| So you have been invited to a Job Interview? Well | | | | You will need to prepare for this typical job interview |
| done! You are halfway to finding your dream job. The | | | | question far in advance in order to ensure that you are |
| next step in the job hunting process is preparing for | | | | comfortable discussing the employers company. Don't |
| the interview itself. After being invited to a job | | | | be a know it all, you are talking with someone who |
| interview candidates need to knuckle down and | | | | may have been part of the company for several |
| practice ahead of time to knock the interview process | | | | years and will know greater detail that you will. Never |
| out the park. | | | | argue about details and be open to correction should |
| It is vital that you have prepared answers for | | | | you have interpreted research information incorrectly. |
| frequently asked questions that you may be asked to | | | | When answering the reason for you wanting to join |
| answer. Frequently asked job interview questions are | | | | their establishment specify what interests you about |
| used to establish whether or not the job seeker does | | | | the industry or company and how you feel you could |
| indeed possess the required skills set and experience | | | | contribute to its longevity. Express admiration and |
| relevant to the job vacancy. | | | | respect for the company and include an explanation |
| Familiarise yourself with typical job interview questions | | | | as to what value you feel you will be able to bring to |
| as well as prepare appropriate answers to these | | | | the company that other candidates may not be able |
| questions in order to secure the ideal position. Common | | | | to. Try to get a good understanding of the company's |
| interview questions are also asked for further insight | | | | objective as well as their vision and mission and how |
| into your personality, ability to integrate into a new | | | | you plan on sustaining this or improving on it, based on |
| team as well as your business ethics and values. | | | | your relevant skills and attributes. |
| There is no specific structure in which such questions | | | | Describe a short term goal you have set for yourself |
| are administered, be sure to go though the following list | | | | and how you intend on achieving this goal? |
| of frequently asked job interview questions and | | | | A short term goal generally falls within a one to two |
| answers to best prepare for your job interview. | | | | year delivery period. The goals that you describe |
| INTERVIEWER QUESTION: Tell me about yourself? | | | | should be career focussed, based on areas where |
| Job Seeker Response: | | | | you would like to improve on a skill or achieve a |
| Although your first instinct might be to start by | | | | qualification that will boost your career growth. When |
| describing your interests and hobbies, remember | | | | answering to how you intend on achieving these goals |
| where you are. You are in a job interview with the | | | | to the employer, never leave a door closed. |
| sole purpose of being hired. The information that you | | | | Opportunity and drive is your number one objective in |
| should detail when asked this question is to begin by | | | | order to achieve any goal and this is why your |
| describing yourself in a work situation. Prepare a | | | | explanation needs to be realistic and attainable within |
| summary of your work experience as well as your | | | | this short period. By displaying your enthusiasm and |
| career achievements. Briefly detail your education | | | | desire to succeed, this will indicate to the employer that |
| accomplishments as well as any other accomplishment | | | | you are a motivated and inspired employee. |
| or transferable skills that are relevant to the job | | | | Where do you see yourself in five years? |
| vacancy. Only once you have discussed information | | | | When answering this typical job interview question |
| that is specific to the available position, should you then | | | | stay focussed on career goals and aspirations. |
| give a short explanation about your interests and | | | | Potential employers don't want to hear about your |
| character traits. | | | | plans to 'Take over their company' nor your desire to |
| INTERVIEWER QUESTION: Describe your working | | | | become a pro golfer. Keep these career aspirations |
| experience? | | | | realistic and attainable within a 5 year period. Discuss |
| Job Seeker Response: | | | | ways in which you anticipate attaining your career |
| Study your CV prior to your job interview and identify | | | | goals as well as steps you have already taken to |
| areas of your work experience that is specifically | | | | reach these career goals. |
| relevant to the job that you are being interviewed for. | | | | What are you looking for in a job? |
| Search the job advert itself for hints and traces of | | | | This may seem like an easy common interview |
| details about what it is the employer is hoping to find in | | | | question to answer, it is in fact a tricky job interview |
| the ideal Job Seeker. Your answer should be concise | | | | question. While the interviewer is asking you what you |
| and relevant; the recruiter has already seen your | | | | are looking for in a job, in actual fact they want you to |
| Curriculum Vitae and already has a good idea of your | | | | answer with what they are looking for from you. Again |
| experience. Try to get the recruiter to specify what | | | | when preparing for this question, be sure to have the |
| areas they would like you to discuss so as to avoid | | | | job ad close at hand in order to assess in precise |
| digressing off the topic with long winded explanations. | | | | detail what the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. |
| The reason why the recruiter is asking this question | | | | Answer this question the way you think the |
| even after having seen your CV application is | | | | interviewer wants you to answer it, by describing |
| because they want to hear how you would describe | | | | desires that the job you have applied for will be able to |
| your experience verbally and to ensure that your | | | | deliver to the candidate. |
| verbal explanation is consistent with the information | | | | What are your salary requirements? |
| detailed in your CV. | | | | Prepare ahead of time prior to your job interview on |
| INTERVIEWER QUESTION: What are your strengths | | | | how you intend on answering this question. A good |
| and weaknesses? | | | | place to start is to research the industry standard or |
| Job Seeker Response: | | | | market related salary that employees in similar roles |
| Although this question may seem as though you | | | | are earning. Generally this information can be found on |
| should answer with a positive answer for your | | | | the internet or alternatively recruitment agents will be |
| strengths and a negative for your weaknesses, try to | | | | able to give you a good indication of your market |
| give two positive answers. When discussing your | | | | related salary. In your interview, try not to discuss |
| strengths highlight roughly three positive attributes or | | | | exact figures but rather give a ball park figure that you |
| strengths that specifically apply to the available post | | | | will be able to negotiate on later on should the |
| based on what you consider to be the recruiter's | | | | employer makes you an offer. Never discuss your |
| specific requirements. When indicating your | | | | salary goals unless asked by the interviewer. |
| weaknesses, never detail a character defect or poor | | | | Do you have any questions? |
| performance areas that have no opportunity to be | | | | When asked if you have any questions about the role |
| improved on. Rather, try to explain where you identified | | | | or the organisation, always have a few questions |
| a problem area where you were able to remedy this | | | | prepared to ask the interviewer. By asking the |
| and explain how you did so. | | | | interviewer well thought out and relevant questions, |
| JOB SEEKER RESPONSES: Most common and | | | | Job Seekers display eagerness and a keen interest in |
| typical job interview questions | | | | joining the organisation. As with the other typically |
| How do you deal with conflict or criticism? | | | | asked job interview questions, research and prepare |
| Always answer this frequently asked question with a | | | | some typical interview questions for the recruiter. You |
| positive approach. Explain where you may have | | | | will find tons of content and guidelines to assist in |
| experienced conflict in the workplace in the past and | | | | preparing ahead of time to ask the interviewer and |
| how you dealt with it. Explain in a positive light, how you | | | | display your interest in the company as well as joining |
| managed this conflict and what you learnt from the | | | | the team. |
| experience. The job interviewer is looking to identify | | | | As mentioned before there are no set structures to |
| areas where you may experience a problem when | | | | any job interview and every interview will be |
| working with difficult personalities and how well you | | | | completely unique and different to your last. Preparing |
| handle negative situations and reverse them into | | | | in advance and familiarising yourself with frequently |
| positive ones. Never say never and always be open | | | | asked job interview questions will give you the |
| to the idea that you are willing and able to learn from | | | | confidence you require in order to outshine any other |
| each working experience - whether positive or | | | | candidate by emphasising your skills and |
| negative. | | | | accomplishment relevant to the job. Try to relax and |
| What do you know about our company and why do | | | | remember to be yourself and the very best of luck in |
| you want to work here? | | | | securing your dream job. |