Interviewing Tips: How to Answer These
Tricky Interview Questions
By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com
Does the thought of going on a job interview cause your palms
to sweat and your body to break out in hives? Stop itching; you're
not alone.
The vast majority of job seekers admit to emotions ranging from
mild uneasiness to downright panic leading up to their interviews.
The good news is there have been no reported cases of job seekers
who died of nervousness during a job interview. So relax and follow
these simple tips for keeping your anxiety at bay before and during
your interview.
First, take the proper amount of time to prepare for your interview.
Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and lower your
anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours
preparing for each interview.
You should draft answers to the most common interview questions
and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up on
the company with which you will be interviewing and prepare some
questions of your own. This lets the interviewer know that you
are truly interested in the company and the position.
As a final step in your preparation, make sure you have good
directions to the interview site. Some job seekers make a dry
run to the interview site to ensure the directions are correct
and to estimate the amount of time they will need to get to the
interview on time.
Going into a job interview is often like entering the great unknown.
Although every interviewer is different and questions vary from
industry to industry, there are some questions that are common
across the board. Reading through the following questions and
developing your own answers is a good place to start in your preparation.
Once you have done that, remember practice makes perfect! Nothing
impresses a potential employer like being ready for whatever is
thrown your way.
Why should we hire you?
Here's the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly
and succinctly lay out your strengths, qualifications and what
you can bring to the table. Be careful not to answer this question
too generically, however. Nearly everyone says they are hardworking
and motivated. Set yourself apart by telling the interviewer about
qualities that are unique to you.
Why do you want to work here?
This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your
homework. You should never attend an interview unless you know
about the company, its direction and the industry in which it
plays. If you have done your research, this question gives you
an opportunity to show initiative and demonstrate how your experience
and qualifications match the company's needs.
What are your greatest weaknesses?
The secret to answering this question is being honest about a
weakness, but demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength.
For example, if you had a problem with organization in the past,
demonstrate the steps you took to more effectively keep yourself
on track. This will show that you have the ability to recognize
aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative
to make yourself better.
Why did you leave your last job?
Even if your last job ended badly, be careful about being negative
in answering this question. Be as diplomatic as possible. If you
do point out negative aspects of your last job, find some positives
to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last company
will not say much for your attitude.
Describe a problem situation and how you solved it.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request,
particularly if you are coming straight from college and do not
have professional experience. Interviewers want to see that you
can think critically and develop solutions, regardless of what
kind of issue you faced. Even if your problem was not having enough
time to study, describe the steps you took to prioritize your
schedule. This will demonstrate that you are responsible and can
think through situations on your own.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an
accomplishment that relates to the position. Even if your greatest
accomplishment is being on a championship high school basketball
team, opt for a more professionally relevant accomplishment. Think
of the qualities the company is looking for and develop an example
that demonstrates how you can meet the company's needs.
What are your salary expectations?
This is one of the hardest questions, particularly for those with
little experience. The first thing to do before going to your
interview is to research the salary range in your field to get
an idea of what you should be making. Steer clear of discussing
salary specifics before receiving a job offer. Let the interviewer
know that you will be open to discussing fair compensation when
the time comes. If pressed for a more specific answer, always
give a range, rather than a specific number.
Tell me about yourself.
While this query seems like a piece of cake, it is difficult to
answer because it is so broad. The important thing to know is
that the interviewer typically does not want to know about your
hometown or what you do on the weekends. He or she is trying to
figure you out professionally. Pick a couple of points about yourself,
your professional experience and your career goals and stick to
those points. Wrap up your answer by bringing up your desire to
be a part of the company. If you have a solid response prepared
for this question, it can lead your conversation in a direction
that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications.
Article
Found at CareerBuilder.com
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