When going to a job interview, an entirely different set of skills and talents than those which were needed for building your CV will come into play in order for you to ace it. Establishing a connection with your interviewer, strong people skills, confidence and the ability to speak briefly, yet to the point are going to count the most. In the end, it’s all about how effective you are at showing that you are better for the position than any other competitor of yours. This is not an easy feat, but with some preparation everyone can become proficient at passing interviews. Here are some common questions you’re definitely going to be asked, as well as some pointers that should indicate your answering strategy.
Why do you want this job?
This question has to do with you in a different way than you might think. In fact, the employer is asking you to name some of the unique features of their company. At this point it’s high time to show how much you’ve researched the organization you’ve applied for a job with. Name a few of their distinctive traits, in the lines of how their brand stands out from the crowd, their client base, positive working atmosphere and such.
What are your strengths?
This is the cue to put your best foot forward. Try to stick to a maximum of 3 or 4 skills which should be exemplified briefly by using situations where you had to put them to good use. However, if you really want to get under the skin of your employer, you should see which of them fit best with the job specifications. Pick the ones that would be most beneficial in the position you’re aiming for, as the employer will definitely count on these when assessing you.Examples can range from interpersonal skills to team work, creative problem solving, leadership and the like.
What are your weaknesses?
This is a trap question, as most applicants usually answer duplicitously. Instead of stating a weakness, people tend to mask a feature that can be considered positive trait. One example would be “I’m too much of a perfectionist”. Everyone sees through that. A better tactic is to be honest and point out to an actual defect, which you’ve tried to improve over the course of a definite time span. Refusing to admit to your own weakness is often seen as arrogance and this won’t take you far in any collaboration.
What do you expect to be doing in 5 years’ time?
This is where almost everyone fails. The majority of applicants give a general answer that can even sound ridiculous when listened to a second time. A good strategy is to be specific, but not to the degree of inflexibility. Rather, you should show that you have some goals established which you’re working towards, but they may change if the need for such a move arises. Another positive aspect would be to talk about your actual interest related to the industry the company is working in, maybe even emphasize how you can help the team grow and achieve their goals better.
These guidelines and typical questions should help you pass any interview regardless of the job you’re applying for. Finally, you should never forget to take care of your qualifications before sending in your resume.
