In your preparation for the interview, you should prepare answers to a number of difficult questions that are almost sure to be asked.  Your responsibility is to know what the interviewer is really asking and to respond in an honest, sincere and convincing manner.  Some typical tough questions are: 
 

A. "Why don't you begin by telling me about yourself?"  You should be aware that this is not an invitation for a long, biographical discourse.  It's the interviewer's way of starting the interview and getting organized for the interview process.  The question will have been forgotten before you are through with the answer.  You should confine your answer to three or four well-chosen sentences outlining career highlights.  It might be an ideal time to begin the topical interview by asking what the employer needs, or what will be expected of the person who gets the position. 

B. "Do you have any questions?"  The temptation here is to ask "me" questions, that would be a mistake.  You should ask only questions that are job-related prior to the actual offer. 

C. "Are you willing to travel?"  The proper response should indicate flexibility.  There is certainly room for personal preference to be expressed on this point.  If you do like to travel, you should say so, but indicate that extensive travel is not a primary consideration.  If you do not like to travel, you should say so with as much flexibility as possible, perhaps indicating that occasional travel would not preclude your acceptance of the job.  if you really are inflexible, do not let the interviewer form the opinion that you are flexible. 

D. "Do you object to overtime work"  This question is usually not what is seems.  The interviewer is not likely to be asking if you will work late every day.  He simply wants to know if you are going to drop everything in the middle of a project because the clock says it's quitting time.  The proper response indicates flexibility.  A good answer might be:  "I have always been flexible when it comes to work beyond office hours, Bill.  The fact is that I am project-oriented, not clock-oriented.  I will do whatever is necessary to get the job done." 

E. "Will you relocate?"  If you are not willing to relocate, say so.  If there is any flexibility in your stance, you should indicate it.  This question does not usually mean that you would be willing to relocate later before the interview starts.  Do not let the possibility of relocation dampen your enthusiasm for getting the offer.  A good answer is this question might be:  "I haven't really considered moving out of town, but the right opportunity would cause me to seriously consider the possibility." 

F. "Why do you want to work for your company?"  This is a wide open question--perhaps you like what the company does; perhaps you like its location, people, products.  This could be an opportunity to pay the company a few compliments and make a friend at the same time.  This could also be a question that is really asking whether you intend to stay with the company for a reasonable time 

G. "Why are you considering leaving your current position?"  This is the classical query that seeks an indication as to your willingness to stick with a position.  If your job history shows that you've moved around quite a bit, you should turn a negative into a positive statement that longevity in a job is one of your goals.  You should also compliment your employer and indicate that you are looking for a place to make real contributions.  A good answer might be:  "Bill, if I've learned anything during my past employment and during my interview so far, it is the importance of finding a long term permanent position.  I really enjoy my work with XYZ Company, but I am looking for a position that will allow me to make contributions over the longer term." 

H. Salary questions.  Some of the most important questions asked are related to salary.  Salary is extremely important, but it's not the sole consideration.  Other facets, including opportunity, benefits and potential for growth may outweigh starting salary as a consideration . 

When responding to a salary-related question, you should avoid committing to a specific salary level.  A figure too high or too low may end in unsatisfactory results for you. 

The idea is to let the employer make the commitment without committing yourself.  The most general question about salary is, "What are you looking for in the way of salary?"  This is usually a positive indication that the employer is considering making you an offer, however, you want to avoid being pinned down on salary at that point.  You might answer, "While salary is an important issue, I am more interested in a company that wants to utilize my skills and that I can really grow with over the long run." 

If the employer is insistent and wants to pin you down, the best technique is to say, "My current salary is $ _________.  Naturally, I would like to see a reasonable increase."  Always remember that the primary objective is to GET THE OFFER! 
 

• What are Employer's Looking for? 
• Preparing for the Interview 
• Anatomy of the Job Interview 
• Common Mistakes  
• General Tips

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