100 Potential Interview Questions...

Military.com came up with these potential interview questions. I sincerely hope that NO one will ever subject me (or anyone else) to these types of questions....but I should be ready to answer them, anyway. Here they are:


Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Who was your favorite manager and why?
What kind of personality do you work best with and why?
Why do you want this job?
Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?
Tell me about your proudest achievement.
If you were at a business lunch and you ordered a rare steak and they brought it to you well done, what would you do?
If I were to give you this salary you requested but let you write your job description for the next year, what would it say?
Why is there fuzz on a tennis ball?
How would you go about establishing your credibility quickly with the team?
There's no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
How would you feel about working for someone who knows less than you?
Was there a person in your career who really made a difference?
What's your ideal company?
What attracted you to this company?
What are you most proud of?
What are you looking for in terms of career development?
What do you look for in terms of culture -- structured or entrepreneurial?
What do you like to do?
Give examples of ideas you've had or implemented.
What are your lifelong dreams?
What do you ultimately want to become?
How would you describe your work style?
What kind of car do you drive?
Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on the job.
What's the last book you read?
What magazines do you subscribe to?
What would be your ideal working situation?
Why should we hire you?
What did you like least about your last job?
What do you think of your previous boss?
How do you think I rate as an interviewer?
Do you have any questions for me?
When were you most satisfied in your job?
What can you do for us that other candidates can't?
What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?
What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
What salary are you seeking?
What's your salary history?
Do you have plans to have children in the near future?
What were the responsibilities of your last position?
What do you know about this industry?
What do you know about our company?
How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
Are you willing to relocate?
What was the last project you headed up, and what was its outcome?
What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?
Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?
Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?
What is your personal mission statement?
Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
What is your greatest fear?
Who has impacted you most in your career, and how?
What do you see yourself doing within the first 30 days of this job?
What's the most important thing you've learned in school?
What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
What will you miss about your present/last job?
If you were interviewing someone for this position, what traits would you look for?
List five words that describe your character.
What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
Sell me this pencil.
If I were your supervisor and asked you to do something that you disagreed with, what would you do?
Do you think a leader should be feared or liked?
What's the most difficult decision you've made in the last two years?
What do you like to do for fun?
Why are you leaving your present job?
What do you do in your spare time?
How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
What is your favorite memory from childhood?
Give me an example of a time you did something wrong. How did you handle it?
Tell me one thing about yourself you wouldn't want me to know.
Tell me the difference between good and exceptional.
Why did your choose your major?
What are the qualities of a good leader? A bad leader?
What is your biggest regret, and why?
What are three positive character traits you don't have?
What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
If you found out your company was doing something against the law, like fraud, what would you do?
How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day?
How would you weigh a plane without scales?
What assignment was too difficult for you, and how did you resolve the issue?
If I were to ask your last supervisor to provide you additional training or exposure, what would she suggest?
If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why?
What's the best movie you've seen in the last year?
Describe how you would handle a situation if you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day, and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
If you could get rid of any one of the US states, which one would you get rid of, and why?
With your eyes closed, tell me step-by-step how to tie my shoes.
if you had to choose one, would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?
If selected for this position, can you describe your strategy for the first 90 days?
Who are your heroes?
Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil other than writing.

Redistributing the wealth....

A pastor friend of mine sent this to me. I wanted to share it here:

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'VoteObama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a 'Obama 08' tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that
I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there
in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to
someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside.

The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

An Interview with Sarah Palin...

http://www.citizenlink.org/dailybroadcast/A000008476.cfm

Dr James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs) does a marvelous interview with Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska.

Listen in...this is very inspiring, and heartwarming.

Christians and the Upcoming Election.

My best friend on this earth (at least that's how I view him) emailed me this afternoon, and asked the following questions:
Are you concerned about the potential lack of Christianity in the White House? What role do you think Christianity plays? How should a Christian vote?

Here was my (lengthy) answer to him:
_____________

First of all,

We are electing a president, not a pastor or a pope.

Now, I truly would like to see a committed and CAPABLE Christian in the top two spots in our government. "Committed" and "Capable"....those are the two "qualities"...but I can always hope....

I think George W Bush is a wonderfully committed Christian---but I have questioned most of his "capabilities" from his days as Governor of Texas (I lived there through two of those years). Characterwise (other than an occasional foul word), I have no problems with him. He made two good Supreme Court appointments (after abandoning one that he should have never made in the first place, and subsequently abandoned).

Former Secretary of State Powell (also a retired Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff) stated my positions about as clearly as anyone ever has...on Meet The Press. HOWEVER, I will not be voting for the Obama/Biden ticket. Our foreign policy and military policy cannot, in my opinion, withstand another "training wheels" President--like the one who is moving back to Crawford, Texas in January 2009.

I love what Pastor Jack Hayford said several years ago--almost 20 years ago now, that just because one is a Christian doesn't mean they will be a good leader...but he desires that every good leader be a Christian.....That's the real paradox for those of us who follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe that "Christianity" plays as important a place in our national life as we on the "local level" want it to play. Example: My father professed saving faith in Christ in November 1974 at a Billy Graham Crusade in Birmingham. He was contented in following Jesus until it cost him $$$, and he knew that if he continued following the Lord, that he would have to become an honest businessman, and make alot of things right. He chose MAMMON over God. He's dying with colon cancer now (I found out a few weeks ago).

If we insist on "Christian principles" in our society, then we must be willing to abide by them--even when we stand to "lose" something due to those same Christian principles: including our own lives. A lot of the people that I have encountered want "Christian principles" until it actually costs them something: time, treasure, talent. Then, they tend to think again about what they are asking.

Our own greed: power, position, possessions, has been our undoing. I've been guilty a few times, myself. We want "power" in the "powerful places"....but we often abuse it when we get it. And we often "neglect" those who have no power, and can't use their own influence. I think of the elderly, the disabled veterans, and the unborn....but just like Mike Huckabee said so many times, "Life begins at conception, but it does not end at birth." We must value all of life...not just the ones that we find "socially acceptable."

Position: I'm reminded of the story that Jesus told in the Gospel of Luke about the "rich, young ruler"....and Jesus made sure that he identified him as a "ruler"...or in the "ruling class" of contemporary society of that time. Far too many people (Christians included) are worried about "position."....and they become addicted to the "narcotic of being noticed" . Whatever happened to "service over self" and "doing the right thing because it is the right thing" regardless of what one stands to gain or lose? If I die doing the "right thing" then I really haven't lost...and my reward isn't here anyway.

Jesus said it well, "Whomever wants to be the greatest among you must first be your servant." We've forgotten what it means to "serve" in this nation---on so many levels. Maybe the "Christ-followers" need to show the way in what it means to truly serve. After all, if WE can't "show the way" then who can?

Possessions: I could write entire volumes on this subject. I have too much stuff. We all do. But the real question becomes "does our stuff possess us?" Our corporate greed only reflects our national and personal greed. I continually hear people, in my own congregation, talking about "helping the poor"---until someone actually challenges them to do it. I struggle with this one also.

I am approached at least twice a day asking for "change" of some kind or another from someone on the street, near the train stop, etc. Every time, I wonder "what if that were ME?" But I also remember the times when I've given the person asking for "change" (usually for food) some food, and watched them throw it away as soon as I turned my head. It's a real paradox...and it's something with which I continually struggle. Just how much of my possessions have I really given to God, so HE can use them however best pleases Him? And I have no good answers for that most serious question.

How should a Christian vote? Million dollar question....and I'm not sure that I have a definitive answer.

Change to "what"?

The great, almighty buzz-word: CHANGE.

Senator Barack Obama has built his entire Presidential campaign on the theme of "CHANGE." This seems to have worked for him, now that he is the nominee of the Democratic Party. He has a very good chance of winning residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

But my heart and head keeps asking the question: "Change to WHAT?"

I know what everyone wants to "change" from...but no one--including Senators McCain and Obama--have given even a hint of what we are "changing to."

CHANGE for the sake of "change" is not a satisfactory answer, in my opinion. And it's certainly not a strategy for leading the world's most wealthy nation.

Constantly amazed.

I work in adult career education....where I've been very happy for the last almost FIVE years. While the career is very stressful at time (dealing with adults is sometimes WORSE than dealing with children or teenagers, believe it or not), it can also be a very rewarding part of my life.

A few minutes ago demonstrated this very clearly for me:

One of the students whom I enrolled in school just finished his last class in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance program that he pursued. He came out of the program with a 4.0 grade point average. He never missed a day of class. He 'aced" every exam and quizz. He was a wonderful student.

He is also 47 years old, a native of the Philipines, and had to work very hard to learn/master English when he arrived in the United States a few years ago. This good man took full advantage of everything that was offered to him in pursuing a rewarding career. He didn't skip school, or blame everything on "issues" or someone else.

Another of my students who graduated a few months ago:
A wonderful man who immigrated here from IRAN about five years ago. His english skills were marginal, but passable. He pursued a degree in Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration....and left here with a DEGREE, and a 4.0 grade point average....while working a full time job at night, caring for his family, and going to school.

One more example:

My new friend Tony. His story: He was born in the USA, but his Italian parents relocated back to ITALY shortly after his birth. He had never lived in the United States, and had never visited here. But he knew he had family here, for whatever that is worth.

Tragically, Tony's parents were both killed in an accident earlier this year. Tony had to relocate to the United States to live with a paternal uncle. Tony and his uncle come in to see me several months ago, to investigate the possibilities of career training in our institution. Tony barely passed the English proficiency, but he did pass.

He enrolled in school. He is going to night classes, while working three jobs in the mean time. He also has a 4.0 grade point average thus far. He has proven that he can "do it."

What kills me:

The people who will come here to school--realizing they must do something worthwhile in their life at some point--but who think they can't "do thus and so" because it will take effort on their part.

A certain person has dropped out of two programs now. He really didn't put any effort into studying or tackling the schoolwork. He thought that something would be "handed" to him.

In short, he made excuses for himself, and he quit. The first time he "quit"--he was only in class for less than 1 hour, and decided that "this was just too hard for him."

Sometimes, I wonder what we are producing in this nation. And the answer really, really scares me.

Really.

Is God on America's Side

My pastor, Dr Erwin W Lutzer has released a sobering new volume, Is God On America's Side? The Surprising Answer and Why It matters during this Election Season

Here is a short excerpt from pages 76-77
First, we must choose the right battle.
I've already stressed that our real conflict is neither cultural, moral, or political, but doctrinal and spiritual. We can argue that Christian morality is better; we can try to clean up our culture by legislation and boycotts. But our efforts will often by like trying to mop up the floor with the faucet running. We are trying to convince citizens of earth to live as though they are citizens of heaven. And they are not buying what we are selling.

The central message for us is always the lordship of Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation He came to bring us as sinners. The Cross must always stand alone, unopposed by competing loyalties. Its message must never be sacrificed on the altar of our own political or social agenda, or by which political party is in office. Of course political policy has an effect on our lives, but right laws are limited in their power; they cannot make people good, nor can they make godly families.

Our message must be more radical than any governmental policy could possibly be. It is a message that must penetrate the depths of the human heart.
(Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2008).
All I can say is "Amen, Pastor, Amen!"

Three weeks from tomorrow...November 4th...

The citizenry of these "Nifty-Fifty" United States will go to the various voting places around our country, and cast their ONE vote (each) for the 44th President of the United States.

I really wish we had better choices....

I've always liked Senator John McCain, but he is just not showing that he has any ideas to communicate to those of us who really want to vote for him, and support his efforts to move over to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

I'm really just tired of this whole process. Why isn't Senator McCain telling us why he wants to be President? Why does he beat the same old tired drum, and not give his supporters anything to be excited about?

"CHANGE" for the sake of "change" is not a very good idea. What are we "changing" to? That's the question that Senator Obama still hasn't answered for us.

And Senator McCain needs to do something to energize those of us who really want to see him in the White House in a few months.

But alas, he hasn't.

Last night at dinner....

This really, and truly happened:

I was invited to a going-away dinner for some dear friends of mine who are moving to Moscow, Russia as SBC missionaries. I've known them ever since I've been in Chicago...they arrived about 1 month before I did--some eight years ago. There were about 17 of us at the table in this nice, but crowded Italian pizza place.

One of the gals, in charge of the event, looks over at me and says, "Phil, please pray over the food." I was glad to oblige. One of the guys at the other end of the table, (who is known for having a sharp wit, ) after I had finished praying, said, "Phil, I didn't hear you." Before I knew what I was saying, I blurted out, "I wasn't talking to you."

The whole table roared in laughter.

HEAVEN! It's a real place!

With all the "stuff" that seems to consume us here, we often forget that we are really citizens of "another world." HEAVEN is a real place!

I just got an email from a precious friend who must live through these upcoming holidays without the presence of his earthly father--who went to HEAVEN just a few short months ago.

But HEAVEN is real. It is more real than ANYTHING that will ever exist here on this earth.

In a time when the Dow Jones Industrial Average is sinking like the Titanic, and hearts seem to be "failing with fear" (that comes out of the New Testament, by the way), we must "look up" because our Redeemer has promised to "keep us" and eventually "carry us" to our Eternal home...

Heaven is that place!

Oh NO! Sarah say it "ain't so!"

An Open Letter to Governor Sarah Palin

Dear Governor,

First, let me confess: I think you are just HOT!

Second, there is something that terribly troubles me, though. In last week's debate with Senator Joe Biden, you made the very "folksy" statement of "Oh No, Joe, say it ain't so" concerning his rehashing the "past few years" of the Bush Administration, and it's plethora of failures and flaws. You wanted to talk about the "future."

Yet, on the evening news last night, you were in California, digging up the past of one Mr. Aires (from right here in Chicago), and his terroristic leanings/history from more than 40 years ago.

Which is it, Governor? Do you want to talk about the past, or do you want to talk about the future? Dragging out every association that Senator Obama has with anyone on the south side of Chicago is not "talking about the future." It's trying to drag up the past.

And it's also hypocritical.

So which will it be, Governor? The past or the future?

Make up your mind, stick to your story, and tell me about the future.

(Disclaimer: I have no plans to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket. But I also want some integrity in the McCain/Palin ticket. Mr. Aires, and his troubled past, are exactly that: the past. You can do better).

Gwen Ifill: I think you are terrific!

An open letter to Ms Gwen Ifill:

I have watched your career on television for many years. I remember when you were at NBC, working for the late Tim Russert (whom I still miss terribly). I was delighted when you were announced to be the new moderator of "Washington Week in Review." You garnered such glowing praise from the regular panelists on the show, and we, the consuming public, were assured that you would be the "belle of the ball" when you moved to the Moderator's chair.

And that, you have been.

I almost never miss "Washington Week"--and your moderating skills are the main reason that I stay tuned in.

NOW, the extreme "right" (religious or not) have gotten their "nighties in a knot" because you are writing a book to be released in January 2009. Supposedly, the book is in favor of Senator Obama being elected just 33 days from now.

That is basically nonsense, in my opinion. I believe that you have EVERY quality to be a fair, just, and non-biased moderator of tonite's debate between Governor Palin and Senator Biden. Both of these distinguished Americans are seeking the seat of Vice President, when January 2009 rolls around.

Gwen, Please don't let me down. Please be as fair, non-biased, and thorough as possible. You will do GREAT...

The nation is counting on you, Ms Ifill.

TELL THE TRUTH: What are your "main concerns" for 2009?

I'm tired of this election season and can hardly wait for 33 more days to pass, and we will know who moves into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue next year!

I've heard the so-called "Christian Right" (who often resembles the "conservative Republican, not-so-christian extremes) and the so-called "Liberal Left" throw verbal daggers at each other in the past 19 months.

But what are the issues that most concern you, when you step into your voting place in 32 days?

What really concerns you?

I really do want to know.