The Oath of a Good Job Seeker

There are a lot of things job seekers can do to get ready for an interview, but when it all comes down to the basics, it's the questions and answers that make or break an interview.

As a job seeker, you can't do much in terms of knowing exactly what someone is going to ask you, but you can be prepared to discuss all of the basics as well as the tough questions that someone might throw your way. Use the following curve balls to start thinking about what you have to say about yourself, and before you know it you'll be ready to hit any pitch out of the park.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is a classic question. Do you mention the company you are interviewing with, showing that you would be stable and loyal and in it for the long run? Or do you talk about your lifelong dream of hitchhiking across Europe? The best idea is to meet somewhere in the middle. Make no specific references to a company (or an extreme hobby, for that matter). Instead, talk about what growth you would like to see in yourself five years down the road. It could be gaining management experience, closing international deals or earning an MBA. This question is your chance to talk about personal growth and prove that you are self-motivated and planning for the future.

What is your biggest weakness?
Just about every one of us has heard this one before. It's a trick question; of course you don't want to go spouting off about how you have trouble staying organized and tend to forget appointments. Or do you? In this case, you might want to talk about past problems and how you have overcome them. Maybe you start out admitting that you were once a bit unorganized on the job, talk about how it was a challenge for you and then discuss what you did to overcome the problem.

Why do you want to work here?
You've been sitting inside an office for a total of 10 minutes and they're asking you why you want to have a job there? Are they serious?! Actually, this questions should really have an answer long before you step foot in the door for an interview. Prior to any interview you should have a good idea of what this company is about, what they have accomplished and where they are headed. What an opportunity this question presents if you've done your homework! Take this chance to discuss what you know about the company or specific department you would be working for, bringing up clients they have won or initiatives they have started.

There are thousands of other interview questions an employer might throw out at you, so it's important to have a solid, general idea of who you are, where you want to go and why. None of us can guess what the next question might be, but we can be ready for anything with a little practice and preparation.