| After spending hours perfecting your CV and polishing | | | | asset for the job in question. Another tactic is to pick a |
| your cover letter, the call you've been waiting for finally | | | | weakness that you have already addressed. You |
| comes: it is time to schedule an interview. Don't make | | | | could say that you struggle with organization skills but |
| the mistake of others who think the hard part is done. | | | | have developed a morning routine that allows you to |
| The most difficult part of the job hunt process isn't | | | | collect your thoughts and develop a plan for the day. |
| landing the interview, it's surviving the interview. Be | | | | Why did you leave your last job? This is one of the |
| prepared by knowing the most common interview | | | | common interview questions that will have a different |
| questions and the answers that will have them saying | | | | answer depending on your circumstances. If you left |
| 'you're hired.' | | | | your job voluntarily to pursue other interests, you can |
| Here are some of the most common interview | | | | simply explain that for your answer. However, if you |
| questions you'll face: | | | | were fired from your last job or left on poor terms |
| Tell me about yourself: Ok, so not all common | | | | with your employer, your answer will need a little more |
| interview questions are actually questions. Generally | | | | finessing. |
| asked at the start of an interview, this is your | | | | If you were fired, a reference check to your previous |
| opportunity to make a great first impression. For your | | | | employer will undoubtedly reveal the truth so don't |
| answer, you should have a one-minute 'elevator | | | | bother lying. Briefly explain that you were let go from |
| speech' ready to go. If you are not familiar with the | | | | your previous job but that you have learned from your |
| idea behind an elevator speech, envision that you get | | | | mistakes and are ready to move forward. Keep your |
| into an elevator with the person that can give you your | | | | explanation short and to the point. Above all, resist the |
| dream job. You have only as long as the elevator ride | | | | urge to speak badly about your former boss or |
| to convince the person to follow-up with you. | | | | employer. Nothing sends up a red flag faster than a |
| So what do you say? Most importantly, keep it | | | | prospective employee who appears angry and |
| concise and relevant. If you are interviewing for an | | | | vindictive. |
| engineering job, you don't need to explain that you | | | | Why do you want to work here? The obvious answer |
| cook Thai food for fun and once worked at the | | | | is to make money, but that's not the right answer. |
| carnival. Instead, briefly touch on your education, | | | | You'd be surprised how many people walk into an |
| previous work history and goals for the future. Tell the | | | | interview without thoroughly researching the company |
| interviewer what you can do for them. For example, if | | | | at which they are applying. As with other common |
| you have an extensive work history, emphasize that | | | | interview questions, the interviewer wants to know |
| you can begin work immediately with little training. The | | | | that you really understand the business and deserve |
| key is to sell yourself without sounding like you are | | | | to be a part of it. Does the company have a stellar |
| selling yourself. Practice your answer to this most | | | | reputation? Is it on the leading edge of innovation? Are |
| important of common interview questions with friends | | | | you excited about the product or service it offers? All |
| until what you say comes across sounding natural. | | | | these make excellent answers. |
| What are your weaknesses? Among common | | | | Before walking into an interview, you should be ready |
| interview questions, this can be a trick question. You | | | | to answer common interview questions. In addition, you |
| want to answer honestly, but you don't want to sink | | | | should feel confident enough in your abilities to talk |
| your chances by giving the interviewer a reason to | | | | freely and naturally throughout the interview. The key |
| pass you by. Stating that you have trouble getting up in | | | | is to practice, practice, practice. Enlist a friend to role |
| the morning and are chronically late is would not be a | | | | play and ask common interview questions. Then work |
| good way to answer this question. | | | | on your answers until they are second-nature. And |
| Determine a weakness that can be turned into a | | | | then walk into your interview knowing that you are |
| positive for this job. For example, if you are applying | | | | ready to make a great impression and land that dream |
| for a job that requires detailed work, you can say that | | | | job. |
| you are a perfectionist which may actually be an | | | | |