Increasing your chances of getting the
job are pretty simple if you’re well
prepared for your next interview. If
you’re ready to answer some of the
most common interview questions,
you’re a step ahead of your
competition. Here are six questions
you must be prepared to answer
during interviews:
1.Why Don’t You Tell Me About
Yourself?
Approach this question as it relates
to the job for which you are applying.
Develop a 30-60 second personal
branding statement that touches on
your work history, your education,
and briefly highlights your
accomplishments. Practice this a bit
– if you’re going for a sales or client
facing job, the employer wants to
make sure you’re more than just a
capable communicator.
2.What Are Your Greatest Strengths?
For this particular question, you’re
going to want to provide tangible
skills. Don’t waste your time or the
employer’s with, “I’m really a great
team player or I have excellent
communication skills.” Instead,
describe your ability to bring new
clients on board or talk about your
knack for increasing sales even in
highly competitive markets.
Here’s an example, “While I was in a
sales internship with ABC Company, I
increased sales by 29% in March and
had the highest sales in the
department five months in a row.”
3. Tell Me About Your Weaknesses.
A good tactic is to talk about a
weakness you had and show how it
has since worked to your benefit,
“There was a time when I was a bit
impatient with co-workers who
weren’t able to complete their work
by the required deadline. I have come
to realize that my personal standards
and expectations are different from
my co-workers and it is no longer an
issue for me.” Remember, you don’t
have to mention your every quirk, tic,
or foible.
4.What Are You Looking For In Terms
Of Salary?
Certainly, if you are in your first
interview you really don’t have a
clear sense of what the job entails. At
this point, defer by saying, “I don’t
have enough information about the
job yet; what are your expectations in
the first 90 days? 6 months?”
Another approach is to ask if the
employer has a range in mind for the
position. As a last resort, you may
decide to give the employer a broad
range based on past salary, bonuses,
and other benefits.
5.Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
There are all kinds of reasons for
leaving a company; however, you
really need to be truthful with your
answer. That said, you should
carefully craft your answer to ensure
it is appropriate. If your company
downsized, mention it. If you made it
through seven rounds of downsizing
and were one of the last to go, by all
means mention that, too!
Maybe you did everything you set out
to do with your company and there
was no real room to grow. Then, “It
was time for me to find a position
where I could further hone my skills
and continue to grow.”
6.Why You? What Do You Bring To
This Job That No One Else Does?
If you’re a sales person, this is the
time to show what you’ve got.
Formulate your answer as it relates to
their job requirements and clearly
demonstrate how your expertise is a
perfect match for their every need.
Do your homework and be well
prepared for your next interview. If
you can answer these six questions
easily, you’re on your way to the job
of your dreams.
http://leadership.ng/news/241013/6-questions-you-must-be-prepared-answer-during-interviews