Interviewers like to ask behavioral-style interview questions like, "Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it." They know that past behavior predicts future behavior, and they want to see how you reacted to a difficult situation.
In the video below, I will tell you a great way to respond to this question. Click the video to watch.
Employers know that in a job interview, you are putting your best foot forward. You are going to say things that are positive, that sell you for the job, and that make you look good. So what do they do? They ask you questions that get you to talk about the not-so-sunny parts of your past jobs. They want to uncover any problems you might be hiding BEFORE you come on board.
This particular question about the least favorite part of your last job, is strongly related to the "What's your greatest weakness?" question. Just like with that one, there is a good way and a bad way to answer it.
In the video below, I will tell you how to think about this question, and how to choose the answer you give. Click it to watch.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
This is a tough job interview question. Most people are not that comfortable with the idea of tooting their own horn, but that’s exactly what you have to do in a job search and in a job interview, and that’s especially what you have to do when you answer this question. So feel free to brag. They are looking for you to sell yourself for the job. Tell them why they need you.
In order to do that, you have to have done your pre-interview research plus a little self-analysis. Know how your skill set equals the skill set required for this position…and if you can, show how you offer that PLUS a bit more. That little bit extra is helpful to give you the edge over other candidates.
You don’t need a lot, just one more thing that makes you special over and above the other candidates. Say what that is and how it’s going to help you exceed their expectations for that role. You won’t just meet them, you’ll exceed them.
Talk about one or two specific accomplishments that really highlight you as a great candidate for this role. Talk about how well you fit culturally with the company, and how they’re going to see that even more when they talk to your references. (And your references better be outstanding…make sure you prep your references before the interview. Just give them a heads up that you’re interviewing and what the job is for and what particular skills or accomplishments would be helpful for them to talk about.)
Everything you talk about should be focused on how you’re going to not just meet, but exceed their expectations.
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Say something like, “I deserve the job because I have the skills, I meet the qualifications, I fit you culturally, I’ve done the work before successfully, I’m going to be able to perform successfully in this role, and that’s what you want, do you agree?”
It’s OK to ask if they agree or if you’ve answered the question—you need to know if you answered what they were asking, and they deserve an answer to an issue for them. It’s easy. Just say, “do you agree?” or “did that answer your question?” or “did I answer your question completely?” That’s just good communication skills that are necessary in a job interview situation.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
The one big perception / misconception about academics is that they can’t make it in the ‘real’ world. They are secure in their ivory towers and not coming out any time soon. So if you find yourself trying to leap from your own ivory tower (or ivory laboratory, as the case may be) your interviewer is going to want to know why. What will you have to say for yourself?
This question is an excellent jumping-off point for you to talk about your drive, your enthusiasm, and your ambition. Break the stereotype!
If it were me, I would say something like this: “I want to switch because I want to be rewarded for the things that I do. In an academic field I can work day and night, 24 hours, and no one will notice, and I will not be paid any more than my peers are. In a business role, it’s my perception that the harder I work and the more that I do, the more the company will reward me. I’ll have even more opportunities to take on more responsibility, which will in turn give me more reward.”
What can that reward be? Recognition, money, more authority as you climb the ladder, the opportunity to influence others, the chance to be appreciated for what you do, and even the opportunity to be treated differently based on your success.
Anytime you have something in your background that goes against the norm (a gap in your experience, a sidestep off your career path, a job that looks like a demotion, and so on) the interviewer will want to know why. All you have to do is provide a reasonable explanation. You have the power to tell your story in a way that reflects well on you. In this case, the story shows that you want something more for yourself. You are ambitious and energetic and want to be rewarded for your hard work.
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In most cases (including moving from academia to industry), you want to tell the story in a way that makes it clear that you aren’t running away from whatever situation you were previously in…you are running TO the situation you want to be in. You’re not ever going to talk about how bad it was where you were…you’re only going to talk about how excited you are to be moving forward. Keep your story positive.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
All companies want to know that you want to work for them rather than you just want a job. An enthusiastic employee is a better employee—and more pleasant to work with, too.
A good answer to this question should always be part of your job interview prep. Your answer to this question should sound like, “I want to join this company because…” and then you need to list at least 3 reasons why.
The first one should always show fit in terms of professional skills: “…I can see where my skill sets would benefit you in this particular position. Because they would benefit you, I would also benefit personally, professionally, and financially from that. If I can come in here and fix this problem for you, I’m sure you’ll have other problems I can fix down the road, and that looks like a great future for me.”
This one tells them why you’re excited about what you can do for them. It still places the emphasis on what they’re getting out of hiring you.
The second one can show fit, but more of a cultural fit: “Another reason I want to join this company is that I like the culture. It fits me. I like what I’ve been reading about the company, and it seems like a great fit for my personality and values and who I want to be working for.”
The more specific you can be in your answer, the better.
The hot button question: Why do you want to work here?
It is absolutely critical that you do your company research before the interview so that you can give these specific examples. What does this company do that appeals to you? is it a top company in its field? Are they known for their cutting-edge products? Do they have a great reputation for customer service? Are they known for being a great place to work? Do they emphasize employee development? Talk about those things that speak to you about the company and your fit for it.
And then you can say something that personalizes it a little more, like: “The job is in a great location for me. I’ve always wanted to move here.”
Or, “It’s only 5 minutes from my house, and I love that.”
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Or, “I’ve always used these products, and I just love them and am really excited about being a part of that.” Something that gives you another reason of your own for wanting this job.
Show them your sincere enthusiasm. All of these reasons give them one more reason to hire you.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
This job interview question closely resembles “Why should we hire you?” It’s one question that makes candidates very uncomfortable because it puts them on the spot, but it’s really a fantastic question. Why? It allows you free rein to sell yourself for the job.
Remember that every job interview is a sales process. You are the product (and the sales rep), and the hiring manager is the buyer. Why should he or she choose you above all the other products available?
A bad answer focuses on you: “Because I really need the job,” “Because I really want the job,” or “Because I would be great at it and love it.”
A good answer focuses on them: What problems can you solve for them? What solutions do you provide to them? Tie everything to what they have asked for in a candidate, both in what you read in the job description (job interview preparation is essential to answering this question) and what you learned through asking questions in the interview (if you’ve had a chance to do that yet).
You need to think about the things a hiring manager is looking for: the skill sets, the relationships, the background, the character traits…everything that is necessary to be successful in this role. Maybe it’s going to be an incredible amount of work, so you need to point out your work ethic. Maybe it’s going to require tremendous communication skills, so you need to give an example of yours. Maybe it requires a quick learning curve, so you can say why you’re going to be able to get up to speed quickly. Maybe it requires a particular background, and you have that.
Know how your skill set equals the skill set required for this position, and then deliver a concise but detailed statement that explains that. Show them that you fit. And provide a few examples of how you have done that in the past (which means that you can do it again for them). What have you achieved or accomplished that make you a great fit for this role?
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Here’s an example: “I’m the best for this because you said you were looking for A, B, and C: I’ve got A…we talked about that; I’ve got B…I showed you that; I’ve got C…you asked me questions about that. I fit all your requirements. That’s why I’m the best fit for this position.” You are reiterating what you have talked about and summed it up for them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
The underlying questions behind “Why did you leave your last position?” are, “Is there something wrong with you?” “Did you get fired for a reason?” “Will I regret hiring you?” Those are the concerns that you need to address when you answer this question.
It’s important that you don’t say anything negative about the company you were with because any negativity reflects very badly on you, but you still have to give them a reason why you’re no longer with that company. Your answer will depend on what happened, but there are ways you can talk about it to put a positive spin on it.
If you were laid off, and you can truthfully say that it was a mass layoff, like they laid off 40% of the sales force, or they laid off 10% of the workforce and the newest employees went first, then say that. It will make them feel better to know that it wasn’t just you. They will understand a mass layoff situation, because so many companies have cut back on their numbers the last few years.
If you weren’t part of a mass layoff—maybe it was a restructuring, maybe it was just a much smaller number of people, it’s very important that you be able to offer references who can speak to your skills and your character. The very best reference in this situation is your old boss. That will ease a lot of doubt.
If that’s not possible because you were in fact fired, don’t try to act like you weren’t. They will almost certainly call your references and your old company to find out the truth.
You can say something like, “I have to be honest with you here. That was kind of a bad situation that I’m embarrassed about. It wasn’t a good decision to take that job—I did it for the wrong reasons, it wasn’t a good fit, etc. I can only say that it was a brief bump in the road of an otherwise great career. I would love to have you speak to some of my references, including my former employer John Smith (who is going to be your boss from a job you’ve had in the past). They will be able to speak to my qualifications for this job, and my work ethic.”
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And then make sure you prep and coach those references. They need to know they’re about to get a phone call, and they need to know what’s most important for them to speak about. Your references are an ideal resource for you to utilize in this particular situation.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
A lot of people have taken up freelancing, consulting, or other independent work in the last few years just out of necessity. In many industries, it’s been difficult to find a job. Others have struck out on their own because there has been just so much opportunity—especially in consulting, writing, graphic design, web programming, web design, and online marketing. Whatever your situation was, employers are going to have questions about your reasons for doing what you did and consequently, why you want to work for their company now. Do your job interview prep and be ready.
Whatever you do, don’t give an answer like these:
“I liked it, but I need insurance.”
“No one would hire me, so I did what it took to make money.”
“I didn’t really have to work because my spouse made enough money, but now we’re getting divorced.”
Why are those bad answers? Because they show you running away from a bad situation, not running to their job. No one ever wants to be the consolation prize, and that includes employers. If you don’t really want to be there, chances are you’re not going to put in your best work.
You want to show that things were just fine and that you aren’t being forced to come work for them. This is your choice.
For example, say something like, “Frankly I got caught up in it. Things were going well, there really wasn’t a problem. I just decided that I would be better served to be in an organization like this one.”
And then you can give your reasons for wanting to work for them. Why is that company a good fit for you? Start by giving them a reason that fits your professional skills (maybe you realize how much better you could be with the right resources and infrastructure).
Then give them a reason that you personally like the company. This would be a cultural fit reason. You don’t have to work just anywhere, you want to work for them because they fit you well.
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The third reason can be more of a personal reason: you’re looking forward to collaborating with people and feeding off each other’s ideas so that you can be better and stronger than you’ve ever been.
The big point you must communicate is that you are not leaving a failing situation. You are excited about bringing your skills and talents to a larger organization and looking forward to the prospect.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
It’s very important that you think about this job interview question well before you set foot in an interview. Interviewers always want to know why you want to leave your current job, and you must have a good answer ready to go.
This can be a delicate subject, because most people don’t leave a job that’s a positive situation for them. The sticking point is that you never want to appear negative about anything in a job interview because it reflects so badly on you, so you absolutely can’t say anything negative in this answer.
This is not where you start talking about all the things you don’t like about your current job or your current boss. First of all, it doesn’t matter, and second of all, it will only make you look like a whiny complainer to this person. And it will make them think, “Wow, if he’ll dish all this dirt about them, what will he say about us?”
If you must give a reason, make sure it’s something neutral (by ‘neutral’ I mean: not negative) that is a factor in your old job and is not a factor in your new one.
For instance, if this job requires no travel, you could say, “There’s a lot of travel in the old job and I’m ready to be at home in my own bed more often.”
Or you could say, if you’re moving from a small company to a big one: “I’ve loved my time at XYZ company and learned many skills, but there’s just not much room for growth at higher levels there and I’m ready to move up.”
Or if the new job is in another city, you can say, “I hate to leave that company; they’ve been very good to me, but I am moving to this area and need something that’s closer to home.”
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Be as brief as you can. Mostly what you want to do here is focus on how it’s not that you’re running away from that job, it’s that you’re running to this job. And give them a reason you’re running to this job: it is such a great fit, it offers so many things you’re looking for, and so on… Be as specific as you can about what it is that you’re running to with this company. Why do you like them? Why is it a great fit for you? Tell them that, and you’ll have a great answer.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
Your overall goal to keep in mind is to stay positive and communicate that you can work with any boss in any situation.
To do that, you can’t get too specific in what you expect in a supervisor when you talk about how great a particular boss was. If your potential boss for this job doesn’t match what you say, you won’t get hired. At the same time, you can’t start in on how bad one boss was. Even if you can tell a story that has people howling with laughter at parties, you can’t tell that story here. Any hint of negativity only makes you look like a negative person to the interviewer.
A great answer in response to “Who was your best boss?” sounds something like, “I’ve been so lucky to have had some great bosses that I’ve learned a lot from. They have all had some characteristic or habit or knowledge that I’ve been able to learn so much from.” And then maybe you can say something you learned from one boss in particular that touches directly on your fit for this job: maybe it’s a skill or a habit or something that makes you extremely good at what you do.
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A great response for “Who was your worst boss?” sounds more like, “I did have a boss who I inherited. I didn’t choose him and he didn’t choose me and our communication styles were very different. We got along OK and I succeeded with him but it wasn’t like it was with other managers.”
Why is that a good response? Because you’ve chosen something vague enough that it won’t come back to bite you in this interview, and you kept the outcome positive (meaning you hold no grudges, it was just one of those things, and you were still successful). You never want to badmouth a previous boss.
Try to spin any negative experience into a positive learning experience for you that made you better or stronger than you were before, that you will carry right into this new job.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q5 -- Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q13 -- How can you apply your specific skills to help the organization achieve sustainable growth and generate revenues?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q14 -- How to Answer Interview Questions - Q2 -- How did you deal with the situation the last time your boss chastised you or strongly or disagreed with a statement, a plan or a decision you made?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q29 -- I noticed that you are applying for a position that is not as senior as you past positions. Why would you consider a job that is, in effect, a demotion for you?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q37 -- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss about a way that something should be done. How did you handle that?
How to Answer Interview Questions - Q101 -- Why would you accept a lesser salary than what you made before? (Won’t you jump ship when a better offer comes along?)
Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the post.
In other words, are you going to bail on them in a few months for another job, or are you going to stick around and make their training and investment in you pay off? Is this a stepping stone on your career path, or is this a job to pay the bills until you can do what you really want to do?
This is a tough job interview question. It’s very difficult to predict that far ahead, and plans change anyway. And it’s hard to know what they really want to hear. They do want to hear that you plan to stick around for a while and grow and develop with the company. If you’re an “over 50” candidate, don’t say that you’ll be thinking about retirement. You want to give the impression that you are still looking forward to learning and growing and working, not looking forward to golf.
Many, many people believe that the best answer is some version of: “I see myself in your job!” or, “I want to be in management” because they think it shows ambition. That is not always the best answer.
You don’t need a lot, just one more thing that makes you special over and above the other candidates. Say what that is and how it’s going to help you exceed their expectations for that role. You won’t just meet them, you’ll exceed them. 
What can that reward be? Recognition, money, more authority as you climb the ladder, the opportunity to influence others, the chance to be appreciated for what you do, and even the opportunity to be treated differently based on your success.
You need to think about the things a hiring manager is looking for: the 
If you weren’t part of a mass layoff—maybe it was a restructuring, maybe it was just a much smaller number of people, it’s very important that you be able to offer references who can speak to your skills and your character. The very best reference in this situation is your old boss. That will ease a lot of doubt.
Why are those bad answers? Because they show you running away from a bad situation, not running to their job. No one ever wants to be the consolation prize, and that includes employers. If you don’t really want to be there, chances are you’re not going to put in your best work.
If you must give a reason, make sure it’s something neutral (by ‘neutral’ I mean: not negative) that is a factor in your old job and is not a factor in your new one.
To do that, you can’t get too specific in 