In many roles, particularly within larger companies, responsibilities will be clearly defined. However, if you work for a small business your responsibilities may be more fluid, perhaps even changing from day to day. When asking about your job responsibilities, employers will be interested in hearing about hard/technical skills you have experience of in your past roles. Examples of responsibilities could include:
Supervising staff Negotiating contracts Pitching to clients Being on time Working well with co-workers Using key software Answering the phones Customer services Administrative support Training Sales Stocking shelves
What Is the Difference Between Job Responsibilities and Job Requirements?
Job responsibilities and job requirements are both found on a job description but are distinctly different and shouldn’t be confused.
Job responsibilities – The daily tasks that are performed for the successful completion of a job role. Job requirements – Skills, certifications and training that is required to complete the job responsibilities.
Why Do Employers Ask Questions About Job Responsibilities?
Interview questions about responsibilities are very common and there are several reasons why interviewers might ask them:
To put you at ease. Most candidates will find it relatively easy to talk about their current role and responsibilities so this is a useful way to get candidates to open up. To clarify and expand on your CV. A CV can only provide limited information; asking about your responsibilities allows an interviewer to glean more details and establish that you are a good fit for the job. It also helps them to check that the information you have provided in your CV is accurate. To find out what kind of career move you are making. Comparing your past responsibilities with those you would be taking on in the new role tells the interviewer if you are looking for a step up in your career, moving sideways or even looking to step away from current responsibilities. To check how your past experiences have prepared you for this role. Interviewers want to see candidates who are willing and able to take on responsibility, are accountable for their successes and failures and have a self-sufficient attitude.
Tips for Answering Questions About Responsibilities
Be prepared. Questions about responsibilities are very common so it is well worth spending some time before your interview thinking about the responsibilities you have held in the past and how you can explain them clearly and concisely. Crucially, you also need to think about how your past responsibilities make you a good fit for the job you are applying for. Review the job description carefully and make sure you focus on responsibilities that are relevant to the job in hand. Be specific. For each requirement in the job description think about examples of similar responsibilities you have taken on in the past, and how you can demonstrate your aptitude in performing them. Mention specifics, such as a benefit you brought to the company or a time you overcame a problem. Provide descriptive and engaging answers. Don’t just regurgitate the information in your CV. This is your opportunity to go beyond the bullet points and provide a personal story that will make the interviewer remember you. Keep your answers positive. Focus on results, improvements and achievements rather than frustrations, grievances or disagreements with colleagues.
Below are a few examples of different ways in which interviewers might ask this question, along with some tips on answering and brief sample answers. Note that not all of the questions mention the word ‘responsibilities’ explicitly, so be sure to listen carefully to the question and consider what the interviewer is really asking about.
1. “Describe Some Ways in Which You Have Been a Leader in the Past”
Questions around leadership are very common, and an interviewer may use a question like this to ask about your previous responsibilities. Even if you are applying for an entry-level job, the employer will want to see that you have leadership potential and may well ask about a time when you have demonstrated this in the past. Your leadership experience doesn’t have to be on-the-job – recent graduates might talk about clubs, hobbies or academic projects. But it is important to have a strong example prepared, remembering to study the job description to establish the tasks you will be performing and the type of leader the employer may be looking for. Use the STAR technique to talk about a particular time you displayed leadership, explaining exactly what you did and the positive outcomes you achieved. Sample answer: Be careful not to get sidetracked or veer off into territory that is not relevant to the job you are applying for. Keep the job description in mind and describe a scenario which demonstrates the key skills required, remembering to focus on the results achieved. Sample answer: However, while an interviewer will want to hear that you are comfortable working independently, they will also be looking for someone who is also a team player and is open to sharing responsibilities with others. You should be guided by the job description as to whether you focus more on your ability to work independently or collaboratively. Sample answer: Keep the tone positive throughout – you certainly do not want to gripe about a heavy workload or lazy colleagues – focusing on specific results or achievements. Results-oriented answers can be particularly effective and will leave employers in no doubt of your value. If your work experience is lacking, talk about a volunteer role or academic project instead. Sample answer: And remember to use the STAR technique mentioned earlier to provide a structured answer describing the specific situation, task, action and result of the example you are describing. Sample answer: You will need to decide which situations are most in need of your attention and how best to make sure that all of your responsibilities are met. Sample answer: When this happens, the first thing that I do is assess which need is the most urgent. This is the one which I will deal with first. Anything which doesn’t require my personal attention is then delegated and the less urgent issues are dealt with in order of importance. Potential employers will want to know that you can assess these types of situations and are looking for insight as to the approach you would take. Sample answer: Potential employers will want to know that you have appropriate strategies in place which will help you to manage situations when things don’t go the way that you want them to. Sample answer: Previously I might have been responsible for a section or a specific dish, but not the whole kitchen. I remember an occasion very early in my career when I was responsible and the timings slipped. All of a sudden we had a big delay between dishes being ordered and them being ready. We had to pull together as a team to get everything back on track. Sample Answer: When employers ask this question, they are wanting insight as to how well you handle pressure. They will also be looking to see what your approach is to problem-solving and how well you can evaluate a situation as a whole to think of potential alternatives. Sample answer: Initially, I thought that there was no way I would be able to get everything done in time and to the standard that I wanted to do it. But I found that by asking other team members for advice and using their expertise, I was able to deliver the project ahead of schedule and still make sure that I hit all of the important areas of the brief. Focus on preparing examples of previous responsibilities that are closely aligned with the job you are applying for, giving specific details about successes and achievements to demonstrate that you are superbly qualified to take on the role. And remember, questions about roles and responsibilities can come in many forms, so listen carefully to what the interviewer is asking you.
