There are some simple steps you can take to ace an interview:
- Organise time in your schedule to revise for your meeting
- Rehearse your answers to common questions
- Memorise examples
Interviews can be a source of anxiety, but there are a few tried and true methods for acing them. Most professionals report preparation, confidence, professionalism, and friendliness as key components of a successful interview.
Practice Makes Perfect – Interview Preparation :-
To motivate yourself and prepare, practice answering these most common questions that employers ask during interviews:
- What are your strengths? –TIP: Highlight strengths that directly apply to the position.
- What are your weaknesses? –TIP: Avoid cheesy answers, think of scenarios where you have solved something to manage a weakness.
- Why are you interested in working for us? –TIP: Describe qualities of the company that you admire.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? –TIP: Name realistic goals.
- Why do you want to leave your current company? –TIP: Avoid trash-talking, talk about broadening your horizons, achieving higher goals and skills.
- What can you offer us that someone else can’t? –TIP: Emphasize the value of your experience.
- Why was there a gap in your employment between these two dates? –TIP: Convey this gap as a learning experience.
- What are three things your former manager would like you to improve on? –TIP: Highlight things that you are actively trying to improve and explain how with examples.
- Are you willing to relocate? –TIP: Do not give a direct yes or no answer, you should state that at this time it is or is not something of consideration.
- Are you willing to travel? –TIP: Only answer yes if you are willing to travel.
- Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of. –TIP: Recognize an accomplishment that highlights skills that are translatable to the workplace.
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake. –TIP: Emphasize what you did after making a mistake.
- What is your dream job? –TIP: Name a job that is in your field.
- How did you hear about this position? –TIP: Answer and then move on.
- What would you accomplish in the first 30/60/90 days on the job? –TIP: Have short and long-term goals established.
- Discuss your resume. –TIP: Don’t just repeat your resume.
- Discuss your educational background. –TIP: Highlight formal education and personal learning experiences.
- Describe yourself. –TIP: Integrate both personal and professional facts.
- Tell me how you handled a difficult situation. –TIP: Relay this story in under a minute.
- Why should we hire you? –TIP: Give an authentic answer that conveys your desire for the position.
