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0 Attending interviews can be stressful; whether it is for the first time or tenth, there is always some tension, especially if the job you’re interviewing for is your dream job. Preparing for these interviews can relieve some of that tension. Just remember to keep the answers short and brief. You don’t want to bore the panelists by straying away from the questions. First impressions also matter; you might prepare adequately, but other things that matter.
Ensure that you wear professional attire to your interview; a smart casual can also work. You can research the company or the organization you are interviewing for. Learn the mission statement and the company’s objectives to tailor your answers to align with the company’s expectations. Combining all these and the knowledge about the common questions will make you unstoppable. Here are some common questions that you should expect in an interview:
- Tell Us About Yourself?
Interviewers would like to know the person they want to hire. Discuss your primary attributes and what makes you stand out to answer this question. This is the platform for you to impress the panelists. Sometimes answering this question can be tricky; you don’t want to overdo or underdo it because they already have your CV or resume. Think about that one instance that made you choose the career path, then the educational background. Describe your skills, emphasizing the skills required for the job.
Example: “I am an informed college tutor with two years of experience. Growing up in a small town with limited opportunities and resources inspired me to start online learning. I came across tutoring programs where I could train and learn simultaneously. I had my certification as an online tutor. The job enabled me to interact with many people from different backgrounds and sharpened my communication skills.”
- How Did You Hear About This Job/Position?
Make sure to mention how you heard about the job position; they want to know if you were actively seeking them out or if it was just a fluke. If someone recommended you, give them credit and say something brief about that person, assuming the interviewers don’t know this person. If the person is working in the same company, state the reason why that person thought you were a good fit or not. Whether you heard about the job through print media or a job recruitment agency, ensure you provide brief information about them.
Example: “I came across the job position through a recruitment agency. The job descriptions matched my skills and experience. That was when I started researching the company and thought it was a good fit. I was happy to apply for the position.”
- How Do You Handle Stressful Situations?
Most people like saying they can work under pressure, but this question is to see how you will react if the pressure becomes too much because breaking is inevitable at some point. They want to be confident that you won’t have a meltdown at work. Staying in control in a situation you were bound to break without hurting your mental health is a talent. Tell an instance where you faced pressure and were able to power through. If you are working on it, share the steps towards achieving that goal.
Example: “I know stressful situations will always arise at work, and how I react to them will determine many things in the workplace. But I try to practice mindfulness and take a step back to gain clarity. I have worked with many people in customer care, and most of them come with their frustrations and take them out on me. It is hard to deal with people because the customer is always right. I breathe and try to solve the issue to the best of my abilities.”
- What Are Your Strengths?
You should not have any excuse for not knowing how to answer this because this question will be asked. Focus on your main strengths and align them with the skills required for the job you are applying for. List a few proficiencies, for example, your ability to work as a team to achieve a common goal, your can relate well with others, and your ability to learn quickly. You can cite instances that support the strengths mentioned.
Example: “I can grasp new information quickly, I interned for a position as a college tutor with no prior training in education, but I was able to learn how to do things quickly. The work also required the team’s effort, so I could work in unison with other tutors to achieve the company’s objectives.
- What Are Your Weaknesses?
Most people may want to say they don’t have any weaknesses to make them look good, but that’s not the case. First, identify the shortcomings that communicate strength. There are two ways to answer this. For example, lack of experience doesn’t mean you cannot do the job, but if you’re willing to learn, state that. The second option is describing a weakness that can be considered a strength and the steps in place to combat the said weakness.
Example: “I have an issue with speaking to a large crowd, but the tutoring job has given me an avenue to practice the same skill, I know it is a small step, but it is the right direction. I am learning ways to combat the fear, and in no time, it will be a walk in the park.”
- Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Employer?
Explain that you need more room to grow and that your current job is not as challenging as it was. State that you’re looking for a new job environment and work experience. No matter what, never talk negatively about your current employer. It is also not appropriate to say money is the primary reason for leaving.
Conclusion
These are just a few important questions that you might encounter. Answering these questions with grace and passion will make you more outstanding and appealing. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to prepare for the interview diligently; this will make you stand out when the competition is very stiff. Answering the questions with confidence will also go a long way. If the panelists ask a question you have no clear answer to, don’t panic or get defensive; take a breath and answer it the best way possible.
