Common Interview Question: What Do You Expect from a Supervisor?

“Candy. Lots and lots of candy.”

After working for some of your life, you probably expect nothing from your supervisor. Nothing good anyway. Most people in a management position get there by either sucking up or receiving an education that makes them no more qualified to lead than a high school dropout. The ability to work with people is not a skill that can be taught in the classroom.

Still, interviewers like to ask what you expect from your bosses and supervisors. They do so for the following reasons:

• They want to see if you have reasonable expectations for company leadership.
• They want to see if you use this as an opportunity to complain about previous supervisors.

The last part is tricky. When applicant start to talk about what you expect from supervisors, they often say the things they hadn’t received from their last supervisor, like praise or fairness. Don’t fall into that trap.

How to Answer

The best way to answer is to focus on the good qualities of the last supervisor you had (no matter how much you disliked them) and stay away from anything that could imply you didn’t like a previous supervisor.

Bad Answer

“I expect supervisors to be fair and level headed. I expect them to make competent decisions and not blame me for things I didn’t do. I also expect them to reward employees based on production, and not based on who sucks up the most.”

Notice how this makes it look like you experienced these examples of mistreatment in the past. You do not want to give that impression.

Good Answer

“My last supervisor had a lot of qualities I appreciated. She would often ask for my opinion and thoughts on the best course of action before I started on a project. She would also schedule regular check ins with me to ensure we were on the same page, and every once in a while we would enjoy a conversation over coffee over my future projects and responsibilities. I hope that any supervisor I have shares those qualities.”

By keeping the focus on what you liked about your previous supervisor, you ensure that it doesn’t sound like you are complaining, and you reinforce the idea that these qualities are realistic, since you are pointing to a specific person in your recent past and saying “she did it, so I expect it from others.”

Take Away Interview Tips

• Keep the focus on your last supervisor.
• Only discuss the positive qualities they had.

Common Interview Question: Have You Had Any Questions Come Up Since the Last Interview?

We mention time and time again that it is important to ask questions at your job interview. As long as your questions are intelligent and make the interviewer think, they are good questions. You can ask questions in the beginning, the middle, at the end of your interview – you can even ask questions with your interview answers. There may be a difference between good and bad questions, but as long as the question is good, it will always benefit your shot at employment.

That said, there are a few ways to improve your chances a little bit more. If you are invited to a second interview, and you are asked if any questions have come up, some questions will give you even more bonus points than others.

How to Answer

Obviously you can ask any question you want here. However, the best questions are going to be as follows:

• Questions that show you researched the products further.
• Questions that show you researched the position further.
• Questions that show you researched the company culture further.

These three types of questions are best. You benefit less from questions that came up BECAUSE of the last interview, because the interviewer may wonder why you didn’t ask at your first interview or during the thank you letter. Also, questions that are unrelated to either the first interview or further research can be saved for a more opportune time. The three examples above are the best types of questions to ask.

Bad Answer

“A few. Can you tell me more about [something that they said last interview or random, unrelated question]?”

Good Answer

“A few. Can you tell me more about [something you researched between interviews, either about the company, its culture, or its products]?”

Take Away Interview Tips

• Good questions will always be good questions.
• However, if you are asked about questions that came up during the last interview, there are better questions you can ask.

Common Interview Question: What Do You Know About Our Products?

In case you were not aware, company research is important. Lots and lots and lots of it. Know more about the company than some of the staff do, because you will be tested on that knowledge in your interview, and you need to be able to answer accordingly.

How to Answer

If you are asked what you know about the products, it is not an opportunity to list off the products that they offer. They know what products they offer. They don’t want to hear you simply recite a list or give a brief explanation of what it does. They want to know that you actually have knowledge. So what you should talk about are at least one of the following:

• The products/changes currently under development.
• The effects of their products on the market or on the consumer.
• Awards and figures about products.
• How current, past, and future products represent the values of the company.

Make sure you talk about things that other applicants are less likely to discuss, focusing your answer on more than just a list of the products or a brief explanation of what they do.

Bad Answer

“Your current products are the SurverySoft App and the SurveySoft Messenger. Both are designed to make research easier.”

Boring.

Good Answer

“Forbes called the SurveySoft App the “next generation enterprise market research software,” beating out the QuestionAir app in both functionality and ease of use. Also, the SurveySoft Messenger is currently being upgraded to include Apple products, so that researchers across the globe can utilize instant market research surveying and analytics. I also read that you are in the process of developing a comprehensive analysis tool to complement your data collection products. Is that still in development?”

Here you show a lot more knowledge, and even insight into the future of the company. Asking a question at the end is a good way to finish the answer if you cannot come up with a more powerful ending.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Research the company.
• Provide more information than simply a list of products and their basic purpose.

Common Interview Question: Can I Check Your References?

An imaginary reader wrote to Everyday Interview Tips:

Dear EIT,

Last night I experienced one of the most difficult interview questions ever. After powering through some of the easy questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Why shouldn’t we hire you?” I was faced with perhaps the most difficult question of all:

“Can I check your references?”

I was floored. How dare they ask me such a personal and difficult question. We had built such rapport! We had an understanding! Why oh why would they ask me something so difficult?! Well, I just walked out of the interview right there. Didn’t even say anything. I just got up, and walked out of the room.

But now I wonder. What possible answer could I have given that would have gotten me the job? Your help is always appreciated and if I could I would give you a million back massages for free just to thank you for your awesomeness.

XOXOXOXO,

~Realp Erson

Thanks for writing Realp! What a great question! We will address it below.

How to Answer

This is clearly an easy question. What matters, however, is how you handle your answer with regard to your references. Did you call each reference individually and let them know about the job? If you didn’t, you may want to inform the interviewer in a way that is tactful, responsible, and intelligent.

Bad Answer

“References? HA! I have lived in a hole for the last 30 years, stupid. Shut up and get me a soda.”

Good Answer

“Of course. Here is a list of their names, numbers, email addresses, and the times they are available. John Smith and Jane Doe are both expecting your call, but I was unable to get ahold of Jeremy James. I believe he may be on vacation. He should be available within the next two days.”

You show you did your homework, you ensure that the right people get called first, and you let the employer know you are organized. It may sound minor, but little things like this can improve your chances of getting the job.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Every question is an opportunity to show the interviewer you are a good fit.

Common Interview Question: How Would You Describe Your Listening Skills?

If you are a bad listener, you are not going to get the job. No one that answers questions incorrectly and interrupts the interviewer is going to wow them with their amazing professionalism. If your listening skills suck, you’re probably not getting the position. Still, you may be asked to tell the interviewer how your listening skills are. Your answer should be brief.

How to Answer

Don’t make jokes. It’s too easy not to take this question seriously and think it is a prime opportunity for humor. It’s not. No jokes you will make are funny. They are tired and clichéd. Keep your answer brief, since there really isn’t much you can say on the topic anyway. Instead, try to hint at what you do to prove that you are listening. This is not a question that is going to win you your interviewer, but you can make the interview more awkward with your answer.

Bad Answer

“Great.” [[Followed by an awkward silence meant to be a joke about how you are ready to listen except all the interviewer knows is that all you said is one word and didn’t say anything else and no one laughs and then the interview gets weird.]]

Good Answer

“At all times I do my best to listen, absorb, and respond accordingly.”

Keep it brief, because a long discussion about how well you listen is going to be counterproductive. There is nothing interesting you can say, and a story about a time you used your listening skills is boring and unnecessary. A short, brief statement is good enough.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Don’t be cute or funny.
• Don’t share a story about a time you were a good listener.
• Make a brief statement about your listening ability and that’s enough.

Common Interview Question: What Are Three Words That Describe You?

“Readiness, Recuperation, and Conditioning.”

Boiling yourself down to a few words is annoying. Interviewers love annoying things. So there you go. Are you ready to be annoyed? What three words describe you?

How to Answer

Once again, this is an example of a question that does not have any wrong answer, provided you don’t sound like an idiot and you justify your answer well. Ideally, try to choose at least one that reflects well on your work ability, and at least one that reflects well on your work personality. The other can be either. Make sure every word you choose is professional.

Bad Answer

“Three words. Let’s see… If I had to pick three words, the first word would be ‘Funny.’ I am really, really funny. The second word… Probably ‘Sesquipedalian’ because I know a lot of big words, like the word Sesquipedalian. The third word… something like ‘Princely’ since I often find myself being waited on by others.”

Good Answer

“The first word would be ‘adaptive.’ I find it easy to adjust to new situations. The second word would be ‘Competent.’ I find that I can meet or exceed expectations in most tasks. The third word would be ‘Educated.’ As you can see from my resume, I have received BA from Yale and an MBA from Harvard, and spent many years educating myself under the guidance of Dr. Harry MadeUpName.”

The words themselves are only of moderate importance. Adaptive and Competent are both good words, and educated is not bad. Also, each one is followed up with why you think so. Say your answer with confidence and you should be fine.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Make sure your words aren’t stupid.
• Make sure your words focus on your professional life.
• Make sure your words are backed up with a sentence about why.
• Try to incorporate how you work and who you are at work into your answer, if possible.

Common Interview Question – What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?

The key to answering questions about your work environment is to simply ensure that what you say is a part of the company. For example, you do not want to say “I like a relaxed work environment” if the company considers itself fast paced; and here’s a tip – all companies consider themselves fast pace. Really, you should simply “prefer” a work environment that you know the interviewer will appreciate. There is no reason to confusion the interviewer with anything too complicated.

Bad Answer

“I prefer a low stress work environment, where managers and staff have a mutual respect for one another. I also like it when managers praise the employees, and no one is blamed for things they didn’t do.”

You do not want any answer that requires the business be perfect either. For example, “I prefer an organized work environment” is a bad answer, because although the company may consider itself organized, they will also wonder if you can handle disorganization.

Good Answer

“My ideal work environment is one that is adaptive. When necessary, it easily handles fast paced work, and is ready for any challenges it undertakes, but also slows down when work is slow, recognizing the natural shifts in business and responding accordingly.”

Good answers include:

• Fast paced environment.
• One that encourages commitment and communication.
• Businesses that react well to change.

All businesses consider themselves hard to work for, even when they are not, and they also believe that their work environment is healthy, even when it is not. As long as you do not make any claims that will cause the interviewer to worry about you, you should be fine.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Answer with something you know the company believes about itself.
• Justify your reasoning intelligently.

Common Interview Question: What Was Your Greatest Achievement at Your Previous Job?

Remember that time that you were asked to take out the trash, and you didn’t want to take out the trash, so you convinced the janitorial staff that the trash was their duty even though it wasn’t so that they took out the trash for you? Yeah, that may have felt good, but that wasn’t your greatest achievement.

Any time you are asked about your greatest achievement, it needs to be something extremely professional that helped the business succeed, preferably with relevance to the position you are applying for. Stay away from anything personal. This is not a time to bring something meaningful in your life into the conversation. This is a time to brag about your greatness to the interviewer.

Bad Answer

“My greatest achievement at my last job is something personal to me. My boss and I had been working hard on some project after butting heads for a few weeks. Finally, we reached a breakthrough, and I could tell from them on that she and I had a deeper connection – one of mutual respect. That meant a lot to me.”

That’s great, but the employer doesn’t care. Remember, you need to seize every opportunity at the job interview to sell yourself. That does not sell yourself.

Good Answer

“My greatest achievement would likely be when I was able to complete the entire year’s worth of tax calculations, including extra quality checks a full month before deadline. It freed up time to get started on the next year’s balances and saved the company roughly $50,000 in excess work.”

This shows the company how you are going to benefit them in the future. It is a true professional achievement that will speak highly of your abilities to the interviewer.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Stick to items that are completely professional.
• Make sure they impress the interviewer.
• Try to make them relevant to the new position, if possible.

Common Interview Question – Do You Have Any Hobbies and Why?

There are a lot of personal questions that employers are not allowed to ask you at the job interview. For example, they cannot ask you if you are trying to have a baby, or if you are enrolled with any organizations (because these organizations may have a religious affiliation), or how old you are, etc. These are all illegal interview questions.

Yet not all personal questions are illegal. One question that employers are allowed to ask is whether or not you have any hobbies and why you chose to do those hobbies.

How to Answer

Essentially, you have to think of the hobbies you engage in that may, at the very least, not weird out the interviewer. In addition, you need to make sure you have a good justification for those hobbies. Employers simply like to see that you put thought into your actions.

Bad Answer

“My hobbies include fashion blogging. My girlfriends and I decided it would be fun to make a fashion blog, where we critique the outfits of celebrities at major social events. We do it for fun, you know.”

Good Answer

“In my spare time I like to go golfing, since the calmness of the course is a great way to relax after a long week of work. I also have been trying my hand at fiction writing. The self-expression present in fiction keeps my creativity flowing and my mind active.”

Very few hobbies sound smart. Maybe if you engage in Scrabble championships or attend MENSA meetings. Regardless, the key to getting out of this question alive is to choose something that doesn’t appear childish and give a great justification for why you engage in the activity.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Focus on more “adult” hobbies.
• Justify why you engage in them in an intelligent, thoughtful way.

Common Interview Question – What Did You Like Most About Your Last Job?

There are a number of interview questions that are hard to mess up. As long as you give an answer that isn’t astoundingly stupid, you are going to get a “pass” for the question and the interviewer will move on.

The problem is that answering interview questions is not just about “passing.” Your goal is to stand out against other candidates. You want to be the best, not just “fine.” So when you are asked relatively simple interview questions, such as “What did you like most about your last job,” you want to take advantage of this easy question and provide and answer that will put you ahead of the other candidates.

How to Answer

Good answers will include the following:

• They will speak highly to your work ethic.
• They are related to what you can expect from the company you are interviewing with.
• They show that you have thought about this answer and have good self-awareness.

The more the interviewer can think to themselves “oh good, we have that here too” the more you improve your chances of getting the job.

Bad Answer

“My favorite part of my last job had to be the hours. 9 to 6 was the perfect schedule for me, and I enjoyed the 1 hour lunch, which we would often do as a group.”

Okay, that’s fine. You probably pass the question. Yet this doesn’t make the interviewer want to hire you any more than they did previously. This is simply an answer.

Good Answer

“What I most appreciated about my last job was the dedication to internal growth. They offered options for continuing education that helped improve my abilities to function within the company. It is one of the things that attracted me to this job, since your company also offers training to internal candidates in order to help them take on increased responsibilities.”

Here, you show that you are a dedicated employee devoted to improving yourself, and you tie it in directly with something the company has, so that they know that you put thought into both what you liked at your last job and what you are looking for in your next one.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Choose something that is applicable to the job you are interviewing for.
• Make sure it also reflects well on you as a candidate.