Best Interview Questions
"Why are you looking for another job?
When answering this question:
Keep your answer brief - don't go into a lot of detail (the briefer the response-the
more convincing the answer)
Do not knock your last employer, at this stage or any other.
Do not volunteer any unnecessary information:
Do not say you have been made redundant- it was the department or function that
was made redundant.
Draft your answer to this question now.
"What sort of job are you looking for?"
Every interviewer hopes that the next candidate to walk through that door will be
the answer to his search. So many candidates sabotage their own chances by
answering the above question from their own point of view rather than from that
of the company's/interviewer's. The company is only interested in how you can
satisfy its needs and match its job requirements, your needs are secondary
importance.
The best way to answer this question is to follow on from the "Tell me about
yourself" answer and transfer those abilities into discussing the job in question
and the contribution you can make to it.
The word 'contribute' is the magic word to a prospective employer. He/she is
looking for what you can bring to the organisation. If you have done your
research properly and discovered what they do need then it will be hardly
surprising when your attributes match their requirements! If you are at all
uncomfortable representing yourself as the perfect match - what are you doing at
this interview?
“What salary are you looking for?”
This can be a very dangerous question. At all costs you should try and avoid being
the first to mention a number. You could sell yourself short, and miss an
opportunity for a higher package or you could price yourself out of the running.
Attempt to turn the question round. For instance: It's hard to discuss salary
without knowing more about the job responsibilities.
If a salary range has been tabled, relate your experience to the range without
being necessarily precise: I think my experience would put me near the high end
of the range, don't you? (SAY IT - ASK IT).
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What is your greatest strength?
Recall your list of strengths and identify one that you feel would be particularly
appropriate for the position in question. Tie it to an achievement and ask: 'Is that
the kind of quality that would help you? Remember ‘Say it – Ask it’ at every
opportunity!
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What is your greatest weakness?
Look at your list of weaknesses and relate the weakness (excess) back to your
strengths 'I like to get things done quickly.... sometimes I get impatient but I'm
learning how to overcome this.'
Don’t think you can get away with announcing proudly that you have no
weaknesses, the interviewer will not be impressed. And don’t declare that you’re
greatest weakness is that you like to work too hard. The interviewer has heard
them all before and won’t take you seriously.
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Why should we employ you?
You know and understand the job requirements, match them with some of your
significant achievements. This demonstrates your ability to do the job. Round
your answer off with another Say it – Ask it phrase. For instance: 'If there are
opportunities to do that and more here, then this is a great fit. What do you think?
The section above suggested approaches to some of the most commonly asked
interview questions. The section was by no means exhaustive, there are thousands
of questions you might be asked, however they do tend to focus on the same
areas.
You should also consider potential answers to the following questions and you
will rarely be caught out. Even though the precise question may not appear, your
thorough preparation will ensure you can cope with any “curve balls”. Do not
attempt to memorise your answers, there are far too many questions and “learnt”
answers often sound too practised and are inflexible, just think through how you
would answer them and the impression that answer would make. Beware of the
‘easy’ questions - “Tell me about yourself” looks easy, but it is one of the most
important answers you’ll ever give.
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1. Tell me about yourself.
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra careful that you
don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover
four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience.
Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up
question. Don't waste your best points on it.
2. What do you know about our organization?
You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image,
goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act
as if you know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have
taken the time to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and
make it clear that you wish to learn more.
You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a
number of companies.
Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."
Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're
in all sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.
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