Displaying Interview Questions 49-56

49. Tell me about the salary range you're seeking.

Sample excellent response:
I am sure that I am the candidate you are looking for. If you feel the same, the I'm sure your offer will be fair and commensurate with the value I can bring the company.

See also this page of our Job Interviewing Tutorial.

50. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way?

Sample excellent response:
Recently my company asked for bids on a phone system for our new college campus. Two companies came in very close with their bids, and most of my department wanted to go with a vendor that we have used in the past. After I looked over the proposals, it was clear that this was the wrong decision. So, I talked individually with each member of our staff and was able to change their minds and get the best product that would save money and provide the highest quality.

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

51. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.

Sample excellent response:
When I was a resident assistant at my college, a student I did not know asked me if he could use my phone to call another room. Although I did not know the student, I allowed him into my room. He used the phone and in the course of his conversation, he stated that he had just come from a fraternity party and was high from taking some drugs. Well after his conversation, I had to enforce the student conduct code by writing him up. He became very hostile towards me and would not give me any identification or information. I stood in the doorway to prevent him from leaving. I noted the serial numbers on his keys, so when the situation got to the point where I felt unsafe, I allowed the him to leave. I still preformed my job without jeopardizing my or his physical welfare.

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

52. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

Sample excellent response:
I had a client come into the bank where I worked and request a $5,000 personal loan to "pay off some bills." In the customary review process, I determined that what was really needed was a $25,000 debt-consolidation loan. Rather than giving the customer a "quick-fix" to the problem, I logically solved the problem in a way that was in the best interest of both the bank and the client.

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

53. By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.

Sample excellent response:
I've shown my ability to adapt by successfully working in several very different jobs. For example, I lived with a native family in Costa Rica. I worked as a nanny for a famous writer in Cape Cod. I was responsible for dealing with Drug Court participants. And I catered to elite country-club clientele. I did it all well and had no trouble adapting.

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

54. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

Sample excellent response:
Arriving at the language school I was attending in Costa Rica in the middle of the night with very minimal Spanish-language skills, I found my way to a very small town with no street addresses or names and found my temporary residence. I was scared, but I handled the situation very well, very calmly. In very stressful situations, I am always the one in the group to stay calm and focused. My friends, family, and professors have always said that I am an oasis of calm in a storm.

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

55. Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

Sample excellent response:
This happens often in the IT industry, but one recent example was when we had a core backbone switch die. It died at the worst possible time -- during exams -- as they always seem to do, and I needed to get it back up and running quickly. I analyzed the logs and system status, and using my previous experience,I made some quick decisions that rectified problem and got the equipment back up only minutes later.

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

56. Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across.

Sample excellent response:
As an Administrative Coordinator, I had a staff of 27 students. Having such a large student staff all working different shifts and having varying class schedules meant that meetings could not be held with everyone at one time. I needed to communicate with everyone about important policies and information often, so I came up with the idea of designing a Web page for my staff with written announcements. Each Desk Assistant was required to check the Web page daily at the beginning of his/her shift. I also sent email communications by a distribution list that allowed each Desk Assistant to keep informed about anything. The one situation that stands out in my mind is a last-minute summer camp that decided to come in a day early with only one day's notice. I had no staff scheduled to check in the camps or to organize the keys. I posted an update to the Web page and sent an email. Within four hours, I had the following day completely staffed and desk assistants there to organize room keys for the campers that night.

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

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