Job Interview Tips: What motivates you?

Job Interview Tips: How do you keep your team motivated on a project?

What is your favourite project management methodology?

Why are you leaving your job?

This is one of those job interview questions that will be asked by the savviest of interviewers. Although it's positively heart-stopping to be on the answering end of this question, if you were the employer, wouldn't you want to know how this seemingly fabulous person ended up on the job market? It's similar to meeting an interesting, attractive person of the opposite sex, or finding a used car that's only got 1000 miles on it and is 3 years old. Just a little too good to be true, and you can't believe that no one else has discovered this amazing find.

Basically they're trying to figure out what is wrong with you, and suspect they will get a clue by looking at your relationship with your last job.

So your task is to not give them any ammunition to rule you out of the game.

1. Never, ever, ever speak ill of your current employer, or any former employers for that matter. Everyone knows that one reason for this is because your interviewer will envision you badmouthing them when you decide to leave, and nobody wants to think about bad rumors about themselves traveling through the industry. Another reason to avoid dissing your past employer is that in this very small world, they could be a friend, relative or even your potential client at this new job. No person works on an island and you must always be conscious of the seemingly invisible threads that connect so many people.

2. Another never is to speak ill of the tasks you were asked to perform at your past or current job. ANY tasks. You may think that this new job would provide a blissful escape from the tedium of your last one, and so gleefully explain to an interviewer all of the mind-numbing things you were asked to do. However, your interviewer is thinking about the similar (but different) mind-numbing tasks of this position, and decides that you would quit after the first month. There's no reason to hire you if you've already given them a reason for you to quit.

3. Also, you don't want to speak ill of your co-workers. Those were or are your teammates, and the same rule holds true as reason #1. This world is too small, and good jobs are too few to take the chance.

So what CAN you say?

1. You can say that you wanted a new opportunity. That you felt that you had taken your current or past position as far as you could within the company, you had achieved X, Y and Z, and now feel that it's time for you to learn a different aspect of the business, or to work for a bigger (or smaller) company. The key here is to focus on the future. Focus on the opportunities you see in this new position, how it will help you grow and learn and not what was wrong with the last company you worked for.

2. If you are applying for a job that touts flexible hours, work from home or excellent benefits in the job posting, you can mention those qualities as a reason to look into this new position. Again you don't want to speak ill of your current employer, but say that you understand why they need to run their business as they do, but if the working arrangements at this new company are better suited to your lifestyle at the moment then it might be a good fit. You are showing the employer that there is a natural fit between their needs and your needs.

In the cases where you were let go from a position, all of the above rules apply. If it's the truth, you can say that you were laid off as a result of a company-wide restructuring or budgetary cuts. If it was due to a disciplinary action you can say that at the time you were having some time management issues (if you were fired for being consistently late), but you have learned your lesson, that you take an employer's requirements a lot more seriously and have taken proactive measures (which you can briefly describe) to prevent yourself from getting in that situation again. Show that you have made your mistake with your past employer and have absolutely no intention of making the same mistake twice. Sincerity, an action plan and great references are necessary to counteract any remaining issues.

Have you ever worked as a Project Manager at a Digital Agency?

What is your biggest weakness?

What is your biggest weakness? is a common job interview question. It can be a tricky question to answer, but with the proper preparation, you will give a winning response.

Before you learn how to answer the question, let's look at the reasons the question is asked during a job interview, so you have a better understanding of what the interviewer wants to know.

The question about your weakness is to find out a few of things about you. Are you self aware and know what your strengths and weaknesses are? This is important because people who are know themselves, are usually people who can learn and grow both personally and in the job.

The question is also asked to discover if you are honest about yourself to others. A good team member can recognize his weaknesses and admit them to others. No one wants to work with a person who thinks he walks on water and is never willing to admit he is wrong.

The answer to the question of your biggest weakness, simply reveals what areas you are not strong in. A smart boss will hire people who have different skills, so that the team is well rounded. Imagine a team where every employee is strong in finding sales leads, but no one can then sell to those leads. Such a team would not be successful and the company would fail!

How do you answer the question of your weakness in a job interview? First, you must know what your strengths are. Start with the positive and really know what you do well. Now think of what does not come easy to you, what you may struggle to accomplish. Those are areas you are weak in.

If you are still unsure of your strengths and weaknesses, think about what your former bosses or teachers have said about you. Think of what compliments and what criticisms you have heard in the past. Make a list of both your strengths and your weaknesses. Your strengths may be that you are a good listener, you are someone who motivates others, or you complete projects on time. Weaknesses may be that you over-analyze everything, you procrastinate, or you are stubborn.

Now that you have both lists, look to see what on your list of weaknesses could be perceived as a strength, depending on the situation. Polar opposites or the yin and yang exists in everything in life. What I perceive as good, someone else perceives as bad. That means that you can take your weakness and demonstrate it as a strength in the right situation.

Let me show you what I mean. You may have heard all your life that you over analyze things and ask too many questions. When you go on a job interview, and are asked, "What are your weaknesses?," you could answer, "I analyze things too much." That answer will not help you land the job. A positive, winning answer is, "I have been told that I sometimes over-analyze things and can ask a lot of questions. I know that can bother some people. I have the ability to see holes in plans, that other people might not see. That's when I ask a lot of questions." Do you see how what some people would find annoying, is actually a real asset to a company? The key is giving a full explanation for what you have been told is a weakness.

Here is another way to handle the question of your weakness. Know what the job duties are and what they are not, by getting a thorough job description before you interview. You can get this information from the job posting. If you a working with a recruiter, he will have the job description. You can answer that your weakness is something that you know is not a job requirement. For example, Joe did telemarketing one summer during college, now he is applying for a computer analyst job, and knows that he will never have to handle a sales call. When asked about his weaknesses, he can say,"I am not a good salesman. I did telemarketing while I was in college and I did not enjoy it."

The interviewer may accept that answer and move on to the next question, or she may want to know a weakness in Joe's current career as a computer analyst. If she wants another example, then Joe can provide a weakness that is a strength in the position he is interviewing for. He can say, "I know I can be really stubborn. I am usually stubborn when I want to make sure the system is right and that we have not missed any glitches. Others want to go live, when I am holding my ground to check when I am not yet convinced that the program is fool proof." Joe's stubborn side can keep that company from having big problems by going live too soon. That is a positive quality that will help Joe get the job.

One other way to answer the weakness question is to think of something you were not skilled at, but took the time to learn. Maybe you were not very good with making Excel spreadsheets, so you took a course, or had someone teach you how to do the basics. You could answer, "I am not an expert in Excel, so I decided to get help and learn. I can now do a spreadsheet with basic functions. I plan to continue to my working knowledge and have signed up for an online course on Excel." This shows the interviewer that you recognized your weaknesses and you took the initiative to learn and improve your skills. It is important to be honest with your answers. You don't want to say you took a course or have signed up when you haven't. Lies have a way of catching up with you and biting you later on.

In summary, when asked the question about your weaknesses, give an honest answer.

• You can name something that has nothing to do with the job responsibilities and requirements.
• You can give an answer that others perceive as your weakness, but is actually a strength in the job you are interviewing for.
• You can talk about something you were not strong in, but then took the time and initiate to learn and improve.

This is only one question you will be asked during the job interview. Remember to be positive with all your answers and be sure to tell the interviewer about your strengths and abilities.

Why do you want to work here?

The first answer that comes to mind is, "Because you have an opening, and I need a job." While this may be the truth, it is not an answer that will get you points in a job interview. The interviewer is looking for an answer that indicates you have thought about where you want to work, and are not just sending out your resume to any company that has an opening. Doing research on the company and industry before the interview will make you stand out as a more informed and competent applicant.

It's all in how you say it

Annette is the first candidate interviewed for the position of HR Manager. When she is asked this question she replies,

"I always wanted to work for this company. I not only love the product but, have used it for many years. This job would be perfect for me, a real opportunity for me to grow and develop."

Annette's answer begins well, but then shifts to what she can get out of the experience instead of what she has to offer. The answer would be stronger is she were to indicate that she had done research on the industry and the company, and could discuss more than her experience with the product.

James is another candidate and answers more directly.

" Based on the research I have done, this company is an industry leader. When I visited the website, I found some very impressive information about future work planned here. I was also impressed with the backgrounds of the founders, and the current financial statements. This is a company I have been looking for, a place where my background, experience, and skills can be put to use and make things happen."

James's answer demonstrates his interest and enthusiasm for the company and what it stands for. He also indicates that he envisions how he could be a member of the team.

The last candidate, Phillip, answers,

"I'm not sure at this point. I answered the ad because I fit the description but, from the research I've done, I think that this is the type of company and industry I want to work in. I know I have what it takes to do this job, and based on my research, there are some challenges here that would be a great match with my past experience and skills."

Phillip's answer is honest and forthright. He is here to learn more and check them out.

Research

It is a must to do research before the interview, and come up with two or three reasons you want to work for this company. It would also be beneficial for you to think of at least two reasons that this job is a match for you - your skills, your strengths, your experience, and your background - what you can bring to this company.

Your Answer

There are no right or wrong answers to this question. Your answer should reflect that you have thought about what you want and have done research on companies, and this one in particular. Let the interviewer know that you are being selective about where you want to work, and that this is the company you want to work for. A little flattery will go a long way.

What are you looking for in a job?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

This question needs to be answered in a realistic manner. Do not give your answer as saying that you want to achieve a role that is not achievable. Mainly emphasize that you would cater to companies growth and that would see yourself 2-3 levels higher if given opportunity, as suitable for carrying companies aspirations and goals. However, if you have a particular goal in mind, you can mention it, considering you have a decent experience and track record. Always, try to judge what the interviewer is expecting from you and hence, it is important to understand the recruiter's problem.

What are your strengths?

Along with "tell me about yourself," "describe your strengths" is one of the questions that you know you'll be asked in a job interview. At first blush, it sounds like an easy question. But because it's such a broad topic, it can actually be quite difficult to answer well. Below are a few guidelines to help you prepare for and deliver a great response.

Identify your strengths. You should think very carefully about your personal strengths well before you step foot into your interview. It's not unusual for even the most ambitious professional to be at a loss as to her own strengths. Try viewing resume samples and notice some of the strengths that come across. Do any of those apply to you? Another good source of "strength identification" is to ask your friends and family what they see as your positive attributes. Are you organized? Decisive? Detail-oriented? It's a good bet that these qualities come through at work as well.

Limit your strengths. Of course you want to impress the hiring manager with your many and varied strengths, but it's a good idea to put a lot of thought into just three or four, rather than make a catch-all list to regurgitate. If you try to sell the fact that your strengths cover every single thing that could possibly arise-ever!-two negative things are likely to happen: your interviewer probably won't believe you, and you won't have enough time to expound upon anything (and, hence, miss the opportunity to lend credibility to your claims).

Avoid over-used catch phrases. It's tempting to say things like, "I'm a people person" because it sounds like it should be the right answer. But it's far too vague to convey anything other than the fact that you don't know how to interview well.

Make sure your strengths are transferable. If you're interviewing for a similar position as the one you have now-or with your current company-it'll be fairly easy to describe how your strengths relate to your potential new job. But if you're changing careers or re-entering the work force after an absence, you'll need to be more creative. If you're switching from graphic design to sales, for instance, you can relate how your dedication to on-time delivery and creative customer presentations would be a huge plus in your new job.

Relate your strengths to the new company or job. It's no secret that candidates need to research the prospective company, as well as the specific job they're after if possible. But you may not realize how valuable that information can be when you're relating your strengths. If you know that the culture of the hiring company is customer-focused, for example, you should make sure to convey that customer service is one of your strengths. The company doesn't care about your strengths in an abstract sense; they want concrete evidence that you can hit the ground running for them.

Give concrete examples. Too many job seekers begin well with their "strengths" answer, but then stop short of an impressive response by, well, stopping short. Don't just say that you're persistent; back your assertion up with a story about the time you courted a new client for six months to secure a huge deal for your previous firm. Or demonstrate your attention to detail by showing your interviewer a company newsletter that you edited.

Be prepared for the follow-up. A good interviewer knows that you'll expect questions about your strengths and weaknesses and that, if you're smart, you will have prepared a good answer. So to mix things up a bit, some interviewers ask questions that force you to defend your assertion. If you describe one of your strengths as being able to sell ice to an Eskimo, the hiring manager may pick up a stapler and ask you to demonstrate your no-fail sales technique. The best way to prepare for follow-up questions like this is to make sure that you actually possess the strengths you say you do.

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