Ten Tough Interview Questions and Ten Great Answers

1. Tell me about yourself.

It seems like an easy interview question. It's open ended. I can talk about whatever I want from the birth canal forward. Right?

Wrong. What the hiring manager really wants is a quick, two- to three-minute snapshot of who you are and why you're the best candidate for this position.

So as you answer this question, talk about what you've done to prepare yourself to be the very best candidate for the position. Use an example or two to back it up. Then ask if they would like more details. If they do, keep giving them example after example of your background and experience. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.

"Tell me about yourself" does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.

2. Why should I hire you?

The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. And don't be afraid to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.

For example: "You should hire me because I'm the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job—my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to producing truly world class results. For example…"

Are you the best person for the job? Show it by your passionate examples.

3. What is your long-range objective?

The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.

For example: "Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I'll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I'm presently doing to prepare myself…"

Then go on to show by your examples what you are doing to reach your goals and objectives.

4. How has your education prepared you for your career?

This is a broad question and you need to focus on the behavioral examples in your educational background which specifically align to the required competencies for the career.

An example: "My education has focused on not only the learning the fundamentals, but also on the practical application of the information learned within those classes. For example, I played a lead role in a class project where we gathered and analyzed best practice data from this industry. Let me tell you more about the results…"

Focus on behavioral examples supporting the key competencies for the career. Then ask if they would like to hear more examples.

5. Are you a team player?

Almost everyone says yes to this question. But it is not just a yes/no question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.

A sample answer: "Yes, I'm very much a team player. In fact, I've had opportunities in my work, school and athletics to develop my skills as a team player. For example, on a recent project…"

Emphasize teamwork behavioral examples and focus on your openness to diversity of backgrounds. Talk about the strength of the team above the individual. And note that this question may be used as a lead in to questions around how you handle conflict within a team, so be prepared.

6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?

Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.

For example: "Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other persons perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example…"

Focus your answer on the behavioral process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.

7. What is your greatest weakness?

Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: "I work too much. I just work and work and work." Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.

You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: "I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I'm now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner…" then show them your planner and how you are using it.

Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it.

8. If I were to ask your professors (or your boss) to describe you, what would they say?

This is a threat of reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior bosses or professors in advance. And if they're willing to provide a positive reference, ask them for a letter of recommendation.

Then you can answer the question like this:

"I believe she would say I'm a very energetic person, that I'm results oriented and one of the best people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, because those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?"

So be prepared in advance with your letters of recommendation.

9. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?

Focus on two words: leadership and vision. Then tell of how that leadership and vision translated into your personal delivered results.

Here is a sample of how to respond: "The key quality in a successful manager should be leadership—the ability to be the visionary for the people who are working under them. The person who can set the course and direction for subordinates, keeping them focused on what is most important for delivering the highest priority results. The highest calling of a true leader is inspiring others to reach the highest of their abilities. I'd like to tell you about a person whom I consider to be a true leader…"

Then give an example of someone who has touched your life and how their impact has helped in your personal development.

10. If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change.

For example: "Although I'm overall very happy with where I'm at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship…" then provide examples.

Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.

Customer Payment Options for a Business

One of the essential factors for a business to consider is how it will get paid. When deciding which payment methods to accept, businesses have many options, such as:

Cash Only

Cash is the most commonly accepted form of payment for a business. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that you file Form 8300 (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) if your business receives more than $10,000 in cash from one buyer in a single transaction or in two or more related transactions.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides information on accepting cash only.
Credit and Debit Cards

As a popular, convenient, and flexible payment option, credit and debit cards have become increasingly important in business commerce. Before accepting card payments, important factors for merchants to consider include the investment in the necessary equipment to accept credit or debit cards as well as the processing fees for purchase transactions. Keep in mind, limits have been imposed on transaction fees that large debit card issuers can charge to merchants. This means that merchants may pay lower fees for debit card transactions than for credit cards.

Merchants are permitted to place a charge or surcharge on customer purchases made with a credit card, up to 3%, of the total purchase. If a merchant charges a surcharge, it must be clearly disclosed in the store and on its receipts. Merchants may offer a discount to customers who pay with debit cards, cash, or checks. Surcharging is not permitted in CA, CO, CT, FL, KS, MA, ME, NY, OK, and TX. A merchant may set a $10 minimum purchase amount for credit card purchases. However, it cannot charge fees or set minimum purchase amounts on debit card purchases.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has more information on accepting card payments.
Checks

In addition to the traditional ways of depositing paper checks, businesses may also scan and deposit a check remotely to their bank account. Businesses can also initiate a one-time debit or recurring debits from a customer's checking account.

Electronic Benefits Transfer

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is a system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps), from a federal account to a retailer account to purchase goods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service provides information on accepting SNAP benefits at a retail food store or farmer's market.
Mobile Payments

"Mobile wallets" let consumers make payments using accounts--including traditional debit and credit cards--linked to a mobile device without using the actual plastic card. Before accepting mobile payments, important factors for businesses to consider include the investment in equipment needed to accept mobile payments and other issues such as data security.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has more information on accepting mobile payments.

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10 Tough Interview Questions & Answers