No matter how prepared you think you are most people come out of interviews wondering why you mumbled through what with hindsight seemed like simple questions. Here are some tips on how to tackle common questions that can ‘trip’ you up.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: Don’t dwell on demographic details or get into a chronological account of your professional history. Focus on highlighting your most marketable characteristics and successes. Keep it brief. You could talk about professional goals especially those related to the job; your strong work habits such as being highly organized and self motivated or working well with people. Even better use a real life example to demonstrate how you apply these abilities in actual situations.
WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB? Don’t give responses that are too ‘me’ focused. Be straightforward because this is not a trick question. Feel free to share your career aspirations but make sure you also say something about how the organization will benefit if they hired you. Avoid mentioning money or benefits at this stage. You will have a chance to discuss such details later when you are offered the job.
WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU? Don’t ever go into an interview without researching the organization. Show that you understand the wider mission of the organization and the requirements of the as indicated in the job advert. Tell them some positive things about the organization if you can and show how your strengths would be an asset. Share relevant achievements from previous jobs. If your qualifications are your biggest assets explain how those qualifications will enhance your capacity to do the job.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR CURRENT JOB? Don’t ‘bash’ your former employers, your managers or offload your negative experiences from other organizations. For example if the reason you are leaving is because your boss does not give you room grow, let your answer focus on your desire for the growth you hope the new job will afford you. It’s easy to complain about your last employer but it’s not professional and could make you lose out no matter how great you were in other parts of the interview.
WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES? Sometimes this question is asked to assess where you’ll need help if you were hired. It may also be used to test your sense of honesty and humility. What you should not say in reply is ‘I don’t know’ or ‘’I can’t think of anything.” This only makes you come across as arrogant or lacking self awareness neither of which is flattering in a potential new employee. A good strategy is to mention a past weakness, explain how you identified it and how you are improving it.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? Don’t go straight to asking about the remuneration package or say “I don’t have any question’ Think about at least one thoughtful question you could ask about the organization to show you are genuinely interested. This also helps you to make a good final impression.
Now take action: Practice answers to questions you would struggle with in an interview.
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