Job Interview Questions About Your Responsibilities

Job Interview Questions About Your ResponsibilitiesJob Interview Questions About Your ResponsibilitiesWhen, during a job interview, you are asked questions related to your current or previous positions, its important for your response to include a few detailed specifics about what you did in your previous role(s). Keep youranswer positive- its a good idea to bring up improvements or accomplishments, but best to stay away from mentioning frustrations or disagreements with co-workers. Since this is a very common interview question, make sure to prepare for it ahead of time, and have a good sense of how you would summarize your responsibilities for each of your positions. Generally, the focus will be on your current or most recent role. Once you can answer the question, Why do I think I have the experience and skills that make me a great candidate for this job?, youll be good to go Best Answers for Questions About Your Responsibilities The best way to respond to this interview ques tion is to describe your responsibilities in detail and toconnect them to the job you are interviewing for. This means that, prior to your interview, you should carefully review thejob descriptionfor the new position. Almost every job description you will encounter will provide a list of the skillsets and work experience an employer is seeking in their next employee (typically found under the subtitle, Responsibilities). For each requirement, ask yourself Why do I think I know how to do this function?When have I actually had to use these skills?How effective was I in performing this part of the job? What examples can I use to prove my aptitude for this job task? For example, if the job description requires that you have a solid knowledge of technology like Microsoft Office Suite or Adobe Creative Suite, be prepared to describe how youve used these programs in your previous job. If it requires that you have excellent customer service skills, be ready to cite a few occasions when you successfully handled sticky client relations issues. Then match your qualifications to the job Tie your responsibilities at your current or previous positions in with those listed in that job description. By doing this, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job you are interviewing for with his or her organization. Focus most on your responsibilitiesthat are directly related to thenew jobs requirements. For instance, if you are interviewing for a role that requires management skills, emphasize projects youve led, events youve planned, and people youve managed. If you are trying to land a job in a creative field like graphic design or marketing, bring along a portfolio of designs youve created for significant project assignments. Be descriptive and engaging in your summary of responsibilities- most likely, the interviewer has a copy of your resume availableand is looking for you to go beyond the information listed in that document. This is your o pportunity to provide the personal story that will advance you from being a name on the page to being a strong and memorable image in your interviewers mind. Avoid going too granular on the details company-specific jargon can overwhelm an interviewer. It can be a difficult balance, but strive to give a thorough description of your responsibilities, and use different language from whats on your resume. Mention any specific instances where you benefited the company,solved a problem, or had a major accomplishment. Results-oriented answers are beneficial here. You can say things like I created a schedule that stopped late delivery, earning the companys award for best team player. On a day-to-day basis, I was the primary point of contact with clients, working to ensure that their needs were met while escalating urgent matters to my supervisors. While you want to frame your responsibilities in a positive light,its also important to be honest. Dont embellish your job title or duties, beca use you dont know who the hiring manager will be checking with when they check your references. Advance Prep Is Key to Interview Success The best way to conquer any nervous anticipatoryanxiety before a job interviewisto be prepared. Reviewing your answers to common interview questions beforethe interview will also help you give better responses. Check out these frequently asked questions (and see the recommended best answers) in advance of your interview. Use them to role-play your response. You can practice with a friend, or by yourself in front of the mirror. Its wise to also remember that you are interviewing your potential employer at the same time that they are interviewing you and that they will be interested in how you respond to the standard question, Are there any questions you have for us about this job or our company? Here are some ideas for what to ask. Since this invitation to turn the tables often occurs at the end of the interview, having a strong response will h elp you leave a good impression on your interviewer.