What I call blue sky questions (generally asked by Human Resource interviewers) can give you trouble because they force you to deal with abstract ideas rather than skills and facts. A question like “What are your long term goals?” can be tricky because many candidates think in terms of job titles and answer “I want to be an Operations Manager some day”. There are no pat answers here, but give some thought as to why this question is asked – for example, in this case, they want to understand your expectations vs. your ambitions. A good general answer discusses future job CONTENT such as “I would like to have the responsibility for people reporting to me, helping them to realize their potential, strengthening weaknesses, motivating them, etc. Is this opportunity available to me here at ABC Co?”

Another question, generally from HR or an astute manager, may ask you to discuss your own weaknesses. Again, think about why they are asking this: one can’t hope to become a better person without knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses. Think about traits you have noticed in yourself, that you are perhaps working to improve: too bold, impetuous, impatient, etc. A response to this question might be “I am aware that sometimes I am too impatient. When I see someone doing a job that I know a better technique for, I want to jump in and do the job for him or her. I try to remind myself that people have to learn on their own so I try to hold myself back. Later on I will mention to the person that they might try this technique. Sometimes I forget and dive in, but I’m working on that issue”.

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