Nov 30, Pre Employment Drug Testing - Questions and Answers

Pre employment drug testing is becoming a more and more common hiring requirement.

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It is estimated that 98 percent of Fortune 200 companies have implemented some form of employee drug testing during their recruitment process.

Recruiters estimate that about 60 percent of new hires are required to take a drug test today.

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The pre employment drug testing process is covered in detail at the employment drug screening page.

Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about drug testing for hiring purposes.

Is employment drug testing legal?

Most employers have fairly wide latitude when it comes to pre employment drug tests and the current emphasis on drug free workplaces encourages this. Each state has its own laws governing employment drug testing which employers should follow. Generally these allow for drug testing of job applicants provided the applicants know that the testing is part of the hiring process for all employees. Some states require a formal conditional offer of employment be given to the applicant before testing can take place.

Often notification of pre employment drug testing is given on the application form which the candidate signs. Sometimes separate specific notification is given at the first interview.

What about the applicant's rights to privacy?

The US Supreme Court has held that both blood and urine collection are minimally intrusive and not harmful to job applicants when conducted in the right environment (workplace or collection facility) without direct observation by the tester. In other words it would be considered an invasion of the candidate's privacy if the employer required a urine sample while other people were in the room watching. However if there is a worry about tampering with the sample the employer may be allowed to have one person of the same sex as the candidate present when the sample is given.

A drug test result may be considered personal health information and there may be restrictions on how and whether such information can be shared.

What other rights does the applicant have with regard to the drug testing process?

The applicant's basic rights extend primarily to the right to privacy as stated above and the right to question the legitimacy of the test result including the right to pay for further testing at a lab of their choice. You may have additional rights depending on your individual circumstances as well as State regulations.

Are all job applicants for the company tested for drugs?

Discrimination can be implied if an employer tests only certain applicants for a position. An employer cannot pick and choose which applicants for the same position will be tested. However within a company employment drug testing may be required for only certain positions.

The company would have to be able to justify this in terms of the job requirements and a written drug policy for the company should include this.

Must the prospective employer have the applicant's consent for a drug test?

If the employer tries to test an applicant in an underhand manner without the applicant's knowledge or consent this can cause legal problems. For example an employer is not allowed to pick up strands of hair that an applicant has left on a chair back during the interview and use them as a sample for a drug test.

What happens if an applicant refuses to be tested?

Most companies include a clause in their pre employment drug testing policies or in their notification of drug testing that specifies that a refusal to be tested will be treated as a positive result and the same criteria as a positive result will be applied to the applicant.

What happens if the applicant is not able to provide a urine sample at the time of the test?

Usually the applicant will be asked to remain at the collection center and drink measured fluids until able to produce a sample.

What prescription drugs can interfere with the Five-Screen test and how is this dealt with?

Certain over the counter medications can interfere with accurate results. These include ibuprofen and ephedrine-based products. Most drug testing companies will ask the applicant in advance what medications they have recently taken. The applicant should list these carefully. If the medication has compromised the result of the drug test the sample is automatically retested using a methodology that will identify the drug type. The applicant can present a doctor's prescription for the medication that can be reviewed by the medical officer. Some medications will preliminarily test non-negative, but the confirmatory tests will rule out any non-illegal substances

Employers cannot discriminate in their hiring practices based on an applicant's use of prescription medication for legitimate medical purposes. Such discrimination could be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Can applicant's "beat" the drug tests?

Certain internet sites give advice on how to supposedly dilute or adulterate urine samples. Most of these suggestions do not work and are easily identified in the testing process. Even if the specific drug is successfully masked the product or method of tampering itself can be detected.

Pre employment drug testing has become an accepted part of the final hiring decision. Know what this means for job applicants.

Find out more details about the pre employment drug testing process at About employment drug screening and know what to expect.

Go to Pre Employment Testing to find out about other frequently used pre employment tests.

Find out all you need to know about Employment Background Checks including credit checks.

Certain employers are permitted to use the Employment Polygraph. Find answers to commonly asked questions about the use of pre employment polygraph examinations.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is for guidance purposes only and is not legal advice.

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Nov 24, Group Interview Questions and Answers Guide

Group interview questions are often used as an initial screening tool to select candidates for a second, one-on-one job interview.

The types of interview questions are usually general and not specific to the technical aspects of the job. The main purpose of group interviews is to determine qualities like communication skills and interpersonal ability, persuasiveness and the ability to influence others, leadership and delegation.

Other competencies assessed during a group interview include problem-solving and planning skills, stress-tolerance and the ability to work and contribute effectively as a team-member.

Expect some debriefing-type questions. These group interview questions will most likely be asked in a group situation after the team exercises have been completed.

What made this team work successfully?

Refer to aspects such as the good use of available resources, the management of obstacles, successful team communication, use of initiative and support and encouragement of each other. Focus on the approach the team took and acknowledge the contributions of individual members.

What was your personal contribution to the team's performance?

Refer to your strengths such as planning and thoroughness, analyzing and problem-solving. Support your answer with specific examples of how you used these strengths to contribute to the team. What special role did you play and how was your contribution received by the team?

Why did this team struggle to accomplish the objective?

Refer to the reasons why things did not go according to plan, give specific examples. Demonstrate that you have been able to realistically analyze the situation and explain what you would have done, with hindsight, to improve the situation and deal with the problems the team experienced. Show an ability to offer solutions, not just to point out the problems.

How did you deal with the stress created by meeting the challenges?

Describe the specific steps you took to remain calm and controlled. Focus on skills such as planning, flexibility, communication and discipline.

How would the other team members describe you?

Refer to the positive reactions your experienced from other team members. Support your perception of how you came across with examples of observations or remarks made by the team.

Group interview questions designed to get to know you as an individual may be asked on a one-one basis at some point in the group interview process.

How would you describe yourself?

Avoid just repeating what is on your resume. Focus on highlighting your skills in a positive and job-relevant way. Try to set yourself apart from the other candidates as the most suitable person for the job. You need to think about the job requirements and emphasize your fit with these needs. You can mention observations others have made about your strengths and abilities to reinforce your answer.

How would your colleagues describe you?

Think about the interpersonal style you use with co-workers or your peers. What adjectives would they use to describe you? Dependable, resilient, helpful, energetic etc. Use this list of strengths to help you with this. Support your answer with examples.
"They describe me as dependable, probably because I always meet my deadlines." or "They consider me highly adaptable, I am able to work effectively with very diverse people. My last department consisted of ......"

These group interview questions explore your personal motivation for the position .

What about this position appeals to you most?

Give specific examples of why this position and company excite you. Refer to the positives you have learned about the organization and the job from this group interview process. Think about how you can prove your passion and interest for the position. Why would you prefer to work for this company rather than their competitors? Use your background research to help you prepare for group interview questions like this.

What are your goals and how does this company and job fit into these goals?

Tailor your goals to the realities of this position and company. Don't offer specific job titles or time frames. Focus on types of experiences you hope to gain and abilities you want to develop. Consider realistically the opportunities available in this organization. Refer to what you will learn in this position and how this fits in with your personal development plan.

Prepare for a general interview question about your suitability for the position

What would you bring to this position?

Refer to your key skills and abilities and how you would use them in the job. Avoid general statements like "I am a team-player.." and rather refer to specific evidence.
"I have worked as part of a team on a number of projects and received positive feedback about my role and contribution. Particular mention was made of my ability to initiate new ways of looking at the challenges and problems and then encouraging contributions from other team members."

Think about your strengths and the benefits they bring to the company and position. Give proof of what you can offer to excel in this job. "My problem-solving ability has been put to the test many times. For example, ...."

Discuss your specific qualifications for the job. Always refer back to your enthusiasm for the position.

Prepare convincing answers to frequently asked group interview questions that explore these areas of competence. Set yourself apart from the competition by having planned and practiced for your group interview.

Group Interview Tips and Techniques

Often candidates are asked to identify their strengths and weaknesses in the group interview. Go to the following excellent resources to help you with this
List of Strengths and Weaknesses
Interview Questions Weaknesses

Use the common job interview questions and answers to help prepare answers to other typical job interview questions.

Group interviews may be used as an opportunity to see how candidates react to those unexpected strange interview questions. Be prepared to handle these type of interview questions.

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May 25, Free Interview Questions and Answers Guide

Free interview questions and answers guide to those tough job interview questions. Go through the list of common interview questions and use the sample answers to prepare your own winning interview answers. Stand out as the right candidate for the job opportunity.

Expect interview questions that explore your understanding of the job such as:

What skills are the the most critical to this position?

Prepare by listing the tasks given in the job description and identifying which skills are key to successful task performance. Consider the technical skills specific to the position such as knowledge of accounting principles and practices for an accountant position, human resource management principles for a HR position, understanding the sales cycle for a sales position etc.

List the competencies required for successful job performance. Competencies or behaviors commonly required in the workplace include problem-solving ability, use of initiative, resilience, adaptability, organizing and planning and team work. Describe to the interviewer how your experience is relevant to these requirements and how you have successfully demonstrated these skills in your previous positions.

"After carefully reviewing this job I would focus on these key skills as the most essential to success. The company is going through considerable restructuring and as a manager I would need to properly manage any changes with my team. My communication, motivation, negotiation and conflict management skills are key to this. In my last job I had considerable experience in these areas when ................."

Free interview questions and answers include other typical job interview questions that explore your suitability for the job. Click on each question to view good sample interview answers.

Employers want to explore your commitment and motivation for the job. One interview question that prospective employers like to ask is:

What interests you most about this job?

Point out the new challenges and experiences you look forward to in the position and why you are qualified to handle them. Align your interests with the attributes they are looking for in the right candidate. For example:

"I want the challenge of selling a new product. I consider strategy development one of my key skills and I would like to be able to use it to the fullest in developing strategies for selling this product.."

"I get great satisfaction from training new staff members and helping them develop and succeed. I am excited by the sort of training programs I would be running in this position...."

For more free interview questions and answers that deal with your motivation, your interpersonal skills and your work goals click on each of the standard interview questions listed in the table below.

Free interview questions and answers include those tough and awkward questions that interviewers throw at you such as:

Where else are you interviewing and for what positions?

This is an awkward interview question and although candidates feel that interviewers shouldn't ask it, they do! So be prepared for it. Be brief, concise and straightforward. Avoid trying to use this as an opportunity to impress by naming big firms in unrelated industries or that are offering different types of jobs. Employers want to hear that you are going for similar positions in the same sort of industry. This confirms your commitment to the job they are interviewing you for. You can rather answer in general terms.

"I have focused only on jobs that offer me the same sort of opportunities and challenges that your organization does in this particular industry. I recently interviewed with XYZ organization for a similar position."

If you have not been for any other interviews you can deal with this interview question in this way.

"I have concentrated my job search on positions that offer the same sort of responsibilities and challenges as this position and with similar organizations. To date I have sent my resume to a number of organizations, including XYZ Company and ABC Inc, and we are in the process of setting up interviews."

View other difficult interview questions with sample answers here.

Most interviews will include some behavioral type interview questions. Be well prepared by using our Behavioral Interview Guide for these type of job interview questions.

The comprehensive lists of free interview questions and answers will help you prepare for success in your job interview.

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Dec 9, Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

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General nurse interview questions will explore the following areas:

Your training, qualifications and work experience

Where did you get your training and what qualifications and certifications do you have?

Explain why you have chosen a specific area of practice. Be prepared to discuss your theoretical training as well as the practical component. Remember to take copies of your certifications with you.

You will be asked nurse interview questions around your work experience based on the resume you have submitted.

Prepare by carefully going through your resume beforehand. Be completely familiar with your tasks and responsibilities and the skills, abilities and knowledge you have gained.

Anticipate the following type of questions:

This nursing job requires training and experience in ......... Tell me how your training and experience fulfill this requirement.

Your resume shows that you have knowledge of ........ Please tell me more about your experience in this area.?

What is your experience in ..... Tell me in some detail how you went about performing this task?

In answering these nurse interview questions highlight special achievements and the acquisition of specific skills and abilities. Use the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to nursing. Speak positively about your experiences and previous employers. Keep your answer relevant to the requirements of the nursing opportunity.?

Typical nurse interview questions

By preparing answers to the most common nursing interview questions, you will be able to give effective and convincing answers that set you apart as an excellent candidate for the nursing job.?

Why are you the right person for this nursing job?

Highlight why your training and experience qualify you for this specific nurse job. Prepare for this beforehand by closely reviewing the key job requirements and matching the relevant skills and abilities you have gained to these. Provide specific examples of these skills when answering this question.

Use your background research to show your understanding of the key challenges faced by this organization. Detail how you can help meet these challenges and be part of the solution.?

Why are you interested in this particular nursing job?

Again prepare for this by finding out as much as possible about the job and the facility. Demonstrate why this job is the one you particularly want using this background research. For example: "I am specifically looking for a position in a facility like this because of it's excellent emergency care ....."

What have been your most significant accomplishments to date?

Describe achievements that relate to this nursing job.?Take specific examples and describe how your approach benefited the patient and/or facility.

What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses as a nursing professional?

Prepare three or four key strengths that relate closely to the job you are interviewing for. Reinforce each strength with a concrete example.?Go to What are your strengths? to help you with this questions.

Be honest about your weaknesses, show you have the maturity and insight to recognize your areas for improvement. State a weakness and then discuss how you are managing it and the improvements you have made so far.?

What are your future goals?

Your answer should show your commitment to this job and facility. You can explain how this nursing job meets your long term objectives by providing an opportunity to grow and develop your nursing skills.

Be realistic and select reasonable, achievable goals otherwise you will come across as a bit of a dreamer.?

Why are you leaving your present job?

Explain how this opening provides a new challenge and opportunity. Avoid criticizing your former employer or colleagues and giving a negative reason for leaving. Focus on the positive possibilities that will come with a move to a new nursing job.

?What do you consider the most important qualities for this nursing job?

Make your answer relevant to the specific nursing job. For example common qualities required for successful performance as an ER Nurse include adaptability, resilience, critical thinking, organization and planning, emotional stability and high stress tolerance.

What did you like and dislike about your previous position?

The interviewer is evaluating your suitability and compatibility with this nursing opportunity.?General likes that are applicable to most nursing jobs include learning opportunities, professional growth, job diversity and directly contributing to improving patient care.?

The dislikes should not refer to characteristics of the nurse job you are interviewing for. Stay away from reasons that involve common working conditions such as overtime. Avoid criticisms of your previous employer but refer to the absence of something that you want in your job such as the opportunity to use your initiative more or learn new skills.

Motivation for the nursing job

Why did you choose your specialty area of nursing?

Whether the area of specialization is ER, Occupational Health, Community Health, ICU or any other, the key to answering nurse interview questions about your nursing career choice is to be very specific about why you chose it. What influenced you in your choice? How did you explore your options? Highlight how your strengths are best utilized in this area and how it suits your personal competencies.

Why do you want to work in?our hospital and/or community?

Use your background research to support your answer. Look at aspects such as the commitment to health care provision, innovations in patient care, the community it serves.

How do you stay current with the nursing profession?

Nurse interview questions about your motivation to learn and stay updated are important indicators of your commitment to nursing as a career. Examples include attending conferences, subscribing to professional nursing journals, joining relevant forums and groups and conducting online research.

What are the biggest challenges facing nursing today?

Health care systems globally are struggling to meet the demands of the populations they serve. One of the major problems is the current shortage of trained nurses. Use your interview answer to demonstrate that you have thought about this issue and offer up some reasons as to why there is such a shortage of skilled nurses. Possible reasons include low nursing school enrollment due to poor perceptions of nursing as a fairly rewarded career and nurses leaving the profession before retirement age due to job dissatisfaction.?You need to be able to show your interest in nursing as a career by demonstrating that you have thought about the current and future issues facing nurses.?

A number of nurse interview questions will be competency-based or behavioral interview questions. Go to this section to view common behavioral questions asked in a nursing interview with answer guidelines.

Prepare a list of good questions to ask in your interview.

Practice answering these sample nurse interview questions in mock sessions with a colleague, friend or relation until you feel comfortable about handling your nursing job interview.

Nanny Interview Questions and child care related interview questions.

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Apr 25, Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions

All answers to behavioral interview questions should be structured around 3 components. The situation or task in which you displayed the behavior in question, the actions you took and the results of these actions. The interviewer is asking you to provide a real-life example of how you have previously used or demonstrated the required job behavior or competency.

The situation or task is the background or context in which you took action. Common situations in which candidates are required to take action include a change in job responsibilities, demands made by managers, colleagues and customers and challenges in meeting job requirements.

The actions are what the candidates did or said in response to the the situation and how they did it. Actions commonly include steps taken to complete a task or project, solving a problem or overcoming a challenge, making a decision and interacting with managers and customers.

The results are the effects or outcomes of the candidates actions. The changes, consequences and differences the actions made and if the actions were effective and appropriate.

Go through the list of 7 common behaviors required for successful job performance in a wide range of job categories.

See what the interviewer is looking for in answers to behavioral questions that explore the competency or behavior. Use the answer guidelines to determine appropriate past situations where you have used or demonstrated the behavior. Prepare and structure your behavioral example to provide the information the interviewer wants.

Planning and Organizing

The examples you present in answers to behavioral questions that determine your ability to plan and organize should include the following actions - establishing clear and realistic objectives, scheduling activities and time parameters to get the job done, setting priorities, knowing which resources are needed and making the best use of these, monitoring your progress and adjusting your activity where necessary. Sample behavioral answer.

Decision Making

Your answers to behavioral interview questions about using your judgment and making decisions should include the following steps in the decision making process - gathering the necessary information and facts, using this information to work out possible courses of action to take, considering alternative courses of action, considering the implications and consequences of different courses of action and carrying out the most appropriate course of action. Involving the necessary stake-holders in the decision-making process is another important aspect of decision-making. Sample behavioral answer.

Problem Solving

Use past examples that demonstrate the following key elements to successful problem analysis and problem solving - finding and gathering all the relevant information from the right sources, organizing and sorting the information to identify the reasons for the problem, coming up with possible solutions to the problem. Sample behavioral answer.

Adaptability

Behavioral examples that you use to demonstrate adaptability should contain these elements - adjusting your behavior, communication style and your approach to match changing tasks, work demands or different people, adjusting priorities to meet new deadlines and information, adjusting activities and attitude to work effectively in a new environment, willing to try new approaches for changed situations, attempting to understand and embrace change positively. Sample behavioral answer.

Initiative

Your choice of behavioral examples to demonstrate the use of initiative should show you to be a person who is able to be proactive and seek out new opportunities, to capitalize on opportunities and come up with new ideas. The interviewer is looking for an individual who is able to solve problems without being asked, come up with new ways to apply existing information and knowledge, to anticipate problems and challenges rather than just reacting to them, to work independently and who is willing to look for ways to improve oneself and one's work environment. Sample behavioral answer.

Teamwork

Answers to behavioral interview questions that explore your ability to work as part of a team should focus on examples that show how you exchange information freely and openly and offer information and ideas to other team members. Highlight how you were able to listen to and acknowledge the input of others, use empathy in dealing with team members, ask for and encourage feedback and help, support team actions and decisions and put the team objectives ahead of your own goals. Sample behavioral answer.

Work Standards

Examples of past behavior that indicate high work standards should include these elements - setting high goals and standards for performance, imposing standards of excellence on oneself, not being satisfied with average performance, assuming responsibility and accountability for one's own successful performance and work outputs. Sample behavioral answer.

Communication

Answers to behavioral interview questions that center on your communication skills require a behavioral example that demonstrates the ability to listen with empathy and respect, avoid interrupting and hearing the person out, receiving the right message by asking appropriate questions and clarifying details, expressing oneself effectively and clearly, using the appropriate language and communication style to match the individual/s you are communicating with. Sample Behavioral Questions.

What is the interviewer not looking for in answers to behavioral interview questions?

The interviewer wants an actual example from your past. What he or she does not want in answers to behavioral interview questions are the following:

Vague responses - these include generalizations that do not provide a specific situation. Avoid using phrases such as "Most of the time...", Usually...", Sometimes..."

Opinions - The interviewer is not asking for your opinion. He or she wants a real-life, factual example of what you did in a certain situation. Avoid phrases such as "I believe...", "I think...", "In my opinion..."

Theoretical responses - these answers indicate what you would do rather than what you did do. Avoid phrases such as "If I had ....", I would have...", "I might.."

Criticism of former colleagues, managers and companies - it is important to provide a straightforward account of what you did in your behavioral example. Bad mouthing other people in your answer will only detract from its validity.

Use the behavioral interview tips and sample answers to behavioral interview questions to prepare thoroughly for challenging behavioral job interviews.

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Apr 12, All Interview Questions and Answers for Job Interviews

All interview questions will include behavioral or situational interview questions. The questions asked in behavior based interviews are designed to determine whether you demonstrate the behaviors required for success in the job.

To prepare for common interview questions such as "Tell me about yourself?" scroll down to the table at the bottom of the page and click on the typical interview question to view good answer guidelines.

Common work-related behaviors that are explored in behavior interviewing include your work accuracy and your attention to detail, the quality of your work and how you plan and organize your work day. The sample interview answers given here help you to prepare your own winning behavioral interview answers.

Describe what you do to control mistakes in your work (attention to detail)

In asking this behavioral interview question the interviewer wants to know if you are able to accurately complete your tasks with close attention to all aspects of your work.

Show that you are concerned with maintaining accuracy and check your work for errors.

In my last position I had to make all the travel arrangements for my manager. (Situation)

I listened carefully, noted down what she needed and then read it back to her to confirm that I had it right. I would also follow up with a detailed email to check again.

Once I had made the arrangements I would set up a time to give her feedback and check I had everything she needed.

I then followed this up with an email with all the confirmed details. (Action)

This was time-consuming for both of us but it meant that no errors were made in the arrangements. It would have been more frustrating and costly not to have made such thorough checks" (Result)

Tell me about a time that you were not satisfied with your work performance. What did you do about it? (Work Standards)

All interview questions around work performance are designed to explore whether you set high standards for yourself and strive to meet these standards. What do you consider to be a "high standard"? Show how you attempt to attain high performance standards and correct substandard performance.

"My performance review rating was lower than I had expected or wanted. (Situation)

I met with my manager to establish a plan of action for improvement and set very specific targets to be met on a monthly basis. I worked hard to meet these targets and constantly monitored my performance. I also asked for regular feedback about my performance. (Action)

After six months, my boss conducted another review and my rating was much higher." (Result)

Describe a situation in which you had to schedule your activities to meet an objective (planning and organizing)

The interviewer is exploring your ability to set objectives and schedule and prioritize your activities appropriately. Show how you are able to establish a course of action, allocate resources accordingly and plan tasks to reach objectives.

"I had to complete a training report every month. This involved collating and presenting a large amount of information. (Situation)

I scheduled all the data collecting tasks. Each department was given a monthly deadline to submit information to me and I scheduled reminders to be sent out before the deadline. I set aside a time in my diary each month to collate all the information and check it. Then I allocated time for drawing up and presenting the report. (Action)

This worked well and I always comfortably met my deadline." (Result)

Prepare your own examples for the behavior based interview using all interview questions and the sample answers as a guide.

Expert behavioral interview tips and techniques.

Refer to the specific interview guides for all job interview questions and recommended answer guidelines plus sample answers related to particular jobs. Behavioral interview questions for specific positions are discussed in detail.

View these Frequently Asked Behavioral or Situational Interview Questions.

Make sure you are well prepared for your interview and confident that you have covered everything before your interview. Go through the Interview Checklist the day before your interview.

View all job interview questions commonly asked with excellent interview answers in the table below.

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Apr 26, Call Center Interview Questions and Answers

Anticipate and prepare for the likely call center interview questions you will be asked in your call center job interview. The call center guide applies to both outbound and inbound call center positions.

Review the knowledge and core workplace competencies (skills and abilities) commonly required for success in call center or contact center jobs and plan your interview answers around these.

Call center consultant knowledge requirements will vary depending on the company, product and scope of the job. However typical knowledge requirements for call center work include:

Typing/keyboard (usually over 30 wpm)basic computer and technological knowledgeknowledge of relevant software applicationsnumeric, oral and written language applicationsadministrative procedures and information processingcustomer relationship principles and practices

Questions around the knowledge requirements can be answered by reviewing your resume as it refers directly to your qualifications, training and work experience. Prepare for call center interview questions that explore your relevant training and work task experiences relating to the specific knowledge requirements listed.

Examples include:

"What are your computer skills and what software applications have your used?"

"What size was the customer database you dealt with?"

"How many calls did you take/make in an average day?"

"What was the average length of each call?"

The interviewer will focus on questions that look for evidence of call center-related competencies. You will be asked to give specific examples of when you have shown the required competency in your previous jobs.

Reflect on your past experiences, select appropriate examples and plan your response using the following structure:

Describe the specific situation or task you were involved in Detail the action and steps you took in the situation Outline the results and outcome of your actions. What happened, what was accomplished, what did you learn?

Scroll through the call center interview questions that explore each core competency. Use the answer guidelines to help you prepare your own excellent answers.

Team Work

Call centers all involve some degree of team work so expect call center interview questions that explore your ability to function as part of a team.

"Tell me about one of the toughest groups you have had to work with in order to achieve a task or objective."

"Tell me about a time when you were able to help out a team member."

"Describe a situation when you felt a team member was not contributing enough. What steps did you take?"

Answer Guidelines : Show how you are able to work effectively with other people towards task and goal accomplishment, how you interact with others to establish and build efficient working relationships that contribute to team and organizational success. Indicate your value, respect and encouragement of colleagues, your enjoyment of working as part of a team and how you put the team first.

Customer Service

Key to success in a call center position are your customer service skills and orientation.

"Describe a situation when you had to deal with demands from an unreasonable customer."

"Tell me about a time when you went the extra mile for a customer."

"Describe a situation when you had to calm down a very angry customer."

Answer Guidelines : Show how you proactively develop the relationship with the customer, make the extra effort to listen and understand the customer and give high priority to meting the customer's needs. Describe your ability to handle negative customers in the call or contact center without being intimidated or getting upset.

How to answer other common customer service interview questions such as "What does excellent customer service mean to you?" is covered right here.

Problem-solving and Judgment

An essential call center consultant competency for dealing successfully with customers in the call center.

"Describe a tough problem you recently had to sort out for a customer."

"Give me an example of a decision you had to make quickly while dealing with a customer recently."

"What steps did you take when you found out that a problem was a result of inefficient service by your company or colleagues?"

Answer Guidelines : Discuss your ability to take an appropriate course of action after considering all the relevant facts. How you are willing to analyze and resolve issues promptly, use your troubleshooting skills and follow a logical path to a positive outcome.

Learning Skills

Call center positions often require the successful candidate to undergo both product and technical training. In the call center interview you will be asked questions that explore your ability to learn and apply new information quickly and willingly. Call center technology is constantly changing.

"Tell me about a time you were able to learn something complex in a short time period."

"Describe the last time that you volunteered to gain new knowledge at work or in your own time, without being asked to."

"How have you gone about getting answers to questions you have about your work?"

Answer Guidelines : Detail how you are able to learn and apply new job-related information in a timely manner. Describe your activities towards self-development and ongoing learning.

Stress tolerance

A call center is usually a very pressurized environment to work in, your ability to deal with stress is core to your success.

"Describe a situation when a customer really upset you but you had to remain composed."

"Tell me about a stressful interaction you had with a team member, how did you handle it?"

"How have you handled conflicting demands in the past?"

Answer Guidelines : Describe your ability to maintain work performance under pressure or provocation. Detail how you reduce your stress levels and what coping techniques you have developed. Give examples of how you have dealt appropriately with demanding tasks, customers and colleagues.

Persuasiveness

A call center interview will explore the candidate's ability to persuade and influence customers.

"Describe a situation when you had to change your approach because your first attempts to persuade a customer failed."

"Tell me about your approach when calling a brand new prospect."

"How have you managed to overcome a customer's objections in a recent call?"

Answer guidelines: Show how you are able to select the right approach according to the situation, determine customer needs and convince them of the benefits of your product or service. Describe how you overcome objectives to gain commitment from customers. Highlight your successes.

Your competency in communicating effectively and your listening skills will be assessed as you interact with the interviewer. Make sure you speak clearly and concisely, choosing your words with care and using correct grammar. Listen carefully to questions during the call center interview and ask for further clarification if you do not properly understand a question. For comprehensive advice on how to communicate effectively in the job interview go to the expert interview communication strategies.

During the call center interview expect questions that explore your motivation to work in the call center and your commitment to staying in the job, such as:

"What do you enjoy about working in a call center?"

"Why have you chosen a career in this industry?"

View the call center job description which details both the inbound and outbound call center function.

For a comprehensive guide to answering competency based or behavioral questions go to the Behavioral Interview and review the sample questions and answers.This will help you in preparing for call center interview questions.

Call center job performance centers around excellent customer service skills. You will be asked a number of interview questions that explore your customer service skills. Find out how to prepare for these interview questions at Customer Service Job Interview Questions.

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Help Desk Job Interview Questions

Sales Job Interview Questions

You will be asked common job interview questions such as Tell me about yourself and Why should we hire you? Find sample answers to these and other standard interview questions at Common Job Interview Questions & Answers

Whatever position you are applying for, interviewers use some general interview questions to assess the candidate. Review these Typical Interview Questions with sample answers to help prepare for your call center interview.

Know which Job Interview Questions to ask in your interview and get all the information you need to make the right decision about this call center opportunity.

First impressions count! Know how to dress appropriately for your call center interview. Go to How to dress for an interview.

Be well prepared and stand out from the other candidates as the right person for the call center job.

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Dec 28, Job Interview Answers to Those Tough Interview Questions

Finding the right job interview answers to those difficult interview questions about salary requirements, gaps in employment, why you were laid off or why you were fired can be a real challenge. Plan your responses carefully and you will be ready with a concise and professional answer when these tough questions come up in your job interview.

Plan your job interview answers using the interview techniques given for each difficult interview question in the box below.

Use these tips to help you respond appropriately to these difficult questions.

Go through your resume and note any red flag areas that could translate into a difficult job interview question.
How you respond to these tough questions is as important as what you say.
Stay calm and unflustered and answer in a positive and professional manner.
Be aware of your tone of voice, making sure it is not defensive or aggressive.
Use body language that conveys the message that you are comfortable and confident.
Be concise and avoid rambling on as this gives the impression of nervousness.
Be brief but make sure you have addressed any concerns the interviewer has. It is important that the interviewer feels comfortable that the question has been dealt with properly so that the interview can move on.

Also prepare for common job interview questions using the interview answer guidelines in the table below.

Prepare and practice job interview answers that make the right impact in your interview.

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May 19, Clerical Interview Questions and Answers Guide

Which clerical interview questions can you expect in your clerical or administrative job interview? Prepare winning answers using the practical answer guidelines.

Clerical vacancies occur in a wide range of organizations and clerical jobs include a wide range of tasks and activities. Prepare for these frequently asked interview questions about your skills and experience for a clerical or office administration position.

How does your previous work experience equip you for this job?

Find the key abilities and skills required for this position in the job posting/ad. Describe how you demonstrated these skills in your previous jobs. Key skills for clerical positions usually include communicating with customers, employees and other individuals to answer questions and obtain and give information, taking and directing calls, filing, compiling, checking and distributing documents and correspondence, recording data and scheduling activities.

Which computer software have you used?

Detail the packages you are familiar with and explain what you have used each package for. Give specific examples of the functions you are proficient in such as creating and formatting spreadsheets in Excel and creating and editing tables in Word. Relate your computer skills to the job requirements.

What types of correspondence were you responsible for?

When answering clerical interview questions like this indicate the level of responsibility you had with regard to generating and editing correspondence. Did you type correspondence from rough drafts, corrected copies, voice recordings, dictation or previous versions? Highlight your knowledge of English composition, spelling and grammatical rules. Explain how you ensured accuracy. Provide work samples to support your answer.

What reports did you have to compose, format or check and distribute?

Give examples of the reports you were responsible for and explain how you obtained and managed the necessary information and what systems you used to generate and distribute the reports.

What types of filing systems have you managed?

Highlight how you made sure that filing was kept current and being done accurately. How did you ensure efficient retrieval of information? Detail the different filing systems you are familiar with and explain their advantages and disadvantages. Discuss any improvements you made. This shows that you actively managed the filing system and not just maintained it.

What information were you responsible for processing?

Focus on the types and volume of information - forms etc - to be captured and processed. What software and systems did you utilize? An important part of answering clerical interview questions about information processing is to detail how you verified or audited the information before processing it? How do you check for errors?

What sort of information did you have to keep confidential in your last clerical job?

Show how you used your judgment to determine what types of information and situations to keep confidential. Give specific examples of the confidential information you managed. How was this information stored? How did you monitor it? What was the process for retrieving it?

What experience do you have with handling money?

Detail what your responsibilities were in this area. Did you collect, count and disburse money? Was there any basic bookkeeping involved? Were you responsible for any banking transactions?

What experience do you have with setting up meetings?

How did you organize venues, inform participants, organize documentation, set up the meeting room? Were you also responsible for taking and distributing minutes?

What sort of interactions did you have with the public?

Focus on dealing with queries or requests from customers or members of the public. Highlight your use of your knowledge of the department and company to successfully answer queries and provide information.These clerical interview questions are exploring your ability to provide an efficient information service to the public, clients, colleagues and managers.

How many calls did you have to take on an average day?

This provides an indication of how busy you were and how much time was spent on dealing with requests for information. If you also dealt with the public via written communications then include this in your clerical interview answer.

Were you responsible for coordinating any events, projects or programs?

Have a good example ready of a project where you were involved in the planning and organization. Clerical interview questions like this are designed to explore your planning and organization skills as well as your initiative and ability to work independently. Focus on these skills in your answer.

Describe the busiest work situation you have recently had?

Again have an example ready for the interviewer. Describe the situation, the actions you took to meet the demands and the outcome. Focus on your ability to perform under pressure by planning and prioritizing successfully. Avoid making negative comments about having to handle a busy situation but rather convince the interviewer that you enjoyed the challenge.

Can you give me an example of the sort of deadlines you had to meet?

Be specific about any daily, weekly, quarterly deadlines you regularly had to meet. Explain how you scheduled your activities to ensure that you did meet the deadlines.

How do you prioritize your work?

Describe the techniques you use to organize your work. How do you determine the importance and urgency of a task? What else do you consider when prioritizing your work - for example, the available resources to complete the task? Show how you are able to use your judgment and plan the most appropriate course of action.

Describe any innovations you successfully made in your last job to improve efficiency?

The interviewer wants to know if you are able to analyze a problem and come up with a workable solution. Show how you use your initiative to pro-actively make positive changes.

What do you consider to be the most important qualities for this clerical/administrative job?

A clerical or administrative type job mostly involves information management and communication. Qualities like good listening and communication skills, planning and organizing, flexibility, adaptability, independent judgment, confidentiality, attention to detail and accuracy are all key to clerical jobs.

Use this detailed Clerical Job Description to make sure you have a clear picture of the task and competency requirements for a clerical job.

The Sample Clerical Resume provides instant structure for your own clerical resume.

Secretarial Interview Questions

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Administrative Assistant Job Description

Sample Receptionist Resume

Receptionist Cover Letter

Paralegal Interview Questions and Answers

Good Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Prepare for frequently asked interview questions at Standard Interview Questions and Answers.

Prepare for some Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers in your interview.

Get the job you want by preparing and practicing your interview answers to frequently asked clerical interview questions.

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Apr 20, Behavioral Interview Questions and Sample Answers to Prepare for Success

Common behavioral interview questions include those that explore the ability to problem solve, use your initiative and make sound decisions.
Prepare for your interview with the sample behavior based interview questions and answers below.

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Problem solving is a frequently required workplace competency whether the employer is exploring management competencies, sales competencies, customer service competencies or adminsitrative competencies.

Describe a difficult problem you had to sort out in your last job (Problem-solving)

This behavior based interviewing question is designed to explore your ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.

Show how you are able to gather and organize the necessary information and identify the best solution.

Here is a sample behavioral interview answer that you can use as a guide to develop your own good answer.

"We were getting a lot of complaints about late deliveries. (Situation)

I met with the staff involved in the customer delivery department and discovered that the problem seemed to be with the stock coming through on time.

I investigated and found that requests for new inventory were not been processed fast enough. The backlog was in the orders department as they were not following up adequately with the suppliers. A system for regular follow up was quickly implemented. (Action)

This sorted out the stock problems and the delivery staff were able to meet their deadlines." (Result)

Describe a new idea or suggestion that you made to your supervisor recently (initiative)

The ability to use your initiative is often explored during competency based interviewing. The interviewer wants to know if you are proactive and able to generate workable ideas. Show how you are a self-starter who will take action beyond what is asked of you.

" I work in orders and the company was launching a new product. The sales team had in-depth training on it but we had none. (Situation)

I suggested that the orders department should also receive the training so that we would understand what was being ordered and be able to answer any questions if necessary. It was agreed we would all undergo a short version of the training. (Action)

This meant that we could deal professionally with the orders and it also motivated us, feeling part of the launch excitement." (Result)

Tell me about a time that you had to use your judgment and make a decision in your previous job (judgment/decision-making)

Judgment is another essential behavioral competency in the workplace. The interviewer is exploring your ability to make logical decisions and take action. Show how you consider all the relevant facts, weigh up the alternatives and commit to the most appropriate action.

"I was responsible for ordering office supplies for the company. (Situation)

The company always ordered a month's supply at a time to keep inventory costs low. I had to decide whether to keep doing this or buy six month's supply and get a discount for ordering such a big volume and escape possible future price increases. I did some research and worked out we could reduce our costs by buying for six months, especially since the amount we used remained practically unchanged month on month. (Action)

I was right, the prices went up quite a bit during those six months." (Result)

Remember that these are sample answers that can be used to help you formulate your own examples from your previous jobs or other contexts when answering behavioral interview questions like these.

Behavioral interview tips and techniques.

Prepare for the relevant behavioral interview question by clicking on the table above to view more sample behavioral interview questions and answers and prepare for success!

View these Frequently Asked Behavioral or Situational Interview Questions.

View the 12 core competencies around which the majority of behavioral or competency based interview questions are asked.

To view behavioral interview questions asked in the manager interview, the project manager interview and the quality assurance interview with sample answer guidelines.

Prepare for frequently asked interview questions that include standard questions such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why should we hire you?".

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