You've finally gotten a job interview with an Atlanta company, and now you're faced with a tough question. Instead of breaking into a sweat and starting to ramble, you can answer the question more effectively with a little preparation.
Thanks to Glassdoor's reader-submitted interview questions and some of Atlanta's best career coaches, here are a few tips and example questions from companies, including Chick-Fil-A, Home Depot and Delta Air Lines, to help you knock your next interview out of the park.
Tell me about yourself (Chick-fil-A and Home Depot).
This is a common question from many companies, and it's one that could lead to some long-winded, fumbling answers.
"This is your opportunity to completely shine or put your foot in your mouth from the get-go," said Nancy Spivey, career coach with Ready Set Resumes.
Talk about yourself professionally, not personally, and include information about the scope of your work and the type of projects you've worked on, she advised.
RELATED: How to get a job at Atlanta’a Home Depot HQ
Tell us about a disagreement with a co-worker and how you handled it (Coca-Cola).
Everyone has disagreements, but explain that you worked it out by sharing ideas and considering the other person's perspective, Spivey recommended. You could also say that you set a common objective, or even agreed to disagree but still got the work done.
RELATED: How to get a job at Coca-Cola
What was an incident in the workplace where someone told you they had been treated unfairly in a discriminatory way, and how did you handle the situation (Home Depot)?
You'd be safe explaining that you followed company policy and/or contacted human resources about the matter, Spivey said.
In addition, Marshall Tucker, career coach with Two Roads Resources, said to consider the type of organization that's asking the question. For a more traditional company with a vertical structure, you could follow company policy. But if you're applying at a yoga studio, for example, you may want to stress your compassion with the other person's situation.
Why should we hire you?/What experiences and qualities make you a good fit for this position (Delta Airlines and Chick-fil-A)?
Spivey and Tucker both suggested doing your research about the company in advance so you'll know its values and products. Then tout your skills and experience based on what the company's looking for and the specific job for which you're applying.
RELATED: How to get a job at Delta Air Lines
Why is a manhole cover round (UPS)?
This is an example of how companies might ask anything, Spivey said. They may want to see if you can keep calm in a situation you're not expecting, since this can often happen in the workplace.
Checking out potential interview questions ahead of time can also help prepare you for some of these curve balls. As for the manhole covers, the round shape keeps them from falling into the hole.
