While we dread interview questions and answers a job interview stands between you and the job you want. How the questions are answered affects the interviewer and the interviewer has a say in hiring you. Prepare for the next interview by taking a look at ten common interview questions. These questions seem scary at first glance but after reading how to answer these questions it won’t become a big deal.
Tell me a little about yourself.
This is a broad question that needs to be more simplified. Talk about your professional career not the personal one. More specifically talk about what makes you the best candidate for the job. Talk about your qualifications and provide an example to back them up. Give more examples only if the interviewer is interested about what was said.
How do others describe you?
The goal of this interview question is to see how other people see you. Insert friends, co-workers or bosses in place of the word “others” that statement and the same answer remains. Tell the truth. If you don’t know say so. Another approach to answer this question is to ask your friends, co-workers and bosses about you. Ask how they see you. Take that information to the interview just in case any arrangement of that question is asked.
What are your strengths / weaknesses?
Talk about your strengths without bragging or boasting. Be calm, cool and collective when explaining the good qualities.
Talking about your weakness is a tricky thing. Don’t use the strengths you have and turn them into a weakness. These sounds like a complaint and complaining won’t score you a job. Don’t tell them that there are no weaknesses. Also don’t say that you have a weakness and turn that weakness into a positive experience. Embrace the weaknesses you have and be proud of them. Take an actual weakness and admit that you have it. Then say how you plan to conquer the weakness. You can also say that by working here I hope to rectify this weakness.
How do you handle pressure / stress?
The goal of this interview question is to understand how a person handles stress in their company. The company needs to know that you will remain level headed in a difficult situation. Let them know that you can handle stress. Mention how stress brings the best out of me.
What have you been doing since the last job?
This will only be asked if there is an employment gap on the resume. Be honest but never say that you didn’t do anything. Tell the interviewer you were active and kept busy. Good answers are freelancing while job hunting, stay-at-home mom, volunteering or went to college.
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
This question can be asked a number of ways but it means the same thing. Don’t choose one over the other. Say that you are comfortable doing both and provide examples.
What are your future goals? / Where will you be in 5 years or 10 years?
No matter the variation the answers remain the same. Never say something like moving to another company or job. This offends the interviewer and the job will certainly not go to you. Don’t say that you will do the same job in the same company either. This tells them that there is no intention of moving up the corporate ladder. Say that you plan to have the bosses or their job in that timeframe. Another acceptable answer is moving up to a desired position or holding more than one job in the same company.
Why do you want to work here?
The interviewer wants to know of all places why choose this company. A bit of research needs to be done beforehand to truly answer the question. Saying “because I want to work” or “because I want a job” will kill any glimmer of hope. Also don’t do a candidate comparison. Go with something like how you match what the organization is looking for. Then provide examples of why.
Why should I hire you for the job?
This is another tricky interview question. The common answer goes something like “because I am the right candidate for the job.” That is the correct answer but that is not all of it. Back up the claims with some examples. Really tell the interviewer what makes you stand out from the rest. Say something like “There may be more qualified applicants for this job but I have ________.
Do you have any questions?
This takes a lot of interviewers off guard. Don’t say there are no questions. Take this opportunity to ask the interviewer questions about the company. Doing this successfully requires company research and writing down appropriate questions that you want answered.
Pursue your next job with confidence. These interview questions and answers will prepare you to not trip up the next time.