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15 QUESTIONS ABOUT PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES
Your “professional objectives” should adapt to the position to fill. This is why; you shouldn’t indicate it in your curriculum and be careful writing it in your job request. We are not trying to say here, that you should have a speech for everything that is not the idea. We mean, you will find the specific words for each position, most of all if you followed our suggestions from the previous chapters, especially Chapter 8.
Therefore, the key is the preparation before the interview. Another idea: when reading the newspapers and business magazines and the economic sections of newspapers, you will have a lot of useful information. If you are in an active search, dedicate some time to search and reading of information about eventual future employers. Everything you can learn in advance will be always useful.
1. How do you analyze your career so far?
It will depend on every case, but you should include this opportunity in your career in some way.
2. Why are you interested in this job?
Relate this with the advance of your professional career.
3. How long do you think you will stay in the company?
Remember that the employers –in general- expect their employees to develop in their companies and avoid the people who change jobs very frequently.
4. How do you imagine yourself in 5 or 10 years?
There are companies in which the aggressive answer such as: “Occupying my boss’ place” or similar are well seen. If you don’t know exactly the organizational culture of the company, I suggest you to be conservative with your answer.
The successful executives plan their careers knowing where they want to be “within 10 years”.
5. What are your professional objectives?
The previous point also applies.
6. Are your professional objectives different from the original ones?
The answer will be different, according to each one’s history. There are people who, at some point of their life, have made changes on their careers and others have kept a line.
An example of answer: “I made plans that the circumstances allowed me to change –or made me change- and now I am very happy with these changes.
7. Are you considering making any career change in this moment?
It depends on the situation:
“Yes, this is not a radical change, but I am evaluating a change of company.”
“Yes, as you can tell in my participation in this search, I am facing an important change in my work career.”
8. Would you consider –in any moment- the possibility of moving to another city/country?
Be very careful with this answer; don’t answer quickly and without thinking.
I suggest the following options, according to your feelings:
“I will think about it; I don’t rule-out any option, but I have to talk it over with my family.” “I have talked about this many time with my spouse, it will depend on the option and the moment it happens at.” “My children begin high school next year, I think that moving would be very difficult for us.”
Consider also, that in the international companies availability to move is a factor considered for career development.
9. Would you like to be the president of the company?
Be nice in front of this type of questions because they evaluate more the style of answer rather than the content in itself. Evaluate which one adapts better to your personal style. One option would be the following:
“Wouldn’t you? I hope, with effort and dedication –someday- to become the president of this company or a similar one.”
10. Would you like to be the president of your current/previous company?
If the made you the previous question, they will surely not make you this one. We include both in order to exemplify our book better.
“Yes. However, I am realist.”
Consider your level at the company, your age, etc. This type of answer can be inappropriate, according to the case. Adapt the answer to your reality and the reality of the company you work at.
11. Would you like to have your current/previous boss’ position?
“Yes, I believe I am ready.” Or: “Yes, I am preparing myself for that.” If you believe you are better than your boss or you deserve that position more than them, be careful about the way you state that. With the right words, it can be well interpreted or, on the contrary, very bad. Don’t take the risk if you are not sure.
12. Would you like to be an independent professional?
This kind of question can be a trap. In general, if you are being interviewed for a job in relation with dependence, it won’t be well seen if you are fantasizing about having your own business.
13. When do you expect a promotion?
Be careful with this answer. Many postulants, generally young people, project their promotions with concrete facts and give a negative sensation.
Present the fact objectively if this is your case.
14. How do you think about you work development for the future?
Relate this question with number 4 and 5.
15. What are your training objectives in the short term?
Answer with sincerity, but always evaluating your answer.
For example: If you want to study abroad you wouldn’t be giving continuity to the position, comment this only if you are absolutely determined to do it. If you are planning to take a course that will improve your performance on the new position, comment it; your new employer might be interested and you may even negotiate with them to finance it. The same situation could take place if your company would send you to a course in the next six months and you would lose it if you change jobs, etc.
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