Job interview questions

MisChief · 16 Aug 2010 at 14:56

I have a job interview tomorrow and i'm stuck for examples/answers on questions that may be asked. I hope some of you can help please?

Possible questions are....

- Describe a situation where you have had to use your initiative to solve a problem. What did you do?
- Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for 'answers', as I know there is no such thing as a right or wrong answer when it comes to interviews.

I normally just get on with my work, I don't sit and think about how difficult it is or what a good job i've done afterwards etc. So now i'm stuck for examples

I was hoping some of you can give me your examples, perhaps it will help jog my memory or give me something I can relate to?

I've tried googling but it's not helping much, as I don't want generic answers. I want real examples, examples that I can relate to in my job.
I have found a good website to help me prepare though - http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/questions/behavioral-interview.asp

alex_tank · 16 Aug 2010 at 14:58

pie charts.

antijoke · 16 Aug 2010 at 14:58

MisChief said:
- Describe a situation where you have had to use your initiative to solve a problem. What did you do?
- Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?

Point 1 - I asked OcUK when asked by my old boss to book him into a dentist.
See point 1
See point 1

Job done.

doddsy105 · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:16

i just jizzed in my panttssss

Fortyseven · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:19

Look up STAR interview techniques.

wozzizname · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:30

I'm going through the same thing as you MisChief, as I've an interview tomorrow too.
It seems the STAR thing is the way to go, there's one or two vids on the net about how to deal with these questions.

Robbo · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:37

doddsy105 said:
i just jizzed in my panttssss

Why would you post this :confused:

steve-h · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:50

- Describe a situation where you have had to use your initiative to solve a problem. What did you do?
- Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?

safe to say I wouldn't be getting the job

Twentyone · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:57

I hate those questions. In one interview I had some time ago, my situation that I explained in the first question had examples that I could have used in the two other ones and I of course didn't know that she was going to ask them.

So I ended up looking real silly as I just had to say the same situation to all :rolleyes:

wozzizname · 16 Aug 2010 at 17:05

Have a look here - http://interview-doctor.blogspot.com/

I'm feeling a little more positive now as I can come up with reasonable answers to most of the questions. What I'm dreading now is any technical tests they may throw at me.....

MisChief · 16 Aug 2010 at 20:51

Thanks, that website is really helpful!
The STAR thing useful to know, I guess it is a good way to help me structurise my answers.
I have a memory span of a goldfish, so at the moment it's a struggle trying to remember all my answers

rodo · 16 Aug 2010 at 20:58

Write a card with examples for different qualities and traits you have. Read it every day and recite it three times. You'll remember it then.

MisChief · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:04

Read it every day? My interview is tomorrow!

Rids · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:11

This sort of thing is easily blagged, any interview for a sales role normally has these sort of questions in it, but its pretty easy to fool the person interviewing you. Only you know what you've actually done previously, so its easy to pick a situation you have been in, and modify it to fit what the interviewer is looking to hear.

twist3d0n3 · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:16

Robboftw said:
Why would you post this

because it's hilarious... obviously

The Funktopus · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:19

"Explain to me without using the letter 'E' why I should give you the job..."

I hate interviews.

Rids · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:21

The Funktopus said:
"Explain to me without using the letter 'E' why I should give you the job..."

I hate interviews.

You have seriously had that in an interview?

mattx2 · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:33

These are not hard questions you must have done something to cover each of the below ?

MisChief said:
- Describe a situation where you have had to use your initiative to solve a problem. What did you do?

ever come up with a better way of doing something at work ?

MisChief said:
- Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

ever work beyond your normal hours or do something out of job spec ?

MisChief said:
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?

ever made a decision when the boss is not around ?

The Funktopus · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:36

Nope, but I've had equally daft questions. At my last interview I was asked what type of animal I would be if I could be anything. Questions like that annoy me,as firstly I fail to see how it's in anyway relevant to whether I can do the job or not, and secondly my subconscience instantly begins mocking the rather farcical situation by feeding me utterly daft answers whilst I'm trying to give a serious response. In that particular instance my mind was suddenly flashing up "A PANDA 'COS IT EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES LOL" in bright lights with fireworks erupting and the 1812 Overture blasting away as I struggled to suppress the urge to laugh. I eventually said something along the lines of "Some sort of ape I suppose as I find my opposable thumbs to be quite handy.".....

And no, I really didn't intend the pun either. After realising what I'd said and grimacing inside, my head then flooded with a torrent of masturbation jokes and I was back to struggling with the urge to laugh.

MisChief · 16 Aug 2010 at 21:55

mattx2 said:
ever come up with a better way of doing something at work ?
ever work beyond your normal hours or do something out of job spec ?
ever made a decision when the boss is not around ?

Ah yes, 1st one sparked up an example I could give! Thanks

2nd one, I work beyond my normal hours all the time, and I'm currently temping (been temping for the last 2/3 years) - so *everything* is in my job spec because temps are there to do ad-hoc work.
3rd one, I'm still trying to think of an example for this one

can't think of anything that's really 'important' :/

The Funktopus said:
Nope, but I've had equally daft questions. At my last interview I was asked what type of animal I would be if I could be anything. Questions like that annoy me,as firstly I fail to see how it's in anyway relevant to whether I can do the job or not, and secondly my subconscience instantly begins mocking the rather farcical situation by feeding me utterly daft answers whilst I'm trying to give a serious response. In that particular instance my mind was suddenly flashing up "A PANDA 'COS IT EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES LOL" in bright lights with fireworks erupting and the 1812 Overture blasting away as I struggled to suppress the urge to laugh. I eventually said something along the lines of "Some sort of ape I suppose as I find my opposable thumbs to be quite handy.".....

And no, I really didn't intend the pun either. After realising what I'd said and grimacing inside, my head then flooded with a torrent of masturbation jokes and I was back to struggling with the urge to laugh.

this made me lol