Difficult Interview Questions

Jobless Because of Too Many Jobs 
Mike-
My husband is a Board Certified Physician. Last year at the age of 51 he became a citizen of this country.

He started his medical career when ...

Internal Interview for Manager Job 
Dear Mr. Mike,

I have visited your site and found it to be very informative. It gives me a lot of positive feelings and more confidence in facing an ...

Why are companies asking me if I have other job offers? 
Mike-
Some interviewers ask me about my job search in general and whether I have received job offers from other companies. Why do they ask me this, and ...

Why did you leave your last place of employment? 
Mike-
I am a controller who was laid off by my employer last November. I am worried about answering the question of why I was laid off. My former employer ...

Poor Credit Ruining my Job Prospects 
Mike-
Recently I've been denied interviews with hiring managers due to my credit report. My house was foreclosed on 3 years ago. During the initial sale,...

Short Work History and Past DUI 
Mike-
Here is a brief breakdown of my situation:

I worked for 3 years as an IT Desktop support tech. No problems. Left to be a field technician.

7 ...

Group interview over lunch 
Mike-
The engineering director of a prestigious company has invited me back for a second job interview over lunch. He told me 2 or 3 of his colleagues ...

Why a Second Job Interview? 
I did well in a recent job interview and have been invited back for a second interview. My boss happens to be a friend of mine and knows me quite well....

Why do I have to do an internal job interview? 
There is a job opening in my department that I really want. It would be a step up for me in responsibility. My company has the job posted to their website....

Thank you for interview 
Who do I address a thank you for interview letter if I only know my interviewer's first name? I'm really excited about this job and want to make sure I ...

Discouraged Unemployed Single Dad  
I am unemployed and unable to find a job. I am a single dad with a young son to support. What more can I do? I am a college grad and feel I have a lot ...

How to search for job while employed 
How should I conduct a job search when currently employed? My contract with AmeriCorps comes to an end in 2 months. I'm debating whether or not to commit ...

Already Failing at my New Job 
Mike-
What do I do when I think I am failing at my new job? What makes it worse is my boss is a good friend. I value our friendship and don't want to ...

Unemployed Help 
Anyone been unemployed for 9 months or longer?

Weird Interview Question - don't have a clue how to answer 
I have an upcoming job interview with a company that I'm very excited about. A friend of mine works there and she loves her job. She told me the interview ...

What is Your Greatest Weakness? 
Mike-

The job interview question I dread the most is: What is your greatest weakness?

I am not sure what a company is looking for and how my answer ...

Fired from job for DUI 
I was fired from my job because of a DUI and have been unemployed for a year. I can't find a job anywhere. I'm worried that no one will ever hire me now....

How to Explain 2 Years of Unemployment  Not rated yet
Mike-
I've been unemployed for over two years. I lost my job due to department wide lay-offs.

I work in the construction industry (mid level architect)...

Husband's Career Shift  Not rated yet
Mike-
You may remember me from May this year. I used your site for my first two interviews and more. I cannot tell you how much your site assisted me ...

OK to Ask For a Better Job Title?  Not rated yet
Mike-
I was wondering if it is at all an option to request a job title change when being offered a job or in the interview process. I am interviewing ...

Need Help: Fired for the 5th Time  Not rated yet
Mike-
I've been fired from every job (5) because of anxiety and my inability to get along with people due to my disability.

I applied for Social Security ...

I Don't Have Any Accomplishments  Not rated yet
Mike-
I'm reading your book, Why Don't They Call Me? , and have a question regarding accomplishments on my resume.

I was laid off after working 5 ...

Should Women Job Seekers Tell Employers They're Engaged?  Not rated yet
Mike-
I recently graduated from a masters program and will be moving to the opposite coast as I job search. My fiance has been transferred, so I am following ...

Are Office Politics Prompting This 3rd Interview?  Not rated yet
Mike-
After a face-to-face interview with the hiring manager, I've been invited back for a third interview tomorrow.

I've been told that tomorrow'...

Looking for a Second Chance  Not rated yet
Mike-
I was convicted of grand larceny about 4-5 years ago. I was granted PTI (Pre-Trial Intervention - an intervention program in which selected offenders ...

Why a Third Job Interview?  Not rated yet
Mike-
Thank you so much for the insightful wisdom on your site! I used it for my second job interview with a major high-profile organization and nailed ...

Should I Tell Employer About My Honeymoon?  Not rated yet
Mike-
I recently got married and will be away for 2 weeks in June. Should I tell employers during the phone interview when they ask me about my availability?...

Why am I Being Defined by a DUI?  Not rated yet
Mike-
How did my DUI during my personal time go from a transgression to being against company policy?

Mike Petras comments:

Hello Derek-

Thanks ...

Relocating for Love  Not rated yet
Mike-
I've relocated for love, but how do I answer the question, "So what brought you to Boulder from Minneapolis?"

I'm certain being honest and laying ...

I didn't show up for my interview  Not rated yet
Mike-
I was so excited that I made it through a phone interview with your great advice. An on-site interview was scheduled and the HR person said she ...

Admit to Being Fired From a Job?  Not rated yet
Mike-
Do you ever admit to being fired from a job? Is it true you are not suppose to say you are looking for a better job opportunity when you already ...

Criminal Record Ruining My Job Search  Not rated yet
Mike-
I have a difficult situation. I have a slew of arrests from nine years ago on two occasions, months apart. Truthfully, my husband was heavily into ...

Stalled Job Offer  Not rated yet
Mike-
I'm a computer systems engineer specializing in banking and am in the process of migrating to South Africa. I came over here for a month with the ...

OK to use relative's address so I look like a local candidate?  Not rated yet
Mike-
Thank you so much for your website. I found so many useful job interview tips that I've been able to use on my job search. I do have a question ...

Clerical Supervisor Role  Not rated yet
Mike-
How do you feel supervisors, leads and subordinates should interact? I work for a government office. I want to give an answer that is correct but ...

Phone Interview Follow Up  Not rated yet
Mike-
After a phone interview and email thank you follow up, what is the best way to re-engage and answer a question more completely that was asked during ...

Asked to Criticize a Co-Worker  Not rated yet
Mike-
I am interested in becoming a supervisor, and have been invited to 3 interviews for 3 separate job postings...all with the same manager. I think ...

How do I share my accomplishments?  Not rated yet
Mike-
Tell me about your accomplishments. Do you have any examples for a District Manager of a pharmaceutical company?

Mike Petras replies:

Have ...

Biggest Mistake and How You Resolved  Not rated yet
Mike-
What was the biggest mistake you ever made and how did you solve it? Any suggestions on how to best answer this question without shooting myself ...

Strange Environmental Interview Question  Not rated yet
Mike-
I know this question will be asked in my interview tomorrow because my boyfriend went through the same job interview yesterday. So I'm trying to ...

4 Unusual Situational Questions  Not rated yet
Mike-
I am interviewing for a Finance Executive position. Here are 4 job interview questions I'm expecting from an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)...

Nervous About Panel Interview  Not rated yet
Mike-
The best company in my field just invited me in for a panel interview. Any job interview advice for these kinds of interviews?

I've been on lots ...

Job interview with SEC  Not rated yet
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) wants to interview me next week for a key management position.

What kind of interview questions do you ...

Convicted felon chances of landing a good job  Not rated yet
I have a felony conviction. What are my chances of landing good IT job?

Mike Petras comments:

Here are a couple of good resources for you to investigate:...

When to bring up salary?  Not rated yet
Mike-
How do I introduce the salary in a job interview? Should I wait for the interviewer to bring up the subject?

Thank you for you help.

Your ...

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Not rated yet
Mike-

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?, has always been a tough interview question for me as I enjoy my engineering career.

What if you are ...