Interview Success Tips

How to Answer Ten More Tricky Questions you May be Asked in a Job Interview (Part 2 of 10)

Q11- Can you tell me a little about yourself?

This commonly asked question is like an opener to get the interview rolling, Many people like to talk about themselves and after all this question does get at the purpose of the interview in the first place, which is to get information. The employer wants to learn as much as he/she can about you. It also gives the interviewer a chance to watch you in action, see your body signals, poise, etc. This is your golden opportunity to sell yourself by telling about your abilities, past accomplishments, future aspirations, etc. You also have an opportunity to tell about what contributions you think you can make to their company based on what you have done in then past. It also gives you some measure of control over the interview. You could, for instance, answer some of the questions you anticipate they will ask you, rather than just sit back and wait to be asked. Your interviewer should appreciate this because it tells him you are “cutting to the chase” and perhaps saving some time. By doing this you are also displaying your confidence in yourself, your way with words, and perhaps your assertiveness.

Think of the interviewer as a customer and you as a salesman (and the product being sold). Your job is to convince he/she that you are the best product to fill his needs as a customer. Be prepared for this question or some variation because it’s almost a certainty that you will be asked it.

Q12 – Why do you want to work for our company?

This question gives you the opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your homework and are really interested in their company. Use the information you have gathered about the company to relate to what you have done. Now you can launch into what contributions you think you can make to their company.

Q13 – What position are you after?

The answer to this should be on the tip of your tongue. If you answered and ad, use the same words the ad used. If you aren’t sure what the position is this is a good opportunity to ask the interviewer what the position is and what it entails.

Q14 – What do you consider your outstanding achievements in school and on the job?

These should be on your resume’ in brief form but here you can expand upon them with more detail. Use specific numbers where you can. It’s lots more convincing to say “my suggestion to raise the temperature 10 degrees C. for making product X caused a 10.4 % increase in the production rate for this product and ended up adding $14,350 in additional profit to my company” than to say “I told them to raise the temperature on this one product and it made the company lots more money.

Q15- What is your greatest strength?

A good answer here will undoubtedly increase your chances for a job offer. Consider this another opportunity to tell your prospective employer what you do best. This is not the time to be modest. Just don’t go so far as to sound like a braggart. Here again be specific about why X is your greatest strength. Put numbers on it if you can.

Q16 – Do you plan to make this job your career?

If you are applying for a job as a mail boy to get your foot in the door, resist the temptation to reply with “yeah, I want to be a mail boy the rest of my life” Instead you could say you like what their company does and think you might fit in to one of several areas as openings develop. The absolute WORST answer you could be “I don’t know” Don’t do it.

Go over this question ahead of time and have an answer ready in case they ask.

Q17- What hours are you available to work?

Best answer is that you are flexible and will work whatever hours they need you to work. Any other answer may limit your opportunity to get an offer. Most employers expect their employees to work whatever hours they are assigned and also work overtime if it needed.

Q18 – What minimum salary would you accept?

The answer to this has to be a personal choice but if you think they are just shopping around for the cheapest employee, you might just answer that you are interested in the going rate for the particular position. Another answer is to turn it around and ask them that if they feel you are qualified for the job, to make you an offer.

Q19 – Will you work overtime if it is offered?

The only acceptable answer here is yes. Saying anything else will probably spoil your chances with just about any company.

Q20- Why did you leave your last job?

If you are still working for a company, the simplest answer is I haven’t left the job I have at present. If you are unemployed be sure you have a positive answer here. An answer like ‘I couldn’t get along with my boss’ won’t cut it here. If you were laid off, better have a good reason for it. One of the better answers is you are very ambitious and your previous employer just didn’t have enough opportunity for advancement.

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For more answers to questions, watch for part 3 of 10 in this series of articles.

Good luck at your next interview!.

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Job interviews are hardly anyone’s favourite hobby. They can be boring, nerve wrecking and challenging to say the least. However, with the right attitude job interviews can be a creative and highly rewarding process. The following ideas and strategies are guaranteed to help you succeed at job interviews and make the career changes you desire.

1. Find the problem – You are being interviewed because the prospective employer has ongoing or potential problems that need to be solved on a regular basis. Consequently, your job interview success depends on how well you prove your problem-solving capabilities. Find out more about your prospective employer’s wants and needs by conducting vigorous research. For instance you can carry out internet searches, speak to relevant staff, read company literature and browse through press archives.

2. Find the solution – Anyone can identify problems but it takes a winning candidate to create helpful solutions. Whilst preparing for your job interview, seek a thorough understanding of your prospective employer’s wants and needs then brainstorm for ideas and strategies that can satisfy those wants and needs. The more solutions you can proffer, the more capable you will appear. However, try not to give away too many valuable ideas at the interview stage. Just say enough to demonstrate your expertise and generate some positive interest.

3. Fire your desire – During the job interview, your interviewers will want to know if you genuinely want the job so don’t hamper your chances by exhibiting nonchalant behaviour. Whilst preparing for the interview, fire your desire by repeatedly visualising yourself in the new role. Remember that, sooner or later, you will attract whatever you choose to focus your attention on. Be sure to maintain high levels of confidence whilst keeping your feet firmly on the ground. If you carry out your due diligence and remain persistent, you will succeed at job interviews and make the career changes you desire.

4. Get inside knowledge – It’s important to find out, beforehand, what format the job interview is going to take. Will you be asked behavioural and situational questions for instance? Will you be required to take psychological tests or make a special presentation? The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be. It also helps to find out basic information about your prospective interviewers. How many people will be interviewing you on the day? What are their names? What age group do they belong to? What are their roles within the company? Again, if you know what to expect, you’ll feel more confident at the interview. Contact prospective employers, recruitment agents and other reliable persons for insider information then adjust your responses to suit your interviewers’ preferred style.

5. Get help – People sometimes struggle with job interview preparation because they try to do everything by themselves. But why bear the burden yourself when you can easily get others to help you? For instance, you can get close relatives to practice likely questions and answers with you or pay the neighbourhood whiz kid to do some research on your behalf. If you are one of those people who can’t figure out what ‘smart casual’ really means, get a fashionable friend to help you choose what to wear on the big day. If your morale is low, ask your nearest and dearest for encouragement and support. Remember that even the most unlikely people can offer unique perspectives and nuggets of wisdom too.

6. Do your best – It is true that you can only do your best, but aim to make your best good enough. Speak clearly and confidently at the job interview whilst maintaining your natural style. For instance, if you are a slow talker don’t try to speak quickly just because you want to sound keen on the job and if you are the serious sort don’t try to be overtly humorous either. Maintain eye contact with your interviewers throughout the interview as this will make you come across as honest, confident and intelligent. Just be your best self and you’ll make a positive impact at the job interview.

7. Follow up – Never leave the interview room without a contact name and direct telephone number you can use for follow up purposes. However, make sure you find out how long you should wait before soliciting job interview feedback. It is wise to send a thank you note a few days after the final interview and to ring for information within agreed time scales. If more follow up is required do so no more than twice per week, contacting the key decision makers (usually the interviewers) directly where possible. Do exhibit polite and professional behaviour at all times.

Well prepared candidates usually do well at job interviews. Remember the afore mentioned ideas and strategies and you too can edge out the competition, get the job of your dreams and enjoy true career fulfilment.

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