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15 Toughest Interview Questions (and Answers!)
Tania Khadder | GovCentral
15. How would your friends describe you?
Bad answer:
"I’m a really good listener.”
While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for – and as specific as possible. If you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
“My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.”
"I’m a really good listener.”
While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for – and as specific as possible. If you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
“My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.”
darthseriously
about 2 years ago
2 comments
These are exactly some of the questions I was asked at a government interview. My answer for the question, what is your weakness, received a response of "is that really a weakness?" So I think that was something that doomed the interview.
bettertown
over 2 years ago
4 comments
Great article
metot
over 2 years ago
3524 comments
well said...
wendylove
over 2 years ago
16 comments
yes!illustrate with examples would be convinsible!
wendylove
over 2 years ago
16 comments
great article!
nissangrey03
over 2 years ago
2 comments
This shall be tought in Highschool or college as a mini course.....Great article
AbInk
over 2 years ago
4 comments
Great article. I realized I've been answering these questions wrong. It is a great tip to answer each question as it will pertain to the job you're applying for. I think it will really help to keep this in mind during future interviews.
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rogertilden
over 2 years ago
2 comments
These all information which you can share over here is really very fantastic in all these there are so many things which is great to know about it. his is especially true for energy conservation efforts with the Department of Energy. When I worked at my previous employer.
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smeagher
over 2 years ago
2 comments
Great article!
JerryGJones
over 2 years ago
62 comments
To me, there are no wrong answers, only different points of view. Using common sense and having a personality that comes across as in control are what I would think would be important. All business employers know when you are trying to BS them with canned answers. I think being yourself is the best policy, unless you always seem to get out of control and get kicked out of offices....;)
jim_penny
almost 3 years ago
8 comments
It is most important to acquaint yourself with inside out of the industry you are applying for.
bill201
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
the government need new idea how to bring back the investor in this country with out promising them anything and if you want to find out talk to me because its the only solution to solve our problem. talk to me America needs to control its border
yolandasturgis
about 3 years ago
18 comments
To answer the questions, experience with some sort of government agency employee environment would assist. Each question has a wrong answer that amused several government workers and became a parody of what they like as 'wrong'.
These kinds of experience in governmental work environments makes searching for private company environment where 'better answers' really do get you the job.
THULINB1
about 3 years ago
118 comments
A good and trustworty friend who is honest, energetic, outgoing, a smart worker who is goal orientated.
THULINB1
about 3 years ago
118 comments
A thirst for knowldge and success in everything that I do.