How to suck every common job interview question

Experts share the best responses of job interviews that will help you be hired.


That you apply for a Wait for the staff position At the restaurant at the corner of the street where you compete in a concert at the top of the corporate scale, there are a few basic questions that you can expect from any job interview. And while we can't tell you Exactly What to say - that, of course, depends on your experience and your individual history - we can give you the basic formulas to help you nail each question. To help, we asked the business coaches and hiring managers how to answer each question of current job interview, "what are your weaknesses?" To "What is your dream work?" Read the rest for the best answers that will help you be hired.

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"Tell me a little more about you."

male recruiter shaking female applicant's hand during job interview
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This is the question of ultimate openness, which means you have to nail it. So keep things short, sweet and memorable with a concise response of 90 seconds, Denise Dudley ,, business consultant and author of Work it! Enter, get noticed, be promoted , recommended .

"Briefly mention your personal and professional history," she said. "But don't waste time reciting what's in your curriculum vitae."

Instead, use this question to make a first high energy impression.

"As soon as possible, get started in your dazzling range of killer attributes," advises Dudley. "You like challenges. You are prosperous in crazy deadlines. You are a problem of problems, a peacekeeper or a natural leader. Wow your interviewer with palpable energy and perceptible enthusiasm."

"What are your strong points?"

young interviewee talking about her strengths during interview
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Although it may seem uncomfortable to start boasting with all your might, "the interviewers expect you to get your things, so it's not the time to be humble or self-employed", warns Dudley.

So, with what should you lead?

"The old standbys are always the most popular forces: an ability to work well with others (colleagues, customers, bosses), organizational skills, self-directing and leadership skills- in this order", says- She.

At the same time, do not waste precious time to boast the forces that do not relate to work.

"Every minute of the job interview is a precious real estate, in terms of sale yourself, then associate your forces with the forces that the interviewer probably seeks," notes Dudley. "Your talent for the debate is completely out of course for your career as an executive assistant."

"What are your weaknesses?"

Young businesswoman and her male coworker analyzing reports while working in the office. Copy space.
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You know you are not perfect, just like your interviewer. That said, don't throw yourself under the bus on it.

"If you say that you are not good with the figures and that you interview for an accounting position, we have a problem," Tim toterhi ,, chief Executive Officer , founder of the intrigue leadership and author of The HR guide to obtain and crush your dream work , actions.

But it is also important that you are not trying the question either entirely the question, according to Toterhi.

"If you say something like:" I am a perfectionist "or" I try too much ", you will have a jet of the eyes," he warns. "Be honest and strategic. Choose something that makes an accessory part of the role, explain that you have received comments on weakness, then, above all, tell me how you will repair it."

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"Why are you interested in working here?"

male candidate giving an answer to a question during a job interview
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I hope you TO DO You want to work in the company, which means you can give an authentic and enthusiastic answer to this question. (And if you can't, you may want to reconsider your motivations.)

"I always tell my candidates to do research on the company, then I use relevant news or the press to say why they want to work there", " Rona Borre , founder and CEO of recruitment agency Instant alliance, tells Better life .

"I also recommend saying something about the description of work or the publication that has encouraged you to apply. Even if you apply for dozens of jobs, something was cut about it that made you submit Your curriculum vitae, "she adds. "Take a little time and develop an answer to this question. Even if it is never requested, it is a great way to conclude the interview to show your excitement for the role."

"Tell me about a recent challenge you have faced and how you have overcome it."

woman listening to interviewee answering a question about his challenges
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Whether you are a storyteller born or not, you have to tell a story for this question. Fortunately, there is a simple formula to make sure you hit all your points from the plot.

"Think of the star approach: situation, task, action and result", " Matthew W. Burr ,, Human Resources Consultant At Burr Consulting, LLC.

Browse the interviewer through a quick sentence or two for each point and make sure to include as much details as possible (if there are data or other type of positive comments that you have received that could help you illustrate Your success, you will certainly want to include that). A strong answer to this question could help move your application up of the battery.

"Tell me about a recent achievement."

Interview, human resources and meeting with business people, conversation and hiring with b2b and recruitment. Woman HR manager, man and communication, networking and onboarding with collaboration
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Your response to "tell me about a recent achievement" must also be supervised as a story.

"As a recruitment manager, I want to see that you have faced a challenge, taken measures and that your efforts have provided results," said Toterhi.

"[The accomplishment you discuss] can be an example of work, volunteering or even school," he continues. "Size and scope will change during your career. What I am looking for is a model of thought and action."

"What is your dream job?"

Young woman in a meeting with coworkers at the office
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Do you apply for a job in advertising, but do you want to be a magician? In this case, honesty is not the best policy. Don't get up.

Instead, "think of a job that could be obtained with the skills you develop or the relationships you establish in this work," recommends Borre.

"In my opinion, unless you say that you are looking to play the role of the interviewer in five years, you can't get too high," she said. "As an employer, I want ambitious employees and this question allows me to know what they hope to achieve and how I can motivate them at best. Always try to bind to the answer to something that will be relevant to the work or industry you interview with. ""

"Why do you leave your job current?"

Man on a job interview in small home office
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Supervise your answer to this question as evolving towards an opportunity rather than far from a less than desirable situation. And whatever you do, don't hit your current employer.

"Even if many interviewers are authentically interested in the reason why you are looking for a new job, they also want to see where you are going with your answer," shares Dudley. "This question helps them know your temperament and if you can answer a difficult question without embarking on a negative rant."

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"What do you think we could do better?"

woman answer job interview question
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As a foreigner, you do not know much about the processes and challenges within the company you apply. So, instead of reciting a half -informed laundry list which, in your opinion, could be improved, gently tackle this question.

"I suggest starting with something positive, even if you don't ask you," Jaime Petkanics , founder of Job search blog The preparation, suggests. "For example:" I think the company is doing very well, it's x - and one thing that, I think, could make even more impact is Y. ""

If you get the work, there will be a lot of time for honesty dull.

"What can you give us that no one else can?"

female employee in suit is smiling during the job interview.
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There is no unique answer to this question, which means that it is an excellent opportunity to let your passion and your enthusiasm pass. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"If you have an incredible thirst to learn new things, explain how it will have a positive impact on your work even if it is not a direct requirement for the role," advises Borre. "All that is one of your strongest attributes that is not generally required for a role, discuss how this will help you position yourself for a unique success in the role you are continuing."

"Why was there a gap in your job?"

woman talking about resume gap during job interview
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Maybe you have always learned Spanish by spending a sabbatical year in Spain. Or maybe you have acquired serious time management skills after taking a few years off to raise a family.

Anyway, "keep it positive", advises Dudley. "Since you already know that the interviewer will ask questions about the gap, be ready to share what you have learned by being far from the world of work."

And if your gap was due to a personal or confidential reason, do not forget that you do not have to share details with your interviewer, simply avoid seeming too mysterious. Say something simple, like: "I needed personal free time of work, which I took, and now I am ready and eager to resume my place in the business world", suggests Dudley.

A respectful interviewer will let him go.

"Why were you dismissed?"

Man accompanied with two women sitting in board room and having business interview
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Obviously, you cannot lie here (and if you do, you can expect to be dismissed if someone discovers it).

"Professional interviewers have heard everything," said Dudley.

Instead of trying to dodge this question, use it as an opportunity to become honest.

"Let's say that your skills are not finished with work as well as you and your manager originally planned," she continues. "Or that your skills set was not what the company was looking for, even if you and the recruitment manager thought it in the interview."

This story has been updated to include additional inputs, verification of facts and copying edition.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: Career
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