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Interactive Interview Readiness QUIZ
by Robin Ryan

 

Take our Interactive Interview Readiness QUIZ and discover how prepared you are for your next interview.

Answering the interviewer's questions can be trickier than you may think. To help you handle some of the tough questions you may encounter, take this test of questions commonly asked by employers during a job interview. Select the answer you believe is correct, then review the explanation and tips that follow. This quiz will better prepare you to answer questions during your next interview.

1. QUESTION: Describe the worst supervisor you've ever had.

A) To be honest, the woman was going through a divorce and constantly telling me all her problems, she was too distracted, spending hours on the phone dealing with her family problems, talking to her lawyer or her kids. It wasn't a productive time at work at all because of that.
B) My boss was great at ideas but lousy at organization. If it weren't for me, there would have been total chaos there.
C) I remember one boss who didn't ever offer any feedback. I like to know what is expected, have input, exchange ideas and feel that my work is in line with the goals of my boss and the company.
D) Frankly, one boss was a little Hitler. He was a true dictator, yelling and screaming, exploding a lot. I now that's an old style manage, but it was not a good boss for me.

2. QUESTION: What's your greatest weakness?

A) I'm simply a perfectionist.
B) I'm not mechanically inclined at all, so if the copier breaks down don't call on me.
C) I'm hopelessly a workaholic.
D) I can't think of any.

3. QUESTION: How much money did you make at your last job?

A) $31,000 (the truth).
B) $35,000 (a fudged figure).
C) What's the range that this job pays?

4.QUESTION: Why did you leave your last job?

A) The company is too small for any advancement.
B) The company is on the verge of bankruptcy and closing its doors.
C) The company downsized, so I'm available.
D) I am looking for more challenges and chances to grow professionally.

5.QUESTION: Describe a difficult co-worker you've had to deal with.

A) This engineer couldn't speak English very well and I never understood her, so I complained to my boss that she needed to not give me instructions on our project because of it.
B) This guy was always flirting with me and asking me out. I ignored him and kept replying with “Sorry, I'm married”.
C) This woman hated me and she'd do really petty things to me like steal memos out of my mailbox so I would miss important meetings.
D) Another department's boss used to come down and yell at me and call me names. I'd ask him to calm down and explain, but when he would continue yelling, I'd leave the room.

6. QUESTION: How would you describe your ideal job?

A) One that pays me well.
B) One where I use my skills.
C) One that has nice people to work for.
D) One that promotes from within.

7. QUESTION: Who will take care of your kids while you're at work?

A) I have a good day care situation arranged.
B) I don't see why that is any concern of yours.
C) That's an illegal question and I don't have to answer.
D) That's not a problem for me.

8. QUESTION: This job requires some extra overtime during certain times of the year, including evenings and some Saturdays. Would you be able to do that?

A) I need notice, and could make arrangements.
B) How much overtime, and how many Saturdays?
C) There's always overtime in this field, and most times I can do it.
D) Probably.

9. QUESTION: Have you ever been fired?

A) Of course not (lying).
B) Not exactly – I was laid off during a restructuring.
C) Yes, we had a personality conflict so my boss let me go.
D) The company got into lots of financial trouble so I got fired along with a lot of other people.

10. QUESTION: I've noticed in your resume you have a long period of time where you weren't employed. Tell me about it.

A) I had a baby, but am ready to return to work
B) I relocated with my husband, and it's taken me some time get the family set up here.
C) I was ill and needed surgery and recovery time.
D) I was volunteering and raising my family, and now I'm able to work full time.

11. QUESTION: You have a lot of experience. Why do you want this job?

A) I'm willing to take anything to get my foot in the door.
B) I need a job.
C) I've cut back on work responsibilities and feel this allows me to better balance work and family
D) I need a job with less travel and stress than the old management one I had.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

How did you do? If you need more assistance Robin's resources will help you improve your preparation to ace your next interview.

Interview Advantage, with her bestseller “60 Seconds & You're Hired!” first seen on Oprah

Interview Coaching session with Robin including Salary Negotiations

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Robin Ryan is considered America's most popular career coach with over 1000 TV and radio appearances including DrPhil, Oprah, Fox News, CNN. She is the best-selling author of: "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life"; "60 Seconds & You're Hired!"; "Winning Resumés"; and "Winning Cover Letters"; and also the DreamMaker and Interview Advantage Audio Programs. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, outplacement, resumé writing services and interview preparation to clients nationwide. A dynamic national speaker, Robin frequently teaches audiences how to improve their lives and obtain greater success.

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