If you don’t see this question on a job application and make it to the interview, expect it to come up. Employers want to fact-check resumes and ensure job seekers are truthful with their job experience.
But what do you do if you had a particularly bad manager and you don’t want your potential employer to get in touch with them? Or perhaps nobody you worked with is still at the company, so you wouldn’t get a good reference. We’ve got you covered with these handy tips.
They just want to get to know you
Many job seekers get stumped by this question because they make it much harder than it needs to be. They either say too little (so they aren’t complaining about a past job), or say too much too much (which can make an interviewer think they were a problem employee).
So long as you’re honest, answering the question can be easy. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be just fine.
Is this a trick question?
This is one of those questions interviewers ask that can really stump job applicants if they aren’t prepared.
It can seem like there has to be a right answer, that you have to choose taking charge or receiving direction. However, there’s plenty of room for personalized answers that relate to you specifically.
Not sure how to start crafting your reply? We’ve got you covered.
Prepare your reasons.
When companies are hiring, they aren’t just looking for the most skilled applicants. While skill is important, interviewers are also looking for culture fit. Folks that mesh with the rest of the employees and stay with the company long-term.
That’s the main reason interviewers ask applicants why they want to work at the company. Your answer should combine a discussion of your skills with your personality and how you fit in with the company in general.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
The interview is flowing nicely, you’ve aced your answers, and the future looks bright. Until this question pops up: “What three words would your co-workers use to describe you?”
You haven’t thought about it before, so you stumble. You’ve been thinking from your own perspective this whole time, so switching gears to someone else’s point of view is tough.
Avoiding this awkward interview situation is simple: just prepare beforehand. Not sure how? We’ve got you covered.
What do you want?
Answering this question requires a bit of preparation. Companies ask this question for two reasons: they want to know what type of work environment you thrive under (so they can see if it matches their own environment), but they also want to make sure you know what you want. That you’re a focused job applicant. (more…)
How Do You Choose?
This question differs from “tell me about yourself” in that the interviewer expects a specific, targeted response related to one specific project.
Interviewers ask this question for two reasons: they want a better picture of your abilities, and they want to learn about you personally by seeing what you think is your biggest accomplishment.
But it can be difficult to choose just one accomplishment, especially if you haven’t prepared a response ahead of time. Here’s how to make sure you’re ready for this question.
