It would be great if you knew exactly what an interviewer will be asking you during an interview, right? Here’s the thing: we already know some of the things they’re going to ask you. Sure, every job interview has its own rhythms and quirks, its job-specific questions and themes, but there are some questions that hiring managers almost always lean on. By preparing yourself, you can feel more relaxed whenever these questions are fired in your direction.Here they are:
Tell us more about yourself.
Just about every job interview starts with an ice breaker that is meant to get you talking. It’s a chance for you to introduce yourself. The thing is, this question is not really about you. It’s about your candidacy. Yes, they want to know if your personality is a good fit for their company, but more than anything, they want to know that you can handle the job. Your answer should therefore be focused on giving them information that will confirm that you are the ideal candidate for the job, for example: “I’m a web-obsessed SEO Manager with 10 years of experience managing all aspects of digital marketing – from paid ads to microsites – for companies of all sizes.”
Why are you interested in this job?
What this question is really about is to test whether you’re really interested in their industry and company. They want to see that you’ve done your research, that you know about them and the role. This not only shows that you’re interested in the role, it also speaks volumes about your professionalism and preparation. An example of how to answer this one is: “I’ve been interested in working for Microsoft ever since I was a teenager. I’m very passionate about technology and innovation, and this role would let me align my passions with my work experience, for a company that I really believe in.”
What would you say are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
This seems like an easy question – you know what you’re good or bad at, right? But be careful. Again, this is the interviewer’s way of asking whether you will be a good match for the job. Read the job posting carefully, and make sure whatever you say matches up with the way they’ve described the position. Are they looking for team players with leadership skills? You might want to talk about your communication skills and ease with public speaking. If you’re worried about coming across as cocky or arrogant, put the words in someone else’s mouth by telling them what people have said about you in the past. Another good tip is to use clear, measurable achievements to back up you what you say – just make sure to have a relatable anecdote ready.
An example of how you can answer this is “I’ve been told that I’m a good communicator, and in fact, at my current company, I lead a weekly meeting where I present objectives and achievements to the entire company. “
When asked about your weaknesses, think of an actual weakness, but go with something that isn’t an essential requirement for the job. Explain how you became aware of it and are working on improving upon it. This shows that you are reflective, willing to learn, and striving to get better. Humour, albeit appropriate humour, can go a long way here, e.g. “I think I’m often too hard on myself. It’s something I’m working on.”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question really means: “Could I count on you to stay with this company long term?”
Having said that, most employers recognize that people, especially young, ambitious people, are always looking for opportunities. You don’t, therefore, have to pretend that you’ll still be there in five years’ time. Instead, tie in a dream job – ideally one at that company you can work towards – with your passions, interests, and experience. This shows employers that you’re ambitious, driven, and looking for professional growth.
An example of how you could answer this question is: “I see myself in an editor position. By that point I’ll have been working in journalism for over 15 years, and I think I’ll be ready to move into a more strategic position, where I can use my experience to lead a team.”
The Founders of Burkley Global have conducted hundreds of job interviews during their careers, and have become very experienced with good and bad interviews. Click here to register for our “Prepare for a English job interview” programme.
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