Interview questions for Professional development

Employers aren’t solely interested in your current skills and past accomplishments. They want to know your plans for future growth. They are looking to hire applicants who are interested in continually moving forward to gain new expertise. A question such as, “What is your professional development plan for the next year?” has a broad enough scope to capture both weaknesses and professional trends. The challenges and expectations in your career will continually change. You must learn and grow to succeed. Interviewers often will question how you approach your career and what you have done to continue learning. A professional development plan describes your strategy for developing or acquiring the skills and experiences necessary to support your career goals and your continued improvement.

Professional development can come for a variety of sources. Many people stay current through magazines, blogs and books. Others receive excellent continuing education at work. Some individuals take training classes, college courses or pursue industry certifications. All of these activities are good to discuss. Be aware that employers will expect you ask questions of them. Do your homework (don’t ask questions that you could easily find answered on their website, for example) and have questions ready. Be prepared in case an employer asks about your salary expectations. Do your research on that topic in advance so you can prepare to respond. Your answers to professional development interview questions need to be specific. I’ve had candidates give answers like “I keep up on my industry by reading a few trade magazines.” This does not tell the interviewer anything. You could add some detail, for example, discussing specific periodicals and books you have read, but this is still a weak answer.

1. How to Answer “What is Your Greatest Strength?”

How should you answer questions about your strengths? The best way to respond is to describe the skills and experience you have that directly correlate with the job you are applying for.
Be prepared to answer by making a list of the criteria mentioned in the job posting and then:
• List your skills that match those the employer is seeking. This list can include education or training, soft skills, hard skills, or past work experiences.
• Next to each skill, note an example of how you have applied that strength in the past.
I have extremely strong writing skills. Having worked as a copyeditor for five years, I have a deep attention to detail when it comes to my writing. I have also written for a variety of publications, so I know how to shape my writing style to fit the task and audience.

2. Introduce yourself and tell me?

Thank you for inviting me to be interviewed for this position today. I am a loyal, driven and professional employee who, having analyzed the job description in detail, has the appropriate skills, attributes and level of expertise to perform highly within the role of Business Development Manager. I am naturally someone who wants to excel in everything I do, and I understand that your success as an organization is inextricably linked to the performance of people within roles such as this one.

3. What makes you unique?

Employers often ask this question to identify why you might be more qualified than other candidates they’re interviewing. To answer, focus on why hiring you would benefit the employer. As you don’t know the other applicants, it can be challenging to think about your answer in relation to theirs. Addressing why your background makes you a good fit will let employers know why your traits and qualifications make you well prepared.
Example: “What makes me unique is my experience of four years in retail. Because I’ve had first-hand experience fielding shoppers’ questions, feedback and complaints, I know what customers want. I know what it takes to create a positive consumer experience through marketing.”

4. What is your salary range expectation?

Interviewers ask this question to make sure your expectations are in line with the amount they’ve budgeted for the role. If you give a salary range exceedingly lower or higher than the market value of the position, it gives the impression that you don’t know your worth. Research the typical compensation range for the role on Indeed Salaries and request for the higher side of your range. Be sure to let the hiring manager know if you’re flexible with your rate.
Example: “My salary expectation is between INR 20,000 and INR 30,000 which is the average salary for a candidate with my level of experience in this city. However, I am flexible.”

Some example of Interview questions

• What are your long-range goals and objectives for the next seven to ten years?
• What continuing education classes have you completed recently?
• What new skills have you gained in the last 3 years?
• What are your strengths, weaknesses and interests?
• How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe you?
• How do you stay current on developments in your industry?
• What are your short-range goals and objectives for the next one to three years?
• How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
• What continuing education classes have you completed recently?
• What new skills have you gained in the last 3 years?
• How do you stay current on developments in your industry?
• What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
• Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
• How do you work under pressure?
• Describe a situation in which you worked as part of a team. What role did you take on? What went well and what didn’t?
• In what part-time, co-op, or summer jobs have you been most interested? Why?
• How would you describe the ideal job for you following graduation?