10 things not to say in a job interview

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10 things not to say in a job interview With the jobs market more competitive than ever it can be hard work just to get an interview, so once you're actually in front of potential employers you don't want to ruin your prospects with an ill-chosen comment. Sadly, some job hunters still do speak before they think. Corinne Mills, managing director of Personal Career Management, says she can recall many instances of interviewees saying the wrong thing. "I remember when one man was asked why he wanted the job, he replied, 'Because my mum thought it was a good idea'," she says. She adds that some job hunters have also been known to say they've applied for a job "because it will pay the rent while I look for a job I really want to do", and a common response to a question about what candidates like to do in their spare time is "go to the pub". Richard Nott, website director at CWJobs.co.uk, says candidates should avoid discussing religion and politics. "Employers like people who can talk passionately about their own interests as it helps them to get to know you as a person. But we would always advise against sharing your views on these two topics without knowing if the interviewer shares that point of view." We asked Nott, Mills and Nik Pratap of Hays Senior Finance for their list of the top things to avoid saying at a job interview: 1 "Sorry I'm late." It goes without saying that punctuality is key. Your interviewer doesn't want you to arrive for work 20 minutes late every morning. 2 "What's your annual leave and sickness policy?" It doesn't look good if, before you've even been hired, you're planning your absence from the company. 3 "I'll just take this call." Mills says a large number of candidates think it is OK to take telephone calls, texts etc during an interview. It isn't. 4 When asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" never say, "Doing your job." As much as this might be a genuine answer, Nott says candidates should "try to build a response around the experience they would like to have gained and the level of responsibility they'd like to have, rather than threatening the interviewer's job." 5 "My previous employer sucked." No matter how mind-numbingly boring those roles might have been, "speaking badly of a previous employer is not only unprofessional, but also reflects on your character," Pratap says. Your new employer will contact your former employer for references following an interview, so it's never wise to burn your bridges. 6 "You make widgets? I thought you made cricket bats." Failing to research your prospective employer fully is a big faux pas. "Saying you've looked at their website is only marginally better – employers expect far more research," Mills explains. 7 "Bloody hell." Never swear in your interview. It can happen, especially if your interviewer is themselves prolific with the profanities, but don't let them set the standard of the interview and remain professional at all times. 8 "I was very good at sorting out PEBs by using ARCs." Don't fall into the industry jargon of your previous employer or assume the interviewer knows anything about your experience, Pratap advises. Instead, speak clearly about your skills and experience to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. 9 "Do I really have to wear that uniform?" Any criticism of staff uniform will go down like a lead balloon. Do you think your interviewer enjoyed wearing that fluorescent green ensemble when they performed your role? 10 When asked, "What do you expect to enjoy most about this role?" never reply with any of the following: the perks, the pay, lunchtimes, my co-workers or the holidays, Nott says. frequently Asked Interview Questions Relating to Skills 1. What experience do you have in the industry? 2. What job and activities have you done that make you suitable for this position? 3. What qualifications / competencies do you have for this job? 4. What were your responsibilities at your last position? 5. What are your major accomplishments or achievements in your last position? 6. Have you had any other kind of training that would make you suitable for this position? 7. Why should we hire you?

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Page 1: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

10 things not to say in a job interviewWith the jobs market more competitive than ever it can be hard work just to get an interview, so once you're actually in front of potential employers you don't want to ruin your prospects with an ill-chosen comment. 

Sadly, some job hunters still do speak before they think. Corinne Mills, managing director of Personal Career Management, says she can recall many instances of interviewees saying the wrong thing. "I remember when one man was asked why he wanted the job, he replied, 'Because my mum thought it was a good idea'," she says. 

She adds that some job hunters have also been known to say they've applied for a job "because it will pay the rent while I look for a job I really want to do", and a common response to a question about what candidates like to do in their spare time is "go to the pub". 

Richard Nott, website director at CWJobs.co.uk, says candidates should avoid discussing religion and politics. "Employers like people who can talk passionately about their own interests as it helps them to get to know you as a person. But we would always advise against sharing your views on these two topics without knowing if the interviewer shares that point of view." 

We asked Nott, Mills and Nik Pratap of Hays Senior Finance for their list of the top things to avoid saying at a job interview: 

1 "Sorry I'm late." It goes without saying that punctuality is key. Your interviewer doesn't want you to arrive for work 20 minutes late every morning. 

2 "What's your annual leave and sickness policy?" It doesn't look good if, before you've even been hired, you're planning your absence from the company. 

3 "I'll just take this call." Mills says a large number of candidates think it is OK to take telephone calls, texts etc during an interview. It isn't. 

4 When asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" never say, "Doing your job." As much as this might be a genuine answer, Nott says candidates should "try to build a response around the experience they would like to have gained and the level of responsibility they'd like to have, rather than threatening the interviewer's job." 

5 "My previous employer sucked." No matter how mind-numbingly boring those roles might have been, "speaking badly of a previous employer is not only unprofessional, but also reflects on your character," Pratap says. Your new employer will contact your former employer for references following an interview, so it's never wise to burn your bridges. 

6 "You make widgets? I thought you made cricket bats." Failing to research your prospective employer fully is a big faux pas. "Saying you've looked at their website is only marginally better – employers expect far more research," Mills explains. 

7 "Bloody hell." Never swear in your interview. It can happen, especially if your interviewer is themselves prolific with the profanities, but don't let them set the standard of the interview and remain professional at all times. 

8 "I was very good at sorting out PEBs by using ARCs." Don't fall into the industry jargon of your previous employer or assume the interviewer knows anything about your experience, Pratap advises. Instead, speak clearly about your skills and experience to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. 

9 "Do I really have to wear that uniform?" Any criticism of staff uniform will go down like a lead balloon. Do you think your interviewer enjoyed wearing that fluorescent green ensemble when they performed your role? 

10 When asked, "What do you expect to enjoy most about this role?" never reply with any of the following: the perks, the pay, lunchtimes, my co-workers or the holidays, Nott says.

frequently Asked Interview Questions Relating to Skills

 

1. What experience do you have in the industry?

2. What job and activities have you done that make you suitable for this position?

3. What qualifications / competencies do you have for this job?

4. What were your responsibilities at your last position?

5. What are your major accomplishments or achievements in your last position?

6. Have you had any other kind of training that would make you suitable for this position?

7. Why should we hire you?

8. Why do you want the job?

9. What makes you different from the other candidates?

10. What skills do you think are most critical for this job?   And how do your skills relate to this?

How to avoid the biggest interview mistakesCan you do the job? Do you want the job? Will you fit in? These are the three most important questions for an interviewer. Avoid the mistakes that will make your answers to them sound like a "no". 

Not showing an understanding of the job 

Prepare for the interview by finding out all you can about the role, company and industry. Read about the company's history, milestones, values, products / services and customers; and research the wider challenges and opportunities in the sector. Scour industry blogs, trade publications, the company website or LinkedIn page; set up Google alerts for news and use Twitter to find information. 

Ask intelligent questions at the interview to clarify your responsibilities and to show that you're someone who wants to make an impact. Ask about short and long-term priorities and how the role affects the organisation as a whole. 

Page 2: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Not saying how you did something 

Rather than just saying you possess particular experience or a skill, prove it. Practise your story-telling techniques to show how you achieved a result or used your skills. 

Find specific examples from your background to match the job specification. These examples should already be highlighted in your CV, so expand on them during the interview. Preparing your examples beforehand means you're less likely to get stuck for an answer or appear tongue-tied. 

Make sure your examples are relevant. In Businessweek, the author describes a candidate who ruled herself out of a marketing job: 

"I asked her to think about our five-person agency and what we need in marketing. She told me a story about a 24-month intranet project involving 60 people and six or seven levels of organisational sign-offs. She needs a big company atmosphere - her story screamed "I don't understand scrappy not-for-profits at all." 

Not knowing why you want the job 

Lack of enthusiasm is almost guaranteed to lose you the opportunity. You must be able to say why the role and company appeal. Use the "Tell me about yourself" question to show how your background fits. Be prepared for questions about your future plans and think about how you can answer honestly and thoughtfully without sounding bland, vague, or over-ambitious. 

In Graduate jobs: Advice from the experts, one poster gave an example of how genuine enthusiasm trumps anything else. "One girl got into a tizz and made a right mess of her presentation, but managed to convince us how much she wanted to work for us, and how much she could do for us. We've been very pleased with her." 

Negative body language will counteract anything you say. Exude confidence in how you walk, sit or answer questions. Role-playing your interview helps – and not just for answering those difficult, "skeleton-in-the-cupboard" questions. 

Coming across as unprofessional 

Nobody wants to work with a complainer or a back-stabber. Never criticise a previous manager, colleague or employer. Aim to give the impression of a capable, team-playing professional who would fit in and not be difficult to manage. 

Not following up 

A post-interview thank you note is an excellent way to reiterate your strongest selling points, and the reason why you want the job. 

If you haven't heard by the time you expected (get an idea of their timeframe during the interview) following up shows your commitment and ability to stay on top of things.

Simple Interview Question List

1. Tell me about yourself?

2. What are the most difficult challenges that you have faced?

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

4. When did you show leadership and persuade others?

5. What are your best ideas and how did you get them implemented?

6. How well do you work in a team?

7. In which areas do you consider yourself an expert?

8. When did you show flexibility and a willingness to do things a new way?

9. What are the most important activities that you were responsible for?

10. When did you improve the way that something is organized?

What is a Personality Profile Psychometric Test?

A  Personality Profile Tests comes under the category of Psychometric Test.  The Personality Profile Tests are designed to

help the employer dissect whether you have the ability to meet the requirements or the skills required for the job.   The

employer typically looks for behaviours that are important in a job profile.   This also helps the employer understand your

personality traits.

 

How long are Psychometric Personality Profile Tests

The length of a personality test varies by employer.  Some personality tests are very short while others are quite long. 

Some may have 10 -12 questions while others may have more than 200 questions.  

The length of the test depends on the what the interviewers are looking for.   Typically the more senior the job, the longer

the test will be.

 

Are there right or wrong answers in a Psychometric Personality Profile Tests

Page 3: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

There are no right or wrong answers in a personality test.  In answering questions for a personality test, go with your gut

feeling - or the first answer that comes to your mind.  Cheating will not help here since if your personality traits do not

match those of the requirements of the job, either you or your employer will be unhappy even if you get the job.

Normally the questions are set against a time limit so that you give instinctive answers and do not think too much about

the questions.

 

Some popular personality tests

There are thousands of types of personality tests.  Two very popular personality tests are the

Myers - Briggs

Firo - B

Five ways to improve your interview technique

Becoming an exceptional candidate is something you can do; it's just that most people don't take the trouble. In my experience, most interviews

don't go that well; most people are bad at them. The truth is that many recruiters are actually not particularly good at interviewing either nor particularly effective. So, if you prepare properly and are a good interviewee, the odds can be stacked in your favour. 

To put in a good performance think about planning, practice and positive psychology. An interview is an audition. You need to project yourself as the sort of the person the interviewer wants to hire; as someone they want on the team. 

Just checking out a company website is not enough 

It's not just a question of researching the organisation. You need to understand your interviewer and why they are hiring. One way or another they are seeking a resource as a solution to an identified problem. Just checking out their website, report and accounts is not enough. 

Work on understanding the organisational need and how you can add value. Look at the challenges and opportunities they face and work out how to show that your experience and expertise are relevant. Explore their market, competitors and the changes taking place in the industry. 

Use your network to find information about the interviewer and his preferences, the company and its culture. Use LinkedIn and ZoomInfo to gather all the intelligence you can.

Focus more on delivery rather than giving off-the-cuff replies 

Rehearse your presentation. I don't necessarily mean being word perfect. I'm talking about what you say when anyone asks you what you do, why you left, what you have achieved and so on. Can you talk about yourself comfortably, with confidence, concisely with clarity? Practice so that you have the right words, don't get flustered, talk at the right pace and, crucially, know when to stop. Remember the need for consistency between words and body language. 

In an interview you have to know your CV by heart. None of it pops into your head at the last minute; you know what you are going to say and what spin you are going to put on it. A good interviewee has learned his or her lines in advance and is focussing much more on delivery than on off-the-cuff replies. 

It's not a solo performance: aim for a 50/50 dialogue 

What you really need to do, though, is to make the interview interactive. People trained in interview techniques are told to use the 70/30 rule. That is to say the interviewer aims to talk for about 30% of the time allotted and the candidate talks 70% of the time, in response. 

The smart candidate actually wants a 50/50 dialogue. You should aim for a conversation, directed along the lines you prefer – whereby you can

Page 4: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

play to your strengths. The interviewer can only go with what you give them. This is best illustrated by using the "what was your biggest business mistake?" question. Do you really want to tell them your biggest mistake? Really? You decide. 

You are aiming for positive interaction. Make it easy for the interviewer by saying "have I told you all you need to know on that subject? Can I give you more detail?" Build rapport, find some common ground. But remember it's not a monologue, you are both actors in the interview and it is a dialogue, a conversation, not a solo performance.

A positive outlook is crucial 

Henry Ford famously said "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right". You're motivated, you've done the prep and have the drive to succeed so visualise success. 

Whether you call it confidence, self-esteem or self-belief, to shine at interview you need to show that you will make a good employee. Show that you are good at interacting and reading your situation, good at selling yourself and your ideas. Practicing your interview technique will make it so much easier to shine. There's no need to be nervous if you believe you are a good candidate for the role. If you believe you can do it, then you can do it. You know it because you have prepared, practiced and are ready to show what you can do.

Review and follow up 

After the interview send a letter. Thank them for seeing you. Reiterate how interested you are in them and the role. Review the key points of the interview when you discussed challenges and opportunities and outline how you can help them meet those. 

No guarantees but if you work at it you'll become a better interviewee and give yourself an advantage in a tough economic climate. 

Tell Me About Yourself - Best Answers

Because it's such a common interview question, it's strange that more candidates don't spend the time to prepare for exactly how to answer

it. Perhaps because the question seems so disarming and informal, we drop our guard and shift into ramble mode. Resist all temptation to do

so.

Your interviewer is not looking for a 10-minute dissertation here. Instead, offer a razor sharp sentence or two that sets the stage for further

discussion and sets you apart from your competitors.

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Give them "your synopsis about you" answer, specifically your Unique Selling Proposition. Known as a personal branding or a value-added

statement, the USP is a succinct, one-sentence description of who you are, your biggest strength and the major benefit that a company will

derive from this strength. Here is an example of a Unique Selling Proposition: "I'm a seasoned Retail Manager strong in developing training

programs and loss prevention techniques that have resulted in revenue savings of over $2.3Million for (employer's name) during the past 11

years."

What a difference you've made with this statement. Your interviewer is now sitting forward in her chair giving you her full attention. At this

point, you might add the following sentence: "I'd like to discuss how I might be able to do something like that for you." The ball is now back in

her court and you have the beginnings of a real discussion and not an interrogation process.

Be Specific

The key is that you must lead with your strongest benefit to the employer. Be specific and don't wander about with some laundry list of skills

or talents. Be sure to put a monetary value on your work if at all possible and be ready with details when you're called upon. Give an

estimated value to the $$ you've either helped to make or save for your employer.

Be Prepared

When you walk into an interview, remember to always expect the "tell me about yourself" question. Prepare ahead of time by developing your

own personal branding statement that clearly tells who you are, your major strength and the clear benefit that your employer received. The

advantages of this approach are that you'll quickly gain their attention and interest them in knowing more. You'll separate yourself from your

competitors. You'll also have a higher chance of being positively remembered and hired.

How to Respond to Interview Questions Like "Tell Me about Yourself"

Here's more advice on the best way to respond to this common interview question, including what to say and what not to say to the

interviewer.

Page 5: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

More Interview Questions About You

Here are more common interview questions that you'll be asked about you, along with sample answers and tips on how to respond.

More Job Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Questions and Answers 

Typical job interview questions and sample answers.

Interview Questions to Ask

When you're asked what your greatest weakness is there are several different ways you can answer, including mentioning skills that aren't

critical for the job, skills you have improved on, and turning a negative into a positive.

Non-Essential Skills

An alternative approach is to analyze the key skills and strengths required for the position you are interviewing for and then come up with an

honest shortcoming which is not essential for success in that job. For example if you are applying for nursing job, you might share that you are

not particularly adept at conducting group presentations. In this case it will be critical to underscore your strength in one to one

communication with patients while providing an example of your difficulty with presentations to large groups.

Skills You Have Improved

Another option is to discuss skills that you have improved upon during your previous job, so you are showing the interviewer that you can

make improvements, when necessary. You can sketch for employers your initial level of functioning and then discuss the steps you have taken

to improve this area and then reference your current, improved level of skill.

If you use this strategy be sure not to mention anything that you improved upon that is related to the job for which you are interviewing. You

don't want your qualifications for the job to be questioned.

Turn a Negative into a Postive

Another option is try to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of urgency to get projects completed or wanting to triple-check

every item in a spreadsheet can be turned into a strength i.e. you are a candidate who will make sure that the project is done on time and

your work will be close to perfect.

Note that the term "weakness" isn't used in the sample answers - you always want to focus on the positive when interviewing.

Sample Answers

When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.

Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.

I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good

balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time.

I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I realized that scheduling in advance makes much more

sense.

Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task, or take on tasks personally that could easily be delegated to someone else. Although

I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others

work.

Page 6: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

I had difficulty with calculus during college, but I persevered with tutoring assistance and extra effort and completed 2 levels with a B minus

average.

I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I

know my work is correct.

I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've learned to work on many projects at the same time,

and I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one.

More Answers to Questions About Your Weaknesses

Here are 300+ more responses to interview questions about your weak areas share by About.com site visitors.

More Questions About Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Review more interview questions related to your strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and accomplishments, along with examples of answers.

Job Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Questions and Answers 

Typical job interview questions and sample answers.

Interview Questions to Ask

Questions for candidates for employment to ask the interviewer.

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Job Interview Questions and Answers

Top 20 Interview Questions

Types of Interview Questions

What is your greatest strength?" is one of the easier interview questions you'll be asked. When you are asked questions about your strengths,

it's important to discuss attributes that will qualify you for the job. The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience that

directly correlate with the job you are applying for.

Sample Answers

When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.

I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer.

My time management skills are excellent and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my work.

I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations.

How Will Your Greatest Strength Help You Perform?

As a follow up to being asked about your greatest strengths, you may be asked about how your greatest strength helped your performance on

the job. When you respond, relate your strengths to both the job description and your ability to perform at work. Here are sample answers.

Questions About Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Review more interview questions related to your strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and accomplishments, along with examples of answers.

More Answers / Share Your Interview Answer

How would you answer this question? Read more answers and share your best answer toWhat is Your Greatest Strength?

Job Interview Questions and Answers

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Page 7: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Tough Interview Questions

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Job Interview Answer: How Will Your Greatest Strength Help You Perform?

What is Your Greatest Weakness

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our response to the question "What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?" will help the interviewer determine know how easily

you are discouraged.

Best Answer

If possible, tell about a personal disappointment i.e. the early death of a parent, child, or school friend. Believe it or not, it is okay to have not

had a "greatest" disappointment.

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When asking what you would do if you could relive your life, the interviewer is looking for a flaw in your interview. Always remember, the goal for the first few interviews is to get the next interview. For the interviewer, it is to weed out as many applicants as possible. Here's where a personal answer could work.

Personal Answer

I lost my mother to Alzheimer's. I wish I'd known more about the disease to help me through that difficult time.

Non-personal Answer

Really, nothing. I've learned from each experience I've had.

______

More Job Interview Que

Review sample answers to the interview question "How would you describe yourself?" When you respond, keep in mind the type of position

you are interviewing for, the company culture, and the work environment. Your answer should help show the interviewer why you're a match

for the job and for the company.

Page 8: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different people.

I'm a perfectionist. I pay attention to all the details, and like to be sure that everything is just right.

I'm a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind about what will work best.

I'm efficient and highly organized. This enables me to be as productive as possible on the job.

I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.

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There is no right or wrong answer to questions like "What are the most difficult decisions to make?" or "Describe a difficult work situation /

project and how you overcame it." These arebehavioral interview questions designed to discover how you handled certain situations. The logic

behind these types of questions is that how you behaved in the past is a predictor of what you will do in the future.

Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened at work. Then discuss what you did to solve the problem. Keep your

answers positive ("Even though it was difficult when Jane Doe quit without notice, we were able to rearrange the department workload to

cover the position until a replacement was hired.") and be specific. Itemize what you did and how you did it.

The best way to prepare for questions where you will need to recall events and actions is to refresh your memory and consider some special

situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You can use them to help frame responses. Prepare stories that illustrate times

when you have successfully solved a difficult situation.

___________

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Page 9: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

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an educated decision as to whether the amount of travel required fits in with your lifestyle.

What's most important is to get a good understanding of what's involved before you are offered the job, rather than being (unpleasantly)

surprised after you have already been hired.

______________

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Typical job intervi

The overall theme for each of the answers below is: have you thought about the impact of your decisions at the time you made them - or do

you have a reactive response to most situations. Far too often, a person's career appears to have happened by chance. In todays fast-paced,

ever changing world of work, employer's want to know if they can count on you to make good decisions, not knee-jerk reactions.

Start with your graduation from college and explain the rationale behind each of your career moves. 

When I graduated from college, I was immediately recruited by the ABC Company. As my resume reflects, I received two promotions and then

a recruiter contacted for the position at the XYZ Company. I've been there for the past 4 years and have learned a great deal, while making

significant contributions to my department.

Page 10: 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Also, explain the thinking process that went into make each of those decisions.

For my first job, I was happy to know I would be working in a job that utilized my education. It was exciting to know that within just a few

weeks of graduation, I had my first paycheck. My thinking behind the XYZ position centered on the fact that they have a global presence, it

was a definite promotion and positioned me to be a viable candidate for the marketing position with your company.

How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done? 

I use my time efficiently at work and, for the most part, it's not the number of hours I work; but how effective my time has been to accomplish

the job. I'm sure my references will tell you I was more than willing to put in the time to be sure the job was completed as quickly and as

professionally as possible.

If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move?

The upward mobility at my current company would most likely be in the global marketing department.

How do you measure success? 

I measure professional success by the standards of the company for which I work, the feedback I receive from my peers, supervisors and

subordinates. Personally, it is to know I'm regarded as a good husband, father and member of society.

Describe your dream job. 

As a child, I dreamed of being the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. When I realized I did not have a fast ball, or a change -up; I

concentrated on my skills in marketing because I realized it is an area where I not only can make significant contributions, but I enjoy using

my talent in a corporate environment.

More Interview Questions About Your Goals

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers

What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? - Best Answers

How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? - Best Answers

___________

When you are interviewing for a new job, it can be hard to articulate where you would like to be in your career next year let alone five years down the road. Even when you do know, it's important to be careful how you respond because you'll need to tailor your answer to the job for which you are interviewing.

Here are tips for responding to questions about the next stage of your career, while affirming your interest in the role you are being

interviewed for.

Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years from Now?

Outline a Career Path

In order to prepare well for this question, research a reasonable career path which will flow from the position for which you are applying. How

long does one ordinarily spend in that job? What are the next steps within five years?

Some employers will clearly outline pathways in the career section of their website. However, you may need to approach professionals in the

field through alumni, family, friends or professional associations to gain an accurate picture.

Start With Your Interest in This Job

It is often advantageous to emphasize your interest in thoroughly mastering the initial position before moving on. If it seems like you are

rushing past that first job, employers might question how motivated you are to carry out those duties.

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After all, the hiring manager will probably want someone who will be happy and competent in that role for at least a year or two. Integrating a

clear rationale into your answer regarding how your interests and skills equip you to do the job you are being considered for can help to

alleviate any concerns about how long you will want to stay at the job.

When There is No Clear Career Path

Not all jobs are stepping stones to higher positions. For positions like counseling, sales, event planning, teaching and computer programming,

for example, it will be perfectly appropriate to emphasize mastery of that job as your five year goal. Think about components of the job in

which you can excel. For example for a sales job: "Within 5 years I would like to be recognized as an expert in terms of product knowledge,

have developed very close relationships with clients, have significantly expanded the client base in my region and perhaps have been

assigned some major national clients."

Goals = Results

Stating your goals in terms of results which you would like to produce is another angle for responding. So, for example, a prospective teacher

for a district which is trying to upgrade performance on standardized tests might say "I would like to significantly increase the percentage of

students reading at or above grade level through creative instructional methods." Of course, you would need to be able to share some

examples of how you would achieve this.

Moving Up the Career Ladder

There are a few jobs where you are expected to move on after a couple of years, including some analyst positions in investment banking and

consulting, as well as legal assistants and scientific research assistants (for new college grads). In those cases, you will have more leeway in

your answers, but you will still want to establish how the job at hand makes sense given the skills and interests you would bring to the

employer.

More Interview Questions About the Future

What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers

What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? - Best Answers

How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers

Questions about your career goals. - Best Answers______

More Job Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Questions and Answers 

Typical job interview questions and sample answers.

Interview Questions to Ask

 typical interview question to determine what you are looking for your in next job, and whether you would be a good fit for the position being

hired for, is "What challenges are you looking for in a position?"

The best way to answer questions about the challenges you are seeking is to discuss how you would like to be able to effectively utilize your

skills and experience if you were hired for the job.

You can also mention that you are motivated by challenges, have the ability to effectively meet challenges, and have the flexibility and skills

necessary to handle a challenging job.

You can continue by describing specific examples of challenges you have met and goals you have achieved in the past.

Related Interview Question: How did you handle challenges in your last position?

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More Interview Questions About You

Here are more common interview questions that you'll be asked about you, along with sample answers and tips on how to respond.

______

More Job Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Questions and Answers 

Typical job interview questions and sample answers.

Interview Questions to Ask

Questions for candidates for employment to ask the interviewer.

Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Questions and Answers

Job Interview Questions

Job Interview Questions and Answers