| There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers, a | | | | can make you appear overqualified or boring. Give |
| college professor of mine used to say. | | | | some details, then ask if more are needed. |
| That certainly is true when you're interviewing for a | | | | When asked about your weaknesses, don't reveal |
| job. Some of the questions interviewers ask may | | | | serious flaws. Talk about a fairly old weakness that |
| seem weird. But they're not stupid; they're probably | | | | has been fixed. Another tactic is to discuss a |
| designed to uncover specific details. You must know | | | | weakness positively ("I suppose that my standards are |
| the inside secrets to answer job interview questions | | | | so high that I get impatient with people who don't do |
| with the response interviewers are looking for in their | | | | their part.") Explain what you're doing to overcome the |
| next employee. | | | | problem. |
| If you want the job, think ahead about how you'll | | | | Answer questions about education and extracurricular |
| answer the most likely queries. Here is some advice: | | | | activities by mentioning achievements, leadership and |
| Know what interviewers want. Most are looking for | | | | how your studies relate to this job. |
| knowledge, enthusiasm, confidence, energy, | | | | Answer questions about past work experience, |
| dependability, honesty and pride in work. | | | | responsibilities and accomplishments in terms of results, |
| Know yourself. Do some soul searching on paper | | | | growth and expanding duties. |
| about your finest accomplishments and how they | | | | Answer job interview questions about being out of |
| affect your career, your most significant failures and | | | | work or job-hopping by revealing resilience and ability |
| what you've learned from them, how well you work | | | | to handle adversity. You could say you were unlucky |
| with authorities and others, how others would describe | | | | in some jobs, you're taking time to find the right job, |
| you. | | | | you've had difficulty clarifying career goals but are |
| Also know your strongest skills, areas of knowledge | | | | focused now or that you've moved around to broaden |
| and personality traits, favorite job tasks and | | | | your experience. |
| weaknesses. | | | | Don't mention interests or activities that could cause |
| Be ready for what The Killer Question. "Tell me a little | | | | friction and have nothing to do with the job. |
| about yourself." Prepare an honest, 60 to 90 second | | | | When asked situational questions (What would you do |
| speech, including a brief introduction to yourself, your | | | | if) give answers that show a grasp of reality. Don't try |
| key accomplishments, your strengths as demonstrated | | | | to appear a savior. |
| by your accomplishments, the importance of those | | | | Never say "no" when asked if you have questions. |
| strengths and accomplishments to the employer and | | | | Prepare a long list ahead of time about the job, |
| how you could grow in the job. | | | | co-workers, success factors, your predecessor, the |
| Answer only what is asked for. Too much information | | | | company's future and the interviewer's background. |