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By rehearsing interview
questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be
well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some examples:
"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized
statement of your education and professional achievements and professional
goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the
contributions you could make to the organization.
"Why do you want to work
here?" or "What about our company interests you?"
Few questions are more
important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with
enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you
learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research.
Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company. Unless you
work in sales, your answer should never be simply: "money." The interviewer will
wonder if you really care about the job.
"What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently
researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the
company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these
skills.
"What is your major
weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness
into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my
work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."
"Do you prefer to work by
yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of
flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in
both situations.
"What are your career
goals?" or "What are your future plans?"
The interviewer wants to know
if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are
ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve
your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals
you have set for yourself.
"What are your hobbies?" and
"Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking
for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For
example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading,
music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination
and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable
working as part of a team.
· Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life
outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their
stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
"What salary are you
expecting?"
You probably don't want to
answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer
by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the
best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer.
· However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for
the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet, and check
the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are paying. This
information can help you negotiate compensation once the employer makes an
offer.
"What have I forgotten to
ask?"
Use this as a chance to
summarize your good characteristics and attributes and how they may be used to
benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer that you understand the job
requirements and that you can succeed.
Here are some other job interview questions you might want to rehearse.
Your Qualifications
What can you do for us that
someone else can't do?
What qualifications do you have that relate to the position?
What new skills or capabilities have you developed recently?
Give me an example from a previous job where you've shown initiative.
What have been your greatest accomplishments recently?
What is important to you in a job?
What motivates you in your work?
What have you been doing since your last job?
What qualities do you find important in a coworker?
Your Career Goals
What would you like to being
doing five years from now?
How will you judge yourself successful? How will you achieve success?
What type of position are you interested in?
How will this job fit in your career plans?
What do you expect from this job?
Do you have a location preference?
Can you travel?
What hours can you work?
When could you start?
Your Education
How do you think your education
has prepared you for this position?
What were your favorite classes/activities at school?
Why did you choose your major?
Do you plan to continue your education?
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