Displaying Interview Questions 129-136

129. On occasion we are confronted by dishonesty in the workplace or in school. Tell about such an occurrence and how you handled it.

Sample excellent response:
I worked for a magazine that had two main competitors, and at the time I worked there, the economy was a bit slow, and the competition for readers and advertiser among these three publications was fierce. We had just finished a market-research study that showed that our audience was just a bit larger and more attractive (better educated, higher incomes) than our competition. We sent the good news to our publisher, who called us in for a meeting to tell us he wanted to combine some numbers to make our position appear even stronger -- and then put those numbers in an ad campaign touting how much better we were than our competition. We told the publisher that he was mistaken and that you could not combine the numbers the way he suggested, but he replied he knew that, but no one else would, and it would strengthen our position in a bad market. It took a lot of courage, but after the meeting, I went back and talked with him one-on-one so as not to embarrass him in front of my colleagues, and told him that what he was doing was dishonest -- and could get us all fired. I knew I risked getting fired for even talking to him this way, but I felt pretty sure he was not dishonest at heart. He did not decide right then, bit he did call back the next day to say he decided not to run the ad.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

130. What are the most important rewards you expect to gain from your career?

Sample excellent response:
I expect to be challenged and grow as a result of my career. I would like to improve myself as a person and as an asset to this company and this industry. I am confident that this position is one that will hone my leadership skills, improve my knowledge of the industry, and challenge me such that I continue to grow and improve within the company.
[contributed by Cynthia Buenger]

131. How would you define "success" for someone in your chosen career?

Sample excellent response:
Success is being able to attract new patients and physicians while ensuring the happiness of those who are current. It is the ability to brand the company effectively toward a target market to ensure continued customer loyalty.
[contributed by Jessica S.]

132. What qualifications do you have that will make you successful in this company?

Sample excellent response:
I began as an intern for Atlanta Medical System in August of 2007 and have been working as the Public Relations Assistant since January 2008. Because of this experience, I have a comprehensive understanding of the hospital itself and the Tenet Healthcare System. I also earned by marketing degree from Georgia Tech in May of 2008 and throughout my college career participated in numerous organizations that gave me the opportunity to have hands-on event-planning and management experience. I planned the first annual Alpha Delta Pi Big Catch fishing tournament at the Georgia Tech that raised more than $4,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and I was the Marketing and Public Relations Chair for the Student Alumni Association at my university and handled all Homecoming promotions, as well as promotions for other events.
[contributed by Jessica S.]

133. What skills have you acquired from your work experience/internships and part-time jobs?

Sample excellent response:
As part of my internship with Target, I completed various training courses ranging in subject area from ways to work with employees and coaching them on how to improve, to creating my own individual development plan fostering my current and future growth. I was also put in the role of Leader on Duty, where I was the acting store manager, as early as my second week with the company. My internship with Quintessential Careers taught me a great deal about working with a smaller, family business. I took the initiative to plan and implement our big events. My internship with Siemens made my experiences all inclusive as it gave me the opportunity to be one of the central components of such a large company and I was able to truly understand the impact of the political and legal systems on this industry's competitive environment.
[contributed by Cynthia Buenger]

134. What have you learned from your experiences outside the workplace/classroom?

Sample excellent response:
I have learned that the real world is much different from what you learn in the classroom, that some things you learn are similar to what you were taught, but that for the most part learning is achieved through the process of doing. In the world of health-care marketing, things happen at a fast pace, and you must take everything one day at a time while still keeping an eye on the future.
[contributed by Jessica S.]

135. What criteria are you using to choose companies to interview with?

Sample excellent response:
I want to work for a small company, preferably a family business like yours. I want a company that has similar values like honesty, individual development, and broadmindedness.

[contributed by Renee Poulin]

136. If you were hiring for this position, what qualities would you look for (in a new college grad)?

Sample excellent response:
I would be looking for someone who has great communications skills, who can communicate with a variety of stakeholder groups, always keeping on message. I would also want someone who had a good mix of teamwork and leadership skills. I would seek a graduate who had a strong blend of academic success and industry experience. Finally, I would want someone who is ambitious, but also willing to learn from others within the organization.

Interestingly, I would want a college grad who had the same experiences and skills sets that I bring to you.

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