Job interview questions

[Raz316]

so I had a job interview today as a game tester and all of the practical aspects went well i think. However, the actual formal interview part not so much... ah well!

Anyhooo, it got me wondering about some of the questions that get asked...

"what type of people don't you get on with?" - What's the relevance of this? Is there a good answer? Sure I could say "oh dont be silly, I get on with everyone! ^_^" or "terrorists!" but it feels like Miss World being asked what she wants and answering with "world peace".

"Name two weaknesses you have" - I've been asked this a couple of times and it's always been two weaknesses. I gave an honest first (stating that I get bored quite quickly if Im not busy) but couldn't really think of a second. Why exactly do they need two? What type of answers do they honestly expect?

I know at least a few of you have probably interviewed people in the past, so it'd be interesting to hear!

[Steve B]

are you the kind of person who likes to work with a team of people, or do you do better by yourself?

[schmunk]

"Name two weaknesses you have" - I've been asked this a couple of times and it's always been two weaknesses. I gave an honest first (stating that I get bored quite quickly if Im not busy) but couldn't really think of a second. Why exactly do they need two? What type of answers do they honestly expect?

"I think I can be a bit of a perfectionist, and sometimes I feel I can put too much effort into making things work perfectly, but I have now realised this and make sure that I evaluate my work as I go along."

"Whilst I'm very skilled with [whatever the job's asking for], I'm not sure I've yet fully mastered [something the job doesn't rely upon, best if it's something somebody a couple of rungs up does]. I've identified this as a learning point, and I have already done [something] to work towards it."

"I find it hard to keep a good work-life balance - I love my work, so I do a lot of it. My friends/girlfriend/parents/whoever complain that I'm always at work, so I now make an effort to go home by [a relatively late time for whatever the job is] at least one night a week."


Take your pick, or use your own. They're looking for you to be self aware and not afraid to self-criticise, but you just need to pick 'weaknesses' that aren't really.


The first question's not a very good question, but I would expect an answer which identifies some (genuinely) negative traits, but then say that you work hard to get on with everybody and if you do find a difficult situation you will work with that person to ensure that your personal reservations don't interfere with your professional relationship.


Im on a roll now. Somebody else ask me some questions...

[JPreston]

....
Im on a roll now. Somebody else ask me some questions...

Very devious answers there, even borderline psychopathic, so excellent ones from the interviewee's perspective.