Behind the Interview Questions - Part 2

Name three strong and three weak sides of your character

This is also a question that you have to consider beforehand and have a prepared answer. Besides the fact that the interviewers will want to see if your strengths match the profile they are looking for, they would also like to understand whether you are mature and confident.

Hmm, the strong ones you will name easily. What about the weak?

Do not make the mistake of saying that you can not remember. This speaks of a lack of adequate self-esteem, inability to think fast and to communicate.

The internet is full of tips that tell you to choose something that is seemingly negative, but it is actually positive - like, for example, that you spend more time than needed to do important tasks in order to make sure that management gets the most relevant information.

That sounds artificial, doesn’t it!

Remember, this is not a confession or therapy. The real question is to what extent you know yourself and can objectively find and improve the not so strong areas of your skills and character.

So, pick something that is not key to the position you are applying for and add what you have done to improve this flaw. If you are applying for the position of an accountant, for example, most probably it wouldn’t be of key importance to you to be a highly competent speaker who makes public presentations.

Tell me three things I do not know about you

The question is not standard and will cause you to unpreparedly tell things you probably have not rehearsed in advance. Your answer will tell the interviewer about your values and the things that are really important to you.

Again, be careful not to go into lengthy explanations, not to talk about personal things, and not to use examples in which you are "victim" of circumstances or people. Be positive and demonstrate optimism and motivation for development and growth.

What are you mostly proud of in your career so far?

The question gives you the opportunity to briefly, accurately and with great enthusiasm present your achievements. The important thing here is to position correctly a wider context of interests and skills because otherwise the interviewers may decide that in the future you might want to do exactly what you are talking about. And the position may be in another area and role.

The question will also show your skills to present. Therefore, it is important to prepare your answer in advance.

What type of people you could work with and with what type you could not?

The question is actually "Are you a conflict type of person?"

So, in a positive tone explain that you can cope with all sorts of people and manage conflicts. It is clear to everyone that there is no ideal environment. The question is whether you would contribute to a positive change or just aggravate the already existing tensions.

Your most serious failure?

This question verifies your ability to objectively evaluate. Also, whether you could take responsibility, as well as learn and apply in your life the takeaways of what happened.

If you start blaming others, underestimate your failure, or think of explanations, you will not get it.

It is best in one sentence to describe a situation and tell what you have learned and changed as a result of what has happened.

Which is better - to perform a task perfectly but with a delay, or averagely well and on time?

Most people will respond "well and on time". For most companies, this will be the right answer. Interviewers will be looking for people who can manage deadlines without the paralysis of perfectionism.

But are there any exceptions and would the answer depend on the situation? The question brings additional conventions as to whether the task is of highest importance, whether it is related to a client, whether the terms could be reviewed and amended.

In any case, you have to answer that you always try to achieve the best possible execution of the task and take into account the deadlines set.