If I asked your current employer to tell us about your accomplishments, what do you think he would say?

1 Answer

Answer :

He would probably talk about the time he asked me to present a new marketing campaign to one of our more difficult clients. I spent over a week preparing for that presentation. Since I knew this client was hard to please, I had to make sure I anticipated every objection she might have. She actually loved the presentation, and the campaign increased her company’s sales by 50 percent. This question gives the candidate a chance to talk about an accomplishment he is proud of. He talks about anticipating possible difficulties as well as the end result, an increase in sales.

Never Say: “I doubt my boss recognized any of my accomplishments. If he did, he certainly didn’t tell me.” This candidate breaks one of the cardinal rules of job interviewing — to never speak negatively about a former boss.

Related questions

Description : Tell me about your accomplishments that show you have initiative and a willingness to work.

Last Answer : Give an example of a time when you took initiative and did not wait for someone to ask you to do something. How did your manager/co-workers react to it?

Description : Name the two work-related accomplishments of which you are proudest.

Last Answer : I converted a manual payroll system to a computerized system, which cuts down the amount of time we spend on payroll each week. I also wrote a manual that explained all bookkeeping department procedures ... affected the company. They also don't explain how he earned his good reviews and promotion.

Description : What should I do if I’m a recent college graduate without many work-related accomplishments?

Last Answer : If you don’t have much work experience, draw upon your experiences as a student. Look at what you achieved while you were in college, either in your classes or through extracurricular activities.

Description : Which of your accomplishments has given you the most satisfaction?

Last Answer : Last year I initiated a program that sent our executives into schools to work with the Young Entrepreneur Program. We sent teams into two area high schools to help the students learn how to run their ... been great. This candidate needs to focus on something she did in order to deserve that title.

Description : This organization is very dierent to your current employer, how do you think you are going to fit in?

Last Answer : Explain what makes you a great fit. If the company culture is more to your liking, or if the industry is more appealing, then explain those things. Give some examples of how you adapt to dierent situations.

Description : Tell me how you were of value to your previous employer.

Last Answer : My previous employer valued my ability to deal with difficult clients. Whenever we had a client who was very demanding, my boss would ask me to be the one to work with her. He said he knew I was so ... up on time. Showing up on time is expected and doesn't set this candidate apart from any other.

Description : Tell me about a special contribution you have made to your employer?

Last Answer : Before an employer makes his/her decision to hire you, they will need to know how you have performed in the past and any other special contributions that you can bring to the company "In my ... answers, instead focus you answers on the actions you took and the positive results that you obtained.

Description : Tell me about a time when you were asked to complete a task but didn’t have the information you needed. What did you do?

Last Answer : SITUATION  When I started my summer internship at XYZ Online Marketing, I quickly realized that it was a small organization which meant that I was left to my own devices. I had to figure things out on my ... data I could access, I was able to call him back to give him the information he wanted.

Description : Have you ever done something that directly helped your employer either increase profits or decrease costs?

Last Answer : I recently found a way to help my employer save money on office supplies. For years, they bought office supplies from the same place. It was several blocks away, so it was pretty convenient. I have found that shopping ... of saying he'll just do the job, he needs to show why he'd be great at it.

Description : Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome?

Last Answer : Describe the problem, what the process was for coming up with solutions, and how you came to the best solution. What were the results?

Description : May I contact your present employer for a reference?

Last Answer : TRAPS: If you're trying to keep your job search private, this is the last thing you want. But if you don't cooperate, won't you seem as if you're trying to hide something? BEST ANSWER: Express your ... time is right, then by all means you should contact them. I'm very proud of my record there.  

Description : Have you ever been asked to take on a project because of your unique skill or ability?

Last Answer : Our senior developer regularly asks me to troubleshoot new programs. I've been very successful at figuring out why programs aren't working properly, and I can usually do it pretty quickly, allowing the ... to plan the party. This skill probably won't be very important to the prospective employer.

Description : Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Last Answer : Be honest because this could come out in a reference check. Explain why you were asked to leave the job, and what you have learned from the experience.

Description : Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Last Answer : Have you ever been asked to leave a position? Answer tips If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization ... checks done by the employer will uncover this information. Focus on how you have grown from the experience.

Description : 100 Commonly Asked Interview Questions

Last Answer : TOUGHEST QUESTIONS  Tell me about yourself. What three words would you use to describe yourself? What three words would your friends use to describe you? What is your greatest weakness? Where do ... How clean is your car today? How many gas stations are there in the U.S.A.?

Description : Tell us something about your hobbies

Last Answer : Answer it with honesty, as they can go deeper into this discussion. You can include: - Browsing the internet - Blogging, - Chatting with friends, - Reading newspapers, - Reading books, - Shopping,

Description : Tell us about yourself.

Last Answer : Here you need to keep your answer interesting and personable, giving a brief overview of your career history to date, why you chose your chosen career path, cover your academic background and wrap ... initially your transferable skills to be elaborated at a later stage when talking through your C.V.

Description : Think about the changes you have seen and tell me how you handle change.

Last Answer : You can cite personal life changes, work place changes, career changes, technology change, industry change. The key is to discuss how seeing or experiencing that change has helped your development. For ... in social media has broadened my horizons and helped me learn new forms of ecient marketing.

Description : Do you find that people who tend to boast about their accomplishments and continually say how wonderful they are, are overcompensating? That they're lacking in some other area?

Last Answer : answer:Usually, but not necessarily the rule. Depends on how the boasting is being applied. And usually it is an insecurity of some sort.

Description : What would you say to your boss if he’s crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?

Last Answer : TRAPS: This is another question that pits two values, in this case loyalty and honesty, against one another. BEST ANSWER: Remember the rule stated earlier: In any conflict between values, always choose integrity ... then I owe him my full and enthusiastic support to make it work as best it can.   

Description : Since life, as it is sold to us, demands that we buy into a proven system of success, why then, do all of the awesome accomplishments in life always appear to be ultimately based upon a leap of faith?

Last Answer : I don’t think the two exclude each other… Isn’t that “system of success” advanced through by making those accomplishments that are based on risk or “leaps of faith?” Just because there’s a system of success doesn’t mean it’s prescriptive – it just requires success in some form.

Description : If you are asked to work over your shift time, can the employer ask or force you to take longer lunch periods or leave early later in the week to wipe out the overtime?

Last Answer : Yes your employer can have you leave early to keep your hours at 40.

Description : It seems like you’ve accomplished a lot. I know everyone fails, at least occasionally. Tell me about something you failed at.

Last Answer : When I was a freshman in college, I decided to run for president of the management club. My opponent was in his junior year. I came up with what I thought and still think was a great ... must give a more detailed answer. This one leaves the interviewer to wonder why the applicant lost the election.

Description : Tell me about the personal accomplishment that you are the proudest of.

Last Answer : Last year I ran a marathon for the first time. I've been a runner for years, but I never ran more than four miles at a time. I began training four months before the big day. It was ... of how she reached this goal, this candidate doesn't show off any strengths when she gives this example.

Description : Can you tell me about your greatest accomplishment at work?

Last Answer : I'm particularly proud of the mentoring program I started about five years ago. I noticed that new employees were having trouble getting acclimated to the company, causing a very high turnover ... is important to share this information, this interviewee doesn't indicate what led to that promotion.

Description : Tell me about a crisis you encountered at work and how you handled it.

Last Answer : Last year, a virus was causing our computers to send out thousands of e-mail messages to our clients. We were being inundated with angry phone calls before we even knew what was going on. Our ... . This candidate is resourceful, but he shouldn't have had anyone running his errands on company time.

Description : Can you tell me about your responsibilities at your last job?

Last Answer : Candidate: I advised customers on financial matters. After I consulted the customer, I completed a customer inquiry form and catalogued the information in our database. I then collaborated with colleagues ... the passive voice, or an introductory clause to help you add variety to your presentation

Description : With your eyes closed, tell me step-by-step how to tie my shoes.

Last Answer : Take the time to visualize the shoe first. Then as you go through the process make sure you describe it step by step in great detail.

Description : Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil other than writing.

Last Answer : This is a test on your creativity. A pencil could be used as a eating device, as a measurement tool, as a liquid stirring device, etc.

Description : Tell me about the PowerPoint presentations you have developed.

Last Answer : Have you developed a detailed presentation before? Was it logically ordered? How was it received by the person viewing it? Was there an ending to it that drove home the point? Was there animation involved? How was it creative? All good questions to think of as you answer this question.

Description : Tell me about the types of word processing you did on your last job.

Last Answer : Discuss your familiarity with Microsoft Oce, Lotus Notes, Zimbra, Apple software products and so forth. A typewriter doesn't count. It's obsolete.

Description : Tell me about your school experiences.

Last Answer : This isn't a time to talk about attending frat parties, but rather a time to speak about how you volunteered with the Red Cross chapter at your school, or how you often attended the theatre productions. Speak to your academic experience as well, but don't only focus on that.

Description : Tell me about a professional assignment you've handled.

Last Answer : Give an example of an assignment you've done, what the assignment was, how you did it, and what the results were.

Description : Tell me the contribution you can make to the organization.

Last Answer : Explain your goals for the position, and why your experience and education make you a good fit for the organization.

Description : Your resume shows that you were with your last company for a number of years with limited increase in rank or salary. What can you tell me about this?

Last Answer : Don't say anything bad about the company. Did you like your job and you didn't want to move up? Did your company have a tight budget and rarely gave increases to anyone? Was your rank level a broad range so that you really did move within it, but on paper it isn't as noticeable?

Description : Tell about a recent job or campus experience that you would describe as a real learning experience? What did you learn from the job or experience?

Last Answer : Focus on what you learned and how you will take those lessons and use them in the future.

Description : Tell about a time when your trustworthiness was challenged. How did you react/respond?

Last Answer : You want to come across as honest, but also cool under pressure. Explain what you did when your trustworthiness was challenged, and how you were able to prove yourself as honest, while keeping a calm demeanor.

Description : Tell about the most dicult or frustrating individual that you've ever had to work with, and how you managed to work with that person.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle conflict and to see whether you can move beyond it. Explain how you were able to work with the dicult individual, and were able to mediate the situation.

Description : Tell about a time when you built rapport quickly with someone under dicult conditions.

Last Answer : Describe how you are able to get along with just about anyone, even in tough situations.

Description : Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn?

Last Answer : This example should be a time in which a more important priority came up and you had to focus on that, instead of the other deadline you had. Don't give an example of a time when you were bad at managing your time and missed the deadline.

Description : Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company/class/organization was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play?

Last Answer : The company wants to hire someone who can come up with solutions to problems the company is facing, and can eectively implement those solutions. Give an example from the past that shows this.

Description : Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision, but didn't have all the information you needed.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see whether you know how to ask the right questions to get the information you need. The company doesn't want someone who makes a decision without all of the information.

Description : Tell me about a time you had to handle multiple responsibilities. How did you organize the work you needed to do?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see if you have the ability to multitask. Give an example of how you organized your work.

Description : Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person. How did you handle the situation?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle conflict and to see whether you can move beyond it. Explain what you do in such a situation and how you stayed level-headed.

Description : Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?

Last Answer : This is similar to the last question except that it focuses on you instead of others. The company wants to know that you can keep a positive attitude even when times are dicult. Give an example and explain what you do to keep your spirits up.

Description : Tell of the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle -- perhaps an angry or irate customer. Be specific and tell what you did and what the outcome was.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle conflict and to see whether you can move beyond it. Explain what you do in such a situation and how you stayed level-headed.

Description : Tell of a time when your active listening skills really paid o for you -- maybe a time when other people missed the key idea being expressed.

Last Answer : This could be an example from work or from school. Explain how you actively listen and what you do to remember (e.g. taking notes).

Description : Tell of some situations in which you have had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle change and whether you can adapt to changing situations. Give an example of where you handled change well and explain what you did.

Description : Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing his or her share of the work. Who, if anyone, did you tell or talk to about it? Did the manager take any steps to correct your colleague? Did you agree or disagree with the manager's actions?

Last Answer : This is a trick question. The interviewer wants to see that you spoke with the colleague first about not completing his/her share, not that you went straight to the manager about it.

Description : Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

Last Answer : Explain the situation, and what you did to go above and beyond? How did others react?