1.Can you tell us a little about yourself?
The classic among conversation starters and prelude to the so-called self-presentation. For HR
professionals, this is the chance to experience the candidate live, based on the facts that they
already know from the application or from the tabular CV. You should present yourself within a
period of three to seven minutes. For the structure you can use the meanwhile familiar formula as a
guide: "I am – I can – I want".
Answer:
I am Susanne, 25 years old and this semester I will finish my studies at the University of Cologne with
a master’s degree. The subject of my thesis is: … For the past two years I worked for the company
Muster AG and was responsible for finding new customers in the XY area and looking after them
sustainably.
In doing so, I was not only able to increase sales by around two million, but also improve some
points in customer relationship management, which should be of particular interest to you in the
advertised position. I would now like to use this experience to develop myself further in your
company. My strengths fit well with your brand and the challenges of the position that I would like
to work in one way or another.
2.In which areas do you see your strengths?
This is not about praising yourself, but about convincing the HR manager that your own profile fits
the requirements of the position. You should avoid empty phrases and use examples to demonstrate
what you can do. Even things that are taken for granted will not get you anywhere. Punctuality is not
a strength, it can be expected. It is better to concentrate on what you can really do better than
others – and what is also relevant to the job.
- Answer:
One of my strengths lies in the organization, be it at large events or in project work. In my current
position, I organized a conference for 200 people for one of our major customers. It's easy for me to
keep track and bring all the threads together.
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3.What are your weaknesses?
When asked about the strengths, the question about the weaknesses is not far away. Sure, nobody
wants to present their own weaknesses to a potential employer on a silver platter. Basically, it's
about something else: HR managers want to know whether you are self-critical and can deal
honestly and constructively with your weaknesses. The best answer therefore consists of an honest
self-assessment which is expanded to include the intention of improving oneself.
- Answer:
In large groups, I am more cautious and try not to be the center of attention. However, I have
noticed that I am wasting the chance to contribute my views and suggestions and I am working
harder to appear more self-confident and to assert my opinion.
My current goal is to find a company in which I can develop myself professionally and personally. I
would like to face as many different challenges as possible in order to learn in several areas – both
personally and professionally. My goal is to take on more and more management and personnel
responsibility over the next few years, while pursuing more strategic goals. I think it works
particularly well when I work for an organization that is developing itself. And I see that as a given
here.
4.How do you react to criticism?
Nobody likes to work with colleagues who are resistant to advice, always take criticism personally
and deliberately ignore good advice. What counts are personalities who see criticism as an
opportunity for personal growth and an opportunity that is part of every professional collaboration.
- Answer:
Criticism is one of the best ways to improve. I am always grateful for feedback and try not to take it
personally. For example, during my internship, a colleague told me that he didn't like the
presentation that I made for him. But he also showed me where the weaknesses of the presentation
were and what can be done differently. As a result, my handling of the program, but also of creating
presentations, has improved significantly.
5.What would be the ideal situation for you in the workplace?
With this application question, two points are in the foreground: "What do you expect from your job
and do you fit into the existing working atmosphere?" It helps if you deal with the company in
advance and have found out as much as possible about the working atmosphere. You can then
combine this with your own ideas.
- Answer:
I think the interaction between colleagues, but also the cooperation with the supervisor, plays a
major role in a successful team. Everyone should be ready to support the other – but also to learn
and accept criticism in order to continuously improve the joint work.
6.Why are you exactly the right person for the job?
For applicants, this question usually brings stress and the realization: Yes, why actually? Don't let
yourself be put under pressure, concentrate on your added value and the benefits for the company.
What qualifications do you have, what way of working do you have? A look at the job advertisement
also helps to know exactly what the HR manager is looking for.
- Answer:
I think the interaction between colleagues, but also the cooperation with the supervisor, plays a
major role in a successful team. Everyone should be ready to support the other – but also to learn
and accept criticism in order to continuously improve the joint work.
7.Why are you exactly the right person for the job?
For applicants, this question usually brings stress and the realization: Yes, why actually? Don't let
yourself be put under pressure, concentrate on your added value and the benefits for the company.
What qualifications do you have, what way of working do you have? A look at the job advertisement
also helps to know exactly what the HR manager is looking for.
- Answer:
For the position of Junior Account Manager you need someone who can handle numbers well, thinks
in a solution-oriented manner and always has the customer's wishes in mind. With my master's
degree in accounting, I have the technical qualifications and in my internship … I have already been
able to gain initial experience in customer contact and have learned what is important.
For the position of Junior Account Manager you need someone who can handle numbers well, thinks
in a solution-oriented manner and always has the customer's wishes in mind. With my master's
degree in accounting, I have the technical qualifications and in my internship … I have already been
able to gain initial experience in customer contact and have learned what is important.
8.How do you motivate yourself?
HR professionals are specifically interested in what motivates you and what drives you. After all, a
motivated employee performs better, stands up for his employer and ensures that company goals
are achieved. Unfortunately, it is not enough to affirm your own motivation. What is needed are
examples, stories from previous professional life and explanations.
- Answer:
What motivates me most is the results of my work. To see that I've done something well gives me
new strength and the desire to tackle other tasks and, if possible, improve myself.
9.Can you handle work under pressure?
This question may indicate that the position you applied for can be stressful and overtime is
possible. At the same time, it is a classic question to sound out possible weaknesses of an applicant.
The best way to score points on this question is with a scenario that clearly describes how you
performed well under pressure.
- Answer:
Even under pressure I can keep a cool head and never lose sight of the goal. During my internship at
… it often happened that customers made last-minute requests. To implement this, I made a plan
and then worked through it step by step.
10.Why do colleagues enjoy working with you?
Another application question that is geared towards your self-assessment. Unfortunately, just
gossiping about the ability to work in a team does not convince any HR manager. Therefore, think
about suitable examples from your previous career in order to underline your explanations.
- Answer:
I think my colleagues especially appreciate my great commitment and motivation. Even with difficult
and tedious tasks, I can pull others along and always give my best. When there was an important
deadline for my last job, I took an extra shift with two colleagues in order to finish on time and to
relieve a sick colleague.
11.Which position do you prefer in teamwork?
Try to show your flexibility here. Your answer should show that you are able to take the lead in a
group. But also that you are a team player. The middle ground is often a good solution: If you are too
brash with this question, your ability to work in a team will not be properly communicated. On the
other hand, only subordinate yourself, do not show any leadership
- Answer:
I want to achieve the best possible result in a joint project. For this it is important that all those
involved use their potential. In order to promote positive suggestions from colleagues, I am happy to
help them implement them. But I also make sure to bring my own ideas and express my opinion.
12.How do you deal with mistakes and setbacks?
Mistakes are part of life and happen in every job. It is therefore important for HR managers how you
deal with them if you make a mistake in your daily work. Don't try to pretend you never make a
mistake – it looks implausible, not self-critical and absolutely not authentic.
- Answer:
I try to avoid mistakes, but should I still be confronted with them, I solve the situation in two steps:
First, I concentrate on a suitable solution in order to quickly fix the error. Then I look back at how
this came about in order to be able to react better in a similar situation in the future.
13.What do you think of your last employer?
A dangerous question that aims at how satisfied you were at your old place of work. However,
nobody should complain about a former employer in the interview. The focus of this application
question is in any case on the positive sides, even if you were dissatisfied and have therefore
resigned.
- Answer:
I am very grateful for the opportunities my last employer offered me. I was able to gain my first
professional experience there and expand my skills through further training. I learned a lot there for
my future professional path.
14.Do you have more questions?
Usually the last application question in the interview to which there is only one possible answer:
"Yes". If you don't ask questions, HR managers quickly appear unprepared or even disinterested.
When answering questions, however, you should not question anything that has already been
explained in the conversation – or what you could have found out yourself through a short research
on the Internet.
- Answer:
Yes. Thanks for the opportunity. I actually have a few more questions about your last remarks. You
spoke of the development opportunities for employees. Could you explain in more detail how talent
and strengths are fostered in your company? And how do you rate the success in this position in the
first 100 days?