| Now that you have graduated from college, you must | | | | blatant lie. Instead give an example of a conflict that |
| be proud of your achievement. How on earth did you | | | | you have encountered and give solutions that you |
| manage to pass your exams with flying colours? You | | | | have taken to solve it. Interviewers want a matured, |
| anticipate what were the questions asked in the exam | | | | logical and if possible an out-of-the-box solution. |
| right? The same goes to job interviews. | | | | Obviously do not say that you wanted to fight or take |
| As part of the job interview skills, you would need to | | | | any immature action, as that only serves to |
| know what the questions that could be asked. This is | | | | demonstrate that you do not have any conflict |
| because knowing is winning half the battle. | | | | resolution skills. |
| 1) Tell me about yourself | | | | 7) What is your biggest weakness? |
| This question does not permit you to tell everything | | | | Do not say the trite "I am a workaholic" because it will |
| about yourself. You don't need to tell the interviewer | | | | not impress your interviewer, who will see through the |
| how you were born but the best qualities that make | | | | answer, unless you genuinely are a workaholic and |
| you the cream of the crop. Just outline the key points | | | | can prove it to them. Instead tell the interviewer one of |
| that are relevant to your personal characteristics like | | | | your subtle weaknesses such as being disorganised |
| being committed, enthusiastic, team worker and use | | | | and tell him/her how you are solving it currently such |
| personal life examples like your sports or hobbies, or | | | | as by having an organiser. This is a great opportunity |
| social charity interest to demonstrate your personal | | | | to let them know that you are still undertaking personal |
| attributes. | | | | and professional development training as well. |
| 2) Why should I hire you? | | | | 8) How would your professors describe you? |
| Reply by asserting that you are the best person for | | | | This question requires a bit of planning as you never |
| this job and give reasons to back up this claim. Show | | | | know whether the interviewer will ask for a reference |
| your passion and enthusiasm when answering this | | | | from the professor you have just quoted. So, prepare |
| question. Give examples of where you achieved your | | | | a game plan by approaching a professor with whom |
| goals and or contributed to the success of a team or | | | | you are in good terms with and get a reference letter |
| organizational activity. | | | | to support your quotation. Do this in advance. Then |
| 3) Please tell me about your future objectives. | | | | you can summarise what you know your reference |
| Most people are caught off guard here because not | | | | will tell them. It also serves to help you learn a bit about |
| everyone has fully planned out their career path. But it | | | | yourself as you may learn something new about |
| is important that you show that you have thought out | | | | yourself or your skills from discussing this with your |
| your life goals enough to at least know what you | | | | Professor. |
| would like to be working at in 5 years time. Put it in a | | | | 9) What are the qualities that a manager should |
| way that shows you have ambition, and want to | | | | possess? |
| further develop your skills within the organization. This is | | | | Remember the two key points which are Leadership |
| a fundamental question you need to have a slick | | | | and Vision. Elaborate on these two points by giving |
| answer for to have good job interview skills. | | | | solid points to back it up. You can also tell the |
| 4) Has your education prepared you for your career? | | | | interviewer your idol or mentor who have contributed |
| State how your education has trained you towards | | | | in imparting his/her skills to you. If you don't have |
| the necessary skills needed for the job and give | | | | personal mentors that you look up to, mention that you |
| examples to support this claim. Give examples of how | | | | read about and study the leadership qualities and life |
| your training has been applied in practical experience | | | | stories of top leaders autobiographies you are reading, |
| within and organization you worked in or volunteered in. | | | | or the latest management book on the best sellers list, |
| 5) Have you been a team player? | | | | to show that you take your leadership professional |
| Everyone will reply yes but lack the proof needed to | | | | development training seriously. You will impress with |
| back it up. Tell the interviewer how you helped your | | | | your job interview skills if you can answer this question |
| team during your college years on winning a certain | | | | with a well considered answer. |
| competition or other examples that emphasizes your | | | | 10) If you can turn back time, what would you like to |
| quality as a team player. This does not have to be | | | | see change? |
| only in sports, it can be working within any Club or | | | | Try to prepare something that relates to your career |
| Committee that you are a member of. | | | | or vocation. Don't be negative. It is not an opportunity |
| 6) Did you encounter any conflict with your previous | | | | to talk about all the regrets of your life or love-life. If |
| professors or employer? What are the steps that you | | | | the interviewer wishes to press further, be careful not |
| have taken to resolve this issue? | | | | to divulge too much in your personal life. Just keep it |
| This is a classic question that you need to be well | | | | professional and positive in outlook. |
| rehearsed for with a coach to learn excellent job | | | | Equipping yourself with these job interview skills should |
| interview skills. When posed with this question, do not | | | | garner you with a prospective chance in securing the |
| reply that you never had a conflict because this is a | | | | job because knowing is winning half the battle. |