Let me share some killer questions I have encountered during my job interview to the position I applied. I will categorize these in three phases namely, the questionaire interview, the one-on-one interview, and the worst the panel interview. I also included my most probable answers to that questions during the time of interview since it happened almost two years ago. Unfortunately, I wasn’t hired to that position. Maybe because I am not prepared for that interview and I wasn’t able to answer the questions convincingly. Hope these will be a pointers to those who are applying or wishing to apply for a job. I did not include the technical questions since the position is civil engineer and it is less important to those of different field. Here are those questions. Questionaire Interview:

1.) Q. Why should we hire you?

     A. Because I believe that I can handle the position, I have strong work ethics which will be an edge to your company once I am hired.

2.) Q. What do you like about this position? (refering to civil engineer)

      A. This position is fun, interesting, and I spend 5 years of study to qualify in this position which actually was my dream when I was  9.

3.) Q. Where do you see yourself 5 to 10 years from now?

     A. I wish I could overcome my weaknesses by focusing in the areas in my life that needs improvements.

4.) Q. What is your ideal work environment?

     A. My ideal work environment is that where I can communicate with my boss and fellow employees, place where I can grow technically, and a place where I can learn and apply my experties.

5.) Q. If you are pet, what would you be? why?

      A. Puppy, because I can be taught and a nice friend. However, I can also bite.

6.) Q. Describe the time you were ask to do something you didn’t think was right.

     A. Well, that was when my co-worker pressures me to get along with their “modos operandi” which actually unethical and a clear manifestation of cheating the company. If I disagree and report them, they will press me down and threat me. I can’t do anything else because I am new in the company while they already win the trust of our boss. I dont even have any evidence to justify their wrong deeds. What I did was I gave up the position.

7.) Q. Describe the accomplishments you’ve done in the absence of your boss.

    A. I didn’t made any moves without the knowldge of my boss. If trouble happens in his absence, I call him first and discussed the problem, then I ask him what shall we do and so on. I will suggest some solutions if possible. I always let him decide and I will implement it. After our shift, I ensure that the trouble is being cascaded to the next shift.

8.) Q. How do you handle mistakes?

     A. For me, mistake is mistake and it cannot be straight by another mistake. I accept my mistakes but I spend time to learn from it. If you learn, then it was a teacher for you. If not, then thats your weakness which can put you down.

The one-on-one interview:

 

 

 

1.) Q. What are your weaknesses?

     A. I was once timid which was noticed by my boss but I overcvome it by getting along with them frequently and it was absolutely effective. I built a confident out of it. One thing is my poor communication skills especially in oral but I improved it through research, inquiry, and constant practice.

2.) Q.  Why did you leave your last position?

     A. There are two reasons. One is health problem and the other one is the end of my contract. Im working in a cement plant and the smoke coming out from the system really bothers my breathing.

3.) Q. If we have to conduct your background check in that company what would you think will be their response.

     A. Of course they will all say positive comments because during my stay in that company I handle my duties responsibly, have an excellent performance and I was a team player.

4.) Q. What was your most notable accomplishment during your stay in that company?

    A. Our project was supposed to end at 14 months but as a project in-charge, we finished it in just 11 months. We save almost 14 percent in our budget.

5.) Q. What is your expected salary?

     A. I want a standard compensation. I want to be paid based on the existing rate for this position.

6.) Q. How do you relate your key competencies in this position?

    A. I’ve been working for this position in the other company and I think it will not be a new task for me. I know the basic operation from planning stage up to supervising. I’ve been handling two major projects and it was satisfactorily executed.

7.) Q. Can you work overtime?

     A. Absolutely,

8.) Q. When are you available for the position?

     A. I can start today if you will hire me.

9.) Q. Did you apply in other company?

     A. Actually I applied in four companies. Fortunately, yours is the one who first call me for an interview.

the worst, the panel interview:

1.) Q. In your own words, define “satisfaction”.

      A. For me, satisfaction is something that money cannot buy. If I were a project supervisor, no one can buy my satisfaction in exchange of a sub-standard work. I will only be satisfied once the target is hit.

2.) Q. What are your standard of success?

    A. Let me define first in my own understanding the standard of success. Standard of success is a benchmark towards the attainment of goals. Meaning that standard of success varies depending upon the type of success you want to attain. For me, hardwork, well-organized plans and actions, responsible decision-making and judgement are my standard of success.

3.) Q. For you, what is leadership?

     A. Leadership for me is more on responsibility rather than capability. A good leader is the one who stand first at the front of his soldiers and stay at the back until the battle ends. I mean that he stand at the front first to provide his men with  instructions, solutions, methods and techniques. Stay at the back to guide and evaluate them how they apply those instructions towards a successful completion of the project.

Note: it was followed by a technical questions regarding my capability for the position and fortunately, I was able to impressed the panel and after three days, the employer called me once again and congratulates me. I hear the good news, I got hired. The questionnaire and one-on-one interview preced this first. This is in the next company who called me for an interview. Hope this will serves as a guide to those who seek for a job.

 Can anyone of you comment leave a comment here why I was not hired in the previous company who call me first? Whats wrong with my answers?. Please help. Thanks.