Presentation
Our customer needs to expand their Technical Publications department, which today contains of five dedicated people, four technical writers and one graphical designer.
To strengthen the group, they are looking for a driven person with at least 3-5 years experience as a Technical writer.
Arbetsuppgifter
The department’s primarily task is to document all new and existing software systems developed by the R&D department in Malmö. The organization is project driven and all technical publications are written in English.
Your job is to gather user information by working as a member of the product development projects. The information is authored, managed, reused, and localized in an XML-based content management and single-source publishing solution.
The information will be published on a Help website and it will also be available as User Guides, Technical Datasheets, Installation Instructions and Online Help.
Utbildning/erfarenhet
You have a university degree in Bachelor of Science or equal and at least 3-5 years relevant experience. You are familiar with XML-based documentation development.
As a person you have ambitions, are driven, structured, thorough, goal oriented, and social. It is important that you can see and understand the usability of the systems developed by the company.
For this position, you need to have excellent skills in English, both written and spoken.
Sluttext
Please apply by registering your CV here on our website. Click on the "Ansök" button to the right of this advertisement. It is our recommendation that you register as much information as possible and that you attach a complete CV-document. Please check that your correct e-mail address is registered.
Poolia is a registered staffing agency, meaning that we comply with the requirements set by Bemanningsföretagen - the Swedish Association of Staffing Agencies.
Placeringsort
Malmö
Kontaktperson
Pernilla Ohlsson
040-661 25 15
pernilla.ohlsson@poolia.se
luni, 13 aprilie 2009
THALES RAIL SIGNALLING - AUTOMATED TESTING AND INTEGRATION ENGINEER
If you are a highly motivated and experienced engineer, possessing exceptional team player qualities? Thales RSS wants you to join its young and dynamic team!
AUTOMATED TESTING AND INTEGRATION ENGINEER
Short task description
Test of a generic Platform for safety-critical railway applications, including
* Lab set-up
* Porting of test cases
* Specification, design, implementation and execution (on target architecture/HW) of new test cases
The tests will be performed in a professional environment in close co-operation with experts in Austria.
We are looking for an outstanding applicant who can demonstrate the following qualities:
Professional competencies
Education:
* Computer science graduates (Automatics and Computers, Informatics or Cybernetics)
Requested technical competencies:
* Software development in C
* Script languages (tcl/expect, bash)
* Linux / Unix
* POSIX API
Preferred technical competencies:
* GNU Toolchain: (expect, perl, tcl, ...)
* Shell utilities (awk, sed, ...)
* Networking, HW (for laboratory set-up)
* Experience with bug tracking and test tracking tools
Personal competencies
* Intercultural communication, including the empathy to work in an international team
* Team-working
* Flexibility and availability to travel abroad from time to time
Languages:
* English
* German is a plus
Benefits:
* Professional development in multinational environment, training opportunities, attractive salary, medical care, restaurant tickets, sports programs, housing loans etc.
AUTOMATED TESTING AND INTEGRATION ENGINEER
Short task description
Test of a generic Platform for safety-critical railway applications, including
* Lab set-up
* Porting of test cases
* Specification, design, implementation and execution (on target architecture/HW) of new test cases
The tests will be performed in a professional environment in close co-operation with experts in Austria.
We are looking for an outstanding applicant who can demonstrate the following qualities:
Professional competencies
Education:
* Computer science graduates (Automatics and Computers, Informatics or Cybernetics)
Requested technical competencies:
* Software development in C
* Script languages (tcl/expect, bash)
* Linux / Unix
* POSIX API
Preferred technical competencies:
* GNU Toolchain: (expect, perl, tcl, ...)
* Shell utilities (awk, sed, ...)
* Networking, HW (for laboratory set-up)
* Experience with bug tracking and test tracking tools
Personal competencies
* Intercultural communication, including the empathy to work in an international team
* Team-working
* Flexibility and availability to travel abroad from time to time
Languages:
* English
* German is a plus
Benefits:
* Professional development in multinational environment, training opportunities, attractive salary, medical care, restaurant tickets, sports programs, housing loans etc.
luni, 6 aprilie 2009
Pilatus Jobs
Aerospace jobs from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
We currently have 10 Aerospace jobs from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd are recruiting on Flight Jobs. Look below to see the latest Aerospace jobs from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
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Add Key Account Sales Manager - Switzerland - Business Services
Key Account Sales Manager - Switzerland - Business Services Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. With over 1200 employees, Pilatus is unique as Switzerland's only company that develops and produces aircraft and training systems sold worldwide. Due to our cont ... Job Role: Sales & Marketing | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 10 March 2009 09:30:47
Add Training System Specialist - Switzerland - Aerospace
Training System Specialist - Switzerland - Aerospace Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. With over 1200 employees, Pilatus is unique as Switzerland's only company that develops and produces aircraft and training systems sold worldwide. Due to our continued s ... Job Role: Aerospace | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 10 March 2009 09:30:47
Add Customer Support Project Manager - Switzerland - Aerospace
Customer Support Project Manager - Switzerland - Aerospace Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. With over 1200 employees, Pilatus is unique as Switzerland's only company that develops and produces aircraft and training systems sold worldwide. Due to our conti ... Job Role: Engineering Customer Service | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 10 March 2009 09:30:47
Add Customer Support Engineer - Switzerland - Aerospace
Customer Support Engineer - Switzerland - Aerospace Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. With over 1200 employees, Pilatus is unique as Switzerland's only company that develops and produces aircraft and training systems sold worldwide. Due to our continued su ... Job Role: Customer Support Engineer | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 10 March 2009 09:30:47
Add Technical Author - Switzerland
Technical Author - Switzerland Job Role: Aerospace | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 04 February 2009 15:20:35
Add Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) - Switzerland
Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) - Switzerland Job Role: Aeronautical Engineering | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 04 February 2009 15:19:39
Add Stress Engineer (Structural analysis and testing) - Switzerland
Stress Engineer (Structural analysis and testing) - Switzerland Job Role: Stress Engineer | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 04 February 2009 15:18:47
Add Senior Aerospace Structural Engineer - Switzerland
Senior Aerospace Structural Engineer - Switzerland Job Role: Mechanical and Structural Engineering | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 04 February 2009 15:18:10
Add R&M Safety Engineer - Switzerland
R&M Safety Engineer - Switzerland Job Role: General Engineering Technology | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 04 February 2009 15:17:45
Add Compiler - Switzerland
Compiler - Switzerland Job Role: Aerospace | Job Hours: Full-Time | Location: Switzerland | Job Position: Permanent | Published Date: 04 February 2009 15:17:20
miercuri, 1 aprilie 2009
Jobseeker Checklist
Are your ready to make a move?
To be successful in your next move you should work through and refer back to this five part checklist. Bookmark or print out this page.
* Know your goals
o Know the top ten things that are important to you.
o Appreciate the beliefs that empower and limit you.
o Have clearly written long and short term goals.
o Keep up to date on all aspects of e-business as it progresses.
* Make a plan of attack, research and find opportunities
o Be aware that what you see as opportunity and exciting many are threatened and resistant to.
o Check out the company web site and forums, see where they are now with e-business.
o Check out the company's competitors. What are they up against, would you prefer to work for them? If so why?
o Establish the culture of an organisation. Have they the ability to adapt to the e-business change or will it be like turning a supertanker around.
o Make a clear list of what you are looking for and resolve not to be swayed from it by anything or anybody.
o How much of a priority is e-business to them? Are they naive?
o What sort of people are the top management team? Are they looking at future opportunities or living off past successes.
o When picking an agent, ask if they are professional enough to represent me? Do they understand what I am truly looking for? Do they understand e-business and can offer me worthwhile advice and guidance.
o Are there exciting opportunities coming up in my present firm?
o Ask yourself who exactly would you work for if anything was possible?
* Excel at Interview
o Make sure you are going to the right interviews.
o Appreciate that it is the candidate that presents himself or herself across as best that usually gets the offer.
o Realise that people buy people first and whatever else second.
o The man with real passion for the job will typically beat the man with better paper skills.
o Understand and apply the concept of 'mirroring' to establish rapport.
o Prepare your key questions beforehand so that you can concentrate on their verbal (and non-verbal responses).
o Think of the dozen questions the interviewer is most likely to ask and consider you replies.
o If you really want the job, tell them.
o Ask at the end of an interview if there is anything about yourself that gives them any doubt for the position?
o Ascertain their decision making process and style.
o Find out what they really want, and the offer it, only if it fits in with your plan. Otherwise do not be swayed.
o Ask directly if anyone else will be involved in the decision.
o Try to do a great deal more listening than talking. Respond and influence with your body language.
o Remember that promises not in writing are unlikely to ever happen.
* Get the Offer
o Don't wait to hear, take action. If you want the job ring them up and ask for it. Showing this level of keenness will never work against you. If you are hesitant the next guy wont be.
o If you are working through an agent tell them that you will accept an offer. Agents make money when candidates accept offers. This makes you their top candidate to promote.
o Be persistent and determined to get the offer no matter what obstacles are put up.
o Keep looking and doing interviews until you have a firm acceptable offer in writing.
o When receiving a written offer, compare it to your original criteria.
o If there is anything you are not happy with, get it sorted in writing.
o If it is second best, reject it unless you really don't expect to ever get another offer. Be wary of keen agents.
o In a leader role in e-business you are going to have to make risky decisions, so make sure that the contract makes it difficult and expensive for them to get rid of you.
* Starting your new position
o Before you start learn as much as you can about the company with reference to your new position. Surf the web on your competitors and industries that you consider innovative.
o You are a leader, lead. Be inspirational, confident and determined.
o Figure out who is against you real fast.
o Pick and recruit your own team if applicable real fast.
o Find out the values, motivations and career goals of your key staff members. Do whatever it takes to retain and develop them, if they are e-business savvy they are rare, highly sought after, and will be called by headhunters.
o Don't wait for pioneers to lead the way. In e-business you come first or last.
o Carefully set yourself and your team targets.
o Do everything you can to alleviate the insecurities of people whose skills are old model, and train them in new model, by developing a learning organisation.
To be successful in your next move you should work through and refer back to this five part checklist. Bookmark or print out this page.
* Know your goals
o Know the top ten things that are important to you.
o Appreciate the beliefs that empower and limit you.
o Have clearly written long and short term goals.
o Keep up to date on all aspects of e-business as it progresses.
* Make a plan of attack, research and find opportunities
o Be aware that what you see as opportunity and exciting many are threatened and resistant to.
o Check out the company web site and forums, see where they are now with e-business.
o Check out the company's competitors. What are they up against, would you prefer to work for them? If so why?
o Establish the culture of an organisation. Have they the ability to adapt to the e-business change or will it be like turning a supertanker around.
o Make a clear list of what you are looking for and resolve not to be swayed from it by anything or anybody.
o How much of a priority is e-business to them? Are they naive?
o What sort of people are the top management team? Are they looking at future opportunities or living off past successes.
o When picking an agent, ask if they are professional enough to represent me? Do they understand what I am truly looking for? Do they understand e-business and can offer me worthwhile advice and guidance.
o Are there exciting opportunities coming up in my present firm?
o Ask yourself who exactly would you work for if anything was possible?
* Excel at Interview
o Make sure you are going to the right interviews.
o Appreciate that it is the candidate that presents himself or herself across as best that usually gets the offer.
o Realise that people buy people first and whatever else second.
o The man with real passion for the job will typically beat the man with better paper skills.
o Understand and apply the concept of 'mirroring' to establish rapport.
o Prepare your key questions beforehand so that you can concentrate on their verbal (and non-verbal responses).
o Think of the dozen questions the interviewer is most likely to ask and consider you replies.
o If you really want the job, tell them.
o Ask at the end of an interview if there is anything about yourself that gives them any doubt for the position?
o Ascertain their decision making process and style.
o Find out what they really want, and the offer it, only if it fits in with your plan. Otherwise do not be swayed.
o Ask directly if anyone else will be involved in the decision.
o Try to do a great deal more listening than talking. Respond and influence with your body language.
o Remember that promises not in writing are unlikely to ever happen.
* Get the Offer
o Don't wait to hear, take action. If you want the job ring them up and ask for it. Showing this level of keenness will never work against you. If you are hesitant the next guy wont be.
o If you are working through an agent tell them that you will accept an offer. Agents make money when candidates accept offers. This makes you their top candidate to promote.
o Be persistent and determined to get the offer no matter what obstacles are put up.
o Keep looking and doing interviews until you have a firm acceptable offer in writing.
o When receiving a written offer, compare it to your original criteria.
o If there is anything you are not happy with, get it sorted in writing.
o If it is second best, reject it unless you really don't expect to ever get another offer. Be wary of keen agents.
o In a leader role in e-business you are going to have to make risky decisions, so make sure that the contract makes it difficult and expensive for them to get rid of you.
* Starting your new position
o Before you start learn as much as you can about the company with reference to your new position. Surf the web on your competitors and industries that you consider innovative.
o You are a leader, lead. Be inspirational, confident and determined.
o Figure out who is against you real fast.
o Pick and recruit your own team if applicable real fast.
o Find out the values, motivations and career goals of your key staff members. Do whatever it takes to retain and develop them, if they are e-business savvy they are rare, highly sought after, and will be called by headhunters.
o Don't wait for pioneers to lead the way. In e-business you come first or last.
o Carefully set yourself and your team targets.
o Do everything you can to alleviate the insecurities of people whose skills are old model, and train them in new model, by developing a learning organisation.
Umbrella Companies www.atlantic-umbrella.com
http://www.atlantic-umbrella.com/
Umbrella Companies - Atlantic Umbrella Company
Welcome to Atlantic Umbrella Company
- the service driven umbrella company for contractors. If you are an experienced temporary worker, you will know there are a number of umbrella companies in the market to choose from. You know it, we know it, but read on and see why Atlantic Umbrella is an industry leader and the umbrella company for you.
Atlantic Umbrella offers a selection of three IR35 compliant payroll solutions to temporary workers. We stand out from the rest, because you get to choose the system that best serves your needs. No other umbrella company in the UK offers such selection.
Being a PAYE Umbrella Company; our payroll solutions are taxed at source, making them IR35 compliant. We do not pay dividends. If you are thinking of going the MSC route, or want to be paid dividends, please read this first.
Our payroll solutions guarantee that you take home the highest rate of pay legally allowable under a PAYE system. No other umbrella can legally "get you more expenses". Whilst we encourage the claiming of expenses as a way to tax mitigate earnings, we do so within the ambit of the law.
Look at our testimonials page to get an idea of what our current members have to say about us.
ATLANTIC OFFERS YOU THE FOLLOWING
An AEMC certified umbrella company operating to the highest levels of compliance
6 years experience in running a PAYE Umbrella Service
6 years track record of compliance
a selection of 3 payroll solutions
Atlantic Express
the solution that pays on timesheets
"same day" payment commitment for all 3 payroll solutions, including Atlantic Lite
HMRC Expenses Dispensation
a 100% legal and IR35 compliant approach to contracting
access to tax deductible pensions through our in-house IFA
access to Income Protection and Life Cover through Atlantic Lifeguard
a responsive, courteous, and professional account manager
Insurance and Indemnity Protection in excess of £10 million
no set up or exit fees, no questionable fine print in contracts
Umbrella Companies - Atlantic Umbrella Company
Welcome to Atlantic Umbrella Company
- the service driven umbrella company for contractors. If you are an experienced temporary worker, you will know there are a number of umbrella companies in the market to choose from. You know it, we know it, but read on and see why Atlantic Umbrella is an industry leader and the umbrella company for you.
Atlantic Umbrella offers a selection of three IR35 compliant payroll solutions to temporary workers. We stand out from the rest, because you get to choose the system that best serves your needs. No other umbrella company in the UK offers such selection.
Being a PAYE Umbrella Company; our payroll solutions are taxed at source, making them IR35 compliant. We do not pay dividends. If you are thinking of going the MSC route, or want to be paid dividends, please read this first.
Our payroll solutions guarantee that you take home the highest rate of pay legally allowable under a PAYE system. No other umbrella can legally "get you more expenses". Whilst we encourage the claiming of expenses as a way to tax mitigate earnings, we do so within the ambit of the law.
Look at our testimonials page to get an idea of what our current members have to say about us.
ATLANTIC OFFERS YOU THE FOLLOWING
An AEMC certified umbrella company operating to the highest levels of compliance
6 years experience in running a PAYE Umbrella Service
6 years track record of compliance
a selection of 3 payroll solutions
Atlantic Express
the solution that pays on timesheets
"same day" payment commitment for all 3 payroll solutions, including Atlantic Lite
HMRC Expenses Dispensation
a 100% legal and IR35 compliant approach to contracting
access to tax deductible pensions through our in-house IFA
access to Income Protection and Life Cover through Atlantic Lifeguard
a responsive, courteous, and professional account manager
Insurance and Indemnity Protection in excess of £10 million
no set up or exit fees, no questionable fine print in contracts
35 UK interview tips...
The 35 questions, with answers you have got to be prepared for when entering an interview
“If I was given six hours to chop down trees, I would spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Abraham Lincoln
As the quote above shows, Abraham Lincoln, knew the advantage in life that good preparation can give you. So, well done for taking the time to read this article.
By preparing ahead of time you have given yourself a serious advantage. The 35 important questions asked at interview and how to respond to them will spur many thoughts which when digested, means that you will be well prepared for any interview and shine through.
Included are notes, tips and advice on each question. The real advantage you have is by taking ten minutes to explore the question before an interview. You will therefore come over with clarity and commitment.
Do not lie, it is always so difficult to keep it up, and you will always be nervous of being found out. The other danger of lying is that it is sending a message to your unconscious that you do not totally believe in yourself. What you can do however is highlight the truth in a way that matches the requirements of the position.
There are no right answers. So don’t try to work out what the interviewer wants to hear and answer accordingly. If you do that, a good interviewer will spot it, and lead you down a trail and trap you there.
After each interview, write down any questions that you felt you could have answered better. Then do some further preparation so that if it comes again you are ready.
Rapport Questions
1. How was your journey here?
2. Tell me about yourself?
These types of questions come at the beginning. In fact chatting about the weather or something current can go on for some time. This is a vital part of the interview, because both of you are becoming more relaxed and feeling comfortable in each other’s company.
At the end of the day people offer people that they want to work with. You don’t need to prepare answers to these types of questions, but answer in a friendly way and don’t be in a hurry to move on.
Past Questions
3. What have you enjoyed most in your career to date?
4. What achievements are you most proud of?
5. What does your current job involve?
6. Can you give me evidence of a time when you demonstrated initiative in a job?
7. How IT literate are you?
8. What changes would you make if you could go back in time?
These types of questions follow the rapport questions, and the interviewer will probably make them with your CV in front of them. If someone else designed your CV make sure you are totally familiar with it, as you could be asked on any particular aspect. Be particularly prepared if there are any obvious gaps of employment, too many moves, exam failures and be prepared to explain reasons. Don’t though be over concerned about them. I have not met or read about any successful person yet who did not have lots of failures along the way, it is called learning and experience! If you want an example of someone with a great deal of failure on the CV read the biography of Abraham Lincoln quoted above, or try Aristotle Onassis, Walt Disney, Henry Ford. The past does not necessarily equal the future.
All of the questions above are easier if you spend twenty minutes at least on them before an interview, making notes. Think your answers through now, considering what reaction you would expect from the interviewer.
Future Opportunity Questions
9. What do you know about us?
It is amazing how many people at interview know very little about the company they are visiting. This does not come over as though you have much interest. You may have a string of interviews but each interviewer is looking for someone who finds them special for some reason. You can give yourself a major advantage over competitors by taking the trouble to research the company and the opportunity beforehand. They will probably have their own Internet site, there will be directories at your local library. This is the information age it is easy to find out about companies. You could ring their company secretary and ask for a copy of their current report and accounts. This will show how big they are, if they are profitable and what their growth plans are. You will come over far better if you know something about them and can translate this into why their company especially appeals to you.
10. Why have you applied to this job?
Interview practice by doing the rounds, can be used as a cheap form of gaining experience. There is nothing more annoying to an interviewer than someone who is just “doing the rounds” to see what is out there. You will not perform your best and the negative feedback can erode your confidence. You should be very fussy about what interviews to go to. If you are not fired up with interest and enthusiasm for the position you probably should not go. If you are, then you should tell the interviewer all about it. Remember genuine enthusiasm usually sells much more than higher qualifications and experience!
11. What are your ideal criterion for a new position?
For your own sake you should know this anyway. Otherwise how would you know if you saw your ideal position? So, what are your main criteria, money, more responsibility, challenge, a job nearer home, a chance to use some special skills, to work for a larger firm, etc. Whatever they are, figure them out, even before you apply to jobs. That way, at interview you can come straight out with them and come across as someone who knows exactly what they want.
12. What can you bring to this job?
The key thing in your answer is to not just list your top qualities but match them to their needs. Listing your skills in itself is a bit like a shopkeeper telling a vegetarian about all their fine cuts of meat.
13. What are your long-term career plans?
Often the interviewer is less interested in what they are than checking out if you are thinking long-term. People with clear long-term goals to achieve are directed and thus motivated. Motivated employees perform better. Just make sure that your long-term goals are a possibility with them.
14. What exactly are your career goals?
Again, similar thing. Even if your career goals are very simple and straightforward knowing what they are is vital. Bear in mind that if your career goals are not compatible with what the interviewer wants to hear then this is not a good job for you anyway. I recommend that you stick to your career goals and keep looking until the right opportunity for you is found. Sometimes the wait can be frustrating, but keep looking and it will come.
Personality Questions
15. What is your attitude to authority?
16. How would you deal with a difficult person?
Questions like the two above probe your ability to communicate, particularly getting on with others. The first question suggests a short answer such as,” I do what I am told with respect to the job I am employed to do.”
The second question can be answered in many ways. Here the interviewer is testing you to see how you react. Do you um and er. Personally I would answer it by saying something like, “Well first of all, if you start with the belief that the person is being difficult you are already on a negative footing. So I would first keep an open mind and listen to them, which in itself calms most people anyway…” This is just one potential answer. The interviewer is probing your communication abilities. They are not looking for an answer of the type, “Give them a wide berth”.
17. What do you do with your spare time?
Tell them. Hobbies and sports tell interviewers a lot about the sort of person you are. Prepare now before any interview in what way your pastimes will help you in this position. For example if you do a lot of sport your peak fitness could be useful. If you play football for example, emphasise that you understand the needs of being a team player. They probably want to see that you do more with your life than just watch TV every night.
Sometimes they are also looking for anything that might clash with work. Perhaps a night school course that will stop you working late, or being regularly away on business, if required. Remember also that people like people that are like them, that they have something in common with and you might just strike lucky.
18. How well can you communicate?
In reality your whole demeanour and presentation will give an impression about your ability to communicate. Every question you answer will show your ability to communicate. This means body language as well as words. Maintaining a similar posture to the interviewer is a good general rule. Show enthusiasm on your face that sends the same message as what you are saying. (There is more on this in my special report on interview technique.) If you have thought about and prepared for these questions ahead of time you will come over as a good communicator.
19. What motivates you?
Key information. Is it money, praise, recognition, status, promotion prospects? Whatever it is tell them as they now have a challenge to deliver with the reward to them of having a very motivated employee. If you get the job this will be vital to know how to get the best out of you. You must know what does motivate you, why are you there? What is your dream?
20. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Interviewers asking this question are amused by how many people immediately give a list of things that they would like. New car, house, holidays etc. A different sort of person focuses on what they would do for others. “I would buy my mum … etc. Many people however pause and have no idea what they would do. Personally The first thing I would do is count it ! Don’t be afraid to come over with a little humour. Remember people buy people first and whatever else second. They might go on to probe if you would retire from work. If your answer is yes, it throws some doubt on your passion for the job.
21. What is your definition of success?
Interesting one this, because people come up with a great variety of answers, showing their philosophy for life. Explore this one now, it will also help you focus on which positions to go for. Having an answer, whatever it is, means that you will come across as someone that knows where he or she is going. Good answers could be, “achieving what you set out to achieve,” “ Never giving up,” “Desire, Dedication and Determination” Whatever your definition think of it now and be ready.
22. Describe the process you go through to make a decision?
My answer would be, “Know my objectives, establish the facts of each opportunity and go for the one that meets my goals best.” Most people actually make decisions in the same way whether it is choosing a meal in a restaurant or choosing a career. You may prefer to write all the options down and see them clearly. Perhaps your style is to ask others perhaps wiser for their opinion. In a restaurant for example, some people will always order the same dish, some ask advice from the waiter, others will choose the first thing that looks good, some read through he whole list several times and consider every single option. I am not saying there is a better way, but there might be a way that is more appropriate for the type of job you are going for.
Many people get very pressured making decisions and will quite often avoid making one if at all possible. It depends on the nature of the job you are going for and how important this is. If the position involves making important decisions, and most do, then the interviewer will want to be convinced that you have an effective way of making decisions.
23. How well can you handle stress?
The question suggests that there is a lot of stress with the job, which I would immediately want to probe. Talk about stressful situations you have been in and how you handled them.
Trick Questions
These often come up ironically when you are doing well. They are impressed with you so far and deliberately want to put you under some pressure to see how you take it. So the first rule is keep fighting, even if you think you answered a question badly. I have offered jobs to many people who afterwards admitted they thought they answered badly. I was not so much interested in the content of their answer but that they kept fighting, showing enthusiasm for the job and self-confidence in doing it well.
They might directly test your convictions in your abilities. For example, to a graduate an interviewer might say, “I admire your academic achievements, but this job is for someone more practical and hands on, what would you say to that?” The same interviewer will say to a non-graduate for the same job? “ One problem is that you lack a good solid formal education, we ideally were looking for a graduate for this job, what do you say to that?
Most people go away with the believe that they had the wrong profile whereas what had really happened is that the interviewer wanted to scratch the surface to see if you could fight you corner.
24. You may have to tell the occasional lie in this position, are you Okay with that?
This question is a trick because it suggests either a yes or no answer and both of those options have serious consequences. Interviewers do not want to hear, “No problem,” which is a little worrying. To the interviewer you are either a liar that will no doubt lie to him or you are someone, which is far more likely, that is trying to give you all the answers you want to hear. If they are genuinely okay with you lying then you must have serious doubts as to the individual, and company you would be working for. So I suggest that you say no you are not all right with it, if that is required you are not the man for the job. I can be diplomatic tactful and sensitive to people but I do not deliberately lie and deceive people.
25. Tell me something that makes you angry?
The question is a trick one because it assumes that something can make you angry and secondly gets you to focus on something negative i.e. anger. They are just testing and probing you to see what you are made of. Think now of what your actual answer would be, considering the implications for the recipient.
26. Are you more creative or practical?
This is a trick question because it gives you an alternative choice suggesting that if you are creative you cannot be practical and vice-versa. The danger here is that you quickly respond with one of the alternatives and then they stress the importance of the other one for the position. Be on your alert at all times for questions that make assumptions and challenge them when appropriate. If you have one that is stronger, this will put their focus on the weaker one. If you recognise it as the weaker, and it is important to you, and the job, state that you are taking steps to develop your skill in this area.
27. What is more important to you money or power?
Same comment as above. Neither or both of them in practice might be important to you they are not trade-offs.
28. Sell me that pen?
Very common in sales interviews but also common generally as it tests your ability to communicate in a practical simple way. Most people start describing the biro, where what is perhaps looked for is how the benefits of having this particular biro might match a need of the interviewer. Personally I always like to answer with humour and respond a little differently than expected. Don’t copy me, I merely want to suggest to you to let your personality and sense of humour come out fully. “No I won’t there is not enough profit in it to bother! What I will tell you though is that I can supply you these in bulk at a price I guarantee that you cannot get elsewhere. Do I have your interest?” Of course he has to say yes to this and you have got him, but you have also come over with a sense of humour, a personality, an understanding of human nature and that you can think. You might have responded. “ Can I ask who is responsible for buying pens for your company, because he is the person I need to talk to.”
29. What are the three things I should know about you?
Have prepared your three most powerful attributes that are relevant to the job. List them out straight away and then be quiet.
30. What are your weaknesses for this position?
This is perhaps the one question that finding it hard to answer goes down well. If you have a weakness for the job focus on how you recognise it and what action you are taking to turn it into strength.
31. What question would you least like me to ask you?
Your mind will probably fairly quickly go to just that. As it is the question you would like least to be asked prepare for it just in case he/she asks it. Secondly I would probably go for humour, “Are you willing to work for £10000 a year on 12 hours a day?” If you give him/her the above question they will then ask you for your answer. By definition he has trapped you in to talking on what you would least like to talk about.
Finishing Up Questions
32. What questions do you have for me?
Consider that it is quite acceptable to take a list and bring it out and go through it in the interview. It is not a memory contest.
1. Why is the position vacant?
2. What was the last holder of the post like?
3. What criteria will you use to come to a decision?
4. What would my key responsibilities be?
5. What are the company’s growth plans?
6. How secure financially is the company?
7. How would you describe the culture or atmosphere?
8. Why do people that are here, stay here?
9. So, do I get the job?
33. Why should I choose you?
Because I am the best and most appropriate for the job. Mainly because I want it more than the other candidates which means I will put more into it. This approach is better than just listing out your experience on your CV, they already have that, and another candidates CV on paper might be better. This question incidentally is one that you might also like to ask them.
34. What salary do you require?
Before you talk about salary in great detail you want to be the one that they will offer. So ideally you want to be a little vague until you have really sold them on the benefits of offering you. I also suggest you adopt the policy of first choosing the position that is the perfect one for you and then negotiating for the best deal possible. This in fact could be your response to them. When talking numbers stress regularly what they are receiving in return for it.
35. If we did offer you’re the job, how would you react?
I would take it, thank you very much, when can I start? Interviewers like to make offers to people they know are going to accept. Sounds obvious when you think of it from their point of view. Therefore if you say something like, I need to think about it, that is fair enough, but you are not helping your chance of getting the offer. So I suggest you show enthusiasm all through the interview, having got this far, all the answers will be there for you when you need them.
“If I was given six hours to chop down trees, I would spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Abraham Lincoln
As the quote above shows, Abraham Lincoln, knew the advantage in life that good preparation can give you. So, well done for taking the time to read this article.
By preparing ahead of time you have given yourself a serious advantage. The 35 important questions asked at interview and how to respond to them will spur many thoughts which when digested, means that you will be well prepared for any interview and shine through.
Included are notes, tips and advice on each question. The real advantage you have is by taking ten minutes to explore the question before an interview. You will therefore come over with clarity and commitment.
Do not lie, it is always so difficult to keep it up, and you will always be nervous of being found out. The other danger of lying is that it is sending a message to your unconscious that you do not totally believe in yourself. What you can do however is highlight the truth in a way that matches the requirements of the position.
There are no right answers. So don’t try to work out what the interviewer wants to hear and answer accordingly. If you do that, a good interviewer will spot it, and lead you down a trail and trap you there.
After each interview, write down any questions that you felt you could have answered better. Then do some further preparation so that if it comes again you are ready.
Rapport Questions
1. How was your journey here?
2. Tell me about yourself?
These types of questions come at the beginning. In fact chatting about the weather or something current can go on for some time. This is a vital part of the interview, because both of you are becoming more relaxed and feeling comfortable in each other’s company.
At the end of the day people offer people that they want to work with. You don’t need to prepare answers to these types of questions, but answer in a friendly way and don’t be in a hurry to move on.
Past Questions
3. What have you enjoyed most in your career to date?
4. What achievements are you most proud of?
5. What does your current job involve?
6. Can you give me evidence of a time when you demonstrated initiative in a job?
7. How IT literate are you?
8. What changes would you make if you could go back in time?
These types of questions follow the rapport questions, and the interviewer will probably make them with your CV in front of them. If someone else designed your CV make sure you are totally familiar with it, as you could be asked on any particular aspect. Be particularly prepared if there are any obvious gaps of employment, too many moves, exam failures and be prepared to explain reasons. Don’t though be over concerned about them. I have not met or read about any successful person yet who did not have lots of failures along the way, it is called learning and experience! If you want an example of someone with a great deal of failure on the CV read the biography of Abraham Lincoln quoted above, or try Aristotle Onassis, Walt Disney, Henry Ford. The past does not necessarily equal the future.
All of the questions above are easier if you spend twenty minutes at least on them before an interview, making notes. Think your answers through now, considering what reaction you would expect from the interviewer.
Future Opportunity Questions
9. What do you know about us?
It is amazing how many people at interview know very little about the company they are visiting. This does not come over as though you have much interest. You may have a string of interviews but each interviewer is looking for someone who finds them special for some reason. You can give yourself a major advantage over competitors by taking the trouble to research the company and the opportunity beforehand. They will probably have their own Internet site, there will be directories at your local library. This is the information age it is easy to find out about companies. You could ring their company secretary and ask for a copy of their current report and accounts. This will show how big they are, if they are profitable and what their growth plans are. You will come over far better if you know something about them and can translate this into why their company especially appeals to you.
10. Why have you applied to this job?
Interview practice by doing the rounds, can be used as a cheap form of gaining experience. There is nothing more annoying to an interviewer than someone who is just “doing the rounds” to see what is out there. You will not perform your best and the negative feedback can erode your confidence. You should be very fussy about what interviews to go to. If you are not fired up with interest and enthusiasm for the position you probably should not go. If you are, then you should tell the interviewer all about it. Remember genuine enthusiasm usually sells much more than higher qualifications and experience!
11. What are your ideal criterion for a new position?
For your own sake you should know this anyway. Otherwise how would you know if you saw your ideal position? So, what are your main criteria, money, more responsibility, challenge, a job nearer home, a chance to use some special skills, to work for a larger firm, etc. Whatever they are, figure them out, even before you apply to jobs. That way, at interview you can come straight out with them and come across as someone who knows exactly what they want.
12. What can you bring to this job?
The key thing in your answer is to not just list your top qualities but match them to their needs. Listing your skills in itself is a bit like a shopkeeper telling a vegetarian about all their fine cuts of meat.
13. What are your long-term career plans?
Often the interviewer is less interested in what they are than checking out if you are thinking long-term. People with clear long-term goals to achieve are directed and thus motivated. Motivated employees perform better. Just make sure that your long-term goals are a possibility with them.
14. What exactly are your career goals?
Again, similar thing. Even if your career goals are very simple and straightforward knowing what they are is vital. Bear in mind that if your career goals are not compatible with what the interviewer wants to hear then this is not a good job for you anyway. I recommend that you stick to your career goals and keep looking until the right opportunity for you is found. Sometimes the wait can be frustrating, but keep looking and it will come.
Personality Questions
15. What is your attitude to authority?
16. How would you deal with a difficult person?
Questions like the two above probe your ability to communicate, particularly getting on with others. The first question suggests a short answer such as,” I do what I am told with respect to the job I am employed to do.”
The second question can be answered in many ways. Here the interviewer is testing you to see how you react. Do you um and er. Personally I would answer it by saying something like, “Well first of all, if you start with the belief that the person is being difficult you are already on a negative footing. So I would first keep an open mind and listen to them, which in itself calms most people anyway…” This is just one potential answer. The interviewer is probing your communication abilities. They are not looking for an answer of the type, “Give them a wide berth”.
17. What do you do with your spare time?
Tell them. Hobbies and sports tell interviewers a lot about the sort of person you are. Prepare now before any interview in what way your pastimes will help you in this position. For example if you do a lot of sport your peak fitness could be useful. If you play football for example, emphasise that you understand the needs of being a team player. They probably want to see that you do more with your life than just watch TV every night.
Sometimes they are also looking for anything that might clash with work. Perhaps a night school course that will stop you working late, or being regularly away on business, if required. Remember also that people like people that are like them, that they have something in common with and you might just strike lucky.
18. How well can you communicate?
In reality your whole demeanour and presentation will give an impression about your ability to communicate. Every question you answer will show your ability to communicate. This means body language as well as words. Maintaining a similar posture to the interviewer is a good general rule. Show enthusiasm on your face that sends the same message as what you are saying. (There is more on this in my special report on interview technique.) If you have thought about and prepared for these questions ahead of time you will come over as a good communicator.
19. What motivates you?
Key information. Is it money, praise, recognition, status, promotion prospects? Whatever it is tell them as they now have a challenge to deliver with the reward to them of having a very motivated employee. If you get the job this will be vital to know how to get the best out of you. You must know what does motivate you, why are you there? What is your dream?
20. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Interviewers asking this question are amused by how many people immediately give a list of things that they would like. New car, house, holidays etc. A different sort of person focuses on what they would do for others. “I would buy my mum … etc. Many people however pause and have no idea what they would do. Personally The first thing I would do is count it ! Don’t be afraid to come over with a little humour. Remember people buy people first and whatever else second. They might go on to probe if you would retire from work. If your answer is yes, it throws some doubt on your passion for the job.
21. What is your definition of success?
Interesting one this, because people come up with a great variety of answers, showing their philosophy for life. Explore this one now, it will also help you focus on which positions to go for. Having an answer, whatever it is, means that you will come across as someone that knows where he or she is going. Good answers could be, “achieving what you set out to achieve,” “ Never giving up,” “Desire, Dedication and Determination” Whatever your definition think of it now and be ready.
22. Describe the process you go through to make a decision?
My answer would be, “Know my objectives, establish the facts of each opportunity and go for the one that meets my goals best.” Most people actually make decisions in the same way whether it is choosing a meal in a restaurant or choosing a career. You may prefer to write all the options down and see them clearly. Perhaps your style is to ask others perhaps wiser for their opinion. In a restaurant for example, some people will always order the same dish, some ask advice from the waiter, others will choose the first thing that looks good, some read through he whole list several times and consider every single option. I am not saying there is a better way, but there might be a way that is more appropriate for the type of job you are going for.
Many people get very pressured making decisions and will quite often avoid making one if at all possible. It depends on the nature of the job you are going for and how important this is. If the position involves making important decisions, and most do, then the interviewer will want to be convinced that you have an effective way of making decisions.
23. How well can you handle stress?
The question suggests that there is a lot of stress with the job, which I would immediately want to probe. Talk about stressful situations you have been in and how you handled them.
Trick Questions
These often come up ironically when you are doing well. They are impressed with you so far and deliberately want to put you under some pressure to see how you take it. So the first rule is keep fighting, even if you think you answered a question badly. I have offered jobs to many people who afterwards admitted they thought they answered badly. I was not so much interested in the content of their answer but that they kept fighting, showing enthusiasm for the job and self-confidence in doing it well.
They might directly test your convictions in your abilities. For example, to a graduate an interviewer might say, “I admire your academic achievements, but this job is for someone more practical and hands on, what would you say to that?” The same interviewer will say to a non-graduate for the same job? “ One problem is that you lack a good solid formal education, we ideally were looking for a graduate for this job, what do you say to that?
Most people go away with the believe that they had the wrong profile whereas what had really happened is that the interviewer wanted to scratch the surface to see if you could fight you corner.
24. You may have to tell the occasional lie in this position, are you Okay with that?
This question is a trick because it suggests either a yes or no answer and both of those options have serious consequences. Interviewers do not want to hear, “No problem,” which is a little worrying. To the interviewer you are either a liar that will no doubt lie to him or you are someone, which is far more likely, that is trying to give you all the answers you want to hear. If they are genuinely okay with you lying then you must have serious doubts as to the individual, and company you would be working for. So I suggest that you say no you are not all right with it, if that is required you are not the man for the job. I can be diplomatic tactful and sensitive to people but I do not deliberately lie and deceive people.
25. Tell me something that makes you angry?
The question is a trick one because it assumes that something can make you angry and secondly gets you to focus on something negative i.e. anger. They are just testing and probing you to see what you are made of. Think now of what your actual answer would be, considering the implications for the recipient.
26. Are you more creative or practical?
This is a trick question because it gives you an alternative choice suggesting that if you are creative you cannot be practical and vice-versa. The danger here is that you quickly respond with one of the alternatives and then they stress the importance of the other one for the position. Be on your alert at all times for questions that make assumptions and challenge them when appropriate. If you have one that is stronger, this will put their focus on the weaker one. If you recognise it as the weaker, and it is important to you, and the job, state that you are taking steps to develop your skill in this area.
27. What is more important to you money or power?
Same comment as above. Neither or both of them in practice might be important to you they are not trade-offs.
28. Sell me that pen?
Very common in sales interviews but also common generally as it tests your ability to communicate in a practical simple way. Most people start describing the biro, where what is perhaps looked for is how the benefits of having this particular biro might match a need of the interviewer. Personally I always like to answer with humour and respond a little differently than expected. Don’t copy me, I merely want to suggest to you to let your personality and sense of humour come out fully. “No I won’t there is not enough profit in it to bother! What I will tell you though is that I can supply you these in bulk at a price I guarantee that you cannot get elsewhere. Do I have your interest?” Of course he has to say yes to this and you have got him, but you have also come over with a sense of humour, a personality, an understanding of human nature and that you can think. You might have responded. “ Can I ask who is responsible for buying pens for your company, because he is the person I need to talk to.”
29. What are the three things I should know about you?
Have prepared your three most powerful attributes that are relevant to the job. List them out straight away and then be quiet.
30. What are your weaknesses for this position?
This is perhaps the one question that finding it hard to answer goes down well. If you have a weakness for the job focus on how you recognise it and what action you are taking to turn it into strength.
31. What question would you least like me to ask you?
Your mind will probably fairly quickly go to just that. As it is the question you would like least to be asked prepare for it just in case he/she asks it. Secondly I would probably go for humour, “Are you willing to work for £10000 a year on 12 hours a day?” If you give him/her the above question they will then ask you for your answer. By definition he has trapped you in to talking on what you would least like to talk about.
Finishing Up Questions
32. What questions do you have for me?
Consider that it is quite acceptable to take a list and bring it out and go through it in the interview. It is not a memory contest.
1. Why is the position vacant?
2. What was the last holder of the post like?
3. What criteria will you use to come to a decision?
4. What would my key responsibilities be?
5. What are the company’s growth plans?
6. How secure financially is the company?
7. How would you describe the culture or atmosphere?
8. Why do people that are here, stay here?
9. So, do I get the job?
33. Why should I choose you?
Because I am the best and most appropriate for the job. Mainly because I want it more than the other candidates which means I will put more into it. This approach is better than just listing out your experience on your CV, they already have that, and another candidates CV on paper might be better. This question incidentally is one that you might also like to ask them.
34. What salary do you require?
Before you talk about salary in great detail you want to be the one that they will offer. So ideally you want to be a little vague until you have really sold them on the benefits of offering you. I also suggest you adopt the policy of first choosing the position that is the perfect one for you and then negotiating for the best deal possible. This in fact could be your response to them. When talking numbers stress regularly what they are receiving in return for it.
35. If we did offer you’re the job, how would you react?
I would take it, thank you very much, when can I start? Interviewers like to make offers to people they know are going to accept. Sounds obvious when you think of it from their point of view. Therefore if you say something like, I need to think about it, that is fair enough, but you are not helping your chance of getting the offer. So I suggest you show enthusiasm all through the interview, having got this far, all the answers will be there for you when you need them.
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