Common Interview Questions – Learn the Right Answers to Land Your Dream Job
Here are some of the most common interview questions you’ll face: Tell me about yourself: Ok, so not all common interview questions are actually questions. Generally asked at the start of an interview, this is your opportunity to make a great first impression. For your answer, you should have a one-minute ‘elevator speech’ ready to go. If you are not familiar with the idea behind an elevator speech, envision that you get into an elevator with the person that can give you your dream job. You have only as long as the elevator ride to convince the person to follow-up with you. So what do you say? Most importantly, keep it concise and relevant. If you are interviewing for an engineering job, you don’t need to explain that you cook Thai food for fun and once worked at the carnival. Instead, briefly touch on your education, previous work history and goals for the future. Tell the interviewer what you can do for them. For example, if you have an extensive work history, emphasize that you can begin work immediately with little training. The key is to sell yourself without sounding like you are selling yourself. Practice your answer to this most important of common interview questions with friends until what you say comes across sounding natural. What are your weaknesses? Among common interview questions, this can be a trick question. You want to answer honestly, but you don’t want to sink your chances by giving the interviewer a reason to pass you by. Stating that you have trouble getting up in the morning and are chronically late is would not be a good way to answer this question. Determine a weakness that can be turned into a positive for this job. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires detailed work, you can say that you are a perfectionist which may actually be an asset for the job in question. Another tactic is to pick a weakness that you have already addressed. You could say that you struggle with organization skills but have developed morning routine that allows you to collect your thoughts and develop a plan for the day. Why did you leave your last job? This is one of the common interview questions that will have a different answer depending on your circumstances. If you left your job voluntarily to pursue other interests, you can simply explain that for your answer. However, if you were fired from your last job or left on poor terms with your employer, your answer will need a little more finessing. If you were fired, a reference check to your previous employer will undoubtedly reveal the truth so don’t bother lying. Briefly explain that you were let go from your previous job but that you have learned from your mistakes and are ready to move forward. Keep your explanation short and to the point. Above all, resist the urge to speak badly about your former boss or employer. Nothing sends up a red flag faster than a prospective employee who appears angry and vindictive. Why do you want to work here? The obvious answer is to make money, but that’s not the right answer. You’d be surprised how many people walk into an interview without thoroughly researching the company at which they are applying. As with other common interview questions, the interviewer wants to know that you really understand the business and deserve to be a part of it. Does the company have a stellar reputation? Is it on the leading edge of innovation? Are you excited about the product or service it offers? All these make excellent answers. Before walking into an interview, you should be ready to answer common interview questions. In addition, you should feel confident enough in your abilities to talk freely and naturally throughout the interview. The key is to practice, practice, practice. Enlist a friend to role play and ask common interview questions. Then work on your answers until they are second-nature. And then walk into your interview knowing that you are ready to make a great impression and land that dream job. To your career success, Martin Allen After spending hours perfecting your CV and polishing your cover letter, the call you’ve been waiting for finally comes: it is time to schedule an interview. Don’t make the mistake of others who think the hard part is done. The most difficult part of the job hunt process isn’t landing the interview, it’s surviving the interview. Be prepared by knowing the most common interview questions and the answers that will have them saying ‘you’re hired.’
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