You might be feeling a touch smug ever since you hired a resume writer to make you shine.

Did you forget something? The interview, of course. Your resume only gets you a foot in the door. It makes you shine on paper. You still have to shine in real life (Yes, I know – real life can be such an inconvenience sometimes.)

How will you answer their questions? And what type of questions do they plan to ask, anyway? Well, it’s a good thing you came here, because we have a list of practice questions you can take for a spin. Have a friend ask them and practice what answers you might give. Whether it’s the HR manager or a headhunter, you’ll be prepared and ready to win!
Tricky Job Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself. (This is that universal question that is always hardest to answer.)

Are you a self-starter? (Do you work well on your own?)

Are you a team player? (Do you work well with other people?)

Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? (Be careful…this could be a trick question.)

Are you satisfied with your career to date?

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be like?

What would your co-workers say about you?

Paint me a picture of you in 10 years.

How did you prepare for this interview? (You could tell them that you read this article…but a better response would be that you reflected on how you’ve grown over the past few years….but be prepared than to answer…) (One good answer is that you reflected on how you’ve grown in your previous job. But, be ready for the obvious follow-up question…)

Tell me how you feel you grew in your previous position.

What five words would you say describe you best?

Describe a time when you had to take initiative.

What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?

Describe a time when you had to deal with problem you had with a co-worker.

Why did you leave your last job?

Describe a time when you had to face a conflict of interest at work.

How much were you absent from your last job?

Tell me about a suggestion you have made.

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?

Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

What kind of machines/software/tools can you operate?

What are your long-term and short-termcareer goals?

What have your achievements been to date?

What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

What are you looking for in a job?

What motivates you to do your best on the job?

What qualities do you look for in a boss?

What do you enjoy about this industry?

Have you ever done this kind of work before? (This is easy; your resume already says this.)

Why have you applied for this particular job?

Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

What is your salary expectation for this job?

What parts of a job do you find most satisfying?

How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

What do you like about your present job?

Do you have any questions for me? (If you don’t, how will you know if you really want to work there?)

Those are some of the many questions you might face in a real life interview. These certainly are not all the possible questions, but it’s a good start. Once you know what you are up against, it’s not that frightening. You have the questions. You’ve practiced the answers. Now go out and impress them.

Approach this challenge like a Boy Scout would.

Don’t be nervous.
Don’t be scared…
Be prepared!

A career in engineering can be highly rewarding and provides great scope for progression. Within the engineering profession there are many routes to be taken with regards to daily tasks and responsibilities. For example engineers can be involved in responsibilities ranging from the designing, planning and supervising of buildings to developing new materials that can be used in construction projects.

Opportunities in the profession are commonly found throughout all areas of the UK therefore meaning that those looking jobs in Birmingham , London or Manchester for instance should have engineering jobs available to them. Interview questions will in most cases stay the same regardless of location

In order to get into the profession candidates for roles usually require an university degree within engineering or other numerate subjects such as math?s or physics. Those who work within public services related roles usually require a specific license which requires a specified amount of industry experience and the completion of an examination. Throughout their careers engineers often become specialised in a particular areas and will often move into managerial roles such as team leaders. Those undertaking a university course in areas such as civil engineering will often have the chance to undertake a work placement year as part of their degree which for many students proves to be highly valuable in terms of their employability after university.

The salary of engineers entering the profession will vary however those entering the industry at graduate level can earn more than those starting out in careers in other professions. Beyond entry level, engineers can earn considerably higher salaries in comparison with those in other professions. The level of pay will vary however in accordance with how in demand their skillset is at a particular point in time.

Despite the recession, the demand for engineers continues to be relatively strong with many labeling the profession “recession proof”. Although this label may not be entirely accurate there is currently demand for engineers to help with large scale projects such the Olympics. Also, in a recent survey it was found that those who have recently entered the profession were most likely to hold on to their positions during the recession when compared with those in other industry sectors. There has also been recent pressure on the government to invest in various areas of the engineering field in the upcoming years in order to compete with other countries. The future is positive for engineering jobs as opportunities remain strong despite the current job market being weak.

Just like any modern person, I’ve been through plenty of job interviews for all sorts of employment opportunities.  I’ve been overqualified and under qualified, and everywhere in between.  At the same time I’ve observed plenty of interviewing styles, and skills be them strong or weak.

One question seems to stand out.  I’ve gotten hit with it more often than not, and I find  its best to just be prepared for it.  It has been worded a thousand ways, and it’s the most important question, to ask or be asked, in any job interview:

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