Cultural Chat

 

1.Describe the environment in which you work best.

Your interviewer likely wants to know if you will be comfortable in your daily workplace environment, such as an office without walls or cubicles to separate employees, or a workplace that allows flexible hours and telecommuting. Some employers require workers to be “on-call” to answer emails at all hours, while others adhere to a nine-to-five workday. You could also state if you prefer working at a company that encourages individual successes or a position where you work mainly with a team.Example: “I enjoy working as part of a team to achieve goals. My previous jobs have had open offices without cubicle walls, which encouraged us to get feedback from others about our ideas and equally share in the workload.”

2. Describe your ideal boss or supervisor.

Your interviewer may ask this question to find out how you respond to direction. It is important to be positive about your previous work experiences instead of listing problems you may have had with an employer. Try to tailor your answer to the job you are looking for, and balance your response to show you can work independently but also appreciate a supervisor’s guidance.Example: “My ideal boss is someone who allows employees to have freedom in daily operations, but is always available to answer questions and help when needed.”

3. Do you prefer to get feedback about your performance through formal reviews or informal meetings?

Some companies have scheduled employee reviews with structured rubrics, which are often tied to pay raises. Others rarely schedule evaluations but offer feedback whenever the occasion warrants. Your interviewer likely wants to know if you will be comfortable with reviews and raises randomly throughout the year, or prefer to know when to expect it.Example: “I prefer regular performance evaluations at least once a year, but I also appreciate receiving informal feedback whenever it is appropriate.”

4. Why do you want to work for us?

The interviewer may ask this question to find out your motivation for choosing either this company or the position you are applying for. It shows not only that you share the company’s mission and values but also that you have good reason to believe you’ll fit with the organization’s culture.Example: “I have great respect for the quality products this company sells and would be proud to help maintain its positive reputation in the industry. I recently saw an article stating this company is a top-rated employer for encouraging innovation, and as a creative person I believe I would be an asset to the team.”

5. Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?

The answer to this question will help employers know if you’d be happy with the amount of collaboration that is required of the job. For example, a sales associate position may involve more working together to achieve shared goals and ongoing teamwork than a position as a technical write who may spend most of their day working on their responsibilities alone.Example: “I have always thrived in positions where I can collaborate with others. I strongly believe that great work is achieved when more opinions and ideas are shared. However, I am fully capable of doing heads-down work when it’s needed.”

6. How would your coworkers describe you?

Employers ask this question to gain a sense of your personality and strengths. It can also show how self-aware you are, as employers may be able to compare your answer with the feedback your references have shared about you. Interviewers will look for characteristics and personality trait that would contribute to your success in the position.Example: “My previous company had annual peer reviews that were very helpful in understanding how my coworkers viewed me. In their feedback, they consistently shared that I was reliable, a natural leader and someone who works well under pressure.”

7. How do you handle stress?

All positions come with certain levels of stress, so it’s helpful for employers to understand how you manage and work through stress. Interviewers will be seeking specific strategies you use to navigate stressful situations.Example: ”My first position out of college had strict deadlines and a large workload. Although it was stressful at times, it allowed me to learn how to handle stress in the workplace. Organization and attention-to-detail help me to navigate these stressful situations. I create daily, weekly and monthly to-do lists to ensure I stay prioritized and on track.”

8. How important is work-life balance to you?

This can be a tricky question to answer as companies can have different ideas of what a healthy work-life balance is. While most employers look for an employee that has a strong work ethic, they also want someone who knows how to manage work and life to avoid burnout.Example: ”A healthy work-life balance is important to me. I believe it’s normal to put in extra hours to finish tasks that are time-sensitive from time to time, however, I believe it’s also important to have time outside of work to relax and refresh so I can continue to be as productive as possible while at work.”

9. What motivates you?

Your response to this question will help employers understand if your motivations are in alignment with the position. It also gives employers insight into if you’re self-aware enough to know what type of work is motivating to you.Example: “As a caregiver, I am deeply motivated by helping others. My grandmother had a dedicated caregiver when I was growing up and I never forgot the relief and security it brought to my family. I’m driven knowing that I’m making a difference in the life of my patients and their families.”

10. Which of our company values resonates most with you?

Most companies have core values or mission statements they use as principals in how they operate the business. Having a strong answer to this question will show that you’ve done your research on the company and that your motivations are in alignment with the company’s.Example: “I identify with your company’s value of putting the customer first. I am a strong believer in great customer service. When I receive great customer service from a company I am much more likely to return. I would love to work for a company that promotes putting yourself in the shoes of a customer before making any decisions.”