will help you see what type of planner your future boss is, what their foreseeable budget could be, what their growth potential or their departments growth potential could be, are they happy with the size of the company and what they see you doing long term. Nobody wants to be stuck doing the same thing forever, so find out the details.

If your boss lacks long term goals you should be aware that you may end up having to create your own long term goals. The road to your future may rest solely in your hands. A mature boss will have long term goals for you, or at a minimum include you.

*** Most important question to ask!!! ***

By the time you get to question 6 part or all of the question may have been covered - it doesn't matter, ask the question.

This is your closer.

This is where you place yourself IN the job they're offering.

The last thing you want your Interviewer(s) to be thinking when you walk out the door is...."The job's yours".

You've handed yourself to them as the prized package, you've given them no other option but to unwrap your talents. You've become the exclusive candidate in their mind(s) - which is the only way you want it.

You've successfully blown their concerns out of the water by answering their questions. You've let them know you're not only prepared for their short term goals, but that you're an actual thinker.

In all reality you've probably stimulated their mind and thoughts more in those 5-10 minutes then what they've experienced all day (or even all week).

The last question is what hammers into the mind of the Interviewer(s) that you want the job, you can do the job and you know the job is yours.

Remember through this process you don't want to have a cocky attitude - you want to be confident.

When you respond to their answer for question 6, keep it simple. A great way to respond to their answer would be something like:

"Very interesting...(thoughtful dramatic pause)...I can understand how that would be a challenge. I'm excited...I enjoy challenges such as this. I hope this is something we get to tackle right off the bat."

Keep the positive flow rolling if you can, but not for too long. You can over sell yourself at the end (or under sell yourself). You want this to be the closer, or as close to the end of the interview as you can. The goal is to leave them with a lasting impression of "What a great person, perfect for the job, the job is theirs - I hope he's within our salary range!"

Have fun in the interview - again, not goofy fun - but smile, laugh a little and enjoy yourself.

When you walk out shake their hand. Don't ask them when you'll hear from them. There's no need - they'll call you because the job is yours.

Confidence

(Ever wonder what to do after you walk out of the interview? Check out my lens Post Interview Follow-Up!)

To download these questions in a free printable pdf format please use this link: The Best Job Interview Questions - Free Printable PDF

This can be an easy way to help you write the questions out on line paper. For future reference I've included links to my other articles as well.

I've given you a piece of my knowledge. My hope is that this will help you to have the interviews you've always dreamed of.

Throughout the question process you'll learn about yourself, your potential employer and what you really want.

Handle every interview like it's the job you want. If you do, when the job comes along that you decide to accept you'll be ready to seize it.

Forget about their requirements and what you don't have that's in their job description. You made it to the interview so obviously you have qualities they feel are relevant to the job.

Present yourself as who you are, no holds barred. Let them overlook what they ultimately know can be learned. To them confidence, attitude and an enjoyable personality will make big issues look like small freckles.

I wish you the utmost success in your interview process and life.

If you have questions pass them along...I'd love to answer them now or in my next lens.

Carpe Diem and remember God is with you.