Let's face it; no one likes the interview process. Well, certainly
not the people being interviewed anyway. You have to be on your best
behavior, you only get one chance to get it right, and it's like taking
your driving test all over again. Over the years I've been to countless
interviews. To get my first job out of college I attended some 15-20
interviews a week. Whether it was in Britain or over here in the States,
the questions never really seemed to change from job to job. Not only
that, but the answers to them are usually the same, with your own
personal interpretation of course. Here I present 23 questions you're
likely to be asked, and how I have learned to answer them. Why 23?
Because I had more than 20 and less than 25. Remember, being interviewed
is a skill, and if you do the preparation you should ace it every time.
(See also: 12 Unique Ways to Score a Job Interview)
1. So, tell me a little about yourself.
I'd be very surprised if you haven't been asked this one at every
interview. It's probably the most asked question because it sets the
stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give
the interviewer your life story here. You don't need to explain
everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education,
your career and your current life situation are fine.
2. Why are you looking (or why did you leave you last job)?
This should be a straightforward question to answer, but it can trip
you up. Presumably you are looking for a new job (or any job) because
you want to
and get a position that allows you to grow as a person and an employee.
It's not a good idea to mention money here, it can make you sound
mercenary. And if you are in the unfortunate situation of having been
downsized, stay positive and be as brief as possible about it. If you
were fired, you'll need a good explanation. But once again, stay
positive.
3. Tell me what you know about this company.
Do your homework before you go to any interview. Whether it's being
the VP of marketing or the mailroom clerk, you should know about the
company or business you're going to work for. Has this company been in
the news lately? Who are the people in the company you should know
about? Do the background work, it will make you stand out as someone who
comes prepared, and is genuinely interested in the company and the job.
4. Why do you want to work at X Company?
This should be directly related to the last question. Any research
you've done on the company should have led you to the conclusion that
you'd want to work there. After all, you're at the interview, right? Put
some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention
your career goals and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.
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