Have you had an in-person interview? Congrats, now is the time to brush up your interview skills and plan solid answers no matter what might come your way. While it is important to answer a question well, it is also important to avoid answering poorly. Read on for some common interview questions with responses that you should eliminate, along with suggestions on how to respond instead.
Tell me about yourself.
Well, I’m from here. Divorced with two kids; split custody. When the kids are with me, we spend a lot of time at church events.
The purpose of this question is to get to know your personality, a bit. But, mostly, it is meant to understand how your background is related to the type of skill set the role requires. Speaking about hobbies is good but certainly excluding marital status, politics, and religion. Rather, steer your examples towards past experiences, achievements and awards.
Why should we hire you?
I’m a hard worker. My old coworkers really liked me.
The hiring manager is likely evaluating many other applicants, so a common response like the above is not going to make you memorable. Alternatively, you can clarify what you can do, that other candidates can’t. If you can back up your outstanding abilities, much greater, with credible evidence of past achievements.
The hiring manager is likely interviewing many other candidates, so a generic answer such as the above will not make you memorable. You should instead explain what you are able to offer, that the other candidates can’t. If you can back your exceptional qualities up with anecdotal evidence of past accomplishments, even better.
What did you like least about your previous position?
My manager was really micromanage-y and the benefits weren’t great.
It’s not a good look to talk a little about a past manager, or a flurry about what the company has been able to offer you. This reflects negatively on your image and displays a victim’s attitude. This question is meant to understand what things you may not like to do and make sure that the current position does not include work that you will be unable to do. The interviewer wants to make sure that the day-to-day duties of the job are a good fit for you.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself here.
This reaction is fine as long as it’s just how it starts. Follow up on what goals you’ve got for what you want to do and how you want the organization to benefit from it. Would you like to see yourself in a managerial position? Do you want to be the mind behind the concept of a plan that goes viral (because you did it before!)? Which ambitions do you have will attract the interviewer’s attention and show that you’re going to be a good addition to their squad.
Why are you interested in this role?
I was looking for jobs and this one looked interesting. Plus, the office is close to my house.
It’s a good idea to talk about how your passions relate to the responsibilities of a job, a business and/or its culture when you ask this question. Stay away from anything abstract or superficial like your connection to your house. You should always include examples of successful ventures that you have directed.
Do you have any questions?
No, I think our conversation covered all of the questions I had.
If you don’t have any questions at the end of the interview, you may not be interested in the job, the hiring manager, or the business. Even if all the written questions had been asked, the only way to be included in a dialogue was to proceed to follow-up enquiries.
If you can’t think of any question related to the dialog you’ve just had, it’s a good follow-up to ask if they feel you’re going to be a good fit, or if there’s any hesitation, and if you’re going to be able to address it. The question shows:
1.) You are confident, because you have to think on your feet, because you are in a vulnerable position and
2.) This gives you the opportunity to convince the hiring manager or provide a reason for your decision.
It is a good rule when addressing any question, to keep away from criticism or ambiguous answers. The responses then teach you what’s nice for you, what you’ve done and how you can adapt it to this position.
Advertisements
Have you had an in-person interview? Congrats, now is the time to brush up your interview skills and plan solid answers no matter what might come your way. While it is important to answer a question well, it is also important to avoid answering poorly. Read on for some common interview questions with responses that you should eliminate, along with suggestions on how to respond instead.
Tell me about yourself.
Well, I’m from here. Divorced with two kids; split custody. When the kids are with me, we spend a lot of time at church events.
The purpose of this question is to get to know your personality, a bit. But, mostly, it is meant to understand how your background is related to the type of skill set the role requires. Speaking about hobbies is good but certainly excluding marital status, politics, and religion. Rather, steer your examples towards past experiences, achievements and awards.
Why should we hire you?
I’m a hard worker. My old coworkers really liked me.
The hiring manager is likely evaluating many other applicants, so a common response like the above is not going to make you memorable. Alternatively, you can clarify what you can do, that other candidates can’t. If you can back up your outstanding abilities, much greater, with credible evidence of past achievements.
The hiring manager is likely interviewing many other candidates, so a generic answer such as the above will not make you memorable. You should instead explain what you are able to offer, that the other candidates can’t. If you can back your exceptional qualities up with anecdotal evidence of past accomplishments, even better.
What did you like least about your previous position?
My manager was really micromanage-y and the benefits weren’t great.
It’s not a good look to talk a little about a past manager, or a flurry about what the company has been able to offer you. This reflects negatively on your image and displays a victim’s attitude. This question is meant to understand what things you may not like to do and make sure that the current position does not include work that you will be unable to do. The interviewer wants to make sure that the day-to-day duties of the job are a good fit for you.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself here.
This reaction is fine as long as it’s just how it starts. Follow up on what goals you’ve got for what you want to do and how you want the organization to benefit from it. Would you like to see yourself in a managerial position? Do you want to be the mind behind the concept of a plan that goes viral (because you did it before!)? Which ambitions do you have will attract the interviewer’s attention and show that you’re going to be a good addition to their squad.
Why are you interested in this role?
I was looking for jobs and this one looked interesting. Plus, the office is close to my house.
It’s a good idea to talk about how your passions relate to the responsibilities of a job, a business and/or its culture when you ask this question. Stay away from anything abstract or superficial like your connection to your house. You should always include examples of successful ventures that you have directed.
Do you have any questions?
No, I think our conversation covered all of the questions I had.
If you don’t have any questions at the end of the interview, you may not be interested in the job, the hiring manager, or the business. Even if all the written questions had been asked, the only way to be included in a dialogue was to proceed to follow-up enquiries.
If you can’t think of any question related to the dialog you’ve just had, it’s a good follow-up to ask if they feel you’re going to be a good fit, or if there’s any hesitation, and if you’re going to be able to address it. The question shows:
1.) You are confident, because you have to think on your feet, because you are in a vulnerable position and
2.) This gives you the opportunity to convince the hiring manager or provide a reason for your decision.
It is a good rule when addressing any question, to keep away from criticism or ambiguous answers. The responses then teach you what’s nice for you, what you’ve done and how you can adapt it to this position.