It is expected during an interview that you come along with details about your work history, ie, a full resume that clearly tells your to-be employer of all the places that you’ve worked before. Your resume should include the dates you started and ended your appointments at the previous organizations, the company/employer names and addresses, the position you held, the compensation, the person with whom you were attached, and many other details that you think might be relevant to giving the employer a clear picture of your wowing history. Sometimes, they may decide to ask you the reason why you had to change employment locations. Be sure to give them an answer that sounds reasonable and also helps you sell yourself in some way. So, how do you respond to work history job interview questions? Read all about it below.
A little farther away from all the pure facts and figures you have, you need to look deeper to find out about how to give answers commonly asked questions when it comes to your work history. Take your time to think about possible questions that you may be asked and then, think carefully about the answers you will be giving to these questions. This might just be what gives you the edge you need over all other candidates that applied for the same position because it’ll show the skills you developed along the way during your past employment, how you dealt with challenges and how well you interacted with customers and colleagues alike.
Learn more about interview questions about work experience and how to answer them!
How to answer work history job interview questions
A lot of job applicants end up failing at their interviews when it comes to answering questions about where they previously worked. This is why it is always good to review your resume before entering the interview room so as to have a fresh memory that enables you to give a detailed and accurate answer as to your previous work history. It’s always best to have a resume as it saves you time, and you don’t have to talk too much, but if you don’t have one, make sure that whatever answers you give matches what you filled out during the job application.
Jot down some information before the interview to help you remember
It’ll be much easier for you if you fill an online sample job application and have it printed out so you can take it along with you when you’re going for the interview. It’s a much better mechanism for you rather than having to crack your head to remember dates and other information.
Common Work History Interview Questions
These are some common interview questions you should review before you head into the interview room, along with the appropriate answers to give to your interviewer. They are:
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What experiences and skills have you acquired?
You have to expand on your thinking here. Do not just tell them about what is already in your credentials, also let them know what your soft skills are and major experiences you gained in the field that may seem like a bonus. Make sure you limit the experiences to only work and don’t tell them about your personal life. You can tell them about the skills & experiences you got from volunteering or paid jobs.
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Which of your jobs has been the Most or Least Rewarding so far?
Think beyond how much you were paid. Tell them about the one where you immensely improved your skills and gained experiences. Let them also know how you contributed to the job. Make sure to keep a positive attitude.
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Company Name, Description, Position Title, and Employment dates:
In some cases, employers want to run a full background check on you, and so they need you to provide this information to enable them to do so effectively.
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Tell us your starting and final compensation levels
This simply means that you tell them how much you were paid when you were initially hired and then how much you were paid when you left the organization or if you’re still there, how much you’re currently being paid.
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What were your major problems & challenges, and how were you able to overcome them?
This question is a very technical one that requires you to think well before giving a reply. Your best bet is to have practiced this question prior to the interview day, so you already know the right answer to give. Just recount an experience you had at one or more of your previous jobs and tell them how you were able to overcome the challenges with determination and resilience. It is usually a big plus for you.
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What do you hope to find in your next job?
You should answer this question by telling them the skills you hope to learn at the organization, opportunities you know will come your way through them and tell them how you plan to help them tackle major challenges that’ll take contribute in taking them to the next level.
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What has been your greatest failure or accomplishment so far?
You can start replying to this by giving an account of how you worked with your previous employer in beating a deadline or reaching a particular goal. This is also a great avenue to state a major failure that crossed your path and how you were able to turn it into a success. It will also help you if you let them know the lessons you learned from experience that failure and how it’s helped you ever since in succeeding.
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Your Supervisors and Co-workers
You would be asked to explain a time when you faced difficulties with either your supervisors or your co-workers just so they get to understand if you’re a team player or not. So, be sure to give them the perfect example of how you were able to resolve a conflict or enhance teamwork.
These are just some of the questions you should expect to be asked by your employer. You need to give them the best impression about yourself and how much value you are willing to add to the company. Don’t forget that no matter what account you’re giving them, be positive always. Do not downplay anybody and just be yourself. Be comfortable, confident, and put a smile on that face. A little conversation on the side might help lighten the moods a bit too.
Job Interview Topics – Common Job Interview Questions & Answers
Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!
- Accomplishments
- Adaptability
- Admission
- Behavioral
- Career Change
- Career Goals
- Communication
- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Cultural Fit
- Customer Service
- Direct
- Experience
- Government
- Graduate
- Growth Potential
- Honesty & Integrity
- Illegal
- Inappropriate
- Job Satisfaction
- Leadership
- Management
- Entry-Level & No experience
- Performance-Based
- Personal
- Prioritization & Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Salary
- Situational & Scenario-based
- Stress Management
- Teamwork
- Telephone Interview
- Tough
- Uncomfortable
- Work Ethic