Remember the party game, “20 Questions”? The questions required either a “yes” or “no” answer to discover what object the person was thinking of. If those answers didn’t apply, you could respond “I can’t answer” or “I don’t know.”
Those answers may be great for a party game, but not for an interview. While you may need to answer “yes” or “no” to certain questions, a string of one-liners will most likely take you out of the running for the job. Behavioral interviewing uses open-ended questions to get a candidate talking to reveal their personality, values and expertise on-the-job. Here are ten questions that you most likely will be asked on an interview. You should have a specific, detailed answer ready for each that will dazzle a prospective employer.
1. “Tell me about yourself.” This is not Match.com. Spare the intimate details of your personal life. This is one of those trick questions to see how much you will reveal on subjects that are illegal to ask, like age or marital status. They want to know about your professional life. Keep the personal details to where you came from, and go right into your professional credentials, focusing on those most pertinent to the job.
2. “Why did you leave your last job?” Be honest. They probably will find out in a reference check, a connection on LinkedIn or Facebook. Don’t place blame if it was less than friendly. Talk about your decision, what you learned and that you are looking for a new opportunity.
3. “What did you like about your last job?” Even if you got five weeks vacation and could come in late every day, this is not about you. Focus on what part of the job was most fulfilling or let you contribute and use your skills and abilities.
4. “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Keep your strengths to three positive traits, all related to the job requirements. Turn weaknesses into strengths. For example, your tendency to micro-manage comes from an acute attention to detail and sense of responsibility.
5. “What is your ideal work environment?” If you need flexibility, say so. Be honest, but realize that “fit” is the number one reason people succeed in a job. If you don’t fit the environment, it’s better for you and the company to pass on this job.
6. “Why should we hire you?” Go back to the accomplishments from your last job. You don’t only do the work; you add value to the company by using your creativity and initiative to go beyond the norm.
7. “What would your boss say about you?” You can have some fun with this. They want to know how you build relationships with managers, and you don’t always have to agree to be valuable. Stress your work ethic, responsibility and dedication to helping the company reach its goals.
8. “Why do you want to work for this company?” Do your homework. Research the company website, and do a Google search as well. Link your career goals, values and experience to the company’s mission or vision statements, recent projects and future goals.
9. “Tell me about a time when you make a mistake on the job and how you handled it.” Everyone makes mistakes, so have a situation handy that wasn’t too critical and had a positive ending. Life is a learning experience, and we all make mistakes. How you recover shows your ability to handle adversity and turn things around.
10. “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Responding that you want the manager’s job can be taken as presumptuous or confident. What are your career plans? If they don’t fit the company, it’s best to look elsewhere.
These 10 questions can make or break your interview. Be prepared with answers that are specific, targeted and showcase your unique skills and experience. If you are successful, the answer to the question, “Would you accept this position?” will be “Yes!”
What was your toughest interview question? Share the question and your answer in the Comments section.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for educationjobsite.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients discover what they love and spend their life on it. You can read more of her blogs at http://www.educationjobsiteblog.com/ and view additional job postings on Nexxt
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