Temporary or contract jobs are at a high level and, according to a survey, around 40% of recruitment is done through temporary hiring. Also, the retention rate after being hired as a permanent employee’s contractor is on an increasing trend. Therefore, the job applicant must frame their answers and must give the appropriate answers to the most frequently asked questions described below.
Even if the temporary employee wants to work full time instead of being a temporary employee, he does not need to mention that he wants to be a full time employee. Because the employer who hires the temporary resource wants or may be interested in using the job applicant’s resources for as long as he wants. Without forgetting that there is the possibility that the temporary staff that is employed will become a permanent employee if they demonstrate their skills and adapt to the work culture of the organization.
Here are some questions the interviewer is likely to ask and judge whether or not to hire you based on the answers you give.
1. Why are you interested in this temporary opportunity and do you think it is a good idea for you?
Through this question, the interviewer would like to know why you are interested in the position and what your ambitions are. You should respond in a way that highlights your intentions to work for the company and that your skill set and ambitions would help achieve your long-term career goals, giving an implication that this is not a temporary fix. You should also mention how your skill set matches the job, mentioning that you would soon fit into the organization’s work culture.
2. What do you expect from this organization and your co-workers if you are hired?
Before answering this question, you should have done some basic research on the company and the type of work culture that the company adapts. The company’s website, its ‘about us’ section, and some company contacts via LinkedIn would help you learn about the company’s work culture. Once you decide that you are fit and happy to work for the company, then you need to focus more on how you will add value to the company. Instead of mentioning the flexibility and fun aspect, mention more about professional development, training opportunities, and rewards for good performance. Also, mention that you are a team player, mingle with people early and see the bigger picture than personal goals.
3. Would you like to become a full-time employee if you had a chance?
Staying positive is the key answer to this question. Unless you really don’t want to work full time, he always says that he would be happy to work if he had a full time opportunity. Emphasize what you like best about the job and why you want to be hired by the particular organization.
If the answer is no, briefly mention why you are only interested in a temporary job, without giving any negative comments. You might mention that you would be more pleased with the flexibility and other benefits of temporary employment.
4. What do you consider to be your most significant achievement?
A good answer to this question can provide you with a career opportunity. After researching and discovering that there are few problems in the company, highlighting your strengths in dealing with those problems can be a definite scoring point. Other than that, bring out more of your nature as a worker, putting in long hours of work and efforts, handling the pressure. You can also tell a short story of what was your greatest achievement in your work experience.
5. How do you handle pressure? Do you like or dislike these situations? “
Few people do well under pressure. If you are one of them, highlight that and give an example for it. This question could also mean that opening might require some pressure manipulation. Try to judge and know what exactly the position entails. Be descriptive if your answer sounds positive.
6. Why did you leave the last position?
This is a very critical question and the answer to this must be given carefully. Don’t badmouth your previous employer. You can say that it was a contract job or that you would like to improve your skills and that the current job did not offer many learning opportunities. Also, don’t mention that you had personal issues with management or the prospect, if you had any. You can also praise the current organization by saying: I am more interested in working for your company.
7. Deadlines, frustrations, difficult people, and dumb rules can make work difficult. How do you handle these types of situations? “
The basic reason for asking this question is to judge how positive and willing you are to take on such a situation, whether it exists or not. Be positive and mention that you can deal with all of these situations. You can mention that you would like to work to tight deadlines and that you like challenging conditions. Mention that you have the diplomacy, patience, and common sense to get through these situations.
8. One of our biggest problems is. . . What has been your experience with this? How would you deal with it?
This question would judge your organizational and analytical skills. It is important to think quickly and give an intelligent answer to this question. The best way to answer this question is to break it down into subsections and if you have been in such a situation please provide a brief history of how you experienced that problem and how you solved it. After answering the subsections, summarize as a whole and conclude with a positive sentence.
9. How important has your technical ability been to achieve results?
It is very important to have the technical ability to answer this question. First, assess how much technical ability the interviewer is looking for and see if you have the ability. You should express your experience, for example, if you have software experience, please provide information about the software programs and the different job roles you played in the specific industry. Also, that should be related and explained how you would use those skill sets for the current job you are applying for.
10. What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?
This question must be answered realistically. Don’t give your answer by saying that you want to achieve a role that is not achievable. Mainly emphasize that you would be concerned with the growth of the companies and that you would see yourself 2-3 levels higher if given the opportunity, as adequate to carry out the aspirations and objectives of the companies. However, if you have a particular goal, you can bring it up, considering you have decent experience and track record. Always try to judge what the interviewer expects of you and therefore it is important to understand the recruiter’s problem.