Talking about recruitment process, one of the most important parts that affects the candidates and also the employers’ decision making would probably be the Interview Session. Lots of people make a mistake here by ignoring preparing the answer for the popular interview questions. It’s better to know how to answer properly to each question that you are surely be asked. You will be less nervous; but more confident on your answer. The answers are logical and flow smoothly. At the same time, the interviewers will know that you pay attention and put your effort to get this job. Today, I have some tricks to answer these 10 most popular interview questions that enhance your chance of getting a job.
INTERVIEW
1. Tell Me about Yourself
This becomes the classic question that most companies use to open the interview. The key to answer this question is making it “short and sharp”. Remember to tell information of yourself that specific to the work. For example, your past work experience will be the wise answer that the interviewers wish to get from this question. It could show what you’ve learned from the past work experience, what are your strengths, and what could be your opportunity.
2. Why Should We Hire You?
Most people find it difficult to answer this question. However; this question is considered as your great opportunity to stand out from the crowd if you are well-prepared. You have to research the job description for the position and show that you are qualified to the requirements and you are the perfect candidate for it. You need to show your success that could fill their specific need.
3. What Is Your Greatest Strength?
Remember to take this opportunity to show your most impressive success story. What you have to answer is the strength of yourself that related and crucial to the position you apply for. Do not say something that is not related to the job. For example, you apply for a programmer analyst; but you tell your greatest strength is you are good at cooking. The more preferable answer would be “I have high responsibility”. This could be a cue that supports the characteristics of a good programmer.
4. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
This question is easy to answer if you know the way to deal with it. Remember that you should tell the weakness of yourself that could be improved in short time. Don’t dare to say a weakness that is a core competency of the job. For example, you say that you’re always late. Punctuality is surely one of the criteria that could define your responsibility. There is no employer would prefer the one who always late.
5. Why Do You Want To Work For Us?
The best way to answer this question is that you have to first assure yourself whether you really want to work at this company, then you can show them that you want to be a part of the company and willing to contribute the full commitment. You can talk about what you like about this company and how they related to you value and belief.
6. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
This can be divided into two cases. The first case is you were fired. The second case is you left voluntarily. If you were fired, you have to be honest and explain what you learn from your experience. You can mention something like “downsizing” if it is true. Do not lie. In the second case, if you voluntarily left, you can say something like “I want a new challenge because it could enhance my ability and skill.” or you can say the positive characteristics of the company you apply for. DO NOT HAVE A BIG MOUTH. You cannot talk bad about your latest company because the employer will find it insecure to hire you.
7. What motivates you?
The interviewers want to know what you value and how you would fit with their team. It could help you and the team match each other at the first stage. You can think of things that could give you power or enthusiasm to do your job. The employer will consider whether the company could offer things related to your value or it just couldn’t be matched. Remember to give an example of your work experience or activities. The examples of good answers are “I love working as a team” and “I’m motivated by new challenges”.
8. Describe a Difficult Work Situation and What You Did To Overcome It
First of all, you have to select the successful story. Do not mention the one that you couldn’t deal with. You have to show that you are not afraid of failure; in the meantime, you can overcome it with success. We recommend you to try to show your positive attitude and healthy problem-solving methods that you used. Again, do not talk bad about anyone that leaded you to the difficult situation.
9. Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?
This question has become one of the most popular interview questions. Also, it is one of the most difficult questions to answer. The interviewers may want to know how well you organize your life to achieve your goals, or they just want to test how intelligent you are. The good answers have to be balanced between your ambition and your commitment to the company. You can divide the answer into two parts. The first part, you should focus on the commitment to the company. Be enthusiastic! Most of employers love energetic employees rather than those who are inactive. The second part, you can talk about your future or long-term goal based on reality. Remember to make the two parts related and logical.
10. Do You Have Any Questions For Me?
Do not say “No, that’s all”. You must prepare at least one question to make it two-way communication. The question could allow you to stand out of the crowd. You should focus on the question that implies you’re knowledgeable or the commitment you want to contribute to the company. The example of this question is “In your opinion, what is the key to be successful in this position”. Do not ask something negative, like, “Do we have to work on Saturday?” The company may not require or expect you to work on Saturday; but the interviewers will surely question on your commitment to the company.
To sum up, it’s better to research on what you will be asked and prepare yourself beforehand; because this could show many things that could be one of the criteria that the company considers to hire you. The thing you have to make sure is “Do not remember”. You can prepare yourself; but don’t remember every single sentence that you are going to say. What you should remember is the concept of the answers and talk by heart so that you can talk naturally and it could show your sincerity to the interviewers. Good luck on your successful interview! If you need more advices for the successful interview, please contact us Vanness Plus Consulting, a professional team providing counsels conducted by successful experiences and guaranteed results,hr@vannessplus.com, marisa.m@vannessplus.com.