10 Toughest Questions to Expect in a Temporary Job Interview

October 16, 2020 Stan

Temporary or contract jobs is on a high and as per a survey, around 40% of recruitment is done through temp hiring. Also, the rate of retention after being hired as a contractor to a permanent employee is on an increasing trend. The job seeker should hence, frame their responses and need to give appropriate answers to most regularly asked questions outlined below.

Even if the temp hire wants to be employed full time rather than as a temporary employee, he need not mention that he wants to be a full-time employee. Because the employer hiring the temporary resource wants or may be interested in using the resources of the job seeker as long as he wants. Not to forget, there is every chance of the temp staff being employed turning into a permanent employee if he proves his skills and fits into the working culture of the organization.

Here are few questions that the interviewer would most likely ask you and judge to hire you or not on the answers you give to them.

1. Why are you interested in this temporary opportunity and do you think it fits you?

Through this question, the interviewer would like to know why you are interested in the position and what your ambitions are. You should answer it in a way highlighting your intentions of being employed with the company and that your skill set and ambitions would help in achieving the long-term goals of your career, giving an implication that this is not a stop-gap arrangement. You should also mention how his skill set matches the job, mentioning that he would adapt soon to the work culture of the organization.

2. What are you expecting from this organization and your co-workers if hired?

Before you answer this question, you should have done some basic research on the company and the type of work culture the company adapts. The company website, it’s ‘about us’ section and few contacts from the company through LinkedIn would help you find about company’s work culture. Once, you decide that you are fit and happy to work for the company, then you should focus more on how you will add value to the company. Rather than mentioning 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 the people very soon and view the larger picture than personal goals.

3. Would you like to become a full-time employee given a chance?

Staying positive is the key answer to this question. Unless you really do not want to work full time, always says I would really be happy to work given a full-time opportunity. Put emphasis on what you like more 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 could mention, I would be more happy with the flexibility and other advantages of temporary employment.

4. What do you consider your most significant accomplishment?

A good response to this question can give you a job opportunity. After you research and find that there are few issues in the company, highlighting your strengths to face those issues can be a definite scoring point. Apart from that highlight more of your nature like hardworking, putting long working hours and efforts, handling pressure. You can also give a short story of what your biggest accomplishment was in your work experience.

5. How do you handle the pressure? Do you like or dislike these situations?”

Few people perform well under pressure. If you are one of them, highlight that and give an example for it. This question could also mean that the opening could require some pressure-handling. Try to judge and know what exactly the position involves. Be descriptive if you in giving the answer sound positive.

6. Why did you leave the last position?

This a very critical question and answer to this should be given thoughtfully. Do not bad mouth your previous employer. You can tell it was contract job or that you would like to enhance your skills and that the current job was not offering many opportunities for learning. Also, do not mention you had any personal issues with the management or the lead if in case you had any. You can also throw a word of praise for the current organization saying, I am more interested in working for your company.

7. Deadlines, frustrations, difficult people and silly rules can make a job 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 up such situation, though they may exist or not. Be positive and mention that you can deal with all these situations. You can mention that you would like to work under tight deadlines and like challenging conditions. Mention that you have the diplomacy, patience and common sense to overcome 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 a clever answer to this question. The best thing to answer this question is to break it into subsections and if you have been in such situation give a brief story of how you experienced such problem and dealt with it. After answering the subsections summarize as a whole and conclude with a positive sentence.

9. How has your technical ability been important in accomplishing results?

It is very important to have the necessary technical ability to answer this question. Firstly, assess how much technical ability the interviewer is looking for and check if you have the ability. You should express your experience, for example, if you are from a software background, give information about software programs and different job roles you were into in the specific industry. Also, that should be related and explained how you would use those skill sets to the current job you’re applying for.

10. What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now?

This question needs to be answered in a realistic manner. Do not give your answer as saying that you want to achieve a role that is not achievable. Mainly emphasize that you would cater to companies growth and that would see yourself 2-3 levels higher if given opportunity, as suitable for carrying companies aspirations and goals. However, if you have a particular goal in mind, you can mention it, considering you have a decent experience and track record. Always, try to judge what the interviewer is expecting from you and hence, it is important to understand the recruiter’s problem.