Top 10 Interview Questions with Tips on How to Answer
1. Can you tell me something about yourself?
This can be the most threatening part of any job employment interview. It
need not be. The glass is half full or half empty as they say.
This is a real test of your skills and talents. Never mind the
professionally tailored resume that got you into the door for the interview.
Speak of your skills , talents and hobbies that would be of great benefit to the
employer.
2. What are your strengths?
Target market your answer so speak. Be specific on how your
strengths can help the organization. And in more than one way and manner
3. What are your weaknesses?
It is all a matter of
degree. If you spent time in prison for bank robbery it is not a good idea
to mention this. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Then again
it is a matter of perception as well as degree. You may have computer and
computer diagnostic skills and find that mean and very stupid people take
advantage of your time and even do not pay you for you products or services .
Is it a weakness to try to be helpful in life and as well a weakness to
share relevant and helpful skills and information ? Only a very stupid
person would never admit that they have faults and weaknesses. The
smartest person is one who knows that everyone else is more gifted or
knowledgeable in one or more fields than they themselves.
4. How do you handle
stress/pressure?
Some companies have a type of interviews where in a group of interviewers ask
you a set of questions. Some interviewers purposely stir up emotional responses
by asking questions in a challenging manner. Their purpose is to find out how
you handle the stress.
Remember in most cases a job well done is a job well done. You can only do one thing at a time. Prioritization is the key.
What is the most important task at the moment. Sure changing oil on your car might be a good idea but not when your house is burning down. You may have a person complain that you are too slow at a task. "It took my friend 20 minutes to install windows on a computer." When you answer that this is physically impossible it turns out that " Come to think of it we had a few drinks"
5. What do you know about our company?
These are the days of shared information on the internet.
If you do not know more than even the interviewer then you have not prepared for
the interview. Ideally at least 80 % of the work is done offsite. If
you do not have research skills - ask.
It never hurts to ask lassie. If you do not know the meaning of a word ask. For example if you not the meaning of the word
"arbitrary" , it never hurts to ask the meaning of a new word. Ask the librarian or a person at the local job employment board on how to conduct basic research . At the end of the day if you know more than you started with in the morning then it is a good day after all.
6. Why do you want to work in our company?
If you were asked about this question, the first thing that would come into your
mind would be “Because you have a job opening”. Well, those are clear answers
but it won’t give you additional points on your interview. Those kinds of
answers might sound sarcastic and may possibly annoy the interviewer.
The point of asking this question is to determine whether you have an idea about
where you want to work or you’re just applying to any company that has a job
opening.
Having a brief research on a company before your interview can help you to stand
out as a competent applicant. It would be helpful if you can think of some
reasons about what you can contribute to the company.
7. Why do you want to leave your
current job?
This is always the best test of both you and the interviewer as well as their corporate culture. Obviously if you are looking for another job you are not happy with the job. True if you think the company is the best in the world and you find that " you just cannot get ahead", then that is a point why you are not 100 % happy in the situation.
The next major point is that any comments you make in a negative sense on your employer reflect poorly on you not the employer. Do not say anything bad of your current employer. If you are really pushed at the worst point that " You are currently employed by firm x. Nobody and nothing in life is perfect. You are here for the job interview in order to seek another job. What can you contribute to the firm ? Your current employer deserves the same level of loyalty , privacy and confidently as the firm that is interviewing you".
If the interviewer is insulted by a lack of an answer to this question and / or
insults your current employer - then take more than note. You may well of
saved yourself a fair amount of wasted effort at a poor place to work. Why
jump from the frying pan into the fire ?
8. What can you contribute to our
company?
Tell them your qualities that are related to the position you are applying for.
Give them some ways in which you can help the company grow and be productive by
sharing your thoughts and ideas. Show them your dedication and your willingness
to be a part of the company.
9. Why should the company hire you?
Basically, this question is about selling yourself. Just like the first
question, telling something about your self. Develop a sales statement and be
more detailed as much as you can. Tell them something about what makes you
unique and what you can contribute to the company. Think of your qualities you
have to offer that match on what the employer is looking for.
In answering this question, you should focus on your career-advancement goals
that are related with the job you are applying for.
The only funny part of
the whole exercise is that none of these questions will be asked after you are
hired. All of these questions are taken out of the same book. No
originality here. If you do encounter an interviewer asks new and unique
questions of merit take more than note. This may well be well be an
excellent employer and organization to work for .
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