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If you work/worked in public administration and you are applying for a position in the private sector, consider that your interviewer can have a prejudicial thought about it. Think carefully about how you will answer the following question.
36. Why did you work in public administration for such a long time?
A possible answer: “Keep in mind that there are many different situations in public administration, I used to know the generalized idea; however, the task I was in charge of was interesting and challenging at the same time, therefore, I took the risk.”
37. Have any of your employers denied giving you good references?
If this has ever happened to you, talk about the situation. Consider that many ex bosses don’t give good references just because of their hurt feelings and the selectors know it.
Adequate the answer to your case.
38. Have you taken courses or recent training that are related to the position to fill?
If the answer is yes, this is your big chance of talking about it. Consider that you can improve your capacities –also- with the reading of books and specialized magazines.
39. Have you ever suffered an accident at work?
If you are an office worker, they won’t probably ask this question.
For personnel that work in construction or in factories, or other with possible similar problems, the question is frequent.
40. Does your current employer know that we are interviewing you?
If the answer is no: “No, I decided not to comment the topic until having a real offer.”
If the answer is yes: “Yes, my employer knows it. He is sorry to loose me, but he values my personal growth more.”
41. Why did you have so many jobs in such a short time?
The work rotation is seen in different way according to the age of the postulant.
Keep in mind that the employers are afraid of hiring people who go quickly from one job to the other.
You should transmit your interest in the job you are applying for and you interested in staying there, as long as you find the proper field for developing.
42. What are the most important achievements that you can mention about each one of your previous jobs?
This answer must have specific information of your work history. You should prepare it.
43. Did you propose modification in some tasks of your current job?
Everybody, in higher or lower degree, can count improvements in their current jobs. Evaluate your own situation and try to give an example.
44. Did you receive congratulations from your superiors?
Try to talk about the right anecdote.
45. What is the situation of your company?
If your company were going through a good moment a possible answer would be: “Yes, the sales have increased in “X” percent this last year. We had a very good year.”
Or: “Yes, the company’s utility increased in “X” percent in last exercise.”
Take into consideration that it doesn’t speak well about you if you mention reserved information in an interview and even worst to a person you hardly know. But also keep in mind that there will always be information that is not reserved and that you can talk about during an interview. Be careful.
If on the contrary the company has had loses in the last year, consider that you are part of it and you shouldn’t be indifferent to the situation. In some way, you are also responsible for the results.
46. Have you ever quit on your job before having another?
Explain the situation. If you ever did something like this and it was long time ago, it is not necessary to give details; if on the contrary, it has happened recently, have a story prepared with the right words.
47. Have you ever been fired?
If this has happened to you, comment the situation with no passion. “Yes, I was fired from the position of… (title of the position) at… (name of the company) in… (year).”
If you have any judgment in course, or you have already finished, against your ex employer, this is the time to clarify the topic. Remember that if you give the first information about a point like this, you will always have a better chance to explain your point of view.
If the topic comes up further on, with the search already advanced or when the last admittance “papers” are being made, you will be in an awkward situation and “you will have to give explanations”.
48. Have they ever asked you to quit?
If that is the reality, explain it more or less like this: “Yes, from the position of… (title) in… (name of the company) in the year… the general environment was not good, I understand that the cause was… even when I think that my development at work was correct”.
49. Tell me about a situation in which your boss has let you dress up with your work.
You can relate it with a real story that has happened to you, something you consider important and for which you have felt professionally comforted.
50. Mention the reasons for your success.
We have mentioned a similar question in Chapter 5, About personality. It can also be posed in relation with your experience.
51. Have you ever had your own business?
If you ever had it, be careful with your speech. They can think that you will leave the job. “Yes, it was an opportunity that I had at that moment, it was an interesting experience, even when I feel that I develop my biggest potential in…”.
52. Did you feel well during the interview?
Many interviewers will make you this final answer, comment how you have really felt. If it was not a good experience, say it. Use the right words.
53. How have you felt so far in the recruiting and selection process?
This question is pertinent when the interviewee is part of a long selection process, as for example a young professionals program.
The same comment for the previous question.
As in the other chapters, we will tell you not to lie or adapt information. This specific case is more dangerous than the others, so be precise and concrete. Prepare the answers to these questions with special care in the “difficult” topics.
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