by Alex A. Kecskes
Your cover letter and resume got you a phone call from the big utility company. Now comes the hard part—the face-to-face interview. You did your homework on the company and you think you’re ready for the gauntlet of questions they’ll throw at you. But are you ready to answer the 7 toughest job interview questions? Let’s see:
Tell me about yourself. This is the granddaddy of all interview questions that has thrown many a candidate out of the running. Keep the answer short and simple, and confined to education, work history and most recent experience.
Tell us what you know about our company. Cover products, services, company history, management style, recent contract awards and key players. Sound like you did your homework, and that you’re ready to learn all you can about the company’s inner workings.
Why do you want this position? This is where you dovetail your experience with the company’s needs. Stress that you want to be part of where the company is going. If the utility is heading toward “green” and sustainable energy resources, indicate that this is where your passion lies. Ditto if the company is into upgrading its IT infrastructure. You’re the round peg in the round hole they have. The perfect fit.
What makes you the best candidate for this spot? Here’s where you bring up your record of accomplishments and how they apply directly to the company’s immediate needs. How your skills, experience and knowledge can directly improve operations, finance, IT, or whatever the department they’re considering you for. If you have examples of specific cost-reduction or efficiency improvement stats from your previous employer, tout them.
What do you like about this job? What don’t you like? This could be a trap so tread carefully with short answers. Mention a few things that you really like about the position, but only one small thing that may not appeal to you at the moment.
What do you expect to gain out of a job? Could be another trap. Don’t mention salary, benefits, bonuses or free travel. Keep your answer focused on what you can contribute, and stress the opportunity to learn even more about what the utility happens to be working on.
How would you define this job? Don’t start with, “I’m not sure, exactly.” Start with a list of responsibilities and tasks you know the job will entail. Don’t go too deep on this one, but express what you do know with confidence.
For an added perspective, check out this video:
If you have any thoughts or suggestions on tough interview questions, feel free to share them in the comments section.
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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