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Common General Interview Questions

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1. Would you tell me about yourself?

   This is not the same situation as in the old anecdote when a drunk man approaches the taxi: "Are you free?" - "Yes" - "Would you dance with me?", i.e. in other words this is not an invitation to ramble on. If you did not catch the context, clarify it before you answer: "Is there a particular aspect of my background that would be most relevant to you?" Anyway, you should answer only what is relevant to the job duties. You should refer to or demonstrate your key behavioral patterns: honesty, integrity, dedication to work, being a team player. You should not answer this question immediately. Make an effort and think a little bit about your answer - this will help to produce a good impression about you.

2. What experience do you have?

   This is excellent opportunity to sell yourself, but, again, you need to know a context to answer adequately to this question. The interviewer is seeking for a person who may contribute quickly to the project. If you don't know the projects the company is involved in, you should ask. Information you'll get will help you to answer this question.

3. How much experience do you have?

   Difficult question, because if you do not fit into required range you may be kicked out. You may win time, asking "Are looking for overall experience or in some specific areas?" or "Could you elaborate on this question, please?" During the response try to calculate how much time does the interviewer keeps in mind.

4. Are you looking for a permanent or temporary job?

   The employer want to be sure that you will stay long enough with the company (unless this question is asked by a recruiter) You may consider this table to formulate your arguments why would you stay long way with the company. You may also clarify the question with the question: "Is this a permanent or a temporary position you are trying to fill?"

5. How would you define a self-starter? How do you rate yourself in this respect?

Employer wants to know if you need a permanent supervision or you are able to work independently. Self-starter is a person who is able to enter quickly and effectively the business process.

6. Describe your previous job(s). What did you like about your last job? What did you dislike about your last job? What jobs have you enjoyed the most; the least;why?

   This is a dangerous question since it asked in the past and, therefore, inviting you to a sincere conversation. Don't be fooled and map past tense to the present tense. Do not criticize your prior employer - nobody wants a problem employee. Try to be short and positive. The idea is to explain that your move only because you are looking where to make a better contribution.

7. What were the responsibilities of your last job(s)?

This is an open question. Interviewer is trying to determine what kind of position do you suit the most and simultaneously whether you are able to perform your job effectively. The answer must demonstrate your understanding of the responsibilities for the applied position. This is not a tricky question, but it should not come sudden for you. Be prepared for this question. In this form or another this question will be asked during your interview. Be careful since nowadays the same responsibilities might belong to different positions. During my working experience I got feeling the employers hardly understand the link between position and responsibilities. The same person might be programmer, software engineer, system analyst, software developer, windows specialist and all of the above might be prefixed by the word "senior". Keeping that in mind you might wish to start your answer with the words: "While my responsibilities are vary somewhat from company to company, at my last job my responsibilities included a) b) c),..."

8. What jobs have you held? How were they obtained? How much experience do you have?

Quite tricky question. Interviewer is looking for some particular field of knowledge, but you never know which one. Vague question requires vague answer. Try to get at least some clues from interviewer what is he looking for or in what area. Ask directly if the interviewer is looking for some specific experience or for the overall experience.

9. What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?

   The interviewer testing your ability to accept a constructive advice, your ability to put business interests before you personal needs. You may reply: "More than anything, I have learned that what is good for the company is good for me. So I listen very carefully to directions and always keep my boss informed of my actions."

10. What interests you least about this job?

May be quite dangerous question, but you should turn this around, showing that despite you probably dislike routine of, say, documents, you understand the importance of them for the overall process and success of your organization.

11. What interests you most about this job?

    Excellent opportunity to sell yourself. You may count major technologies you learnt, to panegyrize your management, tell story about you diversified experience etc. the only problem is that you have to get a company background before you answer this question. Tell something like that: "Before I answer this question, tell me more about the role this job plays in the department goals?" or "Where is the biggest vacuum in your department at the moment?" or "Could you describe a typical day for me?" You may answer something like that: "I like a challenge, my background demonstrates excellent problem-solving abilities [give examples], and I always see a project through to the finish."

12. Tell me about something you've done that you're particularly proud of.

    This question tries to check your analytical skills. You should not stress the problem itself, but the methods you used to solve the problem you faced. You must prepare the answer to this question at home. The question is tough when suddenly asked in the middle of the interview, but it is easy to handle if you expect it and are prepared. If you have no idea what to say, grab any problem you have in mind, then you may mumble that, firstly, you encapsulate the problem and isolate it from irrelevant issues, then you try to figure out a several solutions, present them to boss (only if the position does not state clearly a minimum of supervision!) and get his advice and approval, simultaneously covering your ass.

13. Have you done the best work you are capable of doing?

    Slight deviation of the previous question. Answer indubitable "yes", but add that you believe that the best is yet to come. Like in previous answer you may give example[s] of the work you are proud of.

14. How did your boss get the best out of you?

    Manageability question. Tell the truth. You don't like that anybody treats you like a dishrag and makes your life miserable for you.

15. How did your previous employer(s) treat you? How do you think a friend/former co-worker would describe you?

    You should provide an example of respect to your person, demonstrate that you were really a valuable person in the company. You can mention line of successful salary increases etc. Tell that you were a truly team player, friendly and cooperative, always ready to help and hard-working.

16. Can you get recommendation from previous employers?

Short and simple answer: "Yes."

17. Why do you want to leave your current job? or Why did you leave your last job?

    This is the most common trick question. You should have an acceptable reason for leaving every job you have held, but if you don't, pick one of the six acceptable reasons from employment industry formula, the acronym for which is CLAMPS:

    • Challenge: You weren't able to grow professionally in that position.
    • Location: The commute was unreasonable long.
    • Advancement: There was nowhere for you to go. You had talent, but there were many people ahead of you.
    • Money: You were underpaid for your skills and contribution.
    • Pride or prestige: You wanted to be with a better company.
    • Security: The company was not stable.

    You may mumble something about new challenges (challenge to be at the edge of technologies), wish to contribute more and plans to settle with a great place.

18. What is your educational background?

A little bit tricky question. If you have a computer science education, simply tell you true education. Otherwise, try to say that you are graduated from University X and then kept you computer skills up to date visiting courses B,C,D (especially if you have a diploma from those courses)

19. What kind of work interests you? What are you looking for in your next job?

You should be prepared to answer this question. It does not matter what you answer, but your response should sound in terms of what you can do for the company rather than what you want from the company. Avoid specific details unless you heard from the interviewer that this is exactly what they need.

20. In what type of position are you most interested?

Usually when you come to the interview, you already know what kind of position you pretend to. Be prepared that discussion turns then into position's requirements track.

21. Do you like routine tasks/regular hours?

    The interviewer tests your maturity. Nobody likes routine tasks, but them are part of the life. Explain that you appreciate the need for routine, you expect fair amount of responsibility in future and this is why you would expect any amount of routine work as is needed. Regular hours is not a problem at all. Business must make a profit and the doors must be open on a regular basis for this.

22. How about overtime work?

We all know that overtime work is an acceptable thing in most IT companies. However, I believe you should mention that you always try to make your job in regular hours first. On the last review I was blamed that I work overtime since I cannot do my work in time. Wow! You never know how good intentions will be perverted. However, overtime is often the must in many situation (before betas, releases etc.) and you should always acknowledge that you will work overtime if it is necessary for the company's success.

23. Why did you decide to seek a position with this company? Why do you think you might like to work for our company?

You are supposed to know the company you are interviewed by. This means you made a minimal research on the company's product line, technology used and internal infrastructure. You may mention that you like all or some of the above: product, atmosphere, environment, etc. You may mention again that you feel that with you skills and knowledge base, you may contribute most [tell specific part of the product if you got a presentation or some generic words about the product as whole.]

24. What do you know about our company?

    This is your homework. Scan web site, research http://www.sedar.com/homepage.htm and other sites.

25. What interests you about our product or service?

The roots of the answer lurk in your research of the web site[s] of the company. You may mention that you like their technology, their product and then count advantages of the product you found on the web site or mentioned by the interviewer during the interview.

26. In what ways can you make a contribution to this organization?

This is really depends on your position within the company. Generally speaking, you may tell that you energy, professionalism, knowledge and experience would make the right contribution where the company most need. You may ask to tell you where is a vacuum in the department at this moment. Using this information you may fine tune your answer.

27. In what ways would you like to change this organization?

You cannot change organization you never worked in and plan to get a position within. This question is the test of your organizational and thinking skills. I would suggest to answer this question with generic phrase like "I would make everything to lead the organization to the stability and prosperity, using my knowledge, experience, organizational skills and intuition."

28. What job in our company do you want to work toward?

Vague question. You should make your best to turn this question in better understanding of what the company needs. However, this question was asked about your preferences and you may try to give a generic answer. Of course, in either case you should be talking about what you may give to the company rather than what you want from the company.

29. What job in our company would you choose if you were entirely free to do so?

This is a tricky question. Control yourself when answering it. Again, as always with such questions, think in terms of what you may give to the company rather than what you could conquer in the company. You should also think one step further your employment ladder. For example, if you are a good senior engineer, you may choose to lead a group of people to most productive and enjoyable environment.

30. What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?

Try to include all positive information you might be collected during your interview. It is difficult to give a generic answer, because this will depend mostly on the type of company you are interviewed in. If this is big, well organized company, you may think about person's ability to follow the standards, managers looking for employees growth etc. If this is a small startup company, you may mention energy and professionalism together with tolerance to the coworkers etc.

31. What qualifications do you have that make you think you will succeed?

This question is very similar to the question "what experience do you have?" Tell about your professional experience in the field that company needs (you will have to figure it out first, of course), your positive human factors such as tolerance, patience, ability to argue with others, but listen at the same time, etc.

32. Why do you think you would like this particular type of work?

This is an easy question. You should check the position requirements and closely repeat whatever you know about this position. Then you may add you experience in this field or, if you lack the latter, just explain that you like a new challenges and that you are a quick learner.

33. Have you changed careers? Why?

In our phony world the answer depends on you real experience. It is preferable to tell that you changed a path within your career, rather than the whole career. If you are an immigrant, then you may mention that you felt a strong market demand and personal interest in this particular field when you came many years ago.

34. Why should I hire you?

This is a stress question. You should sell yourself when you asked this question. Try to describe yourself as good as possible. You should mention your extensive experience in this particular type of position, your team player skills, your loyalty etc. Start answer with: "I believe you would like to hire me because..."

35. If you were hiring a person for this position, what qualities would you seek?

Take all the answers from your homework. Mention all characteristics of the position, human characteristics, ability to take pressure etc. You may tell that it has to be a person like yourself :)

36. What are the two or tree most important things to you in your job?

The most important clue of all questions is "what that company might need at this time?" You may gather this information from the interview itself, but some are universal, such as "professional knowledge", "ability to do the job in time" (time management, planning skills), good relationships with co-workers (team playing skills)

37. What do you look for in a job?

Again, if you think in terms of what you can give to the company, you are on the right track. Therefore, you are looking for the ways to contribute to the growth and prosperity of your employer, using your professional knowledge, quick-learner skills and excellent communication skills.

38. How would you define "challenging" job?

This question is targeting determination of upper bound of your professional skills. Try to avoid the wrong answer. There is no upper bound. Challenging job is a job that was difficult to overcome and helped you to gain the experience of solving the particular type of problems. Do not provide examples unless you urged to do so.

39. When are you available for work?

This is not a tricky question and the answer is almost automatic. If you currently employed, then you usually have termination term in your work agreement (standard term is two weeks notice, but some companies require 1 month and I have heard once about 2 months.) You should check this before you accept the actual position. If you are not employed, simply answer: "Immediately", that is true.

40. What are your ideas on salary? What kind of salary do you expect; what was or is your present salary? How much money do you hope to earn?

    Straight question requires usually straight answer. You should not tell too much, because it may ruin the interview. You definitely are not interested to tell too little. You have several choices:

    • To tell that money is not on the first place for you and if the interviewer found you a right person, the company would make a fair offer.
    • To tell that the job itself is the most important thing for you
    • To ask how much the interviewer keep in mind for this particular position

    If you still pressed to quote the number, give a realistic range. You must be prepared to what you expect. If you see that this is too much, don't worry - this is not the last job and probably not the best one for you. Alternatively, you may say that you were including the value of your benefits. This should work, if you badly need this particular position. In such delicate matter try to use the reflective questions, using "wouldn't you", "didn't you", "couldn't you", "shouldn't you", "don't you" that force the opponent to answer positively. They also help to keep conversation alive.

41. What do you hope to be earning two to five years from now?

    Very difficult question since estimates your not-so-long expectations, your current range, ability to accept reality etc. Try to avoid numbers saying that there are many factors that influent the answer. If required to give range, be realistic and add some ways of improvements that may increase your range.

42. How much are you making?

    The answer pretty much depends on how much are you _really_ making. If you currently close to upper bound, better tell the true story. If you are seriously underpaid, tell 5% more than you have and hopefully you will get 10% more (that is normal increase when you switch the jobs.)

43. Have you ever been refused a salary increase?

    Instead of "yes" or "no" try to tell that your employment history showed a steady and continual improvement over the years. And, like all salary questions on interview, try to move to the next question as quick as possible.

44. What are your own special abilities?

You may mention anything you think important for the proper job skills, such as quick-learning skills, team-playing skills, professional confidence and loyalty.

45. What are your strengths?

    Take several key strengths from different categories. You will want to demonstrate pride, reliability, and the ability to stick with a difficult task yet change course rapidly when required.

46. What are your weaknesses? What are you doing or planning to do about them/it?

    This is the direct invitation to put your head in a noose. Decline the invitation. If you have something that you are not perfect in, but quickly learnt, use it as a weakness, telling something like that: "I did not use [smth.] yet, but I am going to get it covered soon." You may try to get something positive and to turn it into negative, e.g. "sometimes I am too enthusiastic about documentation, but I am trying to adapt to the amount necessary for the company or a standard."

47. What have you learned from your mistakes?

The question is quite dangerous. On the other hand, nobody asked you about mistakes at work ;) Try to give an example from real life. If interviewer will insist on the mistakes you made at work, try to concentrate not on the mistakes, but on the ways to prevent them in future.

48. How adaptable are you? Can you give me an example?

This is a managebility question, but quite tricky. Your example should include demonstration of your flexibility while keeping a firm position in what you consider important for the success of the company. If you change your position too easily, then you might not be sure in your knowledge. On the other hand, if you firm like a moron, you are not manageable and questionable team player. Your answer should be vague and somewhere in the middle of these positions.

49. What are the two or three accomplishments that have given you the most satisfaction?

To my surprise this is pretty often question on the interviews. This question may appear in different forms like "tell me couple of things you found difficult to complete" or "tell me what you've been proud of based on your previous experience." In all cases, interviewer is expected to estimate level of your knowledge and your problem-solving skills. You can imagine such example, despite it is much easier to take it from real life. This is a home-work question and you should be prepared to handle it, especially if you pretend for senior or intermediate position.

50. What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work?

    This is pretty rare question and, again, must be prepared in advance. Tell story how did you change the original direction of development to generic one, handled unexpected problems, overcame obstacles.

51. What work situations irritate you the most; satisfy you the most?

Well , the second part of the question is easy. You may answer that you are satisfied the most when you done your job with best results and on schedule. You should be careful, however, with the first part of the question, but keep in mind that factors beneficial to employer may pass this question, e.g. you may mention that you don't like to be late at work or co-workers who are trying to take off their job on the shoulders of their co-workers, or that you don't like long breaks etc.

52. Do you work well under pressure?

    Remember, that you have to sell yourself, so don't answer simply "yes" or "no". This is closed-ended question requiring a brief comprehensive answer. You should tell yes, but add something about your belief in planning and other means that might reduce the pressure periods (e.g. object-oriented design and analysis)

53. How do you react to the decisions and stress? What situations would trigger these?

    If you are a manager whatsoever, just mention terrible time when you had to fire someone. if you are not, mention vacation time or something else that is not relevant to your duties directly.

54. What makes you lose your temper?

You should be careful with this question. In my opinion, you should answer that nothing makes you lose your temper at work and watch for reaction of the interviewer. Likely, she or he will move to the next question or turn it into less aggressive form.

55. What types of people seem to "rub you the wrong way"?

    People who don't care about quality of their work.

56. What kinds of people do you like to work with?

    Simple: People who have pride, honesty, integrity and dedication to their work.

57. Is it an effort for you to be tolerant of persons with a background and interests different from your own?

No.

58. How do you react to criticism? Can you describe a situation where your work or idea was criticized? What sorts of things do you criticize in other people?

    Dangerous questions! Be careful, because this sort of questions simultaneously check your weaknesses and your ability to handle criticism. Do not describe poor job, because it costs money and the employer won't like such example! Invoke your fancy. You may forget about your past and to create a new way you handle the criticism "on-the-fly" If nothing comes in your mind, tell that you always separate the feelings from the idea and you are trying to get the most from the person who criticized you. I believe you may tell that criticism is invaluable source for self-improvement.

59. Can you take instructions without feeling upset?

    A standard manageability question. According to Martin Yate, "if you take offense easily or bristle when your mistakes are pointed out, you won't last long with any company." Answer that you "can take constructive criticism without feeling hurt."

60. Will you fight to get ahead?

Again, this is a good question and, as such, quite dangerous. You should take your time and ask what does the interviewer mean, professional interests or career. In either case, this question is more likely to be asked for team leading positions. Sometimes, it may be asked to test your manageability, team-playing skills and self-confidence.

61. What motivates you the most?

Cooperative management, steady team of strong professionals and encouraging the positive results. You may also mention the challenging task/job is a motivating factor.

62. Just what does success mean to you? How would you judge it?

Success is an ability to perform the given task in time with high quality. Successful accomplishment of the task is a huge stimulating factor by itself. With clearly defined task, there is no problem to judge the success.

63. How much responsibility do you like?

You should always feel yourself responsible for the given task and other tasks, performed by your team. Responsibility assumes maturity of the candidate, but you should be careful not to cross the line where your responsibility interferes with your manager's responsibility.

64. Do you like to take on responsibilities?

Yes, for your own tasks, tasks of your team and, if necessary, for the tasks that lead to the global success of the company.

65. What are your future vocational plans?

This is straight-forward question that requires a straight answer. You expect professional growth within organization in the next few years. You also expect that some amount of training might be required in fast-developing world. Be careful not to answer directly "I want to be a manager" since string of questions may overkill you ("who is the manager", "what are the prime responsibilities of the manager" etc. Delicate answer is suggested by Martin Yates in his "Knock'em Dead": "My vocational plans are that I want to get ahead. To do that I must be able to channel my energies and expertise into those areas my industry and employer need. So in couple of years I hope to have become a thorough professional with a clear understanding of the company, the industry, and where the biggest challenges, and therefore opportunities, lie. By that time, my goals for the future should be sharply defined."

66. What career goals have you established for yourself in the next five years?

See the previous question. You should make your homework and decide for yourself what do you expect from this company. 5 years is huge period of time for hi-tech. Nowadays, interviewer asks about plans for next couple of years. In the latter case, you may mention that you are expected to self-improve in order to prepare soil for the further career growth within the company.

67. What are your short-term and long-term goals?

If you clearly know your long term goals, you may mention them since I do not believe they are really counted in IT field. For short-term goals, you may safely say "professional growth", achieving high[er] level of expertise in your industry and crystallizing the long-term goals.

68. How do you plan to achieve your goals?

Through constant self-improving, permanent self- and external (if possible) training, improving team-playing skills and other forms of professional growth.

69. What is your chief ambition?

I was always wondering if this ok to answer "I don't know" All people have these or other ambitions, but "chief ambition" assumes something special. Do you want to take the chair of your boss? No! Do you want to be recognizable in the world of IT? You would make a clown from yourself with such an answer. I would sincerely listen to your opinion on this question. Drop me email if you have the answer you consider a "right" one.

70. Would you be willing to relocate?

This is a simple question. Answer yes or no. Usually, the position itself assumes if you have to relocate. Therefore, you should be prepared to such question.

71. Do you like to travel? How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?

These are also straight-forward questions and do not require much thought. Travel requirements are usually published in the position descrition, so this should not catch you in surprise. You spent your spare time with your family and your hobbies is an "illegal" question and you can simply ignore it (However, if the interviewer insists, answer "I like swimming. I swim everywhere all the time during past 15 years" :) )

72. Do you enjoy sports as a participant? As an observer?

    Quote from Martin Yate: "A recently completed survey of middle- and upper-management personnel found that the executives who listed group sports/activities among their extracurricular activities made an average of $3000 per year more than their sedentary colleagues. Don't you just love baseball suddenly?" There are two hidden moments in the virgin question: a) do you enjoy a team and b) if you healthy enough to carry on your duties. Swimming, running, cycling etc. - any sport is ok as an answer for this question. Even chess may demonstrate analytical skills.

73. Do you have any questions?

    Excellent question, because it means the interviewer is going to end the interview. This is probably your last chance to make an impression. You must ask your questions. Do not leave this question in grave silence! If you have no idea what to ask, press here to see the nature of the questions you should ask your interviewer.

74. Do you have a degree?

    If you have, answer yes, but do not elaborate, especially if the description of your degree might disagree with required by the position. If you do not have degree, try to avoid direct answer. You may strike out tears from the eyes of the employer saying that you were have to cut on your University program because of necessity of earning a living at an early age, but you have other skills that compliment you University education. Or you may answer a question with a question: " I have diverse educational background, Ideally, what are you looking for?"

75. Do you prefer working with others or alone?

    This is a simple question aimed to check whether you are a team player. You should take in account the type of the position. If the position's description mentions minimum supervision, you should not stress your team player skills. Instead, tell that you don't need a constant supervision, but prefer to work in a group, because much more might be achieved when people pull together.

76. Have you ever had difficulties getting along with others?

    I would quote Martin Yate here as is: "This is a combination question, probing willingness and manageability. Are you a team player or are you going to disrupt the department and make the interviewer's life miserable? This is a closed-ended question that requires only yes/no answer, so give one and shut up."

77. What kind of people do you like to work with?

    Easy question. "With those, who have pride, honesty, integrity, and dedication to their work"

78. What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?

    Second part of the previous question. You may mention people who are long on complain and short on solutions, lazy people and so on. Be careful, because your interviewer might be from one of the categories you are mentioning in the answer :-)

79. How have you successfully worked with this difficult type of people?

    Third and last part of the above questions. You may mention that you always try to explain your positive position and attitude, avoiding conflicts and offensive situations. You may take a case "from your life."

80. Do you think people in your occupation should be paid more?

    He-he, you definitely do :-) This questions is asked right before salary negotiations or during them to try your position or to get you out of the col. You should reply that you believe that most jobs have a range which reflects their relative importance and contribution to the company. Of course you believe in exceptions for extraordinary people as well.

81. Are you willing to take calculated risk when necessary?

    You should ask the definition of calculated risk, sort of risks the employer might have in mind, you should win the time for this answer and to catch the right direction before you demonstrate your analytical skills. You should always add that you would never take risk that will jeopardize the reputation of colleagues or be in opposite direction to the company's goals. Add also that you would not take a risks without thorough input.

82. Have you ever been fired? Why were you fired?

    Normally, you say "no" (who cares?) If you feel that "yes" is crawling out, try to tell that it happened due to downsizing of the company or something like that. Try to call your previous manager and to check what would he say about you today. Ideally, try to get his permission (emphasizing that he was right about you, but you've changed with the time) to tell that you were resigned and not laid off.

83. Why have you changed jobs so frequently?

    Difficult question. Unfortunately for a new immigrant, this question very quickly becomes actual interview question. I'll provide a few example what can you do in this situation, but the rule of thumb is that you did not hopped from job to job just because you wanted to. You were always moving forward and up! Broaden your experience, taking more responsibilities, etc. Be careful: do not elaborate too much on this question and try to make it as short as possible! If you are young, you may blame youth for the jumping (got to gather broad experience in different fields) You may tell that on the first job you were seriously underpaid because of the lack of domestic experience. You may mention that one of the jobs you've found were close to home. Do not forget to repeat that you were happy with all your jobs! Always finish with the phrase that demonstrates your maturity and willingness to settle with the given company.

84. Are you married?

    This question may be asked only if the employer is concerned with the impact your family duties and future plans have on your tenure there. If you are married, answer something like: "Yes, I am, but I make separation between my work life and my family life. I have no problem with travel or late hours."

85. Can we check your references?

    You must answer: "Yes." This is very unusual to ask a reference from the current job place. You may ask to keep things confidential until you establish a serious mutual interest (read: offer.) Do not give reference of a current employer unless you have an offer in hands.

86. Can you give me an example that didn't work out so well?

    This is a trick question like all other questions looking for a negative information. And the cure as usually, in turning negative in positive like this:"I came from a large organization where documentation was high-priority issue and I was required to provide huge amount of documents. This was inappropriate experience for a start-up company where I learned to separate important from unimportant documents." If an interviewer asks about another example, take deep breath, count till ten and tell that you cannot recall another example. And shut up.

87. Define cooperation.

    According to Martin Yate the answer should be: "Cooperation is a person's ability to sacrifice personal wishes and beliefs whenever necessary to assure the department reaches its goal. It is also a person's desire to be part of a team, and by hard work and goodwill make the department greater than the sum of its parts."

88. Describe a difficult problem you've had to deal with.

    The problem should not be particular "difficult" since what you have described as a difficult problem might scare your potential employer. Employer is looking for the ways you solve the problems, not for the problem itself. Try to find organizational or similar problem that has nothing to do with your duties.

89. What are the broad responsibilities of a [e.g.] system analysts?

    Employer is looking for your understanding of the job duties. You must know your responsibilities to fit into a big picture of the company. The answer might give a clue to the employer if you must be taught or reoriented and how much, if yes. Be careful: jobs descriptions may vary from company to company. System analyst may have different meaning in your company. During my career I jumped between [senior] software development, system analyst, programmer, windows developer, etc. I was always wondering that the software industry has pretty strict standards for everything, but for profession names. Answer something like: "While responsibilities may vary from company to company, my last duties included 1,2,3... At the end, ask by the way, which areas of relevant expertise haven't I covered?

90. Do you consider yourself for natural leader or a born follower?

    Terrible question :-) Health level of leadership should not hurt to anyone, but if you are looking for a leadership position, answer something like: "I would be reluctant to regard anyone as a natural leader. Hiring, motivating, and disciplining other adults and at the same time molding them into a cohesive team involves a number of delicately tuned skills that no honest people can say they were born with. Leadership requires first of all desire; then it is a lifetime learning process. Anyone who reckons they have it all under control and have nothing more to learn is not doing the employer any favor." Don't forget that leader also has its bosses and mention something about ability to take directions from management.

91. Do you make your opinions known when you disagree with the views of your supervisor?

    Be careful. Not all managers like your ability to express your opinion. Try to determine on-the-fly the right answer or answer something more or less neutral like: "I express my opinion when I am asked for" or "at the meeting." Try to insert that you never express your opinion so that people get hurt. You may answer (but carefully!!!) with challenge: " Is this a position where we work as a team to solve the problems and get the job done, or one where we are meant to be seen and not heard and speak when spoken to?"

92. How do you feel about your progress to date?

    The goal is to determine your progress. This question is better than "whether you've done the best work?" Be positive, but don't give impression you are a wise owl that knows everything and finished your last project. Leave place for your further improvement.

93. How do you handle tension?

    Tension is not pressure. Tension may appear, for example, when you prepare to important presentation. Answer that you always try to break one huge problem, that caused tension, apart and to tackle the problem piece by piece.

94. How do you manage to interview while still employed?

    Do not mention a faked dentist appointment and everything else is alright. You may tell that you have a day off, vacation or something like that. In software field the schedule is flexible and this question is unlikely to be asked.

95. How does this job compare with others you have applied for?

    The answer will vary depending on the time slot of interview. If asked at the beginning, just tell that you need further details about position, company etc. If asked at the end, tell that you have to ask some questions before answering this question and go ahead to sell yourself. Do not really compare jobs, because a) employer should not be aware of other contacts you may have and 2) it's dangerous because all jobs are different and this comparison is not for the job interview, but for post-interview analysis.

96. How have you benefited from your disappointments?

    This question is usually asked by experienced interviewer. Actually, this is an excellent opportunity to sell yourself. Prepare a few examples how have learned on the mistakes, how did you find a way to make things better and that this knowledge contributed to your current experience. This question is very positive, but be careful and talk about your mistakes in deep past.

97. How long have you been watching for another position?

    It is not important question if you currently employed. But be careful if you are not, because if you looked for a job during a long period of time, employer may get an impression that nobody wants you. In this case fill in a gap with something useful ("tried to arise an own company", "devoted time to family", "developed fund", etc.)

98. How long would it take you to make a contribution to our company?

    This question is very positive for you. Ask an employer about concrete positions she or he may have in mind or particular projects you might be involved in. Then slightly move to discussion of the vital project, helping the interviewer to see your image of employee.

99. How long would you stay with the company?

    Frankly saying, stupid question. Employer might be thinking of offering you a job. Help him (her.) Tell that you really want to settle down with the company and hope for professional growth within the company. Then asked an interviewer the same question: "How long do you think I'd be challenged here?"

100. How well do you feel your boss rated your job performance?

     While you might have a written confirmation of how great you are, the better idea to get off this question. Just tell briefly that she or he did evaluate your performance pretty well. And shut up.

101. How would you define productive environment?

     This is tricky question because you don't know the environment of the company. Make the answer to such questions as short as possible, something like: "One where team has a genuine interest in its work and desire to turn out a good product in time."

102. How would you evaluate me as an interviewer?

     Very dangerous question, since the one asks to criticize his boss. Whatever you tell, don't tell the truth, even if you think the interviewer is incompetent :-) You might satisfy you ego, but will not get an offer. Tell that this is one of the toughest (best, nicest) interviews you have ever held and do not relish the prospect of going through another. Than explain that you understand that the real nature of this question is attempt to model the pressure situation at interview and to see your reaction. Then move to the question "Do you work well under pressure?"

103. People from your school, college, courses never work out here. What makes you different?

     "Here is a stress question to test your poise and analytical skills. You can shout that yes, of course, you are different and can prove it. So far, though, all you know is that there is a problem, not what caused the problem. Respond this way: "First, may I ask you exactly what problems you've had with people from this background?" Once you know what the problem is (if one really exists at all - it may just be a curve ball to test your poise) then you can illustrate how you are different. But only then. Otherwise, you run the risk of your answer being interrupted with, "Well, that's what everyone else said before I hired them. You haven't shown me that you are different."

104. Rate yourself a scale of one to ten.

     Really stupid question. You cannot answer 10 because it might create impression you are insufferable. If you say less than 7 you might as well get up and leave. Tell something between 8 and 9, saying that you always give of your best, but always see room for improvement.

105. See this pen (cup, glass etc.) I'm holding? Sell it to me.

     This is a typical sales-person question. I will not elaborate on this one. Count all special features of the thing you are required to sell and then ask with a smile how many gross shall you deliver.

106. Tell me about the fast time you felt anger on the job.

     Tell that you cannot recall such case.

107. What area of your skills/professional development do you want to improve at this time?

     Tricky question trying to get your weaknesses. Make your homework and learn what areas are hot in the company. Then count what the company need most.

108. What are you looking for in your next job?

     Don't tell what you are looking for, i.e. in other words what company may give you. Tell what you can give the company, like your experience, hard work, challenge, contribution.

109. What is the worst thing you have heard about our company?

     Don't be shocked - your reaction is vital. Answer with smile that this is tough company to get into because your interviews and interviewers are so rigorous." It's true, it's flattering, and it shows that you are not intimidated.

110. What is your energy level like? Describe a typical day.

     You have to demonstrate good use of your time, that you believe in planning your day beforehand, and that when it is over, you review your own performance to make sure you are reaching the desired goals. To demonstrate an energy level, give an example that shows you ability to work till the end of the working day.

111. What is your general impression of your last company?

     Answer positively: "Very good" or "Excellent." Then shut up with smile and wait for the next question.

112. What do you like most/least about your former boss?

     Do not criticize your former boss. It does not matter already if you liked him or not. Answer in a positive manner only.

113. If you had a chance to start our business from scratch, where would you begin?

     Extremely dangerous question. It requires you to understand the business of the company (i.e. assumes you spent some time on the web site of the company trying to understand the core business), software engineering processes, have a good analytical skills and so on. I think if you start your novel from gathering requirements from the customer, it will be ok then.