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Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are not prepared for the questions that the interviewer might ask you. However, with some research and practice, you can ace any interview and impress your potential employer. Here are some tips on how to answer the top 10 most common interview questions.
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is usually the first question that the interviewer will ask you, and it is your chance to make a good first impression. You should give a brief overview of your professional background, your skills and achievements, and your career goals. You should also mention why you are interested in working for the company and what value you can bring to the team. Avoid giving too much personal information or rambling on for too long.
Below are some of the specific responses you can give;
I’m really energetic and a great communicator.
Working in sales for 2 years helped me to build confidence and taught me the importance of customer loyalty.
I’m punctual, dependable, can be counted upon to finish what I started.
I understand my customers needs.
I consider myself hard working / reliable / dependable /helpful/Outgoing/ organized/ honest/cooperative.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This question is designed to assess your self-awareness and your ability to improve yourself. You should highlight your strengths that are relevant to the job and provide specific examples of how you have used them in your previous work or projects. You should also acknowledge your weaknesses and explain how you are working on overcoming them or turning them into strengths. Avoid being too humble or too arrogant, or mentioning weaknesses that are deal-breakers for the job.
Below are some of the specific responses regarding your strengths;
I believe my strongest traits is my attention to detail. This trait has helped me tremendously.
In this field of work I’ve always been a great team player.
I’m good at keeping a team together and producing quality.
I can work in a team environment.
I’m an adaptable person.
I work for three different management styles and I’m able to adjust my approach to meet each of their needs.
Below are some of the specific responses regarding your weaknesses;
I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking which as you know, Can be hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem. I asked my previous employer if I can enroll in a speech workshop. He said ‘yes’ . I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I’ve given lots of presentation to audience of over a 100 High level executives. I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell!
I had troubles in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner, I might need to learn to be more flexible when things are not going according to plan. This is something I’m working on at the moment.
3. Why do you want to work for us?
This question is meant to test your motivation and your fit for the company culture. You should demonstrate that you have done some research on the company and its mission, vision, values, products, services, customers, competitors, etc. You should also explain how your skills and interests align with the company's goals and needs, and how you can contribute to its success. Avoid giving generic or vague answers, or focusing only on the salary or benefits.
Below are some of the specific responses you can give;
I am a fast leaner, I had to learn a totally new operating system in my last job and I was up and running within a couple of weeks.
You require someone who can perform a wide range of administrative duties. I have a tract record of carrying out these different tasks efficiently and successfully.
I have the right combination of skills and experience for this job. I also bring the additional quality of strong analytical and problem solving ability as shown by my introduction of more efficient work flow system at ABC Company.
4. Why did you leave your last job?
This question is aimed to evaluate your reasons for changing jobs and your attitude towards your previous employer. You should be honest but positive about why you left your last job, and focus on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow professionally. You should also emphasize what you are looking for in your next job and why you think this company is a good match for you. Avoid badmouthing your previous employer or coworkers, or giving negative reasons for leaving.
Below are some of the specific answers you can give;
I’ve learnt a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to be broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill -set-all of which I see the potential for in this job.
I’m looking forward to better opportunity to grow job wise and financial wise.
I want to learn more things.
I’m looking for a job where I can grow with the company.
I’m looking for a job that suits my qualifications.
I was laid off/made redundant, because the company relocated/downsized/ needed to cut cost.
5. How do you handle stress and pressure?
This question is intended to measure your resilience and your coping skills in challenging situations. You should give examples of how you have dealt with stress and pressure in your previous work or projects, and what strategies you use to manage them effectively. You should also show that you can handle constructive feedback and learn from your mistakes. Avoid saying that you never get stressed or pressured, or that you avoid or ignore them.
6. How do you work in a team?
This question is used to assess your teamwork and collaboration skills, which are essential for most jobs. You should give examples of how you have worked in a team in your previous work or projects, and what role you played in the team. You should also mention what skills and qualities you bring to a team, and how you communicate and cooperate with others. Avoid saying that you prefer to work alone, or that you have difficulties working with others.
7. How do you solve problems?
This question is meant to test your analytical and creative thinking skills, as well as your decision-making process. You should give examples of how you have solved problems in your previous work or projects, and what steps you took to find a solution. You should also mention what tools or methods you use to solve problems, and how you evaluate the results and outcomes. Avoid saying that you never encounter problems, or that you rely on others to solve them for you.
Below are some of the specific answers you can give;
In my last job I sometimes had to find answers to IT questions. I would often go on the internet and look for blogs on the topic I need to learn about. I enjoy learning new things, so research is actually one of my hobbies.
I have faced number of difficult situations, but the one that comes to mind now is [Describe the situation]. I was able to deal with it by assessing the situation, determining the possible different approaches and deciding on the most effective one. I had to remain unemotional and objective and focused on solution.
8. What are your salary expectations?
This question is aimed to negotiate your compensation package and to see if it matches the company's budget and market rate. You should do some research on the average salary range for the job and the industry, and consider your skills, experience, qualifications, and location. You should also be flexible and realistic about your expectations, and express your willingness to negotiate based on the overall offer. Avoid giving a specific number or a range that is too high or too low.
9.Where do you see yourself in 3-5years from now?
Although it is hard to predict the future, I sincerely believe that I will become a very good financial consultant.
I believe that my abilities will allow me to excel to the point that I can seek other opportunities as portfolio manager [the next step] and possibly even higher
In five years I see myself as a valued employee of a company. I want to be an expert at my position and start training to be a manager.
My goal is to become a lead in five years. Although not everyone gets promoted to this level. I believe I can achieve this goal through hard work.
10. Do you have any questions for me?
This is usually the last question that the interviewer will ask you, and it is your opportunity to show your interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company. You should prepare some questions in advance that are relevant and insightful, such as about the company culture, the expectations for the role, the challenges or opportunities for the team, the next steps in the hiring process, etc. Avoid asking questions that are already answered on the company website or during the interview, or that are too personal or inappropriate.
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