How would you describe yourself as a person?

– ¿Cómo se describiría a sí mismo?

I’m a perfectionist. I pay attention to all the details, and like to be sure that everything is just right.

Soy un perfeccionista. Presto atención a todos los detalles y me gusta estar seguro de que todo va
según lo planeado.

I’m efficient and highly organized. This enables me to be as productive as possible on the job.

Soy productivo y disciplinado. Esto ayuda a conseguir los mejores resultados en el trabajo.

I’m a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind
about what will work best.

Soy creativo. Me gusta encontrar soluciones alternativas más efectivas para los problemas.

I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.

Me gusta resolver problemas y proponer soluciones.

What type of position are you looking for?

– ¿Qué tipo de cargo es el que está buscando?

I’m interested in an entry level (beginning) position.

Estoy interesado en un cargo de nivel inicial.

I’m looking for a position in which I can use my experience.

Estoy buscando un cargo en el que pueda utilizar mi experiencia.

I would like any position for which I qualify.

Encajo en cualquier cargo que corresponda a mi cualificación.

Are you interested in a full-time or part-time position?

– ¿Está usted interesado en un trabajo a tiempo completo o a tiempo parcial?

I am more interested in a full-time position. However, I would also consider a part-time position.

Estoy más interesado en trabajar a tiempo completo. Sin embargo, también considero algún
trabajo a tiempo parcial.

Can you tell me about your responsibilities at your last job?

– Háblenos por favor de sus responsabilidades en su anterior lugar de trabajo.

I advised customers on financial matters. After I consulted the customer, I completed a customer
inquiry form and catalogued the information in our database. I then collaborated with colleagues
to prepare the best possible package for the client. The clients were then presented with a
summarized report on their financial activities that I formulated on a quarterly basis.

Aconsejaba a clientes en asuntos financieros. Después de las consultas, llenaba el cuestionario del
cliente e introducía la información, la catalogaba en nuestra base de datos. Luego, junto con mis
colegas preparaba el mejor paquete posible para el cliente. Luego, presentaba a los clientes
informes resumidos sobre las transacciones financieras que yo preparaba trimestralmente.

What is your greatest strength?

– ¿Cuáles son sus lados más fuertes?

I work well under pressure. When there is a deadline, I can focus on the task at hand (current
project) and structure my work schedule well. I remember one week when I had to get 6 new
customer reports out by Friday at 5. I finished all the reports ahead of time without having to work
overtime.

Yo trabajo bien en situaciones estresantes (bajo presión). Si se establece una fecha límite para
realizar una tarea, yo organizo muy bien mi plan de trabajo. Recuerdo una semana cuando tenía
que entregar 6 informes sobre los nuevos clientes para el viernes a las 17:00. Terminé todos los
informes antes de lo previsto y no tuve que trabajar horas extra.

I am a trouble shooter. When there was a problem at my last job, the manager would always ask
me to solve it. Last summer, the server at work crashed. The manager was desperate and called
me in (requested my help) to get the server back online. After taking a look at the daily backup, I
detected the problem and the server was up and running (working) within the hour.

Yo sé cómo solucionar problemas. Cuando en mi trabajo anterior ocurrían problemas, el director

siempre me pedía resolverlos. El verano pasado, tuvimos algunos fallos con el servidor. El director
estaba desesperado y me llamó (me pidió ayuda) para restablecer el funcionamiento del servidor.
Después de revisar las copias de seguridad diarias, encontré el problema y el servidor fue
restaurado y puesto en funcionamiento después de una hora.

My time management skills are excellent. I’m organized and efficient.

Mis habilidades de gestión de tiempo son excelentes. Soy disciplinado y eficiente.

I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult
situations.

Me enorgullezco de mis habilidades para atender al cliente y de mi capacidad para hacer frente a
situaciones complejas.

What is your greatest weakness?

– ¿Cuáles son sus lados más débiles?

I tend to spend too much time making sure the customer is satisfied. However, I began setting
time-limits for myself If I noticed this happening.
Tengo tendencia a gastar demasiado tiempo en satisfacer al cliente. Sin embargo, he empezado a
establecerme límites de tiempo si me doy cuenta de que esto está sucediendo.

When I’m working on a project, I don’t want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete
the project well ahead of schedule.

Cuando trabajo en un proyecto, no es suficiente para mí cumplir el plazo indicado. Yo prefiero

completar el trabajo antes de lo previsto.

Being organized wasn’t my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that
really helped my organization skills.

Yo no siempre he sido tan bien organizado, por eso he tenido que dominar el sistema de gestión
de tiempo, y realmente me ha ayudado con mi disciplina.

Why do you want to work for us?

– ¿Por qué desea usted trabajar con nosotros?

After following your firm’s progress for the last 3 years, I am convinced that you are becoming one
of the market leaders and I would like to be part of the team.

Observando el progreso de su compañía en los últimos 3 años, he llegado a la conclusión que se

están convirtiendo en uno de los líderes del mercado y me gustaría ser parte de su equipo.

I am impressed by the quality of your products. I am sure that I would be a convincing salesman
because I truly believe that the ABC is the best product on the market today.

Me he quedado impresionado por la calidad de sus productos. Estoy seguro de que voy a ser un
vendedor convincente porque sinceramente creo que ABS es el mejor producto en el mercado hoy
en día.
Why Should We Hire You?

– ¿Por qué deberíamos contratarle?

You should hire me because I’m not only qualified for this job due to my experiences, but also
because of the positive attitudes that I have towards the tasks given to me.

Deberían contratarme no sólo porque cuento con la cualificación y la experiencia necesarias, sino
también, con una actitud positiva hacia el trabajo que realizo, lo que me ayuda a cumplir las tareas
encomendadas.

I am very motivated to do this job- it’s my dream. If you hire me, I will do my best to exceed your
highest expectations.

Estoy muy motivado en hacer este trabajo porque es mi sueño. Si me contratan no voy a escatimar
esfuerzos para cumplir sus más altas expectativas.

You should hire me because I have the ability to develop my skills. I can handle myself and my
responsibilities. If you hire me, I will do my best to exceed your highest expectations.

Deberían contratarme porque tengo la capacidad de desarrollar mis habilidades. Puedo cumplir
todas mis responsabilidades. Si me contratan no voy a escatimar esfuerzos para cumplir sus más
altas expectativas.

Three reasons: I meet deadlines, I deliver on what I promised, and as a result I always make my
managers to be proud of me.

Usted debe contratarme por tres razones: Yo siempre cumplo con los plazos fijados, cumplo lo
prometido y hago que mi jefe se sienta orgulloso de mí.

I can’t speak for the other candidates because I don’t know their qualifications, but I can tell you
this: I would never put myself in a position where I think I would fail. I know I can do this job and
succeed.
No puedo hablar por los otros candidatos porque no conozco su nivel de habilidad, pero puedo
decirle que nunca pretendería un puesto que no merezco. Sé que puedo hacer este trabajo y tener
éxito.

I think I should be hired because I’m a hardworking, well-organized and responsible. I’m also
effective.

Creo que merezco ser aceptado ya que soy muy trabajador, bien organizado y una persona
responsable.

What Can You Contribute to the Company?

– ¿Cuál será su contribución a la compañía?

I’m a hard worker with the experience to get things done efficiently.

Soy un adicto al trabajo con experiencia y costumbre de terminar un asunto con la máxima
eficiencia.

I can contribute my organizational skills and my ability to work well in a group.

Estoy dispuesto a traer a la compañía mis habilidades organizativas y mi capacidad de trabajar en

equipo.

I have the experience, contacts, and knowledge to contribute to the rapid growth of this business.

Poseo experiencia, contactos y conocimientos con los que puedo lograr un rápido crecimiento de
este negocio / compañía.

I am experienced in the areas this company needs to grow, and my ability to plan ahead will help
facilitate that growth.
Poseo experiencia en las áreas de las que depende el desarrollo de la compañía, así como la
capacidad de planificar de antemano, lo que contribuirá a este crecimiento.

Why did you leave your previous job?

– ¿Cuál es el motivo por el que dejó su último trabajo?

I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and experience in
a different capacity than I have in the past.

Estoy interesado en nuevos retos y oportunidades para utilizar más mis habilidades técnicas y
experiencia.

I am interested in a job with more responsibility, and I am very ready for a new challenge.

Me interesa un trabajo con mayor área de responsabilidad y estoy preparado para nuevos retos y
tareas.

This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not able to fully
utilize them in my present job.

Este cargo es ideal para aplicar mis habilidades y experiencia en su totalidad, a diferencia de mi
trabajo actual.

Q: What are your key skills?

How to answer it: After spending the past six years as a senior systems

analyst, I've developed a number of important skills, including business

modeling, process re-engineering, software-package evaluation, and

advanced programming capabilities in UNIX and C environments. I was

very pleased to discover that these are the skills you are seeking. Would

you like to hear about specific examples of my work?

Q: What skills do you think are most critical to this job?

How to answer it: As technology is ever changing, I think that it is

important to keep up with the latest marketing trends. Knowing what

kinds of new technologies exist and how to go about incorporating them

into my own marketing plans is what will keep me ahead of the

competition. Creativity is also of major importance to the marketing

industry; new ideas can quickly become stale and stagnant. A successful

marketing associate will always be looking ahead to the next big

revolution. If, just a few years ago, I had not been aware of the important

role that the web would play in our day-to-day duties, my current

company could have been wiped out by the competition.

Q: If you were to stay in your current job, what kinds of tasks would

you spend more time on and why?

How to answer it: If I were to stay at my current job, I'd like to gain more

experience in labor negotiating. In particular, I'd like to help negotiate

labor contracts, resolve grievances at the step-4 level, and prepare

grievances for arbitration. Though I have a very strong background in all

areas of human resources, I believe that a strong grasp of labor relations

experience will round out my skills so that I could have the opportunity to

move up to a position of department head and possibly vice president.

Q: What skills would you like to develop in this job?

How to answer it: I'd like to develop my negotiating skills. I've had

considerable experience interpreting and implementing large contracts,

but I've been limited in negotiating the actual conditions, costs, and

standards for a major contract. I believe this job will offer me the

opportunity to be a member of a negotiating team so I can begin

acquiring the skills necessary to lead the team.

Q: Could you tell me a little bit about your computer skills?

How to answer it: I would consider myself very well versed when it

comes to computers. In my current position, I typically use Microsoft

Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. I am also familiar with various graphic

design programs, including Quark, Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. I

have some experience with Macintosh systems as well. I am a pro when

it comes to navigating the Internet and have even picked up a bit of

knowledge as far as HTML programming goes.

Q: How do your skills relate to this job?

How to answer it: I am very organized, I work well on a team, and I have

very good communication skills. Although I haven't worked in this field

before, I know these skills will make me a valuable employee.

Q: Tell me about a crisis you encountered at work and how you

handled it.

How to answer it: Last year a virus was causing our computers to send

out thousands of e-mail messages to our clients. We were being

inundated with angry phone calls before we even knew what was going

on. Our technical support person was on vacation, so I made a few

phone calls and found someone to fix the problem. Then I drafted an

apology that was sent out by e-mail to our clients.

Q: How do you manage your time?

How to answer it: I prioritize my work. I figure out what needs to get done

first, next, and so on. Then I calculate how much time I will need to spend

on each activity or project. I set a schedule for myself and get going.

Q: Have you ever had to juggle two or more projects at the same
time?

How to answer it: That happened all the time on my last job. Several

months ago, I was in the midst of working on one huge project for one of

my bosses, when my other boss came to me with another project that

needed to be completed in two days. After evaluating the second project,

I realized I could complete it in a day. Since I still had about a week

before the deadline for the first project, I decided to get started on the

second one. I completed it by the end of the next day and went back to

my first project.

Q: How do you manage stress in your daily work?

How to answer it: Unless I have a ton of work to do that I just can't get

away from, I make sure that when I take my lunch hour, I actually leave

the office. Just that simple change of scenery, even for a few minutes, is

enough to keep me energized for the rest of the day.