Eight Tricky Interview Questions
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.
- - Written by: Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor
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