Whilst your resume and cover letter are important for you to land that job, how you handle yourself during the interview is equally important.
Job interviews can sometimes be nerve-wracking. Regardless of how intimidating your interviewer looks, you should do your best to calm your nerves and answer as confidently as you can. One way to come prepared is by researching the most common interview questions and knowing the best way to answer them.
Below are the top 5 questions that are most likely to be asked in every job interviews.
1.Tell Me Something About Yourself
If you’re tempted to answer this question with every detailed chapter of your life story, don’t.
Remember that interviewers already do their research before your interview. They check your resume, cover letter, and even your LinkedIn profile. Don’t tell your interviewer the answer to the “What’s” but instead provide details to the “Why’s”.
Tell the reasons why you took this course. Explain why you left your previous job. Your goal is to provide details for your interviewer to draw a picture of what kind of employee you are.
2.What Are Your Biggest Strengths?
Sure, you can list down your skills but you should not stop there.
If you said that you are a great problem solver, provide specific scenarios where you came up with a solution to solve a particular issue. If you answer you’re an expert in multi-tasking, cite instances where you handled more than one tasks at the same time.
Anyone can provide their greatest strengths but what will set you apart from the rest is when you provide actual scenarios where you demonstrated that skill.
3.What Are Your Biggest Weaknesses?
Many applicants are guilty of this: picking one weakness and turning it into strength.
For example “My biggest weakness is being a perfectionist. I spend all my energy on every task that I sometimes get lost track of time.”
Stop this cliché. For all we know, your interviewer is rolling her eyes as you recite this answer.
It pays to be honest. Choose one of your weaknesses and tell how you’re working on it. Your interviewer would appreciate if you show your human side instead of trying so hard to look perfect.
4.Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
Though the answer “I want your job” can show that you’re ambitious, but it can come as too strong.
Try a safer approach of telling your passion and dreams instead. Clearly, they don’t want someone who doesn’t see themselves grow in their company. Tell her your career plans and how you will reach those milestones.
5.Why Should We Pick You?
This is one of the toughest interview questions that will be thrown at you.
Amongst the hundreds of applicants, why should they choose you?
While you can’t really show them how great of a team player you are, but you can at least show them how much you want this job. Highlight your skills and strengths. Provide specific plans on how you will deliver the job.
Never beg, no matter how desperate you are to get the job. You’re more likely to be picked when you show that you are confident and highly-skilled to deliver the work.
Lastly, ask a question about the job or the company. It would leave a lasting impression if you show interest in the position that you are applying for.
Going into the interview room can sometimes feel like you are going into the lion’s den. But when you come prepared, you won’t certainly be eaten alive.
If you wish to get any further assistance, or you had a question that you have been asked and not sure how you would answer it, please drop the question in the comments. I will personally get back to you with how you would answer that question.
