Interview questions

[The Kizzy]

I recently interviewed for a promotion at work. This is the second time, the first promotion went to someone else. Hopefully this one will go to me. We will see.

How would you answer the following questions?

1.) How do you get a long list of work done?
My answer to this one was to prioritize and delegate. Also not to be to shy to jump in and ask for help from others if need be.

2.) How do you get things done from unwilling employees?
My answer was to ask for help, not demand help. Noone likes to be told what to do, people seem to respond better if they are asked to help do something.

3.) Name a time when you have gone above and beyond to help a customer.
My answer was a specific very high maintenance customer that will only deal with me. The reason being that I follow through on what I say I am going to do. My job is done after I make a sale, but with this customer because of the high volume of business, I stay on top of things even to follow up to see how his installation went, etc. etc. He knows to expect a call from me every two to three days even if I don't have anything new to tell him.

I can't think of the other questions, but these are a good start. I answered these questions honestly and the same as I did in my last interview. What do you think?

[Jay]

#2 imo is kind of tricky. You answered as well as you could have imo but at the same time I would say that I'm the type of person that makes employees willing and that no employee of mine would be unwilling due to the fact I treat them with respect and give them an incentive to always want to do the best they can do. The fact that an employee is unwilling is a problem in itself that goes beyond asking vs demanding.

All 3 questions I think you did a fine job of answering though.

[Tikker]

1.) How do you get a long list of work done?
My answer to this one was to prioritize and delegate. Also not to be to shy to jump in and ask for help from others if need be.

see, and for me, this answer says "I try not to do any of the work myself"

that being said, I have no idea what kind of position you're applying for, and whether or not that's an applicable answer

[10sun]

2.) How do you get things done from unwilling employees?
My answer was to ask for help, not demand help. Noone likes to be told what to do, people seem to respond better if they are asked to help do something.

I set an example by performing tasks with speed and proficiency. If the unwilling employees do not try to follow my example; I take them aside privately and ask why they are unwilling.

[Diekan]

2.) How do you get things done from unwilling employees?
My answer was to ask for help, not demand help. Noone likes to be told what to do, people seem to respond better if they are asked to help do something.

I've been through a few management and development programs and courses. Not to mention my position has provided me with some insight and rather "hands on experience" with this type of situation.

You're answer is wrong - not trying to be mean - but trying to point out where you went wrong.

There are times that a manager, or person in a managerial role must put their foot down and show their proverbial "ass" - so to speak. That is what they're looking for. They're asking that question to see if you have what it takes to "step on some toes" if and when necessary.

When you're in charge of a project, department, whatever the situation - it doesn't hurt to be respectful and play the "ask" card first and foremost. However, when that fails and your subordinates neglect to do what’s expected of them, or are unwilling to carry out whatever task you delegate to them – there comes a time when you must require action and not ask for it.

That’s exactly what they’re looking to see if you have: “Does she have the ability to step up and show she can give a direct order when the time comes?” Most people don’t like being told what to do, you’re right about that. But, there are people who have to be told what to do, and you can’t allow your desire to be liked by the subordinate to undermine the task/project/objective/whatever.

I think you may have burned yourself with that answer. As a manager I can tell you there are days when being “Mr. Nice” doesn’t get the job done – when I have to sit down and make it clear that I am not asking, but telling a subordinate what I expect to be done by such and such time. You can be tactful, sure. And you can be relatively nice in your tone, of course. But, you have to make clear what you expect.

The underlying mission of the company, in the end, is to turn a profit. They need and want people who can make that happen. They're not interested in whether or not you're like by those under your "command."

Some times managers have to lay the law down. I am betting your answer to the question didn't sit well with them. It doesn't show a managerial mindset, but the mindset of someone still in the rank and file of the "employee."

[Jay]

1.) How do you get a long list of work done?
My answer to this one was to prioritize and delegate. Also not to be to shy to jump in and ask for help from others if need be.

see, and for me, this answer says "I try not to do any of the work myself"

that being said, I have no idea what kind of position you're applying for, and whether or not that's an applicable answer

Management is about using your time to further the company rather than do the day to day work. Yes, there is work the manager will need to do but if the manager can delegate the work efficiently it makes for a stronger company. Essentially yes, you're making someone else do the work, but when you're paid more than the average employee do you think corporate wants you to spend time reorganizing the shelves or telling someone else to do it while you attend to more important shit?

With question 2, again, unwilling employee is a problem that needs to be snuffed out. That's not a 1 situation thing, that's at least a few situations that caused that employee to be that way. You could ask rather than demand, and that's great, or you could find the root cause of the problem and resolve it so that there's no more unwillingness next time you have to ask. Also, leading by example, whoever mentioned that, is always a great way to go.

[The Kizzy]

2.) How do you get things done from unwilling employees?
My answer was to ask for help, not demand help. Noone likes to be told what to do, people seem to respond better if they are asked to help do something.

I've been through a few management and development programs and courses. Not to mention my position has provided me with some insight and rather "hands on experience" with this type of situation.

You're answer is wrong - not trying to be mean - but trying to point out where you went wrong.

There are times that a manager, or person in a managerial role must put their foot down and show their proverbial "ass" - so to speak. That is what they're looking for. They're asking that question to see if you have what it takes to "step on some toes" if and when necessary.

When you're in charge of a project, department, whatever the situation - it doesn't hurt to be respectful and play the "ask" card first and foremost. However, when that fails and your subordinates neglect to do what’s expected of them, or are unwilling to carry out whatever task you delegate to them – there comes a time when you must require action and not ask for it.

That’s exactly what they’re looking to see if you have: “Does she have the ability to step up and show she can give a direct order when the time comes?” Most people don’t like being told what to do, you’re right about that. But, there are people who have to be told what to do, and you can’t allow your desire to be liked by the subordinate to undermine the task/project/objective/whatever.

I think you may have burned yourself with that answer. As a manager I can tell you there are days when being “Mr. Nice” doesn’t get the job done – when I have to sit down and make it clear that I am not asking, but telling a subordinate what I expect to be done by such and such time. You can be tactful, sure. And you can be relatively nice in your tone, of course. But, you have to make clear what you expect.

The underlying mission of the company, in the end, is to turn a profit. They need and want people who can make that happen. They're not interested in whether or not you're like by those under your "command."

Some times managers have to lay the law down. I am betting your answer to the question didn't sit well with them. It doesn't show a managerial mindset, but the mindset of someone still in the rank and file of the "employee."

I didn't take your response as mean at all. I really appreciate your candor, and this will help if there is another interview if I don't get this one.

[The Kizzy]

4.) WHo is the most important person that directly relates to your job.

I answered "Thats a hard question. Obviously, the customer is very important, without them, we don't have a store, my coworkers are very important, because not one person can do it on their own, my managment staff is important because they let us know what needs to be done to progress in our day to day." He said,"Name one person" I answered "My expiditor. He catches all my mistakes, and if you are willing to listen he is willing to show you where the opportunity lies in each mistake you make. Without my expiditor, we would loose money daily because noone would catch the day to day mistakes"

[10sun]

The janitor. Without him I would have to go home to poop every day at lunch.

[Yamori]

2.) How do you get things done from unwilling employees?

Violence.

[Dylan]

2.) How do you get things done from unwilling employees?

Violence.

Damn, beat me to it.

[Zanchief]

These types of questions are completely useless. Basically they are asking for a candid response but all they really want is for you to "know" the specific answer to a hypothetical question that has no answer. The mongaloids that asked you these questions clearly have no idea how to interview people and are not fit for management. Unfortunately this is the case with 90% of HR positions since these questions seem to come up in almost all employment interview situations.

It doesn't surprise me that Deikan is middle management though. It's a completely useless job for people who have no skills to actually do any work and spend all day motivating people that do almost all the companies work to work even harder to make the managers look good.

[Lyion]

These types of questions are completely useless. Basically they are asking for a candid response but all they really want is for you to "know" the specific answer to a hypothetical question that has no answer. The mongaloids that asked you these questions clearly have no idea how to interview people and are not fit for management. Unfortunately this is the case with 90% of HR positions since these questions seem to come up in almost all employment interview situations.

Gotta agree.

HR is like college. You need to rote memorize and learn what they want to hear, versus actual, useful stuff.

The best managers are those who toe the line between dictator and friend, creating a good environment but demanding accountability.

The politically correct answer for an 'unwilling' employee is to be courteous and respectful, but demand accountability. The real world answer would be to lay down the law and let 'unwilling' employee know he soon will be unemployed.

[Diekan]

These types of questions are completely useless. Basically they are asking for a candid response but all they really want is for you to "know" the specific answer to a hypothetical question that has no answer. The mongaloids that asked you these questions clearly have no idea how to interview people and are not fit for management. Unfortunately this is the case with 90% of HR positions since these questions seem to come up in almost all employment interview situations.

It doesn't surprise me that Deikan is middle management though. It's a completely useless job for people who have no skills to actually do any work and spend all day motivating people that do almost all the companies work to work even harder to make the managers look good.

Yes, because you know me in real life... jackass.

[Zanchief]

Yes, because you know me in real life... jackass.

Shrug, you wrote up a novel about why her silly useless answer was wrong and explained what other silly useless answer was more "acceptable" because of the experience you received during a management course. Basically a course that was provided to you so you could memorize meaningless buzz words and present yourself as a competent manager while being anything but.

True, I don't know if you're a useless manager, but since my track record with dealing with them isn't great, I don't like your odds.

[The Kizzy]

Its a corporate interview. THey ship packets to each store, and you have to go by what is in the packet. I wish I would have interviewed with the other assistant manager, he refuses to use them.

[Zanchief]

Did they ask what your favorite color is? That would be just as relevant.

[brinstar]

when i interviewed for my current job my boss asked me "which is your favorite superhero, and why"

my answer:

"batman. he's one of the most effective crime-fighting superheros in all of comic-bookdom, and he does it all without having any magical, mutant, or otherwise super powers. he's just a human like you and me, but it's his dedication, intelligence, and ingenuity that sets him apart."

he says, "good answer. landon's was 'superman, because he could fly'"

[The Kizzy]

I am not disagreeing with you Zanchief, but there is nothing I can do about the interview process but answer the silly questions if I want to get promoted.

[Zanchief]

I am not disagreeing with you Zanchief, but there is nothing I can do about the interview process but answer the silly questions if I want to get promoted.

Just saying...your boss is silly.

[Ginzburgh]

when i interviewed for my current job my boss asked me "which is your favorite superhero, and why"

my answer:

"batman. he's one of the most effective crime-fighting superheros in all of comic-bookdom, and he does it all without having any magical, mutant, or otherwise super powers. he's just a human like you and me, but it's his dedication, intelligence, and ingenuity that sets him apart."

he says, "good answer. landon's was 'superman, because he could fly'"

As you know, l'm quite keen on comic books. Especially the ones about superheroes. I find the whole mythology surrounding superheroes fascinating. Take my favorite superhero, Superman. Not a great comic book. Not particularly well-drawn. But the mythology... The mythology is not only great, it's unique. Now, a staple of the superhero mythology is, there's the superhero and there's the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When that character wakes up in the morning, he's Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic Superman stands alone. Superman didn't become Superman. Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he's Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red "S", that's the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears - the glasses, the business suit - that's the costume. That's the costume Superman wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent. He's weak... he's unsure of himself... he's a coward. Clark Kent is Superman's critique on the whole human race

-Bill

[brinstar]

fuck bill and fuck you

[Ginzburgh]

Don't hate on me and Bill because you answered wrong.

[Gypsiyee]

I read that and I kept getting this voice stuck in my head saying it and I was like jesus where is that from! then it clicked when I saw "-Bill"

*lightbulb*

[Mop]

the worst question I ever got

If you were driving through the desert in a 2 seat car, and you saw your best friend, love of your life and your grandma sitting there who would you pick up and why?

I hated Josh for asking me that question -/