| When preparing for your next job interview, | | | | "I don't speak a second language," or "when I |
| you'll want to have top-notch answers to the | | | | start a project, I can't focus on anything |
| 8 most common interview questions. These | | | | else until I get it done." This shows that |
| answers provide a guideline to follow, and | | | | you are dedicated and hard working. You |
| the most important thing to do is be yourself | | | | never want to truly bash yourself when |
| when answering these common interview | | | | answering this common interview question. |
| questions. The sincerity that will come | | | | That isn't the point. Making a positive seem |
| through will do more to impress the | | | | negative is the trick. |
| interviewer than anything you have to say. | | | | |
| | | | 5. What is the most important thing to you |
| Given that, here are the 8 most common | | | | in a job? |
| interview questions: | | | | |
| | | | If there is something really important for |
| 1. Tell me about yourself. | | | | you to have in a job, be honest and say it. |
| | | | Remember, a job interview is a tool to reveal |
| Perhaps this the most famous and common | | | | the best fit for the company. If something |
| interview question of all interview | | | | is really important to you that the company |
| questions. "Tell me about yourself" is the | | | | doesn't offer, it is best to reveal it now. |
| gateway to just about anything you wish to | | | | Out of all the common interview questions, |
| say. When asked the question, the | | | | this is the one where you really need to |
| interviewer doesn't want to know where you | | | | follow your instincts. |
| were born or what color your hair is. This | | | | |
| question prompts you to show the interviewer | | | | 6. What are you career goals? |
| why you are qualified for this job. Your | | | | |
| answer may reveal some of your greatest | | | | Employers ask this interview question because |
| achievements or how your past experience | | | | they want to see what positions you might |
| might relate to the job you are applying for. | | | | grow into if you were hired. The company may |
| | | | be looking for a candidate they can groom |
| 2. Why would I hire you? | | | | into their next Senior VP. However, if you |
| | | | are only looking for a job to cover you for |
| For this common interview question, you need | | | | the next couple of years, it might not be the |
| to realize that the better answer you give, | | | | best match. |
| the easier it is for the employer -- It's up | | | | |
| to you to give the employer a reason to hire | | | | 7. Do you have any questions for me? |
| you. This is a great time to tell the | | | | |
| interviewer about any past work experience | | | | Do your research ahead of time and if you |
| that is relevant to the job you are applying | | | | truly have a question, ask it. When you ask |
| for. You might say, "When I was working at | | | | legitimate, relevant questions, you show the |
| my previous job, I did (fill in with specific | | | | interviewer you put in time to research |
| duty or responsibility). I feel that this | | | | beforehand. However, don't ever ask |
| experience will allow me to excel at this | | | | questions just to ask questions or to look |
| position I am applying for." This helps the | | | | good. The interviewer will sense your lack of |
| interviewer picture you in the position, and | | | | authenticity right away and that may hurt |
| is a great answer to this common interview | | | | your chances. Make the time to think of an |
| question. | | | | intelligent question about the job before |
| | | | hand. You may ask, "what is a typical day |
| 3. What are you strengths? | | | | like for this position?" You can also ask, |
| | | | "What opportunity for advancement does this |
| The first thing you should do is figure out | | | | position have?" |
| 2-3 things about yourself that you really | | | | |
| like about yourself and elaborate. This | | | | 8. Why did you leave your last job? |
| should put you in good shape to answer this | | | | |
| commonly asked interview question. Always | | | | Whatever the reason was, tell the story of |
| support your strength with a real-life | | | | why is was mutually beneficial for you to |
| example. For example, you may say you are | | | | leave the company. Never blurt out, "I got |
| dedicated. You should back this up with the | | | | fired," and end it at that. It makes you |
| time at your last job where you had an | | | | look bad and can even make the interviewer |
| important project due and worked extra hours | | | | feel uncomfortable. Prepare an honest story |
| to make sure it got done, for instance. Now | | | | with a logical reason that doesn't reveal too |
| the interviewer has better insight into your | | | | much personal information or company gossip. |
| work ethic and how you conduct yourself in | | | | If you did get fired, you can use this as an |
| pressure situations. | | | | opportunity to discuss what you lessons you |
| | | | learned and what you would now do |
| 4. What are your weaknesses? | | | | differently. |
| | | | |
| When answering this common interview | | | | Now you have top-notch answers to the 8 most |
| question, you always want to give an answer | | | | common interview questions. Keep practicing |
| that isn't really a weakness. You may say, | | | | your answers and nail your next interview! |