pixabay.com<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n
The interview can be one of the most intimidating challenges of the job hunt. It\u2019s the last hurdle you have to jump before landing your dream job.<\/p>\n
You have to prove to the interviewee that you\u2019re the perfect fit for the job. But with some practice, you can walk into your next interview with the confidence you need to smash the competition.<\/p>\n
Start by thoroughly analyzing the job description. Then, look at your resume and take some time to reflect on your previous roles. Be prepared to use examples about how your previous job experiences and skill set will help you perform the role efficiently and push the company forward.<\/p>\n
While every job interview is specific to the job and company you\u2019re applying for, there are some questions you\u2019ll almost certainly be asked. In this post, we\u2019ll explore 16 of the most commonly-asked job interview questions and how to answer them like a pro.<\/p>\n
Provide a brief overview of who you are professionally while emphasizing the skills and experiences that will help you excel at the job you\u2019re applying for. Also, try highlighting your achievements in your current or previous role. Don\u2019t talk about your out-of-work interests or hobbies unless specifically asked.<\/p>\n
en.wikipedia.org<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Remember, a company hires someone who ultimately would help them grow. So focus on the company\u2019s mission and how you could help them pursue their goals based on your skill set and experience.<\/p>\n
Photo Edit by JS<\/p><\/div>\n
Don\u2019t talk about salary, benefits, the short commute, or any other perks. Focus on the tasks of the job that you enjoy doing and how your skills can help you address them. For example, you may be seeking a customer service role that involves plenty of human interaction. Explain how you\u2019ve enjoyed working with people in other roles while achieving customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n
Employers want to know that this is a job you will be happy doing every day.<\/p>\n
en.wikipedia.org<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Keep the company\u2019s mission in mind too. Perhaps they\u2019re moving into an area you\u2019re familiar with. For example, the company may be embracing digital and you have a proven track record in multimedia. If your personality strongly matches the company culture, mention that too.<\/p>\n
flickr.com<\/p><\/div>\n
This is not the time when you talk about a crippling flaw that you\u2019ve done nothing to remedy. Instead, spin the negative into a positive and explain how you\u2019re trying to improve upon a particular weakness. Perhaps you\u2019re taking some classes or reading up on a particular skill you want to improve. If you\u2019re not, start doing so.<\/p>\n
pixabay.com<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Keep the job\u2019s top requirements in mind and deliver three to four examples of when you performed each task and achieved great results. This is where you showcase your professional greatest hits.<\/p>\n
Acknowledge, however, that you obviously can\u2019t speak for the competition because you don\u2019t know their qualifications. But you possess some skill that others might not. For example, you may be applying for a computer programing role along with other candidates who are great at programing. You, however, may also have proven leadership experience in the field.<\/p>\n
Photo edit by JS<\/p><\/div>\n
A lot of people leave their jobs because they have issues with their managers or coworkers. Gripe to your friends about it and leave all that steam at home. Never badmouth your employer or the people you worked with.<\/p>\n
Instead, explain how moving away from your previous employer is a stage of progress. Be specific about how your skills would better serve this company and how the new challenges you\u2019ll face will help you grow.<\/p>\n
If you got fired, keep it to yourself unless you\u2019re asked. At that point, be honest. Express that although you\u2019re upset for being let go, you appreciated your time there and what you learned. Explain how these skills will help you excel in this new role and how you\u2019ve learned from your mistakes.<\/p>\n
pixabay.com<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
If you truly did nothing, try to describe that gap as a needed break that\u2019s over and you\u2019re ready to take on new challenges.<\/p>\n
In an interview with The Muse, career-advice author Hannah Seligson recommends you shape your answer somewhat like this: \u201cI decided to take a break at the time, but today I\u2019m ready to contribute to this organization in the following ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
flickr.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Most times when employers ask these behavioral questions, they want to know how you meet challenges under pressure. With that in mind, sit down and think of a few times when you faced a tough challenge and overcame it.<\/p>\n
Maybe you dealt with a difficult customer or client. Or you had difficulty meeting a deadline. Think of how you responded, what the outcome was, and what you learned from the experience. Make sure you tell a story about how you managed to resolve a difficult situation and learned from it.<\/p>\n
Afterward, frame your answer to reflect how what you learned will help you perform the job you\u2019re applying for.<\/p>\n
For example, you may be asked to describe a time when you dealt with a difficult customer if you\u2019re seeking a sales position. Explain why the customer was being difficult. Perhaps he was not satisfied with the price. Elaborate on how you calmed him down and turned him around by elaborating on the value of your product. Finally, highlight the positive outcome and how that skill can help you deal with the company\u2019s clientele.<\/p>\n
en.wikipedia.org<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Highlight any professional experiences you have in leading others. If you were a sales manager for example, you may have helped turn around an underperforming sales team by improving specific aspects of their operation.<\/p>\n
commons.wikimedia.org<\/p><\/div>\n
Everyone fails at some point (Even the person interviewing you). But don\u2019t talk about a time where you failed and that was the end of the story. This is another opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. Talk about how you failed but learned from that experience and are working to improve yourself because of it. Explain how what you learned would help you excel at the job you\u2019re applying for. \u00a0Describe what you\u2019re doing to avoid making that mistake again.<\/p>\n
flickr.com<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
However, employers also want to hire someone who can be fun to work with. They want someone who can boost morale when needed, because they know happy workers tend to be more productive. Explain how your sense of humor or positive personality broke the tension when things got tough at one of your previous jobs.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve received praise from a manager or co-worker, feel free to talk about it. Maybe one of your managers wrote you a letter of recommendation. Or a co-worker nominated you for an award. Bring them up.<\/p>\n
Overall, make sure your answer describes you as someone who is reliable, trustworthy, punctual and hardworking but also easygoing, considerate and humorous when appropriate.<\/p>\n
freestockphotos.biz<\/p><\/div>\n
Be optimistic here, but not too ambitious as to be unrealistic. Base your five-year-plan on your experience and obtainable goals.<\/p>\n
First, acknowledge that you\u2019ll need some time to adjust. Talk about the aspects of the company you\u2019ll need to become more familiar with. Then, talk about an area of the company where you can begin honing your skills. The company may be launching a project where your talent could be useful. Show your potential employer you\u2019re ready to hit the ground running.<\/p>\n
Refer to your previous job experience and set-up some short term goals. If you\u2019re seeking a retail position, for instance, you may have a sales projection based on what you\u2019ve accomplished in the past.<\/p>\n
Overall, explain how you intend to use your skills to grow within the company in the next five years. Be careful to not appear too ambitious. For example, don\u2019t say you expect to play the interviewee\u2019s role within the next five years.<\/p>\n
DeviantArt.com<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t have to be a specific position like Managing Editor or Account Executive. It\u2019s your dream job and it entails whatever you want it to. So talk about the tasks that you like to do. Describe the company culture that you thrive in. Ideally, you want these to reflect the job you\u2019re applying for.<\/p>\n
Bonus points for inserting examples of how these advantages helped you achieve success in previous roles. For example, you may have worked at a job that struck the perfect balance between individual and team work. Explain how this setting helped you be more productive.<\/p>\n
Alison Doyle, Job Searching Expert at About.com, says your answer ultimately should \u201cconvey your long-term interest in a high-level position, without overshadowing your interest in the job you\u2019re applying for.\u201d<\/p>\n
pixabay.com<\/p><\/div>\n
Research the market rate for your job. Sites like GlassDoor and PayScale are great sources to find pay ranges for specific jobs in specific locations. Sometimes, you can find the specific pay for your title with your company.<\/p>\n
If you find a general range, pick the highest based on your skills and experience. If you find that someone with the job title you\u2019re applying for at a similar sized company makes a certain amount, try to identify the person ( i.e. Google: Jane Doe, PR Specialist, at Americorp.) and look him or her up on LinkedIn. Line your skills and experiences and see how they match.<\/p>\n
However, always express that you\u2019re willing to negotiate what\u2019s reasonable based on what you can bring to the table.<\/p>\n