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Examples of the Best Answers
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- When I first became an assistant manager of a sales branch, I tried to take on everything myself, from the day-to-day operations of the branch to making all of the big sales calls. I quickly learned that the best managers know how to delegate effectively, so that work is done efficiently. Since then, I have won numerous awards for my management skills, and I believe a lot of this has to do with my ability to delegate effectively.
- I am the kind of person who tries to learn and grow from every mistake. Years ago, a team I was working on failed to land a sale, and we were told it had to do in part with our ineffective visuals. Over the next six months, I spent much of my free time learning how to use various software programs to create enticing visual presentations. Since then, I am continuously praised for my visuals in meetings and sales pitches.
- One thing I have learned from past mistakes is when to ask for help. I have learned that it is far better to ask for clarification and solve an issue right away, than be unsure. I know that your company emphasizes teamwork and the need to be in constant communication with one another, and I think my ability to ask (and answer) questions of my peers would help me fit in very well with your company culture.
35. What interests you about this job?
How to Answer Interview Questions About Why You are Interested in the Job
To help you prepare to answer a question about what interests you about a job, you should carefully read the job posting, noting the stated requirements, skills, and experience. It is also helpful to see if there is more information on the company website about what is expected in the role for which you are applying.
If the job listing is short, and there is not much information on the company website, you can also look up similar job listings on job sites like Indeed.com. You can even Google the job title to get more general information. These searches can give you a sense of typical expectations and requirements of the position.
Before your interview, make a list of your skills and experiences that match well with the stated requirements.
Then, try to think of specific examples of when you applied these skills for success on the job. Here is more information on how to match your qualifications to a job.
When answering the question, focus on one or two elements of the job that match well with your skills. Explain your experience with these elements of the job, using specific examples from your previous work experiences.
When answering the question, avoid focusing on how you would benefit from the job. For example, answers like “I want a job that will help me build my career” make you seem more focused on yourself than on the company. That being said, you still want to convey your enthusiasm for the job. You want to emphasize that you are both qualified and passionate about the position.
Following the advice above will show that you know about the job you're interviewing for (not everyone does), and that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job well.
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Best Answers
Below are some of the best job interview answers to the question, "What interests you about this job?" Customize these answers to fit your particular circumstances and the job you are applying for.
- I am extremely interested in this job as Human Resources Manager. As you mentioned in the job listing, I would be responsible for recruiting, orientation and training. I was responsible for these functions in my most recent position. As Human Resources Assistant Manager at XYZ Company, I recruited over 100 employees, and led training for all the new staff in a department of 45 people. I am interested in this job because it would allow me to continue to develop my expertise in these areas.
- I am interested in this job as a programmer because I am extremely interested in, and skilled at, learning and excelling at new technologies. I have already learned and mastered programs and languages ranging from Python to Java, and look forward to learning and mastering even more. I am also interested in creative problem solving, and have developed that skill as an analyst over the past ten years.
- I am interested in this job as a special education teacher because I value your school’s mission, which is to focus on the unique needs of the individual child. As a special education teacher for the past six years, I have developed strategies for achieving academic and personal success for children, and I look forward to bringing these strategies to your school. For example, I developed a system for staying in regular contact with the parents of my students, and problem solving issues with them. I would love to continue this kind of communication here.
36-37 Strength, weaknesses
38. What major challenges have you handled?
How to Answer Job Interview Questions About Challenges
1. Recall a challenge that was significant, but one that you consider a success. Most importantly, you want to be able to discuss a real professional challenge, not an arbitrary or annoying occurrence. You also want to be able to define how you met the challenge successfully. If possible, mention a challenge most relevant to the role you’re applying to.
2. Don’t just say what you did - explain how you did it. The employer is interested in learning your approach to a challenge, including the actions you took and your thought process. Don’t skip ahead to the end result. Use specifics to describe what you did to contribute to the solution.
1. Emphasize the outcome and what you learned from it. Employers want to hire individuals who can turn challenges into opportunities. When brainstorming an answer, think about ways to emphasize how you made the most of a difficult time. Of course, in the real world, it’s not possible to wave a magic wand and transform every difficulty into a grand success. However, it is possible to learn from your hardships, and then apply what you learned to future challenges. Make sure you express your takeaways and how you’ve grown from your challenges.
Sample Answers to “How Did You Handle a Challenge?”
- During a difficult financial period, I was able to satisfactorily negotiate repayment schedules with multiple vendors. I developed a mutually beneficial payment plan and barter program that worked with both my company’s revenue flow and project schedule, and the vendor needs at the time. In addition, the agreement was easier for me to obtain because I worked very hard at developing a positive relationship with the vendor in the months that we’ve been working together. From this experience, I learned the importance of thinking outside-the-box while solving a problem. I also learned the importance of developing and maintaining good relationships with vendors.
- When the software development of our new product stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the schedule back on track. We were able to successfully troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a very short period of time, and without completely burning out our team. I was able to do this by motivating the senior engineering team to brainstorm a technologically innovative solution that would solve the customer’s issues with fewer development hours on our end.
- A long-term client was about to take their business to a competitor. I met with the customer and was able to change how we handled the account on a day-to-day basis, in order to keep the business. From this situation, I learned the importance of being mindful of client relations, and operations, not just after issues arise, but for the duration of the relationship. As a result, other account managers have adopted my check-in and management processes and have also seen improved results with their accounts.
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39/ What problems have you encountered at work?
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