Catherine Jones is a leading authority on recruitment and, with 3 colleagues, has written a how to snag a job website in which she shares her secrets on getting hired.
Catherine works as a senior manager for a large financial services organisation and recruits new employees on a regular basis. Learn from the experts and snag the job you want – your dream job!
Most people dread job interviews. However, with a bit of preparation, the experience can be very rewarding.
Most interviewers tend to ask similar questions during job interviews. All you need to do is find out what those questions are and prepare some answers beforehand. After you do that, have someone role play the part of the interviewer and ask you the questions. That way, you can practice your answers to interview questions so you can be more relaxed at the actual interview.
Some of the most popular interview questions asked during an initial interview are:
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
This is difficult for some people. If you are unsure of what to say, you might want to ask the interviewer what they would like to know about you. However, most interviewers want to know things about you that would be relate to the position. Try not to ramble on. Keep your interview answer short and informative.
2. What do you feel are some of your strengths?
When you begin to think about your strengths, think about some of the aspects of your personality and character that would be an asset to the job. Don’t just mention one, but focus on three or four. If you are applying for a sales position, you might mention that you enjoy helping people. If you are applying for an accounting position, you might say that you are very detail oriented.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
We all have weaknesses, so you will need to come up with something for an answer. Be as honest as possible, but then emphasize what you’ve done to overcome it. For instance, if delegating jobs has been hard for you in the past, mention what you have done to overcome the problem – perhaps taking a course in how to be an effective manager or a course in time management skills.
4. What do you consider to be your greatest success?
Choose an example from your past of which you are particularly proud. In your interview answer give specific details about what you did, how you did it, and what the results were.
5. How do you handle stressful situations?
List some stressful situations in past positions and explain how you handled them. Give them some ideas of some strategies that you have successfully used, such as making a to-do list.
6. Why do you want this position?
This is where researching the company will help in your answers to interview questions. Bring up some of the successful traits of the company and stress how you’ve always wanted to work for a company with those traits. Emphasize how your skills and qualifications mesh well with the company.
7. Why are you the best person for the job?
Here is your chance to sell yourself. Emphasize your strong points – i.e. you are a dedicated employee, a fast learner, an enthusiastic person who hits the ground running, etc. End it by saying; “I know that you will have no regrets when you hire me for the position.”
While no one knows exactly what questions will be asked during an interview, the above are common questions asked by most employers. With a bit of work, you can prepare yourself so that you can approach the interview with confidence and enthusiasm. That confidence and enthusiasm may just get you the job!
Here’s more help with answers to interview questions including 38 sample interview answers.
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