1. What do you know about DPWH, and why do you want to work here?

You’d think with the easy access to information online today, most candidates would do their
homework, but that’s not always the case. Some applicants may not even know what type of business
the company engages in. Ask this interview question and you’ll find out quickly who is sincerely
interested in working for you — and who isn’t.

2. What skills and strengths can you bring to this position?

Did the interviewee blindly apply to your opening or did they consider how they match your needs? This
question can help you find out. Applicants should be able to think critically about how their abilities will
benefit your unique team.

3. Can you tell me about your current job?

This is a great open-ended question to ask a potential employee that can help you evaluate
communication skills, while gaining insights into an individual's background that goes beyond the
resume.

4. What could your current company do to be more successful?

This inquiry can give you a sense of whether interviewees see the big picture at their organizations. It
may also reveal why they really want to leave their current jobs.

5. Can you tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with a boss or colleague and how you
handled the situation?

This is one of the best questions to ask an interviewee because you’ll get a sense of their conflict
resolution abilities. What tone does the person use when talking about the other people involved? Were
they able to handle the situation described appropriately? Did they find common ground? Emotional
intelligence is keenly needed in almost every job.

6. Do you work best alone or on a team?

What kind of work will the candidate be performing if they’re selected for the position? This question
helps determine if they’re suited to the types of assignments they’ll receive. Someone who enjoys
solitary work and long stretches of uninterrupted time may not thrive in a position that requires
collaboration or multitasking.

7. Why are you leaving your current job?

Does your job opportunity provide an alternative to the factors (lack of professional development,
management problems, etc.) that made them unhappy in their current role? If so, showcase those
benefits. But keep an eye out for candidates with unrealistic expectations.
8. How would your coworkers describe you?

This top question to ask an interviewee can help shed light on the candidate's soft skills and how they
might work with the other members of your team. Understand the strengths of your current staff
members and be on the lookout for a candidate who will complement those.

9. How would your boss describe you?

This may give you a sense of the candidate’s relationship with previous managers. Reliable? Prompt?
Efficient? Keep in mind, though, who you’re asking. The answer will be simply their opinion of what the
boss might have said. That’s why it’s still critical to check references. Request a list of contacts and give
former employers a call to hear how their impressions align with the candidate’s.

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

A job candidate who has professional drive and lofty career aspirations is valuable. Look for someone
who is engaged in their career and has clear goals, and consider mentioning how your organization can
help them achieve those objectives. Finding a prospect who is interested in career advancement and
sees opportunity with your company increases the chances that they’ll be happy in the long run.

11. Can you describe how you handle tight deadlines?

Does your team frequently face challenging time constraints? Do you need someone who can work
quickly and accurately while under pressure? Ask this interview question of a potential employee and
you’ll at least get their opinion as to how they handle stress and whether they can keep up with the
pace of work at your organization. You could also follow up by asking if they’ve ever missed a deadline
and, if so, how they handled the situation.

12. In your most recent role, was there a time when you had to overcome a significant challenge?

Use this question to get a sense of an interviewee’s critical thinking and analytical skills. You should also
pay attention to how the candidate describes their behavior when faced with a challenge. Did they
struggle or did they come up with an action plan and see it through?

15. Do you have any questions for me?

This question typically wraps up the interview. Most candidates who are interested in the job will be
prepared with a few relevant questions for a hiring manager. However, if the discussion was long and
detailed, the candidate may have already asked their questions. In a case like this, it’s OK if a candidate
doesn’t have a list of questions at the end of the interview.
1. With this job you may have to work closely with the media. Give me an idea about your experience
with various forms of media.

I have dealt with different forms of media throughout my career, including print, television and online
news sources. I have built relationships with some local reporters to get my organization's message
spread in a timely and accurate way. I am also sensitive to deadlines that writers and reporters often
face in their work, so I strive to provide complete information to them as soon as possible about
different newsworthy topics.

2. Writing skills are important for this position. What are some of your writing strengths?

I have used my writing skills in all aspects of my career and have quite a bit of exposure to different
types of writing within the public relations field. I have experience writing press releases, articles, media
briefings, speeches and other forms of communication. I also have had to put together many different
media kits for the various organizations that I have represented throughout the years. I thrive in pushing
through deadlines and writing with a clear and concise style.

3. In this line of work, you often have to assist with a public official's image to the public. How do you
create a positive public image?

For public officials, such as government representatives or other people involved in the legislative
process, the most important thing is to make someone accessible. When I advise an individual of what
to do to in order to improve an image, I start with the social media presence. I believe that all public
officials should have a visible presence online. Next, there should be an easy way for government
higher-ups to be contacted by the public. When there is transparency, the population generally sees
someone in a more positive light.

4. You may have to give speeches on camera for this position. What are your verbal communication
abilities?

In my past jobs, I had to also give speeches or run press briefings. I feel naturally comfortable in this role
of speaking to the public. I simply focus on preparing for the event ahead of time. I anticipate different
questions if it's not a speech, and I practice my answer delivery. I also run my information and stances
by my supervisor in advance so any adjustments to the message can be made. I have found that if you
know what you're talking about, you can truly be able to come across as capable and informative while
dealing with the media.

5. When there is a disaster situation, a public information officer is often on the front line. How do you
think you would deal with a disaster or emergency situation?

In any situation that is high stress, most of all, I would try to convey a demeanor of calmness. Whatever
the disaster is, individuals may get worried if I stand in front of them and begin to panic. I can put the
public much more at ease if I explain what I know about the situation and get them to see that it is
under control.\

Being hired for a top government public relations job can be more of a reality if you master your public
information officer interview questions. Then, you can start seeing your career take off to the next level.