Ambition Interview Questions
1. How ambitious are you? And why do you think you are ambitious?
Interview Answer Guide: Job Seeker should demonstrate a real ambition that is also backed by a persistence and real enthusiasm to succeed. However, check that this ambition is balanced by a sense of clear-headiness and an innate common sense. Make sure that the candidate is ?grounded? in reality.
2. Do you think this company is ambitious and if so, why?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should demonstrate a good knowledge of the company, especially its past achievements, and have an optimistic and positive view of its future.
3. Do you have any past heroes?
Interview Answer Guide: Pay attention to the heroes and look for the qualities they admire. Do they possess any of those qualities? Look for historic figures that have demonstrated a clear purpose, enthusiasm and all the other specific qualities that resonant with the position you are offering.
4. What important goals have you achieved in the past year?
Interview Answer Guide: Look for an answer that demonstrates real ambition that is also backed, not only by persistence, but by a real enthusiasm to succeed. Try to determine if they have a record of practical achievement.
Analytical Assertiveness – Questions
1. Can you tell me about a time when you discovered a more efficient way to do a work task?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should be able to identify a time where he/she was having difficulty with a work task, found a way to rectify the faults and work more efficiently.
2. Tell me about a task that really tested your analytical abilities?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should mention a time where he/she had to use reason and logic to resolve a problem. Job seeker may have analyzed all the relevant information and created a good, effective solution.
3. Tell me about a tricky situation for which you found a very simple solution?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seekers answer should show that they are a problem solver, that they can analyze all the information, and come up with a solution.
4. IHave you ever been in a real dilemma at work? What did you do to get out of it?
Interview Answer Guide: You should hear answers that show the job seeker has sound analytical skills to solve a problem; analyzes problems in great detail to come up with a solution.
5. Tell me about an assignment you worked on in which you had to amass a huge amount of data, and then analyze it?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should be able to explain how they can compile facts and figures for preliminary analysis; derive relevant facts and information from the study of this data.
6. Can you tell me about a situation where your analysis of a problem was deemed to be incorrect? What would you have done differently?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should have the character to admit mistakes. Also clarify: Were the steps he took correct? More importantly, has he/she learned from this mistake?
7. Have you ever been in a situation, at work, when you have been motivated to question an ethical issue?
Interview Answer Guide: Evaluate the answer and try to see if the job seeker is intimidated by authority figures; are they prepared to protest something they do not believe in; are they able to see things from someone else's perspective.
8. If a clash of personalities were to occur with a colleague, what steps would you take to make the working relationship run smoothly?
Interview Answer Guide: Things to look for: Does the job seeker seem to have the ability to solve this issue? What steps would they take? Does the thought of a personality conflict intimidate them? Do they seem confrontational or quietly assertive?
9. Can you explain an occasion when you have had to motivate and boost the morale of your colleagues.
Interview Answer Guide: Evaluate how positive and confident the applicant appears to be when discussing their ability to motivate co-workers. Do they seem confident that they can improve productivity in difficult situations?
10. Describe an occasion when you had to give an explanation of what you could realistically deliver, and why was this issue important?
Interview Answer Guide: If the delivery falls short or there is a problem, then immediate steps can be taken to correct the problem. Should have realistic expectations based on skills and/or abilities.
11. What steps will you take to clarify unclear information, or instructions with regard to your work?
Interview Answer Guide: Does the job seeker?s answer show that they will be assertive or confrontational when trying to clarify instructions?
Interview Answer Guide: Assess whether or not the candidate can deal with confrontational issues in a calm and rational manner. Does the very thought of disobedience make them angry?
Awareness to Detail Questions
1. Give me an example of an assignment that you found difficult to finish? How did you go about it?
Interview Answer Guide: Answer should show the job seeker is quality conscious, understands the importance of time management techniques, understands how critical deadlines are, and does not give up when obstacles occur.
2. Do you always double-check your work?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should show that they are aware of the quality process and that they try to deliver a flawless project
3. Is detail important to you? Do you think details should be left to your assistant?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should show that they check their work to ensure that he/she delivers good quality product and that they take responsibility for his/her own work.
4. Did you ever have to complete a project with a fixed pressurized deadline, where the final proposal had to be 100?
Interview Answer Guide: Accuracy and perfection? If so, tell us about it.
5. How do you handle projects with short deadlines that require precise calculations and analysis? What is your approach?
Interview Answer Guide: Should follow systematic approach; has the ability to be accurate while keeping in mind the time constraints, use of appropriate software and technology.
6. Tell me about a time when you were given an assignment, but you were not clear of how to go about it. How did you tackle this situation?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should know whom to deal with to get the relevant information, how to assess the details of the project and decide what he/she is supposed to do.
Career Goals – Questions
1. What are your career goals - both short-term and long term?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should demonstrate clear purpose, enthusiasm and commitment to own goals; plans ahead; do they see the company intertwined with their future plans?
2. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Interview Answer Guide: Do they see their future intertwined with the company; have they done enough research into the company; do their answers demonstrate that they are ambitious, energetic, goal-oriented, and enthusiastic?
3. There are thousands of possible careers. Why do you want to follow this particular career?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seekers who really want this job, will be quick, definite and forceful when explaining why.
4. Five years ago - how would you have answered the Interview Question: "Where do you see yourself five years from now?" Do you think you have achieved what you wanted to?
Interview Answer Guide: Demonstrates honesty, persistence and enthusiasm in their plans for the future, especially with this new position; shows they learn from past mistakes; they are not quitters.
Communication Skills – Questions
1. Tell me about a time when you had to be very careful in communicating delicate information. What was the possible risk involved and how did you go about it?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should appear to understand the necessity of confidentiality, to have the ability to disclose delicate/sensitive information carefully, and with utmost sensitivity.
2. Describe a time when you took extra effort to make sure the person with whom you were communicating with had really understood your point. How did you do this?
Interview Answer Guide: The candidate's answer should show that they understand why clarification is an important part of communication.
3. What steps do you take to establish a rapport with others?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should have the ability to see things from another person's perspective. How do they accomplish this? Does the candidate appear to be able to empathize with others?
4. Give me an example when you had to present complex information in a simplified manner in order to explain it to someone.
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should be able to explain how they break up complex information to help co-workers easily understand the information.
5. Give me an example when you had to present complex information in a simplified manner in order to explain it to someone.
Interview Answer Guide: Does the candidate appear to have good listening skills? Can they listen close enough to get the correct information?
6. How do you explain a complex technical issue to someone who has less technical knowledge than you?
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should be able to express his/her knowledge in a clear, simple manner; answer should show that they have the ability to explain technical matters to non-technical people.
7. Give me an example of a time when you had to put your point across in a meeting to which most of the people were reluctant to hear.
Interview Answer Guide: Job seeker should show the ability to convince others by making valid points; have a strong character; is not afraid to speak his/her mind to defend the interest of the company and/or his/her own interests.
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