Interview Questions - Ryan
What do you think of your previous boss?
(DO NOT talk bad about your former employer) My last boss taught me the importance of deadlines & meeting productivity. While they wern't always the kindest, I realized that people have different personalities and you have to keep focused on doing your job.
Give an example of a time when you helped a coworker and it wasn't your responsibility.
*Train new staff tell them about the compliment the guy gave you *Stay after or over to help; worked overtime
Give an example of how you set goals and achieve them.
(1.) Assess or make a list of tasks/assignments (2.) Prioritize (3.) Continually track progress/review deadlines (4.) Assess my work when complete to see how I can improve process or procedure for the future
What did you like least about your last job?
12 hour days - 7 days a week with no relief or midnights (depending on what your going for. If your applying for a midnight job then DONT say you didn't like midnights)
Tell me about a time when you encountered a problem and the steps you took to solve it.
Bad parts & how you fixed it Improvement you made Suggestions you had
How do you adapt to change?
Change is inevitable in life whether at work or in your personal life. Thankfully, I have learned a lot of ways to effectively deal with it but mostly by staying positive and trying to grow through change and not let it prevent me from growing. It's really all about your outlook and attitude. I consider myself a positive person so I look at change objectively.
What contributions can you make to this position?
Disciplined; improve; save time Example & Skill
Describe a time when you faced a problem/obstacle on the job and how you overcame it.
Explain how you developed new idea: (1.) Found root of the problem (2.) Brainstormed solution (3.) Had discussion/input from others (4.) Picked the most valuable solution
Describe to me you ideal manager.
GEM QR One who supports growth, leads by example, motivates, has an open door for questions, and gives recognition when due. I think it's important that in the relationship between a manager and employee that each understand their roles. As a support person my job is to make my mangers job easier.
What do you like/dislike about your current manager?
I LIKE the fact that I am able to work independently I DISKLIKE they aren't friendly & nice; I feel like work goes better when you are like familiy ?? I'm not sure what applies for you here but think of something minor; don't ever bring up big issues
Describe a time when you did not get along with a coworker.
I had a former coworker who I found it difficult to work with because she was lazy and last minute. I had to rely on her because we worked together to set up rooms. To solve the issue had to talk to her directly and let her know and keep reminding her that we needed to stay focused and get the job done.
CLOSING STATEMENT
I just wanted to say that I am elated to be sitting here and having this opportunity to interview. I am not a good interviewer but I hope you don't judge me solely by that. I am very eager to be a part of your team! This is a HUGE opportunity for me and I want to assure you that I will work extremely hard to make this a smooth transition.
Describe what you have done in the past to monitor the progress of projects and assignments. Please provide specific examples.
I start by taking a moment to analyze what I have to accomplish for the day and then prioritize them according to importance. If I'm working in group on an assignment, I make sure and meet regularly to ensure that we are on task. Many times I use outlook or cell phone reminders to keep my duties on schedule. Using a check off list is also very helpful for me to get a sense of accomplishment from what I have done and also to help me remember what I have to do next.
What would you consdier an ideal work environment?
I think an ideal work environment would be one where people are treated as fairly as possible, recognition is given when its due and people really care about their work and the opportunities for advancement are there.
What do you do when someone doesn't agree with your ideas?
I try to put myself in their shoes and see where they are coming from. I try to determine where the real disagreement is stemming from. Ego? Unclear? Clarify? Then determine how I can reach a compromise. ??EXAMPLE They wanted to do THIS but I recommended THAT, initially I was told no until I explained my reasoning which then made sense.
Describe a time when you had difficulty working with your supervisor.
I usually get along with everyone but in the event a conflict or disagreement arises I try to stay focused on the issue and not allow emotions to get involved. Usually if someone is upset or a situation is made difficult there is a reason behind it. Resolution - having a discussion with them; not sweeping it under the rug (Communication)
What are your long-term career objectives?
I want to excel on the job and work where I can help make a difference. I come up with good ideas and I am a loyal employee.
Tell us about yourself. Why are you leaving your current role? Why do you want to work here?
I worked for a very fast paced manufacturing company. Highlight your skills/accomplishments - helped blue line, came up with new ideas, found a lot of bad parts. The work schedule took a toll on my body. They were requiring 12 hour days - 7 days a week and I don't mind working overtime but there was no flexability at all. I needed to find new work so here I am and I am very egar to start a new career.
What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?
I'm introverted so public speaking would be a challenge for me. Even though I am shy, I am a very hard worker. I was with Art Van for 5 years and L&W for 5 years. Strength would be my ability to adapt and learn quickly. I enjoy learning these new things and finding ways to do things more efficiently.
How do you handle diversity in the workplace?
In today's society diversity is the norm. I work with many different personalities and cultures and I have found simply having respect for one another and being a good listener works. At the end of the day we are all people working towards a common goal. If anything, diversity adds flavor ~ and who doesn't like flavor, right?
How do you deal with job interruptions?
Interruptions are part of any job. (1) Be diligent (2) stay focused (3) Hold yourself accountable
When were you most satisfied in your job?
Made a significant contribution that improved something (i.e. Nascar type improvement on line)
What role did you play in your companys latest success?
NASCAR like productivity
Describe a time when you went beyond your job requirements to achieve an objective.
New process you developed
Give an example of how you worked on a team.
Not work related but say that you work on a team with your sister for an orphange in Redford. You came to a fun day to work with the kids & helped with the organization & games.
Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure?
On the line there are major deadlines we have to make. I have found ways to improve progress and blueline every day by....... I've learned over the years how to effectively deal with stress by responding to it and not reacting to it. Rather than getting stressed out, I try to stay focused and prioritize my tasks. My motto is "Don't sweat the small stuff", everything can be done in a calm and organized manner so why allow myself to get frazzled so easily?
Tell me about a time when a coworker was not following policy.
People not making quota or not working hard and getting mad at you because you did
Describe the technology or tools you use to stay organized.
Share all your computer experience: I am familiar with Microsoft Outlook and I use the calendar to keep track of due dates and appointments. There is also a task list feature that helps me create lists and check them off when completed. While I don't use Google docs at work, I do use it to keep my personal duties and lists organized. For example, I keep my grocery list on google sheets and share it with my husband so that we can access it remotely from our cell phones when shopping. When working in an office, I use a filing system that makes sense to me so that I can quickly search and find necessary items.
What do you do if you disagree with someone at work?
Situations will always arise in the work environment when there are disagreements. Sometimes they are procedural and sometimes just mere personality differences. I think the main key is to keep focus on being productive and always keeping the big picture at hand. You cannot allow your differences to effect your productivity. If you disagree you have to resolve the difference, sometimes that requires stepping back and accepting the other individuals opinion and sometimes it requires a bit of agressive but friendly persuasion. It really depends on what the issue is but the key again is to remain producitve and professional. FOR EXAMPLE: I work with someone who has, lets say, a "challenging" personality. She likes to continually argue and gossip and nitpick. I simply smile politely and avoid getting into long conversations with her. I stay professional but at my age, I'm interested in my family, being happy and simply doing my job so truthfully, I just avoid being a part of the gossip.
How do you handle a challenge? Give me an example.
Take time Think through Find solution Think of an example - Computer problem fixed? Line/parts issue fixed?
Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation and how you resolved it?
Talk about bad parts and how you stopped them from being mass produced
Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
The process you developed to improve the line
What would your last boss say about you?
Valued team member. The most important would be that she could rely on me to follow through and do what I said I was going to do. I was good at recognizing bad parts & getting the quota met quickly.
What are your qualifications/skills/strengths?
Very loyal (Art Van & L&W for 5 years) Computer knowledge Learn very quickly Can be instructed
Do you prefer to work on a team or alone?
Well I certainly can work independently and stay motivated with little supervision and direction. The position I am in is relatively singular but requires self-motivation and diligence to stay on task, if I wasn't keeping up with my workload you could quickly tell. I also enjoy working with others, it allows me to bounce ideas off them and gain comradely.
Describe a time when you used logic to solve a problem.
take time to think about what I'm doing, rationalize it, and make sure it balances and is accounted for correctly. ??think of an example