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53 QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Experience is not what you have done in papers, but what you have effectively made. There are cases in which people, who have the same age and have the same amount of experience, are, however, different. The difference is that each person has “their” experience in different areas. These “different areas” are the real focus. Even non-traditional experience can be applied to the requirements of the position.
Many times, a young person who has had work experience in something that doesn’t fit “at all” with the task they are applying for asks what to tell about it. All the experience is useful and can always be used in something.
As I have already mentioned, the previous preparation for interviews is very useful. Keep all of your background in mind, your formal jobs, investigations and everything that can give you an added value for the position you are applying for.
1. How did you begin working as a…? How did you begin working in this type of tasks you do nowadays?
They will frequently ask you how you began working in the specialty you have right now. They will want to know if it was because of your decision or it was just fate.
If it’s been a really long time since you began working, it will be just an anecdote, if it’s been only a short time, they will want to know if you feel committed with that activity.
2. Tell me if you have ever felt frustrated in your profession/activity.
You get in contact with your interviewer, who you just have met. It is not convenient to tell stories that may be misinterpreted. You may have felt frustrated sometime, but if you tell the story improperly, it can be misinterpreted. A possible answer could be: “I have always faced my profession with enthusiasm; therefore, I haven’t experienced many frustrations.
3. Tell me about an important failure in your profession.
The same comment of the previous question.
4. In your current (previous) job, do you have to assume risks? What kind of risks have you taken in your last job and what were the results?
Companies expect their employees to take limited risks and to manage within the pre-established norms. It is expected that the most brilliant ideas will be discussed first with the corresponding person.
Explain the reach of your tasks; remember that the interviewers are interested – in general - in knowing real facts.
5. Do/did you like working for your current/previous supervisor?
If you like/liked working with them, a possible answer would be: “Working with my current/previous boss is/was a good experience. My boss is a good professional, who really knows about the business and how to be successful in it. From the very first time I began working at…, my supervisor was interested in my work. Under their supervision, I have grown personally and professionally.”
If by the contrary, you want to change jobs because you don’t get along with your current boss, say it, but look for the right words, for example: “My current boss is well intentioned with his management, but I don’t share…, that is why I am facing this search.
6. How do you evaluate the quality of your work?
“It is hard for me to answer, I always try to do things right and my development surveys have always been excellent.”
If it is not so, this is the time to try to give a good explanation.
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