How To Answer The Five Most Common Interview Questions
Written by our recruitment specialist, Anne Johnson.
1 Tell me about yourself
This is usually the opening question in an interview and you should be prepared to talk for no longer than 2/3 minutes.
Interviewers generally look out for three things:
- That you are able to give a brief précis of your life and career that relates to the job for which you’re interviewing.
- Your conversational style, your confidence level, your ability to organise and present information.
- An idea of the person you are behind the suit!
2 Why did you leave your last job?
This is your chance to talk about your experience and your career goals, not to bad mouth a former boss. Instead, focus on what you learned in your previous positions and how you will be able to use those skills in this new position.
3 Where do you see yourself in five years?
Let the employer know that you’re stable and you want to be with this company for the long haul. (Keep your aspirations to take over the firm with which you are interviewing, own your own company or retire at 40 to yourself!)
4 What are your strengths/weaknesses?
The key to answering this age-old question is not to respond literally. Instead, be clear and concise about the qualities that demonstrate you take responsibility for your work ethic, actions, experiences learned and values.
5 What makes you the best person for this role?
This is when you talk about your record of getting things done. Go into specifics from your CV; convince the employer that you’d be an asset.
Easy? Well not quite, but the most constructive advice to coping with interviews is:-
* be prepared,
* do your research
* understand the job you are being interviewed for, and
* show how your skills, personality, experience match the job’s requirements
…… and remember not everyone interviewed will be suited to the job or the company, so don’t be discouraged if you are not offered the post – each interview gives you more experience so don’t give up on yourself!
Good Luck!
