More Interview Questions and Answers

What will you remember most about your last job?

Alternative and related questions:

Can you tell me what you enjoy about your current job?
What is the best thing about your current job?

The meaning behind the question:

This is another question designed to identify what you like best about your current job so as to test your motivations in wanting to move on and to better ascertain your suitability for the role for which you are applying.  The transition from one job to the next can be a tricky time and the interviewer wants to make sure there aren't any unexpected hurdles and that you're not likely to have any regrets.

Your answer:

Naturally, you need to focus on a positive.  Telling the interviewer your predominant memory will be what a sadistic so-and-so your boss was is not going to come across well!  Pick a feature which shows you in a positive light and elaborate on it in such a way that it comes across as a positive selling point for you.  They've given you an excellent opportunity to subtly say nice things about yourself!

Example:

What I'll remember most is the team I work with.  They're an outstanding team and I'm proud to have been a member.  We've achieved an awful lot together, increasing production by over 20% in the past year and consequently winning the Team of the Year award.  There's a great sense of cohesion and, whilst we all have our individual characters, we work very well together.  I really enjoy the team spirit.  Over time, the other team members have become increasingly dependent on me, as the most senior member of the team, and this is another reason why I feel the time is clearly right for me to step up to a Team Leader role.

Word of warning:

Avoid mentioning anything which isn't going to be a feature of the job for which you're applying.  If you do then the interviewer might wonder if you're really making the right decision in applying for this job or, worse, that if they do give you the job that there's a risk you might later regret it.

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More interview questions and answers

Talking about your current employment

• Can you tell me what you enjoy about your current job?
• What will you remember most about your last job?
• Is this the first time you have made an effort to move away from your current employers?
• How do you feel about the possibility of leaving your current job?
• How would you describe your current employer?

Talking about this vacancy

• Wouldn’t you be better suited to working in a larger/smaller organisation?
• How do you feel this vacancy differs from your current role?
• What reservations do you have about your ability to undertake this job?
• Can you describe your ideal working environment to me?
• How do you feel we compare to our competitors?
• What would you say is our Unique Selling Point?
• What would be your analysis of the current trends in our industry/sector?

Understanding your career path, plans and ambitions

• What aspects of your career path would you like to have been different?
• What are your greatest regrets about the path your career has taken?
• What has been the greatest challenge you have faced in your career to date?
• What do you think are your main career options for the next five years?
• What exactly does the word ‘success’ mean to you?

Addressing problems in your career history

• Why did you only stay with this organisation for such a short time?
• Why did you stay with this organisation for such a long time?

Coping with stress and pressure

• Are you able to multitask?
• Can you juggle a number of different projects simultaneously?
• How do you handle rejection/disappointment/failure?

Defining teamwork

• How do you deal with interpersonal conflict?
• What does tact and diplomacy mean to you?
• What makes for a successful team?

Management and leadership

• Would you describe yourself as a good manager?
• Do you really think you’re management material?
• What is your attitude to delegation?
• Can you give me an example of a time when you had to lead from the front?
• Have you ever had to fire or lay off a member of your staff?
• How would you describe your ideal team member?

Personal and professional development

• In what ways do you intend to improve upon your performance?
• How has your current job prepared you for greater challenges/responsibility?

Interests and activities

• What book are you reading at the moment?
• What newspaper do you take?
• Are you interested in current affairs?

The amateur psychiatrist

• If you won the lottery what would you do?
• Can you tell me about the best teacher you ever had?
• If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
• What are you most afraid of?

Money, money, money

• Why aren’t you earning more?
• How much do you think you are really worth?
• How much does money matter to you?
• Would you still be interested in this job if you current employer offered a pay rise?
• Have you ever had to take a pay cut to keep your job?
• Have you ever asked for but been refused a pay rise?

Health

• Do you have any medical conditions to declare?

Relocation

• Why do you want to relocate?
• Can you perceive any problems in relocating?

Deal-making

• How would you react if I were to offer you this job on the spot?