Your job search has finally landed that job interview, now the hard part begins. You sold yourself on paper through your resume, now you must sell yourself in person. You know your employment history through and through, but what about those “trick questions” that all prospective employers invariably ask? How will you answer the questions that will really tell the interviewer whether or not you are right for the job? The answer is to know what is coming and to be prepared. This is a list of some of the most common interview questions and some tips on how to approach them.
Tell me about you.
Put this in perspective here. They are usually not about your life story or hobbies, but are more interested in you at work. Prepare an “elevator speech” to address this. In short, you should be able to tell a stranger what you do professionally in the time it takes to ride an elevator, not a lot of time. Don’t make it sound rehearsed, but know what you’re going to say before you go in there.
Why did you leave your last job?
If things went wrong and resulted in your departure, you will need to build a positive spin on your departure. Don’t bring any negativity to your interview. If the manager was a jerk, that’s the last thing you want to say. Prepare a good positive answer to this question and stay away from all negativity.
What experience do you have in this field/job/position?
This is where your research on organization and work comes into play. Think Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) and address each job requirement or task outlined in the description. Be prepared to apply any training or education, skills and experience you’ve gained, and skills you’ve honed to each of them individually.
What salary are you looking for?
This is a tough and nasty trap 22. If you ask for too little, you’ll give the impression that you’re undervaluing yourself, but if you ask for too much, you’ll put yourself out of business. You can bet the position already has a fixed salary, so this is more like a game. The best thing you can do is not answer. If you know you absolutely must have X amount to survive, you don’t have to go there right away. Before your interview, research the salaries for the position in your state (your state department of labor should have those statistics) and give a wide range using your minimum wage and “going rate” from your research.
Do you have any questions?
Again, this is where your company research comes into play. Ask about benefits, corporate growth, advancement, and anything else that piques your interest while you do your research. Don’t limit yourself to the company’s website, do an internet search and see what else is out there. So you can address these things in the interview.
Other jobs that seem general, like “are you a team player?” asks for more than a yes or no. Give examples of where you have been a team player, team leader, etc. The key to standing out in a job interview is preparation. Know what you’re going to say, particularly with “loaded questions,” and you’ll get it right.