My 16 year old is going to "Baby's First Interview" tomorrow for a retail job. She asked me to prep her on typical interview questions and I thought it would be a good time to write some advice up here.
At any job interview, the object is to sell yourself, that's why having your answers and examples ready so you don't blank is great preparation. For a retail job they're going to want to see how you can give great customer service so that the people in front of you either by or buy and come back again after they buy because life was so much easier shopping there with great customer service. The employee is a liability because they have to be paid; the employee must be made into a profit, so excellent customer service is what you give (and let's face it, it's what you like to get so there's something to analyze; define great customer service when YOU are the customer and adopt those qualities to yourself.)
Here are some examples of questions that the hiring manager has been given on a sheet of paper to ask you. They may scribble answers, don't let it throw you.Q: "So, tell me about yourself"
Personally, I hate this question. I'm a multitude of things, but what they're asking is how does this particular job pertain to me...err..you. Keep the answer between 2 to 5 sentences that are short, concise and full of information. They're supposed to be assessing your personality, communication skills, ability to think on your feet. They're also listening to your voice intonation and looking at your hair. Statistics say that the #1 thing interviewers notice first is hair. Isn't that wierd?
what you do (your current or last job), your strengths (stick to job-focused skills), and then summary of what you just said linking your experience to the job you're being interviewed for.
Q: "Why did you leave your last job?"
If you haven't left a job be clear that you're hoping to make the career tranisiton to something offering more chance for advancement or more opportunity to work with people, keep it positive and tie in what you can do for the position. Maybe you are looking for something closer to home. For retail, my daughter will try to remember to say something along the lines of "I have been a customer here and love the ______ you sell. I thought I would apply because it seems like a great company to work for!' or similar. This is her first official job interview but she's worked in a convenience store so she has customer service skills down.
Q: "Why do you want to do this job / work for this company?"
If you can, do some research on the company, mention things like you admire it's committment to not testing on animals or whatever you may found out. Tie that into how you are equally committed to that cause or something else. You're kinfolk - you must convince them that you belong.
Q: "What do you think you have to offer this company?"
This is where your definition of great customer service comes in, only point by point. You point out that the store operates like this and so do you. They offer that and so do you.This is a chance to sing your own praises — concentrating on the skills you have that are required for the position.Try to remember what the job description asked for if you applied to an ad. If you don't have an ad, see if the company or store is recruiting for the same position at a different location (check the net) so you have an idea of what they're looking for. Don't forget to add that you can sell ice to penguins, you're a good team player but can work independently and people like you.
If the job requires specific skills, like working with Adobe Photoshop while you edit pictures, tell the interviewer that you're an ace with Photoshop and think that you'd be an asset to their photo-development team. That kind of thing - you're selling yourself.
Q: "What do you think this position involves?"
This is kind of a trick question - they want to know if you read the ad and did your research. Do your homework - see above.
Q: "What do you know about the company?"
Again, they want to know you did your homework. Dazzle them. Demonstrate your interest in the job by telling them your understanding of the organisation and industry. Talk about the research you did into the company's key areas of interest, its size, its main customers or current status, making reference to your source of information (their company website or a Fortune 500 Magazine article etc..)
Q: What salary range are you looking for?
Was what they're offering in the ad? What kind of position is it? Ask what they're offering, and if it's way off base politely give them the ballpark you were looking at. Depending on the job they may be able to accomodate you and were trying to save some money by down-paying...but then again you don't want to slam doors. If it's wayyyyyy low ask how soon the first pay raise would be and by how much. It's usually something you get to think about, getting hired on the spot is rare these days.
Q: "Do you have any questions you would like to ask?"
No, "what time is lunch?" or "how often do I get breaks?" are not good questions.
Always have something to ask the interviewer. If you can't think of anything because it was covered in your conversation, clarify what you talked about in question for. You can ask when they expect to make a decision, when the position starts, is there room for advancement, can you transfer to a different location if you needed to in the future, that kind of thing. If you're unclear about the job still, then clarifying questions putting the interviewer on the spot are good.
For example:
"What do you see as being the main focus of this role?"
"Am I correct in saying that the position involves mediating between A and B departments and monitoring and developing new approaches to...?"
"I'd like to ask about the organisational structure... are the publications produced on a national basis or individually by each regional office? How are budgets controlled and allocated?"
Q: "What do you believe are your key strengths?"
Oh, yeah. I love this one. "Where do I begin?" isn't the best way to start off. Seriously though, have a think. Look at resume books and check out their adjectives section. Make sure they related to the requirements of the job. Try to have some examples. They love to whip in the "give me an example of a time when...." Be prepared.
Q: "What do you believe are your weaknesses?"
"What, who me?"
Yes you! This is a great question because we're all fallable and they want to know a time you may have goofed up and how you fixed it and learned from it. Make sure that the fixing it/learning from it reflects how you'd be great at this job you're applying for.
Also, things that are "flaws" can work in a company's benefit like "I tend to make sure my job is complete/ the work station is ready for the next person/ my duties for the next day are prepared and ready for the next day before I leave."
Q: "What do you enjoy most about your current / last job?"
The trick with this question is to list what you have enjoyed about work that strongly relate to the key elements of the position you're applying for, and mention that you are looking forward to expanding your experience / scope in these areas.
Q: A question requesting confidential information about a previous employer
This may be a testing of your discretion and professionalism and to see how you might talk about THEM in the future. Don't go there. Keep it positive and if you have to say "that's confidential information and I'd like to respect their privacy just as I would protect yours.
Q: "Where do you see yourself in five years time?"
They want to know if you're going to be a job hopper or plan on staying with them. Vague but satisfying answers include "Well, if I were employed here, hopefully I would have advanced in position and become a valued employee" to show company loyalty and that you're not a slug who wants to stay in the same position forever.
Q: "Do you work well under pressure?"
Answer with a 'yes', and give a specific example of a time when you were under pressure and how you rose to the challenge. You prioritized and kept your cool, asked or help or delegated as needed and smiled to keep the store/company/office running smoothly.
Q: "Tell me about when something went wrong"
This is a good one that you can give great examples about how you made a flub, corrected it, and learned from the experience. Ideally how it positively affected the customer in the end is a great ending because, gosh darn it, great customer service is your middle name!
These are behavioural questions designed to get information about how you would be on the job, how you would make the company money and how you would fit in with the rest of the winners who work there. Be sure to have an extra copy of your resume to refer to, and sometimes even have two copies in case the interviewer pulls the old "I don't have a copy of your resume..." thing to test your preparation skills.
Don't forget to pace yourself in a nice, natural conversational tone. Breathe. Don't say "umm" or thinking words to begin your sentences. If you need to think, do it without "umm" or "err", simply say a time-buying word like, "Yes....".
Two thumbs up - you're awesome and a Hireable Desirable. Everybody has something to offer employers. There ARE jobs out there, the choice is up to you!
These are basic questions/answers. For really intense questions/answers, check out the pros like:
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