Best answers for job interview questions

[highwayg]

What are the "correct answers" to job interview questions...especially the one.."Why are you leaving your current position?"
I've been at the same job for a number of years and this job is the same thing just for a different company.

 

[labdogs42]

I don't know the right answer, but I always think that "looking for new challenges" is a good answer.

 

[karliebug]

When I interviewed for a new position at my school I said that while I thought I was very effective at my present position , I wanted a new challenge and was excited about starting a new position with a new enthusiasim. I was feeling like I was in a rut with my old position but starting something new gave me something to be really excited about.

 

[sam_gordon]

My suggestion...

Honesty. Here are some of the probable reasons you'd leave a current job for the same position at a different company:

1) More money.
2) Better work environment.
3) Location.
4) Opportunity for advancement.

I suggest highlighting #4 (and possibly #3)...
"I feel I've been "pigeon holed" in my current job and would like the opportunity to learn more about the business."
"I'd like a shorter commute."/"I'd like to be closer to my family."

 

[LizinSTL]

What are the "correct answers" to job interview questions...especially the one.."Why are you leaving your current position?"
I've been at the same job for a number of years and this job is the same thing just for a different company.

I guess it depends on the real reasons... more money? better benefits? a more secure company ? better hours? better commute? personality conflict at old company? no room for advancement?

Any of those are pretty valid reasons but I'd spin the personality conflict one )

 

[apnep]

What are the "correct answers" to job interview questions...especially the one.."Why are you leaving your current position?"
I've been at the same job for a number of years and this job is the same thing just for a different company.

Well, answer the question to yourself, and like a previous poster said, just be honest. You're probably looking for better benefits, more challenge, and opportunity for growth? But I don't think I would mention that I had some personality conflict.

Good luck!

 

[highwayg]

hmmm...all things to think about.....

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Professional growth is another reason. I worked at a small place - I wasn't gonna go anywhere there. Where I'm at now is a lot bigger and there are a lot more fine-tuned positions in the same department. If I get bored doing what I'm doing now, I could possibly do something else in the same department - or even move to a different department - once an opportunity arises.

 

[SarahKate]

Honesty is always the best policy. Don't fluff things up.

Also, that is just one of MANY questions you'll be asked in an interview and to me that is a very minor one. The interviewer should be wanting to find out how you are in given situations. This is called behavioral interviewing and more and more businesses are using this method.

Instead of asking you what you do, why you want to leave your jobs, why are you a good fit, they will now ask you things like:

- Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with someone at work, how did you handle it and what was the outcome?
- Tell me about a time when you made a mistake - what was the mistake, how did you handle it?
- Tell me about a project you were involved in at work - what was your involvement, what was the outcome?
- They might ask things about maybe new ideas you implemented at work, changes to processes, things of that nature.

In my opinion, those are the things you should really think more heavily about as opposed to the original question. If you good "behavioral interviewing", you'll come up with lots of good information.

Good luck in your job search!!!

 

[Planogirl]

I've read that it's a bad idea to criticize your former workplace or boss. They say it's important to stay positive and praise the new company in some way instead.

 

[jessicaerv]

I would stay away from saying anything about a fatter paycheck. I will never forget the time I asked a candidate in an interview what interested her about the job she was applying for and she answered "a paycheck." Needless to say, since she did not convey that she actually was interested in the JOB, she was not offered the position.

IMHO in this economy concern about money is a given, but the intangibles are what really make a job a joy.

 

[ccudmore]

I've done a lot of interviewing over the years (both being hired and hiring people) and the best answer I ever heard (and used once) was in response to the "What are your salary expectations?" question. The best answer is "I'm sure that with my qualifications you will be be able to provide me with a fair offer in line with the marketplace."

This answer has a whole lot of benefits:
- It prevents you from coming in too low (which can result in a low-ball salary offer) or too high (which puts you out of the running).
- It's in line with the negotiating strategy of "never make the first move"
- It's a good judge of how serious they are about you. If you interviewed really well this response will probably end up with a higher salary offer than if you provided a number.

 

[MomToOne]

What are the "correct answers" to job interview questions...especially the one.."Why are you leaving your current position?"
I've been at the same job for a number of years and this job is the same thing just for a different company.

I always use "professional growth" or something similar for that one. I discuss wanting to advance in my career (either immediately or in the future) or do something different.

You do not want to give an answer that attacks your current employer in any way - if you do that, your possible new employer may think that one day you might be out there bad-mouthing them if they aren't "perfect" in your eyes. Even with my answer above, I don't bring up my current employer not giving me the opportunity to advance...I keep the answer completely focused on me, not them.

 

[abmitch01]

I like it when applicants can answer, "why hospice (insert your potential company here) and why now?" I love when people have taken the time to look up our mission statement and they say it aligns with their own values and practice.

 

[magik]

What are the "correct answers" to job interview questions...especially the one.."Why are you leaving your current position?"
I've been at the same job for a number of years and this job is the same thing just for a different company.

When I'm interviewing someone, I want honest answers, not "right" answers. Sure, someone's honest answer may put them out of the running, but that just means they weren't the right fit for the job I was interviewing them for *and that's OK*. We want to hire people who will be *happy* here, not people who would prefer to work in a different kind of environment/doing different kinds of work/etc.

If it appears that someone is trying to tell me the "right" answer or what they think I want to hear - out the door they go.

That being said, if someone asks you why you're leaving your current position, I'd recommend you answer honestly but vaguely (ex. new opportunities) unless the answer is very clear cut (ex. your position is going away soon) and mostly focus on why you want to work at the place you're interviewing for.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I would agree better commute and a fresh challenge would be safe answers. It really is tough to answer them sometimes.

 

[plummer925]

Since you asked for advice on ALL questions, I wanted to give you my "canned" answer (an answer I always give!) to a question that always makes employers smile (I think of all interviews I've had I have only NOT been offered 3 or 4 jobs!)

"What are your strengths" and "what are your weaknesses" (some say habits or traits instead of strength)

Say whatever you want for "strength" - just make sure it's something good (my answer is below)

For "weakness" ALWAYS say something that is GOOD that would BENEFIT the employer. Do NOT talk about something bad.

I always answer "Honesty, my strength and weaknesses are exactly the same, which is my honesty. You will not find a more honest employee than I am. I say it's both my best and worst because I truly feel that honestly is always the best policy. For that, it's my strength. However, I have alienated some people from my life when I have been honest with them about things that they apparently did not want me to be honest about. I am not blunt, but I refuse to sugar-coat something. If you, as an employer, are seeking an employee who you know that you can 100% trust with everything, then I'm your person."

Hope that helps someone!

 

[windycitymom]

Alot of interviewers ask these two questions:

1. What are your strengths? (easy enough

2. What are your weaknesses? (I struggle with this question)

What is a good "weakness" to have?

 

[plummer925]

Alot of interviewers ask these two questions:

1. What are your strengths? (easy enough

2. What are your weaknesses? (I struggle with this question)

What is a good "weakness" to have?

See my post right above yours.

 

[Melynny]

I am involved in a lot of interviews at my company. We use behaviour based interviewing techniques. That means we are looking for specific actions.. or stories about things you have done to tell us about about yourself. That said.. the easiest way to answer those type of questions is to use the STAR acrnoym. S= Situation, tell them about a specific situation that meets the question T=Task What was the task involved and your part of the goal etc, A= Action. tell them about the specific actions that you took to meet the task. R= Results Tell them about the final results.. the Happy Ending. Most people are NOT prepared for this type of intervieing proces... and this is an easy way to answer these types of questions.

Also, I applaud you for preparing is such a unique way. So far you have had excellant answers to your question and I think you will do GREAT! GOOD LUCK!