How to formulate answers to common, tough interview questions and ace any interview.
The best defense for any job applicant is to prepare for an interview
well in advance by anticipating tough questions and preparing answers
that focus on how he or she can contribute to the employer and why he or
she is the best candidate for the job.The Function of a Job Interview
The whole point of a job interview is not just to evaluate an applicant’s skills and accomplishments, but also to ensure applicants are a good “fit” for the company. Interviewers also want to see how applicants react in high pressure situations.Interviewers focus on certain types of questions to elicit as much information as possible from the applicant. Most questions also have an underlying purpose and answers often tell the interviewer more than the applicant may assume.
Preparing Answers for Tough Interview Questions
Here are some suggestions for how to answer difficult questions:1. Tell me about yourself:
Applicants should prepare a one to two minute description of themselves that illustrates their potential value to the employer. They should give relevant information about their academic, technical and professional background that illustrates the contribution they can make to the company (e.g. “For the past four years I have focused on preparing myself for a career in... by....”).
2. What is your greatest strength?
Applicants should avoid giving any obvious answers, but rather give concrete examples and evidence (e.g. “My previous supervisor said...”).
3. What is your greatest weakness?
It is again best to avoid an obvious answer like “I’m a perfectionist”. Rather, applicants should choose a weakness that is not too serious and won’t affect their performance on the job. They should leave the interviewer with a positive thought by de-emphasising the weakness and focussing on what they are doing to overcome the weakness.
4. What are your salary expectations?
Applicants should research expected salary ranges for the position and request what they think they are worth within that range. They should back up their answers by drawing attention to their qualifications and experience.
5. Why do you want to work for us?
This question gives applicants a chance to illustrate what they know about the company. Applicants should give specific reasons related to what they know about the employer and what genuinely interests them about the company. Applicants should focus on what they can contribute, rather than what they can get out of the job/company.
6. Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?
Applicants should not identify specific positions, but rather indicate areas in which they want to improve their professional skills and where they see themselves increasing their level of responsibility.
7. Abstract questions
The interviewer is testing whether applicants can think on their feet. It is best to think carefully and respond with an answer – regardless of what one comes up with, anything is better than “I have no idea.” Applicants should then briefly explain their choice.
8. Behavior based questions
Applicants should think about and prepare examples from their academic, professional and social lives that illustrate where they have shown leadership, dealt with a conflict, failed and succeeded. These "stories" can be applied to many behaviour based questions. Applicants should always try and illustrate how they showed initiative, and they should ensure that they focus on a positive outcome. Applicants should prepare an answer that describes the situation, what action they took and what the result was.
Best Wishes For Your Next Interview........ :)
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