This is a timed quiz. You will be given 45 seconds per question. Are you ready?
When the interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself,” he is really saying, “Tell me why you would be the best fit for this job.” You want to link aspects of yourself and your experience to the job you are applying for. Avoid giving a summary of your life story or providing details that are irrelevant to the position.
It’s okay to take a few seconds to think and paraphrasing the question buys you a bit more time. Skipping a question or blurting out whatever comes to mind leaves a bad impression on the interviewer
It’s actually encouraged to ask your employer questions if you need clarification for an interview question or if you are wondering something about the company and/ or job. You should also have questions prepared for the end of the interview, when the interviewer asks if you have any questions for him. You should leave your cellphone off during an interview and arrive early, never late. If you suspect that you will be late, call your interviewer ahead of time to let him know.
This is a tricky question. One of the best ways to answer it is by stating a weakness that you are working to improve. This shows the employer you are working hard to correct your faults. It is unlikely that you don’t have any weaknesses. Lastly, saying that you are a perfectionist and work too hard is a very common answer that not only sounds too rehearsed, but is probably also untrue.
You should always bring copies of your resume in case the interviewer asks for a copy to refer to during the interview. You should also bring a list of references because the interviewer sometimes asks for this as well. Being prepared gives the employer a good impression and shows that you are highly interested in the position because you are taking the interview seriously.
Arriving 30 minutes prior to the interview is unnecessary, while arriving 1 minute might not give you enough time to get settled, fill out any necessary forms, etc. If you don’t plan on arriving at least 10 minutes early, you risk being late due to any unforeseen circumstances.
You should never speak negatively about a former employer, even if you’d be telling the truth. Try to pick a few things your boss did well and talk about them. If you did not get along with your boss at all, then you can stick to a more generic response, like the one in the answer above. Just remember to never imply something negative about a past boss, co-worker, or company!
Everyone you meet at the company is, essentially, an interviewer. Your interviewer might ask the receptionist, as well as other people you meet, to share how you behaved. Being respectful to the interviewer but not treating others with respect suggests that you are impolite and a poor team member. Don’t appear disagreeable by demanding water or complaining about the room temperature.
Not only is this professional, obtaining the business card and/or contact information will allow you to send a follow-up email or note. A follow-up is both crucial to your job candidacy and a polite way to thank your interviewer. You should avoid talking about your salary, unless the interviewer brings it up. While it’s a good idea to smile and appear happy, you shouldn’t always be smiling and nodding to avoid seeming cheesy or fake.
You should always send a thank-you note after the interview, no matter how you think you did. The best way to send a note is through email. Try to send one within 48 hours of the interview as a sign of politeness. You should mention a few details from your interview and reaffirm your interest in the position as well as why you are the best candidate. Lastly, remember to thank the interviewer for his time.
Stick with two or three strengths so your interviewer can actually remember what you say. It’s important to expound on your strengths, and not simply list them, as this makes your answer concrete and memorable. Although it’s a good idea to mention abilities that are necessary for the job, interviewers might recognize the job description if they hear you simply repeating it. This may give the impression that you aren’t telling the truth or aren’t putting a lot of thought into your answers.
The real purpose of an interview is for the employer to see which candidate is the best fit for the company. The candidate also needs to see if this is an employer he would like to work for. This is why both interviewer and interviewee need to ask each other questions. An interview isn’t the time for candidates to simply talk about themselves. To find out if they would like to work for a certain employer, they should try to find out more about the employer as well. The interviewer’s goal isn’t to trick the candidate, even though some interview questions may be hard. The interviewer’s goal is to find out what a candidate is like in person and find the best fit for the open position.
You should state a goal that is realistic and demonstrates that you are hoping to challenge yourself. Talk about a goal that is achievable through the job that you are applying for. Even if, deep inside, your real goal is to get a promotion, telling this to the interviewer would show a lack of interest to the position that is actually available. Not knowing your goals suggests to employers that you don’t set any for yourself or don’t know what you want.
Speaking about more “superficial” elements of the job, instead of aspects of the actual position and company itself, suggests you aren’t very invested in the job you’re applying for. Employers want to hear that you are interested in the work and have something to offer to the company. They know that the best employees are those that are motivated by a vision, as opposed to by money.
Asking what the company’s greatest challenge is shows that you have done some research on the company’s current situation and are interested in its future plans, plans that might impact you if you are hired. It shows you care about the company. You should avoid talking about your salary unless your interviewer mentions it. Doing so would suggest you are more concerned about how much you earn than the work itself. You also shouldn’t ask what the job’s requirements are, as you should already know by this time. After all, how are you supposed to convince the employer that you’re the best fit for the job if you don’t know what it takes to be the best fit?
Both your body language and eye contact are crucial during an interview. Remember to keep your arms uncrossed and sit up straight. Make eye contact both when you’re speaking and when you’re being spoken to.
You should always notify your references if you give their contact information to an employer. Not only is this polite, it also gives your references time to prepare what they might say. Giving your references details on the job and why you are a good match helps them answer questions the employer may ask. This isn’t considered cheating. Rather, you’re providing your reference with resources that will help them be a more informed advocate for you.
You should always research the company and the industry prior to the interview. Being well-informed in both shows you are interested in the job and are an expert in your field. The interviewer may ask questions about either of these topics. Similarly, incorporating your knowledge of the company and/ or the industry into answers shows you are up-to-date, resourceful, and would be prepared to take on the job.
A suit is the safest choice because it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. For women, either a pants suit or dress suit would work. Dressing nicely shows that you are respectful towards the interviewer and the company. It demonstrates that you care about this interview and wish to make a good impression. A collared shirt and khakis are permissible if you know more about the company’s environment and think a more laidback look would fit in well. Avoid wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
You should use examples that best answer the question. Sometimes employers want to know about problems you faced outside of work and which skills you used to solve them. Perhaps you had some experiences while volunteering or playing a sport that illustrate your qualities. There are other times when employers ask for your failures. Don’t be afraid to talk about your mistakes, as long as you indicate what you learned from them and how you hope to improve in the future.
