Job interviews are sources of anxiety for many professionals, no matter how many of them they’ve had. However, preparation is the key, and if you can anticipate some of the questions the interviewer will ask, you can prepare your answers, which will chase some of the nerves away. According to QuintCareers.com, these are the top five frequently asked job interview questions, and I’ve given advice on how to respond.
Job Interview Question #1: How would you describe yourself?
This is definitely the number one question a job interviewer might ask, and you should be adequately prepared. Honestly, you would probably answer this question differently depending on who was asking. If you are interviewing with the CEO of a company, you would fashion a different response than when interviewing with a human resources manager, because their ideals are different when it comes to employment.
When answering this question, focus on what the interviewer wants in a employee For example, a CEO wants an employee who is self-sufficient, forward-thinking and responsible. The human resources manager, however, will be focusing more on interpersonal qualities. Talk not only about your personal characteristics, but also how you’ve applied those characteristics in previous jobs.
Job Interview Question #2: What types of goals have you established for yourself?
Also common, the “goals” question is not meant to spark your dreams of becoming a rock star or owning a horse farm in Wyoming; rather, the interviewer wants you to focus entirely on your career. Generally speaking, the goal of earning six figures probably isn’t the right answer to give, so think outside the box a little bit to determine what the employer wants out of an employee.
Don’t be afraid to think well into the future because employers are consistently on the look-out for long-term employees. For example, if you are interviewing for an accounts payable position, you might express a desire to run the accounting department at some point in the near future. Other goals that work well during interviews are continued education, steady gainful employment and supervisory status. Just don’t express a desire to one day take over the employer’s job!
Job Interview Question #3: Why do you think you would be right for this job?
This question requires a little bit of prior preparation, as you must know about the company background, mission statement and goals are before you can answer. As I’ve stated in previous articles, employers look for an employee who is compatible with their company, which means that you share the same ideals, goals and motivations. If you don’t understand the company’s collective perspective, you can’t hope to answer intelligently.
Visit the company website and talk to other employees, if possible. Get an idea for their charitable causes, their key clientele, their demographics and target market. From there, you can develop a carefully-worded response to this question.
Job Interview Question #4: What do you think it would take to be successful in this job?
This might sound like the same question as #3, but it’s not. They aren’t asking why you should be handed the job; rather, they want to know how you can benefit the company through the job. For example, if you are interviewing for a position as an advertising specialist, you might bring up past statistics on increased revenue and interest through previous endeavors, then explain how you would apply similar tactics to achieve the same results for this company.
Essentially, the interviewer is wanting to know what you bring to the table. How are you going to further to initiative of the business through your own gifts and talents? Although this may just be “a job” to you, it is much more to the employer, so you’ll have to step into his or her shoes in order to develop a satisfactory answer to this question.
Job Interview Question #5: How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?
Employers are looking for team players, plain and simple. It doesn’t matter if you work well on your own, because if you can’t play well with others, your efforts will be counter productive to the mission at hand. Instead, you want to demonstrate not only your personal gifts and abilities, but also how those characteristics will mesh with people in other departments and positions.
If you have worked as a member of a team or committee before, explain how that worked. Talk about your ability to focus a group on a particular goal and to streamline the efforts of several people. If you are a natural leader, don’t be afraid to say so, but you should also admit if you are more of a follower — a “worker bee”. The employer needs some of each type of person, so neither one will hurt your chances. However, giving a direct answer will lend credibility to your statements.