*Don't Tell The Interviewer About Yourself,
This Is What He Really Wants To Hear*
A job interview does not have to be tense. In
fact, you may find yourself with a very friendly
panel, who will go all out to make you feel as
comfortable as possible.
However, irrespective of the size and manner
of the panel you are faced with, what is
required of you is confidence and of course,
the appropriate answers to every question you
are asked. This part is what’s tricky.
So, in this post, we’d be looking at the simple
ways to answer 5 tricky questions you are
likely to get in your job interview.
1. Tell Me About Yourself.
This question seems very straightforward.
Usually, the first you’d be asked in an
interview. However, it is tricky because though
it sounds like an invitation to tell your life
story, it is not.
When asked the ‘tell me about yourself’
question, what the hiring panel is actually
asking you is to tell them about yourself, as it
pertains to the position you are applying for.
With this in mind, you should not begin to
share generic information about yourself, your
family or how many siblings you have. Rather,
you could start with your name, academic
qualifications, present skills and strengths,
previous experiences as well as future
professional aspirations. You should also feel
free to ask the interviewers for clarifications,
just in case there are specific information
they’d like to hear about.
Take this for instance:
Question: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Wrong Answer: Hmmn, where do I start? My
name is Oluwaseun. I was born in the late 80s
and currently married with 6 kids. …
Right Answer: My name is Oluwaseun, a
second-year master’s student of marketing
communications at the Lagos Business
School. Prior to pursing this degree, I worked
with the marketing and communications
department at Shell, where I developed and
honed my skills in copywriting and digital
marketing. This experience really piqued my
interest in this field and I look forward to an
opportunity to learn more and contribute to
your marketing communications department…
2. Where do you See Yourself in Five Years?
This question is tricky because you might be
tempted to say everything you see yourself
doing in five years and completely miss the
mark. Like the first question, your answer
should be much more professional than
personal. What the hiring panel really wants to
know is if you are going to stick with them
and if you are worth the investment of
training.
To answer this question, you could tell them
how you think the job will provide you with so
many opportunities, such that in 5 years,
you'd be in a particular position within the
organisation. You can also explain what value
you hope to have added as well as how you
could also have improved yourself
professionally in that time.
Take this for instance:
Question: Where do you see yourself in five
years?
Wrong Answer: In five years, I’d be a
millionaire, enjoying life. I’d have built a
house and would probably be the CEO of this
company …
Right answer: In five years, I hope to have
acquired a lot of knowledge in marketing
communications, as well as contributed
immensely to the growth of my department
and the company. I’m also looking forward to
eventually taking on additional managerial
responsibilities and possibly taking the lead
on some projects…
3. What is your Greatest Weakness?
Like the first two, this question is also very
tricky because you might be tempted to give
personal, instead of professional answers.
When asked this question, what interviewers
actually want to know is if or not you are
consciously aware of the areas you could
improve on. Your weakness does not have to
be present. It could be something that you’ve
already worked on, but say it anyway. I’d
advise that you think about this question
before the interview, so you don’t give a
generic answer or be at a loss of what to say.
No one would believe you if you say you have
no weakness.
To answer this question, start by mentioning
the weakness, how it poses a problem to your
work or career and how you’ve started to work
on improving.
Take this for instance:
Question: What is your greatest weakness?
Wrong answer: Hmmn, my greatest weakness
is to sleep. I could sleep all day…
Right answer: I used to have to have a
problem with time management and this
affected me every time I tried to multitask.
Currently, I’m working on this through the use
of certain time management tools.
4. What did you Hate About your Last Job?
This question is tricky because you might be
tempted to spill all the beans about why you
hated your boss, the work, the timing - all of
it! This is wrong, because as Kachi Tila-
Adesina puts it, the interviewers might already
begin to picture you sitting elsewhere and
literally dragging their name and their
organisation in the mud as well.’
To answer this question, start by saying how
beneficial the job was, before going to state
one or two things you could have changed, if
given the opportunity. Also, explain why you
think the role you are now applying for is a
better fit.
If you did not hate your last job, you can say
so. This response can also be adapted, just in
case you are asked why you are leaving your
current position.
Take this for instance:
Question: What did you hate about your last
job?
Wrong answer: Ooh, my boss! I hated my
boss! …
Right answer: Well, my last job did offer me
an opportunity to learn and grow in my
career. However, I think it would have been
better if such opportunity was granted in a
less hostile work environment... I believe that
working here would not just give me a better
opportunity to grow, but also a conducive and
comfortable work environment, which is very
important to growth.
5. How much are you looking to be paid?
Now, this question is tricky because well,
money is involved and while you don’t want to
short-change yourself, you wouldn’t want to
price yourself out of range either!
I know money is very important but when
asked this question, don’t jump at the
opportunity to scream ‘one million naira!’
Instead, you should have done your research
on the organisation you are coming into and
how much is standard for the role you are
applying for.
If you are aware of how much the company
really wants to hire you, say because of your
expertise and skills, you can negotiate your
salary right there. However, if this is not the
case, you’ll need to fall back on the
information you’ve gathered on what the
going rate is, for the position you’re being
interviewed for. In the worst case scenarios,
you can request to know more about the role’s
responsibilities and benefits packages. You
should also mention how you are willing to
discuss further when the time is right.
Take this for instance:
Question: How much are you looking to be
paid?
Wrong answer: I can’t take anything less than
‘One million naira’!
Right answer: That's a fair question. To
answer it properly, I'd need to know more
about the role’s responsibilities and benefits
package. I am quite confident that knowing
the reputation of the company, when the time
comes, any offer you make will be
competitive.”
There you have it, the simple ways to answer
tricky questions in your next job interview. Of
course, there are quite a lot more tricky
questions than I’ve listed.
Kindly share this post if you found it useful

*copied*
Meanwhile I need help with an appointment, B.Sc Economics, okaforendurance4@gmail.com *winkk*