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Interview questions(Get it)
Interview questions(Get it)
* ACTION WORDS: These are words that you should use in your answers
that would prove that you would never be satisfied with being a spectator at
your job.
Planned Implemented
Formulated
Created Conceived
Initiated
Developed Originated
* LEADERSHIP WORDS: These are words that should be used throughout
the interview to prove that you would rather be a leader than a follower.
Organized Built Presided Over
Coordinated Responsible For Guided
Supervised Directed Gave
Direction To
Managed Led
* RESULT WORDS: The use of these words should help to prove that you
wanted results and you got them.
Contributed To Reduced Provided
For
Evaluated Demonstrated That Collected
Saved Achieved
Increased
Dan Johnston from PPR
Career shared the following list of frequently asked questions on a job
interview, as well as advice on what to be prepared for.
1. Tell me about yourself. Use “Picture
Frame Approach”
My name is John Shi. I
have been working on web application since 1998, using ASP, JSP, and PHP, in
different universities and organization. Currently I am an analyst at AutoZone,
responsible of collecting and analyzing business performance data for 130 hub
stores. Before that, I spent one and half years of web site development of
engineering college at UM. I love the job as a web specialist. I believe my
skills in web site, computer programs, and data analyst will help me fit into
this challenging job.
Right now I am the hub
analyst at supply chain group. In the last 1.5 years at AutoZone, I had worked
beyond the expectation from my manager to develop the hub network and improve
the hub performance. When I join this position, I was just expected to run a
weekly performance reports for these 130 hub stores. However, with my
initiatives, I developed numerous tools using SAS, VB/VBA and Web for hub
operations. These tools help me make effective job at my position.
Extraordinary KPI improvement was observed with my contribution. Moreover, I
also took over eCommerce, Vendor, and VDP. With such a rich experience of
collaborating with Merch, StDev, StOps, LP, Comm, DI, and ECom, I am ready to
join one of the most important departments to carry out a data driven product
and price optimization. Actually, I had spent 3 whole years at UC focusing on
data driven engineering system. With my degree of IE, I would love to join this
excellent group to continue my career at AutoZone.
- Hub analyst - Various
department involvements
- 3 years of data driven
engineering system research
- PhD of IE in web
product optimization
- 10 years of VB/VC/Web
programming
- 6 years of SAS
development
Now I have been in this
department for one year. I once worked under Maren and recently under Gurcan. I
demonstrated a high skill in leading projects such as fog synchronization,
store product assortment tool, and demand forecasting. I am energetic and
outgoing. In a group, I am cable of getting support from people. I am excited to
take this leadership position. I am ready to develop an even stronger team and
to provide product assortment decision support tools for the company.
2. Did you bring your resume?
Yes. Be prepared with two
or three extra copies. Do not offer them unless you’re asked.
3. What do you know about our organization?
UM is one of the best
universities in Mid-South USA. It grows fast in recent years. The Academic
Affair Technology office will be a core element to support the whole university
to make sure we get best students and faculties and develop the best programs. A
web site of AAT will be a portal application for the whole integration. I am
sure you are in need of the assistance on architecture and contents
organization. I would love to use my skills in web application, data processing
and software tools to help you. I am confident to develop a best platform to
support the university.
Because of its direct
impact on profits, pricing is one of the most important activities in business.
Understanding, managing and improving pricing processes and outcomes is sure to
increase margins and revenue.
- Price segmentation /
Discrimination
- Lookup and Sales
forecasting
- Price impact –
Elasticity
- Product assortment MAP
The MAP team is
responsible for the processes of MAP product assortment, DNR, and harmonizing
with store refresh. We have a powerful forecasting tool, automated assortment
decision process, and knowledgeable members to support MAP and DNR processes.
The opportunities for this group are to enhance communications between our groups
and associated departments in the company, to integrate more between store
decisions and category decisions, and mostly importantly, to provide better and
more graphically tools for managers.
4. What experience do you have?
Overall I have about 10
years of working on web and software development and programming. Specifically,
first, I am familiar with web applications, including ASP, JSP, and PHP and
associated DB technologies. I have been managing several active web sites.
Second, I am experienced in data manipulations with real applications. So I am
familiar with optimization and mathematical programming in real applications. I
am able to develop and use statistical models for your academic analysis,
migrating the academic results into dynamic web pages.
IE, data driven
engineering applications;
5 years of industrial
research projects;
10 years of programming
in VB/VC/Web;
6 years of SAS
development;
one year at AZ.
I had 2 years in AutoZone
and 1 year in merchandising. Before coming to Memphis ,
I led a research team in Cincinnati
for industrial and manufacturing optimization projects for 3 years. I am
experienced programmer myself. In previous about 10 years, I coordinated and
supervised many successful projects. I am ready to lead the team, train
subordinates, and develop stronger group, so that we could provide better and
more tools for CMs, store operations, supply chain, and VPs.
5. According to your definition of success,
how successful have you been so far?
Success is to become
expert in the area you like to do.
I have been very
successful in schools, as an outstanding research fellow, and as a top ranking
student.
Success is to like what
you are doing and do an outstanding job.
6. In your current or last position, what
were your most significant accomplishments?
My most significant
achievement in my previous job is to combine the data analysis and processing
methods with computer technologies. More than 10 engineering data processing
projects were accomplished in 3 years. Each of them increases the manufacturing
process and system’s performance.
The significance of my
current job is I would be able to use various programming tools such as Visual
Basic and MapPoint to save time in the assignments. I enjoy being at AutoZone
and my manager is very satisfied with my work there.
However, based on my
previous experience of graduate RA at UT, I really love working at UT campus as
an analyst, so I would be able make full use my education and skills.
However, based on my
previous experience of GA at UM, I really love working at UM campus as a web
specialist, so I could make full use of my potential and skills.
QOH checking at 9801
10-20% picking save
VB, Telnet; Java
VDP one time fill rate
80% to 90% increase
VB, Communication
Hub utilization
50% to 75-80% increase
Initiative
SPARk (store operations,
merchandising, national sales, IT, etc), led to SynchUp
SynchUp (conflict
resolution between decisions)
MAP forecast (stabilize
it and predict better) and MAP 2.0
7. Had you thought of leaving your present
position before? If yes, what do you think held you there?
Each job gains me
experience and help me approach my final goal.
I already reached beyond
the expectation; and I am ready for next level of analyst.
8. Would you describe a few situations in
which your work was criticized?
First
time in MIS job, customer requirement analysis was not enough.
I once had difficult to
understand what the customer really wanted.
Years of experience
trained me very well.
When I first joined
company, I lack some knowledge to gut checking some reports before we could
send out. I kept it in my mind, I should continue learning and practicing.
9. If I spoke with your previous boss, what
would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
I am real goods at
research and software.
Weak: ambitious to do
more jobs.
Outstanding job – DJ
Go beyond expectation;
get job done. – Maren & Gurcan
10. How would you describe your
personality?
Active and positive; good
with different people
11. What are your strong points?
Web development, Programming,
Problem analysis, reporting
Project management,
People coordination, Get-job-done; and Problem solver
12. What are your weak points?
When the time is limited,
I once became impatient to finish the work myself to meet the tight deadlines.
Push others to meet the
deadline
13. How did you do in school?
I study many courses in
statistics and engineering courses. I am also actively involved in societies in
our subject, including industrial engineering, healthcare, and biomedical.
14. In your current or last position, what
features did you like most? Least?
Most: a very nice manager
and a very good working environment.
I like everything about
my current position and have acquired and developed a great many skills, but
I’m now ready for new challenges and greater responsibilities.”
The current position in a
very low grade and salary level; the group didn’t initially expect to do such
high level job I did. This MA position needs higher level skills and will
mostly use my knowledge and experience.
15. What do you look for in a job?
A job can use my skills
in programming. A job is related to education. A job I will be able to
contribute and improve. A job is of team environment.
By going to school in
this topic helped me catch up with the new technology, including the statistic
methods, computing algorithms, and management skills too.
Competing with all
excellent students and working with knowledge professor helped me learn a lot.
An analyst job can use my
skills and experience in data driven system. This MA position is the very one
can utilize my experience of 10 years in programming, 6 years of SAS, 5 years
of data driven applications, and especially one year at the hub group.
A management position to
develop and achieve my potential. My goal is to develop, train and guide a
strong MAP team to provide useful assortment decision support tools.
16. How long would it take you to make a
meaningful contribution to our firm?
Not
long, because of my experience, transferable skills and ability to learn.
I like to take a short
time to get familiar with your models and problems.
After that, I will be
able to work together with other team members to solve the real cases and
improve the work performance.
17. How long would you stay with us?
As long as I feel that
I’m contributing, and that my contribution is recognized. I’m looking to make a
long term commitment.
18. If you have never supervised, how do
you feel about assuming those responsibilities?
If
you want to supervise, say so, and be enthusiastic.
A team will be working
like a complicated computer program. Each part in it has different functions
and has to be working in a workflow manner.
I used to manage many
different projects and coordinate various people.
19. Why do you want to become a supervisor?
“To grow and develop
professionally, to help others develop, to build a team and to share what I
have learned.”
20. What do you see as the most difficult
task in being a supervisor?
“Getting things planned
and done through others and dealing with different personalities.” Show how you
have done this in the past. The habit of time management is different among
people.
21. You’ve been with your current employer
quite a while. Why haven’t you advanced with him?
“What I like about my
present position is that it’s both stable and challenging. But it’s true that
I’ve grown about as much as I can in my current position.
22. Why are you leaving your present
position?
I am eager to take on
more challenges, and I believe I will find them at [hiring company].
I’m not unhappy (at my
present employer). However, this opportunity seems to be particularly
interesting and I am interested in pursuing it further.
Our office is closing;
the whole organization is being reduced in size.
I was not on the market
when PPR Career contacted me and explained what you are doing, it peaked my
interest.
23. Describe what would be an ideal working
environment?
Team
work is the key.
24. How would you evaluate your present
firm?
Be
positive. Refer to the valuable experience you have gained. Don’t mention
negatives.
25. Do you prefer working with figures, or
with words?
Be aware of what the job
requires and position your answer in that context. In many cases it would be
both.
Balance between figures
and words
I love working with data.
Data driven approach was my main job in previous 5-6 years. I developed
numerous tools in this area.
Our main aim is to
provide clear and meaningful data and figures to CMs, directors, VPs to help
them make right decisions. Best parts at Right price.
26. What kinds of people do you find
difficult to work with?
I would prefer working
with persons who are motivated, team-working, and tend to listen.
27. How would your co-workers describe you?
Refer
to your strengths and skills.
Programming + Data
processing skills
Like to communicate with
people
Have clear schedules
28. What do you think of your boss?
If you like him or her,
say so and tell why. If you don’t like him or her, find something positive to
say.
29. Why do you want to work in a company of
this size? Or this type?
Explain how this size or
type of company works well for you, using examples from the past if possible.
PPO (Product and Price
Optimization) group’s size is bigger than my current one. I will enjoy team
working here.
30. If you had your choice of jobs and
companies, where would you go?
This job and this company
are very close to what best suits you.
31. Why do you want to work for us?
You feel you can help
achieve the company’s objectives, especially in the short run. You like what
you’ve learned about the company, its policies, goals and management: “I’ve
researched the company and people tell me it’s a good place to work.”
I can help the group
maintain the data driven approach. I will help develop more effective tools to
enable and implement product assortment and price optimization.
32. What was the last book you read? Movie
you saw? Sporting event you attended?
Think
this through. Your answer should be compatible with accepted norms.
Book:
Prey; Timeline - Michael Crichton
Movie:
Cars; Star Gate
Sports:
Federer’s tennis
33. What are you doing, or what have you
done to reach your career objectives?
Talk
about formal courses and training programs.
I took a lot of statistic
and software courses.
I was involved in many
chances, even including some volunteer opportunities.
I kept building web sites
Know people in AZ and ask
34. What was wrong with your last company?
No company is perfect; it
had both strengths and weaknesses.
35. What kind of hours are you used to
working?
(Does the person match
job and criteria?)
I
will say, as many hours as it takes to get the job done.
36. What would you do for us?
Relate past success in
accomplishing the objectives which are similar to those of the prospective
employer.
- Know data sources – Hub
analyst
- Programming –
VB/VC/Java
- Data driven
optimization – IE post-doc and PhD
- Team working; Inspiring
and motivating
I can lead the team
- Support them, Train
them and Guide them
- Integrate MAP, store,
and forecast
- MAP 2.0 upgrade – close
connected with CMs
37. What has your experience been in
supervising people?
Give
examples from accomplishments.
Find the problem in the manufacturing
system
Collected the data / Analyze
the data / Statistical testing / Manage 1 master student
Increase the productivity
Projects – SPARk,
SynchUp, Demand forecast
38. Are you a good supervisor?
Yes, my people like and
respect me personally and professionally. They often comment on how much they
learn and develop under my supervision. For example, a dozen of students even
wrote letters to thank me for instructing their programming.
39. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what
were the reasons and how did you handle it?
If
you haven’t, say so, but add that you could do it, if necessary.
40. How have you helped your company?
Finished
X projects; X applications.
22 projects since
December
41. What is the most money you ever
accounted for? Largest budget responsibility?
Refer to accomplishments.
If you haven’t had budget responsibility, say so, but refer to an
accomplishment that demonstrates the same skill.
42. What’s the most difficult situation you
ever faced on the job?
MPI techniques à
computing load
Order fill rates – Call
the stores
Synchronization
Demand forecast
DAD forecast
stabilization
43. Describe some situations in which you
have worked under pressure or met deadlines?
Detailed and systematical
project plans; Organized teams
SynchUp – pressure from
other department, IT, and technical issues
44. How do you handle rejection?
I see rejection as an
opportunity. I learn from it. When a customer takes a pass, I ask him what we
could do to the product, price or service to make it possible for him to say
yes. Don’t get me wrong: You’ve got to makes sales. But rejection is valuable,
too. It’s a good teacher.”
45. In your present position, what problems
have you identified that had previously been overlooked?
Load
force profile – Nonlinar; Dbl-exponential curve
Curve
fitting – Polynomial functions
VDP ontime (delay)
Hub driver hours
New hub proforma
A cople of projects I am
working on will be the future development of the group: SynchUp, Forecast, MAP
2.0
46. Give an example of your creativity.
Human
lung simulation
Statistical
– Save huge computing load
Route analysis – MapPoint
VB programming
Hub Report – Macro SAS
programming
VDP DVP Report – Excel
charts
Hub test – VBA
Include web into MAP
Demand forecasting
47. Give examples of your leadership
abilities.
Research
project of neural fuzzy tool development at Cincinnati
48. What are your career goals?
Talk first about doing
the job for which you are applying.
Your career goals should
mesh with the hiring company goals.
Hub network performance
<- Hub weekly report
Product Assortment (Fast
and Accurate) and Price Optimization (Profit and Stable)
49. What position do you expect to have in
two years?
Just
say you wish to exceed objectives so well that you will be on a promotable
track.
50. What are your objectives?
(How does the person
handle stress? What is their confidence level?)
51. Why should we hire you?
This may sound
suspicious, negative, or just plain harsh. Actually, it’s a call for help. The
employer wants you to help him/her hire you. Keep your response brief. Recap
any job requirements the interviewer may have mentioned earlier in the
interview, then, point by point, match your skills, abilities and
qualifications to those items. Relate a past experience which represents
success in achieving objectives which may be similar to those of the
prospective employer.
I possess the skills
required for this job. And I am ready to start the work.
Data driven application,
VB/VBA, Programming, Web = I have all of these with outstanding records.
Because I am the right
person you are looking for.
52. You may be over-qualified or too
experienced for the position we have to offer.
“A strong company needs a
strong person.” An employer will get faster return on investment because you
have more experience than required.
When I joined the hub
analyst, I was told as over qualified too. But they are so happy now.
I am sure you will find
it too if I take this MA position.
Great people generate
great service.
53. Why haven’t you found a new position
before now?
“Finding
the right job takes time. I’m not looking for just any job.”
54. If you could start again, what would
you do differently?
No need to be
self-revealing. “Hindsight is 20/20; everyone would make some changes, but I’ve
learned and grown from all my decisions.”
I am quite satisfied with
my records.
55. How much do you expect if we offer this
position to you?
I would expect a fair
salary based on the job responsibilities, my experience and skills and the
market value of the job.
I am just expecting to
get a fair salary. I know this PPO group requires the most high level skills
and knowledge. I would love to join your extraordinary work and make
outstanding contribution like I did before. I am sure in a short time, I will
be a key assert in your group.
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