Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question, but it's important to understand how your candidate answers it.
Sample Answer: I am very detail-oriented. I like to make sure we have all the information we need before we make a decision. This is a strength when it comes to planning, but it can be a weakness when it comes to moving forward quickly. I've learned to be more flexible in my approach as I've gained experience.
Question Overview: This question reveals how your candidate has grown and developed in their career. It also gives you insight into how they view their own development.
Sample Answer: I've learned that I need to be more open to feedback. I used to be a very confident person, but I've learned that I need to be more open to hearing what others think about my work. It's helped me grow as a writer and editor.
Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how much experience your candidate has with the technical side of your business.
Sample Answer: I have a decent understanding of SQL. I've used it to pull data from our databases into Excel for analysis and reporting. I've also used it to create new tables and fields in our database.
Question Overview: This question helps you evaluate whether the candidate is interested in your company or just interested in the job.
Sample Answer: I've been a big fan of HTWW for years. I love the way you've grown the business and I'm excited to be a part of that growth. I also love the way you've built a team that is so passionate about what they do. I want to be a part of that team.
Question Overview: This question is a great opportunity for the candidate to sell you on their skills and experience. It also allows them to show that they've done their research and are aware of the position's responsibilities.
Sample Answer: I am a good fit for this position because I have experience in all of the areas you are looking for. I have a proven track record of increasing traffic and revenue for my clients, and I have experience managing a team of writers and editors. I am also familiar with your company's goals and mission, and I think I can help you reach them.
Question Overview: This question is designed to find out how the candidate manages their team. You'll want to know if they are hands-on or hands-off, and if they have a specific management style.
Sample Answer: I am a hands-off manager. I like to give my team the tools they need to succeed and then let them do their thing. My staff tell me they appreciate the space I give them to make decisions, but I think they would also tell you I am there for guidance when they need it. I schedule monthly check-ins to find out about any challenges or ideas for change.
Question Overview: This question is designed to evaluate how your candidate will respond to a crisis. It's important to know how they will handle a situation that could negatively impact the company.
Sample Answer: I would first assess the situation and determine if it was something I could handle or if I needed to bring in someone else. If I could handle it, I would make sure the team was aware of the issue and what we were doing to fix it. If I needed help, I would reach out to my manager or another team member who could help.
Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of your candidate's career goals. It is important to know if they are looking for a short-term position or if they are planning to stick around for the long haul.
Sample Answer: I see myself as a leader in this industry. I am excited about the opportunities that HTWW Marketing has to offer, and I am confident that I can make a big impact here. I am looking for a long-term position where I can continue to grow and learn.
Question Overview: This question helps you understand how much experience your candidate has managing people. It also allows them to qualify their experience, if they have managed enough people to make an impact.
Sample Answer: I've been a manager for eight years. I started with a team of two writers six years ago at HTWW Magazine, and then I transitioned to my current role at HTWW Marketing with a team of five writers and two editors. In that time we added a project manager to the team, so I currently have eight direct reports who give me weekly status reports and receive project approvals from me.
Question Overview: This question evaluates the candidate's ability to be assertive and stand up for themselves. It also shows you how they would handle a situation where they disagree with a superior.
Sample Answer: I would approach the situation with an open mind. I would want to understand the reasoning behind their decision before I made any judgments. If I still disagreed with them, I would explain why and ask for a different solution.
Question Overview: This question is designed to evaluate how the candidate handles pressure. It's a great way to get a feel for how they deal with stress and whether they are able to stay calm under pressure.
Sample Answer: I've been in a few situations where I had to work with tight deadlines. I find that the best way to handle them is to break the project down into smaller tasks and then prioritize them. I always make sure to leave time for revisions and I make sure my team knows what is expected of them.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how your candidate handles pressure. It can reveal a lot about their personality and how they deal with stress.
Sample Answer: I try to take a step back and look at the big picture. I know that if I can keep my head on straight and remember the end goal, I can handle anything that comes my way.
Question Overview: This question is designed to reveal how your candidate thinks on their feet. It's a good way to see how they will respond to a new situation or problem.
Sample Answer: I think I will respond well to new challenges. I'm always looking for ways to improve my work and I'm not afraid to try something new if it will help me get the job done. I'm also pretty good at juggling multiple tasks, so I think I'll be able to handle whatever comes my way.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how your candidate handles pressure. It will help you evaluate their ability to stay calm and productive when the going gets tough.
Sample Answer: I had a big deadline coming up and I was feeling a little under the weather. I knew I had to get the work done, so I took a few extra hours in the morning to get my head together. I made sure to take care of myself, but I also made sure to get the job done.
Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out if the candidate is really interested in your company. It also gives you an opportunity to learn more about their motivations and goals.
Sample Answer: I've been interested in HTWW Marketing for a long time. I read your blog every day and I love the way you approach content marketing. I was thrilled when I saw your job posting and I knew I had to apply.
Question Overview: This question is designed to find out what your candidate thinks makes them a great fit for your company. It's important to know how they see themselves and what they value.
Sample Answer: I think my experience managing a team of writers and editors makes me a great fit for this position. I've been able to grow my team from two writers to eight, and I've learned how to manage a variety of personalities and skill sets. I also think my experience with the HTWW brand makes me a great fit for this position. I've been reading the blog since it launched, and I have a lot of ideas about how we can grow the blog and the brand.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the candidate is aware of their shortcomings and is willing to change them. It also helps you understand how they think about their professional development.
Sample Answer: I have been working on my writing skills and I want to make sure my profile reflects that. I've been taking a class on writing for the web and I've been reading a lot of blogs on the subject. I want to make sure my profile is up to date and reflects my current skill set.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate will respond to a hypothetical situation. It's a great way to see how they think on their feet and how they would explain their decisions.
Sample Answer: I've always been interested in Apple, and I think I can bring a lot to the company. I've worked in coffee for five years, and I know that I'm ready for a new challenge. Apple is a well-respected brand, and I think it would be a great place for me to grow.
Question Overview: This question is designed to evaluate how your candidate would handle a difficult situation. It's a common problem in many organizations, and it's important to know how your candidate would handle it.
Sample Answer: I've never had to deal with internal theft, but I've seen it happen in other organizations. I would first look for evidence that the theft was happening, and then I would talk with the employee about their performance. If it was clear they were stealing from the company, I would fire them.
Question Overview: This question is a great way to evaluate how your candidate will handle the interpersonal aspects of management.
Sample Answer: I've always been a people person, so I'm not worried about this at all. I think it's important to be clear about my expectations and to be open to feedback from my team. I'm also a big believer in celebrating success and I think that will go a long way to building relationships.