"How do you see your life and career in the next five years?", "What is your main weakness?", "Can you call yourself a team player?" - at least one of these questions you probably had to answer when you were interviewed when applying for a job. But on the eve of the interview, it is important not only to know the questions themselves that a potential employer may ask you, but to be able to competently answer them. Of course, you can never know for sure which questions are waiting for you, but if you keep in mind a rough plan for answering the most common of them, then the interview will be much more productive. Your conversational skills, being confident, serious, resourceful and creative, will of course be appreciated by your employer as needed, and can be critical to your success in getting a job.

Below we offer you some of the most frequently asked questions to the participants of the competition for filling a particular vacancy. After each question, we will provide a rough answer plan. Take our recommendations into service, and you can feel more confident in the interview.

personal information

1. Tell us about yourself.

When answering such questions, limit yourself to details that in one way or another relate to your future work. You should not dive too deeply into the details of your personal life.

2. Tell us how you see your dream job.

You should not name specific positions and specific responsibilities, otherwise more detailed questions may follow so that the employer can make sure that you really deserve the position that you have named. Better to limit yourself to descriptive constructs like "friendly team", etc.

3. What weaknesses do you see in yourself?

Don't immediately start listing your weak points. Be extremely collected and give examples of a few of these "weaknesses" that are actually your strengths. Of course, here you have to be creative to present your advantages under the guise of weaknesses. So, a good answer would be "I need some time to get ready for work, so I get up two hours before leaving the house."

4. What are your strengths?

5. How do you feel about criticism directed at you?

Criticism is the surest path to self-improvement. Talk about how you never take criticism too personally and always agree that a harsh reprimand was necessary in any case. Give some examples of how criticism has helped you rise to a higher level and achieve something.

6. What do you do in life besides work?

Share your favorite activities and try to link them to the opportunity to improve your skills and abilities that are useful at work.

7. Do you consider yourself a successful person?

Here, no options: feel free to answer "yes". Being successful doesn't necessarily mean having control over the entire world. Tell us about those achievements that you consider to be the most significant, if the time allotted for the interview allows.

previous employment

1. Why did you leave your last job?

The answer must be positive. A phrase like “I just decided to find a greener pasture” will do. In any case, link your answer to the search for new opportunities, expansion of horizons. And while in reality this may be true, by no means say that the reason for leaving the previous job was an irritable boss.

2. Why have you been unemployed for so long?

Describe any options for useful activities that you carried out during this period: from continuing education in relevant courses to working as a freelancer or other ways of earning money without official employment.

3. How do your colleagues from previous jobs feel about you?

Limit yourself to the casual compliments you may have heard from your coworkers, and be careful not to exaggerate.

This company

1. What do you know about what our company does?

Before the interview, be sure to study the inside and out of the company's website, because this is the surest way to get reliable information about its activities. It is good if you know someone who already works or worked previously in this organization. Then you can get more detailed information firsthand.

2. Why should we hire you?

Here we should talk about mutually beneficial cooperation. Convince the interlocutor that you need this job as much as the company needs you. And in any case, do not compare yourself with other participants in the competition for this vacancy.

3. How long do you plan to work for our company?

You should not name specific dates and periods of time. A good option would be a phrase like "as long as our cooperation will be mutually beneficial."

4. What are your expectations from working for this company?

Say that you would like to get a little freedom, room for activity, that you do not welcome too narrow a framework. However, clarity in the formulation of tasks for you is one of the important wishes.

Teamwork

1. Describe your style of management and team interaction.

Emphasize that you pay a lot of attention to communicating with colleagues and subordinates, and also try to do everything so that there is always a comfortable atmosphere in the team.

2. Can you call yourself a team player?

And here answer unequivocally "yes"! If time permits, give a vivid example of how you successfully implemented a project as part of a team.

3. What role would you take on in teamwork on a project?

Create an impression of yourself as a flexible worker who is equally good at following directions and being a leader.

4. What annoys you about your work colleagues?

No specific qualities and characteristics. Tell the employer that you can work with any colleagues, building relationships with them on the basis of tolerance and constant search for compromises.

5. What traits would you like to see in the character of your boss?

And there are no specific characteristics here. Limit yourself to general phrases like "competent", "honest", "reliable", etc.

Qualification

1. Why do you think you can do this job well?

Highlight your professional skills, previous job experience, and crisis management skills. In a word, you must convince the employer that you are exactly the person he needs.

2. Do you think that you are too qualified for this position?

Try to convince the other person that you are the best fit for the job. The employer shouldn't have any doubts about your uncertainty. Your task is to create the impression that you are the right person for this company.

3. How can you compensate for your lack of work experience?

Focus on your professional skills. If you just graduated from college, think about the projects and research that you successfully completed during your studies.

Principles

1. What is more important to you: the job itself or the salary (money)?

Balance is important here: both are important. You should not imagine yourself too generous and disinterested, or, conversely, materialistic. Just point out that in addition to a good salary, you would like to receive moral satisfaction from work.

2. Will you be able to put the interests of the company ahead of your own?

Of course you can! This is a kind of test for how firmly you will "grow together" with the company and how responsible you will be.

3. What philosophy do you follow in your work?

No lengthy reflections and praises. In a few words, outline the values ​​and principles that are most significant to you, and also tell us what you can bring to the team.

Possible interview questions:

“What can you tell us about yourself? »

Tell HR-manager, what kind of education do you have, bring your work experience. Nothing else, if you are not asked to complete, is not worth telling.

"Why should we take you in particular?"
Tell them that your qualifications meet the stated requirements. Your salary expectations do not exceed the level of the specified vacancy. You want to get down to productive work as soon as possible.

"Have you received any other job offers?"
Your credibility will grow if you say that you have received other offers, but they are not interesting to you. Tell me that you want to work for this particular company.

"How will you behave if a conflict situation arises at work?"

Say that you are not a conflicted person and therefore you will defend your opinion only in matters on which the success of the whole business depends. And if the issue is not so important, then you are ready to make concessions.

"How do you spend your leisure time?"

"How do you see yourself in a year, three, five and ten years?"
A person who is not purposeful and lacking in initiative will say that they have not thought about it. And a person who is focused on success will readily talk about his planned professional growth.

For example, tell me that in a year you plan to take advanced training courses, in five years you will receive a second higher education, in ten you plan to become a specialist yourself high level in their profession.

"What do you know about our company?"

This question tests how lazy you are. Are you interested in work or you only need a high salary. Therefore, before going to an interview, be sure to check the company's website. Praise the company and in no way belittle its achievements and dignity.

For example, say that the company was founded in 1995. She is a supplier of telecommunications equipment. Over the years, the company has established itself in the market as a reliable and responsible supplier. This will be enough.

"Are you a punctual person?"

Before giving your answer, remember if you are late for the interview.

1. If you came on time, then say that you are punctual.

2. If you are late, then it is better to say that you are trying to be punctual, but today, unfortunately, you are late for an interview.

"Tell us about the worst leader you have ever worked with"
Resist the urge to pour out all the accumulated negativity and talk about what a terrible leader you had at your previous job.
Tell them that you were lucky in this regard, and you cannot call any of your former leaders really bad.

"Why are you looking for a job other than your education (specialty)?"
Say that you are disappointed in the choice of a profession. Everyone can make mistakes, and no one can be sure in advance of the correctness of their actions. Then add that now you are expanding your horizons and want to try yourself in a new field.

« How much do you want to earn? "

These questions have several purposes:
1) find out whether a person is guided by the situation on the labor market. This is an additional indicator of how well a person is versed in the business he is doing.
2) an additional opportunity to check what motivates a person to work (one will begin to list the expected costs and increase the amount, the other will name the average level that suits him and add that he is more attracted not by the monetary advantages of this work, but, for example, by the schedule or growth prospects).
3) if the candidate is satisfied with the amount lower than the one that the employer is willing to pay as much as possible, this makes it possible to either save money or offer the person more if he liked him very much, but doubts whether to accept the offer.

What is the average salary level that suits you?

"If we hire you for this position, what will be your first steps?"

The question is more often asked to candidates for managerial and administrative positions. It is necessary to show that such situations are familiar to you, and you know how to take the initiative. You should not immediately propose changes if you did not have the opportunity to familiarize yourself in detail with the state of affairs.

Tell me that you will first of all analyze how the processes in the company are going at the moment. And only after that you will make decisions about changes, if necessary.

"What should be your boss?"

By asking this question, the HR manager aims to find out whether you are prone to conflicts with your superiors or not. Tell me what you think the boss should be strong leader and a highly qualified person from whom I could learn.

"Why did you come here at all?"

React calmly, as if you have been asked to share your skills that can be useful to the company you are applying for. " Tell us what you can do for the company if you become an employee.

“You had a break in your seniority, what have you been doing all this time? Couldn't find a job? "

Tell them that you were temporarily working as a freelancer, taking care of your own projects. Now, you want to get a permanent job.

"Sell me a pen"

"Why were you fired from your last job?"

Tell them that you have grown to the maximum level at the previous job, and it turned out to be impossible to move up, due to the lack of free places. You abandoned the artificial position, created specifically for your retention, because of its lack of promise. Add that you want to develop and learn new things.

Always say good things about your previous employer.

"Why are you still not married?"

Say that, unfortunately, you have not yet met the one with whom you would like to spend your whole life.

“What are your shortcomings? What are your weak points? "

The question is complex and controversial. The answer to this question is given in a separate article: “Is it worth pointing out your shortcomings in your resume? "

“How much do your parents earn?

Tell them that your parents have a small, stable income that is enough for them.

"Are you happily married?"

Say that you are happily married and that your spouse is a wonderful person.

"How often do you lie?"

I try never to lie, which is what I demand from others.

"What actions of yours at the previous place of work led to the collapse of the company?"

If you react negatively, the employer may think that you are sensitive to criticism. You may joke that the company stopped working properly when you left. Or say that the company has strengthened its position in the market during your work.

"How many coins do you need to put one on top of the other to reach the moon?"

Say you don't know the exact number of coins, but you know how to calculate it. Divide the distance from the earth to the moon by the thickness of the coin.

"Rate me as an interviewer on a scale of 1 to 10"

Purpose: With similar questions, the applicant is tested for courage.

More often than not, such a proposal is confusing. Say that overall the interview went well, but give the interviewer a solid 8 because you didn’t like the personal questions or the questions you would like to hear were not asked.

"Have you ever stolen pens or pencils at work?"

Be honest. Tell them that sometimes you take pens from work, and then, most likely, you will take them. What else are they needed for ?!

« How long do you plan to work with us?»

Say that in order to answer this question, you have to work a little with the company to see if the job is right for you. Whether interesting tasks have to be solved, whether the atmosphere in the team is good. If everything works out, then our cooperation will be as long as the company needs me.

"How long are you going to work for our company?" - this question is asked by almost all HR specialists during interviews. The most interesting thing is that the recruiters themselves do not agree on the importance of this issue. After all, they all know perfectly well that at the interview, the future employee says what they want to hear. Most often this question is asked in order to force people to find the "correct" wording.

To find it, here are some tips:

No need to give exact dates

If you say without batting an eye “ 2 years 4 months and one week", Then the HR-specialist will immediately ask:" Why exactly so many? " Answer “ five years»You will also have to argue and inform the recruiter about your professional plans, if you have them. Otherwise, he will think that you just read in a book that 5 years is the optimal period of work in the company... If, for example, you like the work schedule offered by this company, because you will have time to pick up your child from kindergarten, and you would like to sit here until the children go to school, and then look for something more interesting and monetary, then you should not report it at the interview. Also, you are unlikely to have a lot of chances to get a job if you honestly report that you will quit in May, because you are used to spending the summer on an archaeological expedition.

Allowed to be smart

It is believed that the first three months a person adapts to new job, after another three months begins its development in the company and only after six months the full-fledged return begins. Therefore, it is not profitable for a company to hire a person for six months. And a worthy answer: “ It is difficult to think for a long time. I believe that I need a year in order to establish myself in this position. And then let's see what the company has to offer me».

You can refuse to answer this question

In this case, you need to clarify that there are too many factors affecting your desire and ability to work for the company. Name these factors, setting the right priorities: professional and career growth, material compensation, corporate culture and its compliance with your personal aspirations, etc. Alternatively: “ I am interested in your company, and I would like to work with you for a long time. But not everything depends on my desire and diligence. Let's see what I can give the company, what kind of career and professional development I will have».

Instructions for the applicant

the site interviewed applicants and found out what questions they consider the most inconvenient. It turned out that the most difficult thing is to talk about your shortcomings and imagine your professional future - that way in five years. Let's figure out how to answer tricky questions from recruiters.

The most uncomfortable questions for job seekers (according to the site survey)

1. Tell us about yourself ...

It is believed that with the help of this question, one can find out about the priorities of the candidate in life: people first of all talk about what worries them more. Olga Bezumova, recruiting manager at the Personnel Planet recruiting agency, says that the employer is primarily interested in your education and work experience and is not interested in hearing about a hobby. Elena Volkova, head of the recruiting company ABC Consulting, advises to tell a little about everything: about education and hobbies. According to Yulia Tartakovskaya, HR manager of the Vokrug Sveta group of companies, such a question needs to be specified: specify what exactly to talk about, your professional experience or something personal.

2. Tell us about your shortcomings ...

The question is no longer original. In response, you can show your sense of humor, but it is better to answer in a neutral way. “I have, of course, shortcomings, but they do not affect my work in any way,” advises Olga Bezumova. And the real shortcomings should not be given out under any pretext.

3. Tell us about your achievements ...

Self-esteem and prudence test. Tell us that you have increased sales, successfully implemented a project, improved your qualifications, and received a gold cup. The main thing is not to overdo it. Of course, not everyone can boast of super achievements. If the above is not written about you, tell me that in the previous place you mastered a new computer program or increased the level foreign language- that's not bad either.

4. Why did you leave your previous job?

The employer wants to know what did not suit you at the previous job and what you expect from the new one. Speak the truth. But keep in mind that it is highly discouraged to refer to a bad relationship with a former boss or colleagues. Another but: before referring to the lack of career growth and routine in the old place, make sure that everything is in order with the career growth and interesting tasks in the new company. It is better to talk about the desire to receive more in the last place, as if by the way, they say, money is not the only reason for my employment. For some reason, many employers like to think that all good employees work more for an idea.

5. What salary are you applying for? (What is the desired minimum and maximum salary)

In other words, can the company buy you and keep you for a while? Feel free to name the amount that is 10-15% higher than the previous salary. “The maximum is 30%,” adds Elena Volkova.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

The question can be very uncomfortable if you are currently applying for one position, and in the future you see yourself as someone completely different. Or you have no idea what you will be doing at least in a year. Can you imagine and answer at least yourself. Well, for HR officers, the ideal answer would be that you want to continue working on the same path, grow as a professional and move up the career ladder (a little).

7. What do you know about our company?

The question is difficult only for the lazy. You need to know at least some minimum about the company, at least check out its website.

8. Why do you want to work with us?

Usually this is a continuation of the question "about our company" - an attempt to completely confuse the candidate and draw out of him some kind of secret reason for employment. It's better to keep silent about money at first. Start from afar - flatter a little: the company has been on the market for many years, and this speaks of stability (this is exactly what you need), the company is a revolutionary in the market (this is exactly what you need), it is interesting to work in such and such an area, suits the position, responsibilities , the location of the office is convenient and the like.

9. How long do you plan to work with us?

That is, what are your goals-motives and how sincere you are. “To answer the question, I have to work a little and understand whether I like the team, whether I have to solve interesting problems, whether the atmosphere in the team is close to me. If you like everything, then our cooperation will be long and mutually beneficial ”, - offers the answer Yulia Tartakovskaya.

10. How do you handle high production loads?

Most likely you are being prepared for processing. Ask a counter question: “Are processing possible? How many hours? How many times a month? If everything suits you, confidently say that you are ready for "heavy production loads".

We talked about how to competently build your answer to the question: "Why should we take you in particular?" However, employers also like to ask: "Why do you want to work with us?" R Head of Career Services HeadHunter Marina Khadina will tell you how to prepare for this issue .

The response strategy is that you should first estimate what distinguishes this proposal from the rest (the content of the tasks, the period of the company's development, corporate policy, the complexity of the tasks, etc., including the location).

Here are some examples of the answer to such a question:

1. I have a serious education in mathematics, I like doing research like this. I had a similar experience at NN. I will gladly return to such work, but at a new level.

2. This job is an ideal continuation of my professional career. There is a good combination of different areas of activity here. (specify which ones), in which I just have experience in different periods my career (transfer)... This is a unique opportunity to make the most of what we have and to benefit the company.

3. This is not the only opportunity I am considering, but your company is the only place where my qualifications will be fully in demand. In particular, as a HR manager, I have special knowledge in the field of mass recruiting, and it will be in your company that this will be so in demand. In addition, the task implies the need to organize remote recruitment management. This will be a growth zone for me. This is the kind of work I will look forward to every morning.

4. I am interested in this particular vacancy, tk. it matches my experience the most, combining both sales and marketing. As I already mentioned, in my previous job I achieved an increase in sales in the new channel for the company by more than 25%. In addition, the team of professionals with whom I have to work made a huge impression on me.

5. I have a clear understanding that your company is a company where I can do a lot of useful things right now. We discussed plans to launch new lines of business in the coming year. I want to be part of the team during this growth period.

6. I will not hide my interest in this position with you (e.g. accountant) since firstly, this work is 99% familiar to me, which will allow me to quickly understand and start working, and secondly, I will be as motivated as possible, because the office of the company is located not far from me. It is a great success to have a combination of interesting work and work close to home.

It is important to know that modern recruiters, along with the professional qualities of their employees, highly value such a thing as loyalty. All things being equal, your genuine interest in the company can work in your favor and make you stand out from the crowd. For such purposes, HeadHunter has a service: with the help of it, you can always make yourself known to the company of your dreams.

Good luck with your interviews!