This morning I read an article in ComputerWorld titled “Why Should I Hire You? and Other Favorite Interview Questions” and having been in IT for nearly 20 years I thought it might be a fun exercise to answer some of these questions from my own experience. I’ve been asked most of these question during interviews and I’ve used several of them when I’ve conducted interviews.
Below are the nine questions from the article, with my answers:
1. Describe your toughest assignment so far.
The toughest assignment or project I’ve ever done would be a four-year project involving a multi-million dollar implementation of a common ERP System at five different locations. Those four years included the investigation, promotion, selection, installation, customization, and implementation. I was project manager and It was a very long uphill process which ended with mixed results, the system was successfully install, which provided many improvements over the previous systems, but corporate support was never satisfactory. I also was fairly well burned out at the end of those four years.
2. Share with me a conversation you had with your boss or others in your life where some feedback you heard was tough to take.
(My response for this would be much as the mentioned response in the article.) I was told in a feedback session by my boss that I needed to get away from my desk and email and be more personable. I knew it was valid feedback but it’d be hard to make big changes with me doing the multiple roles of IS Manager, System Analysis and Programmer. I’m also somewhat an introvert so I’m not naturally a very social driven person. However in response, I scheduled time at least three days a week to “walk the floors” and visit other areas. I also made it a point to avoid using email when a face-to-face conversation was a better option.
3. What will you do if you donât get this job?
I’ll find a company that will appreciate what I have to offer and I’ll work hard to make them successful. Let me ask you, “How will you feel if you hire someone else for this job and then realize they may be much less capable then I could have been?”
4. Why should I hire you?
This answer would be tailored to the specific job and company but basically… Beyond being qualified for the job I know I bring a level of commitment for success that is as great as anyone you could find. I also bring integrity, knowledge, experience and passion that I will fully apply.
5. Have you ever had to terminate someone?
Yes. It’s hard, I don’t enjoy it. If it’s performance or behavior related I would first exhaust other means to reach this person, but it’s sometimes necessary.
6. Tell me about a problem your company had and how you used technology to solve it.
Our company was going through the process of becoming certified for QS/ISO which required the tight control of thousands of technical documents for originality and approval. Using our primary email system, Lotus Notes, and a custom developed database application we came up with an electronically approval and control document system that worked well and was praised by the auditor during the certification process. This system saved money, reduced labor and took the approval process from a matter of weeks down to a few days.
7. What are your long-term goals?
To be a part of a successful team or organization and to contribute. To establish a healthy balance of work and personal life. To have the opportunity to coach and share my experiences with others. At this stage in my life I don’t have any long term goals of climbing a corporate ladder.
8. What book is currently on your nightstand?
Scorpion Down by Ed Offley. The account of the lost of the USS Scorpion Submarine.
9. How close are you to the technology, and how important is that to you?
Business and personal technology is a great and exciting tool that can solve many of the mundane problems facing people and businesses. It is not however “the be all and end all” and still needs in-depth understanding of problems and processes as well as careful application. The best technology is that which makes your life or your job simpler, not more complicated.
Okay, that’s my answers…what would yours be?
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