Tag: interveiw tips

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5 Interview Questions and 5 Brilliant Answers

5 Interview Questions and 5 Brilliant Answers

Below are some of the most common asked questions in interviews situation, along with a rough guideline to help you tackle them effectively and a sample answer:

The guidelines will explain what type of answer the interviewer is looking for, the reason why they asked the question, after you have read the question, start by reading the explanation and then think about the industry you are looking to achieve employment in. How can you use this example to help you answer the question during your forthcoming interview?

Also, we have recorded an example answer to show you how the question and guidelines can create an answer with an impact, remember our example answers may or may not be suitable to your career choice; due to the variety of industries job hunters will be applying for, we have used example answers from a mixture of job roles.

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 Why should we hire you?

A great question to be asked, as your answer will be highly positive and will sell you in the most generous way-don’t be shy here! Start with “by hiring me…” now give them a great selling line, what is the one thing they want from you? and then tell them how you will do it, use examples from previous job roles to highlight your ability and knowledge

“By hiring me, you will gain an experienced sales manager who has a proven track record. I lead by the front and my motivational leadership style has ensure an increase in profits in the last 2 companies I have worked for”

Why did you leave you last job?

A dreaded question for many! When answering this question never give a negative answer. “I did not get on with my manager” or “The management did not run the business well” will show you in a negative light and reduce your chance of a job offer. Answer the question positively, emphasizing that

you have been looking for a career progression. Start by telling the interviewer what you gained from your last job

“I enjoyed my last job, I quickly learned how to multi-task and prioritise work and over the last 3 years I have seen myself grow. I am now ready to take the next step up the ladder with my career and feel I would suit working for company such as this”

If you were made redundant, let the interviewer know, this is not a negative!

If you were me, what type of person would you be looking for?

Mention the skills they are looking for, you will know them by now as this question is often asked in the middle of the interview. And then follow this up “…someone like me who would work hard”

This question tells the employer two things, one you know what skills and qualities are needed and two, that you have the required skills and qualities.

“Someone with the experience and more importantly the knowledge to ensure we meet our targets, they would have to excellent communications skills as they will be working with a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds. You would want someone like me who is hard working and reliable”

Do you know anyone who works here?

If you know someone who works for the company who is a good worker, by mentioning there name can sometimes give you extra points, you can also lose points by mentioning someone’s name that is disliked. This should not really happen due to employment equal opportunities, but often does.

“Yes, one of my friends, Rick works for you. He has told me all about the company, the team and the training and support the company offers their employees. The company sounds like a great place to work and I feel I would fit in well”

Interview questions and answers

Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Be truthful, employers will find out when they ask for a reference. If you have give a brief answer and stay away from giving any negatives about the company you worked for. If the answer is no, Say “No, never”

“Once, several years ago, once I had left university I had a part time job, the role didn’t suit me as I enjoy being kept busy. I think the manager knew I was going to be moving on”

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Interview Dos and Don’ts for an Excellent First Impression

The Dos and Don’ts for an Excellent First Impression

If you want to impress your interviewer, then along with saying the right things, you must also avoid making mistakes that can reduce your chances of getting hired. If you don’t have any interview skills, then you must learn what works and what doesn’t work in the professional world. This practice will help you make an excellent first impression when you go for an interview.

Here are some dos and don’ts that will help you convince your interviewer that you are the right candidate and you can do the job.

Interview DOs

Get Dressed Appropriately

Tell your interviewer that you take the interview seriously by dressing professionally and appropriately. When you get dressed nicely, you will feel energetic and confident. Use this energy and communicate as professionally as possible.

Arrive Early

If you arrive late, you will probably blow your chances of getting hired. Getting stuck in traffic or waking up late are not good excuses. So, leave early and try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview starts. This will give you plenty of time to relax and clear your mind. Also, remember to get the directions one day before the interview. This way you will have no trouble finding the place.

Treat Everyone with Respect

If you want to make a perfect impression, then treat everyone with respect. When you go to the front desk, talk to the person there politely and with a smile. Be nice to your interviewer, because if you disrespect your interviewer in any way, you will basically disrespect the whole company. So, be nice and polite.

interview prediction grid

Meet Your Interviewer with a Firm Handshake and Make Eye Contact

A good and firm handshake will depict that you are a confident person. When you shake hands, don’t try to break the bones of the interviewer with an extremely firm handshake. Make eye contact because it’s the right way of communicating and you don’t want to be disrespectful at all.

Talk about Your Accomplishments and Strengths with Examples

Feel free to tell the interviewer how you helped the previous company grow with your knowledge and experience. Be very specific in terms of what you did. For example, you assisted them in saving money, increasing sales, cutting down costs, improving quality, retaining result-oriented employees, and so on.

Always Listen to the Question Carefully

Even if you know what your interviewer will ask you, do not interrupt. Let them finish the question. Your interruption will not make you look smart. On the contrary, it will make you look unprofessional. So, be patient.

Interview DON’Ts

Avoid General Statements

Making general statements will not be beneficial at all. Don’t say, “I am a team player” or “I like to solve problems”. These statements are very general and they don’t let interviewers judge a candidate properly. Share your strengths with relevant examples. They will help your interviewer remember you and your capabilities. Generalities will be forgotten in no time.

Don’t Look at Your Resume

You should know everything that is written in your resume. Thus, there is no need to look at it every now and then. When you are asked about your education or experience, do not start reading from your resume. If you do so, you will make an extremely terrible first impression.

Never Say that You Don’t Have Any Weaknesses

The purpose of this question is not to make you look weak. This question is asked to determine how much you know about yourself and how honest you are. As you continue to learn new things, you will always come across some hurdles. You need to tell your interviewer about the hurdles you encountered and how you resolved them. So, don’t just say, “I don’t have any weaknesses. I am a very strong person.” It will be the wrong answer.

Interview questions and answers

Don’t Sound Overconfident or Arrogant

Always keep in mind that you are there to get a job. You don’t have it yet. If you sound arrogant or even overconfident, then you will turn off your interviewer immediately. Your interviewer will think that if you can’t communicate properly before you have been given the job, how will you behave after you are hired? Companies don’t want employees who think that they are better than others. So, be humble and polite.

Never Criticize Any Former Employer or Manager

You can’t look positive if your attitude is all negative. If you say anything bad about any of your previous employers, managers or even co-workers, then you will destroy your credibility with your own hands. Interviewers don’t give preference to those who leave companies with negative feelings and then talk about them badly.

When you follow these powerful dos and don’ts, you will certainly be able to make an excellent first impression and significantly increase your chances of getting the job that you need. Just be yourself and do your best.

Author Bio

Skornia Alison works as a manager at an online tutoring service, where she helps clients who search on the internet, I want to Pay someone to write my essay. She provides guidance to them helping them lift their knowledge and skills.

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The Interview Check List

Prepare for the Interview

    • Write a list of your strengths, skills and qualities – highlight the strengths, skills and qualities needed for the job you are being interviewed for.
    • Research the company; you can research the company online by clicking “about us” or “company history” tab on the company website – you will be asked “can you tell me what you know about our company?” during the interview.
    • Complete a mock interview; rehearse what to say and how to respond to interview questions. Also plan a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
    • Plan travel (complete a mock ruin in advance) prepare interview clothes, put CVs and references in a smart-looking file and set your alarm clock – you don’t want to be late!

During the Interview

    • Arrive early; no-one likes a late interviewee. Introduce yourself to the receptionist “good morning my name is Mr X, I have an appointment for an interview with Mrs Y, this morning at 10:00”
    • When asked into the interview, introduce yourself to the interviewer, shake hands and wait to be seated.
    • Have a good induction planned, as a common first interview question is “tell me a little about yourself”
    • Sit up straight, speak clearly and breathe between questions! Lock your hands together if you are nervous as this stops you from fidgeting, make good eye contact and ask for any questions you don’t understand to be repeated.
    • Answer questions using stories and real-life experiences; prove your knowledge, skills and worth by offering evidence or giving numbers, facts and figures.
    • Smile throughout the interview and offer detailed specific answers, relating to your background and experience – remember to discuss your skills that relate to the job specification.
    • Close the interview by asking the interviewer questions relating to the growth of the company, staff development, new contracts and the company employees.
    • Thank the interviewer for their time and shake hands.

After the Interview

    • Review the interview, write a list of what went well; your posture, interview answers, confidence etc. and a second list of what you can improve; speaking more slowly, answering a certain question, eye contact etc.
    • Complete a new mock interview and notice how you have improved with this new learning.
    • Write a thank-you letter to the interviewer indicating your interest within 24 hours of your interview.
    • Prepare references and continue to job search until you have a job offer in writing.
    • If rejected for the position, gain feedback from the interviewer. If offered the job, reply within 10 days.