8 Interview Questions You Need To Know and Prepare For
Prepare Your Answers In Advance
Most of us spend a great deal of time preparing a resume and cover letter. We want to make sure we look our best to someone who’s never seen us. It’s kind of like going to a business meeting where no one knows you: you must look sharp.
However, when that phone call comes in and, if you handle it well, then you have an interview set. From that moment, you have to prepare for that interview – just like preparing the resume and cover letter. This is something that I feel many people overlook. Yes you can prepare for an interview. No you won’t know all the questions that will be asked, but there is typically a few questions that every recruiter or company will want to know the answers to. I’ve listed eight of the most often asked questions.
Sit down and actually think about each question and decide on a very real answer. Don’t think up a good-sounding fake answer because it will not work. Be for real. Then rehearse those answers one by one until you can answer immediately when asked that question. The main reason for doing this is to become more comfortable for the interview. You won’t be as nervous because you will be ready. When you are comfortable, you show more confidence and recruiters look for that.
- Why did you leave your last job?
- What three things would you consider to be your strengths?
- What three things would you consider to be your weaknesses?
- What did you like the most about your last job?
- What did you like the least about your last job?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What are your goals for five years from now?
- What would you change about your last job?
Be very careful that your answers do not degrade your previous employer. This will kill an interview in a heartbeat – or at least your chances of getting hired. If you will bash your previous work or boss, then you will do the same at the next company and no one wants that.
For questions 2 & 3, think about what your former boss would say about you if she/he were asked those questions. There is nothing better that will help your chances of getting the job than uniformity of answers from you and your previous boss.
Question number 6 is designed for you to actually have to learn some facts about the company that you are interviewing for. You really need to know what the company does, how long they’ve been in business, etc.
Keep in mind also, that most of these questions are really designed to learn more about you as a person. The answers to these questions and how you answer them tells a great deal about your character and, to some extent, what your performance will be at a new company.
As I’ve said before, an ounce of theory and a pound of practice will get you ready for an interview. By knowing the answers to these questions and then practicing your answers until they become second nature will make you very comfortable in the interview.
Good Luck!
