How to Answer Job Interview Questions
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008
How you answer job interview questions greatly influences the employer’s decision on whether or not to hire you. Your resume may get you through the initial screening process, and great qualifications certainly are an asset. However, almost all hiring decisions are based on how well you handle your job interview.
Job interviews allow your potential employers to assess how well you’ll be able to work with them or the company, and also give them the opportunity to get a sense of who you are as a person. Therefore, knowing the best way to answer job interview questions will certainly help you get your dream job.
The best rule of thumb is to present yourself in a favorable light, but keep in mind the old saying that honesty is the best policy. Therefore, don’t just tell the interviewers what you think they want to hear. Many employers use a set of fairly standard job interview questions, with job-specific additions depending on the type of a position you’re applying for. For instance, asking about your strengths and weaknesses is common practice.
Talking about your strengths should be the easy part of answering job interview questions. Just tell them what you’re good at in relation to the job you’re applying for. When it comes to your weaknesses, that’s when you need to tread a little more carefully. If you could turn what could be perceived as a weakness into a strength, that would be an excellent way to answer the job interview question.
For example, you could say “because I usually pay a lot of attention to details, I tend to work a little slower than others.” That would be a great answer if the job requires detail oriented employees. Again, remember that the interviewers appreciate honesty. So, if you can think of a true weakness tell them about it, but also mention that you’re working on improving yourself.
Your potential employers also want you to show that you have a base of knowledge about them or their company. When you answer job interview questions about the company you’re applying at, it helps to be informed. You should research the company prior to the interview so you have a good idea of how the company’s structure is set up, what they do, and where they’re is headed. This will demonstrate that you’re actually interested in this particular job at this particular company, instead of just casting your net as far and as wide as possible.
Job interviewers will also want to know a bit about your past experiences and your plans for the future. When answering job interview questions about your previous employment, be sure not to mention any grievances or dissatisfactions. Instead, focus on the positive and portray yourself as moving on to better opportunities. When they ask about the future, try to see where you’ll fit into your interviewing company. This is another important reason why it pays to do your homework before the interview.
A job interview also gives the potential employee to know more about the employer and the position. So, when you’re done answering the job interviewer’s questions, be sure to ask some of your own. That’s another way to show that you have a genuine interest in the company and the position.
It’s understandable that you might get a little nervous during a job interview. It’s a good idea to practice answering job interview questions with your friends or relatives so that you will gain more confidence. If you answer the job interview questions in a truthful way and have a positive outlook, the employers are more likely to look favorably on your application and offer you the position.
Good luck on your next job interview!
Posted by Aiden
