In the warmth of the moment during a job interview, it’s comprehensible to take seemingly straightforward questions at face value. The result? You’re either slightly too honest with the interviewer, too unfocused in your answer, otherwise you push too hard to sell yourself.
In every case, you risk giving your interviewer the improper impression. As such, it’s essential to stop and ask yourself: what’s the interviewer on the lookout for? What do they mean by asking you about your personality, motivations and failures?
Let’s have a look at five common job interview inquiries to provide help to understand what it’s the interviewer wants you to say and the way you’ll be able to give the very best answer possible.
What’s the interviewer trying to seek out out with these five questions?
1) “Tell me about you.”
What’s the interviewer trying to seek out out?
This can probably be the primary query and can shape how the interviewer sees you for the remainder of the conversation. Their purpose is to find why this chance appealed to you, wherein ways your education and profession have prepared you for the role, and whether you have got the vital skills.
How one can answer
It may possibly seem easy to discuss yourself at great length, which is precisely where the challenge lies: to maintain your answer on topic. You may’t give one-word answers, but neither are you able to go on for too long. Plan a solution with a transparent structure that covers the below points:
- Your relevant educational and skilled background
- The important thing skills and expertise you have got which directly relate to this chance
- What you might be on the lookout for in your next role and why this role appealed to you
2) “Why are you seeking to leave your current job?”
What’s the interviewer trying to seek out out?
In the event you haven’t already discussed your motivations fully in your answer to the above query, your interviewer will want to learn more. Careful, though: even when the query is phrased in this manner, don’t fall into the trap of badmouthing your current employers. In the event you talk negatively about your current or past company, it’d give the impression that you simply’ll talk negatively about your future workplace.
Your interviewer doesn’t wish to hear that you simply only want this job since you’re dissatisfied. Put a positive spin on it, show you’re proactive in your profession. They’re excited about knowing whether you genuinely want this position due to what it offers, and whether you’re the correct fit for the team and organisation.
How one can answer
As a substitute of being negative, concentrate on the opportunities that this role brings, similar to developing latest skills, or exposure to certain industries or markets. Make sure that you’ve researched the hiring company beforehand and mention something that you simply found particularly attractive.
3) “Tell me a couple of time that you simply failed.”
What’s the interviewer trying to seek out out?
The interviewer desires to make certain that you learn from mistakes and that, while you inevitably do make an error on this role, you’ll find a way to accomplish that again.
How one can answer
This is just not the time to inform a story in regards to the time you saved the day. You’ll come across as lacking self-awareness, especially if you happen to don’t accept responsibility for the initial problem. Likewise, don’t make any excuses.
Explain what happened, the way you identified what went improper and what you learned for future experiences. In the event you later encountered an identical scenario, tell the interviewer what you probably did otherwise – this can show that you simply learned from the previous situation. Breath, smile and tell your story.
4) “How would your mates describe you?”
What’s the interviewer trying to seek out out?
Bringing in a brand new recruit isn’t nearly finding someone who can fulfil the responsibilities of the role. Will they take to each other with the remainder of the team? Will they be a superb fit for the workplace? How will they interact with other stakeholders?
How one can answer
Easy first step: share the job description with your mates or family and ask them which of your attributes are relevant. They could find a way to supply a fresh perspective on what you’d bring to the role and team.
Try not to make use of anything generic that won’t mean anything to the interviewer. For instance, as a substitute of “fun” or “clever”, try “sociable” or “perceptive”. It’s also a chance to say your emotional intelligence (or EQ).
5) “Are you interviewing with some other corporations?”
What’s the interviewer trying to seek out out?
This is commonly one among the ultimate questions your interviewer will ask, and it’s not because they need to know that you simply’re a superb candidate. They need to know whether you really need this role, and the way long they’ve got to give you the job.
How one can answer
On this instance, truthfully is the very best policy – but don’t reveal the entire picture. Make sure that the interviewer is left in little doubt that this role is your preference (okay, which may not at all times be true!). In the event you are interviewing with other corporations otherwise you’ve already received a job offer, let the interviewer know but don’t give away any names.
Next steps for job interview success
Got an interview coming up? Or possibly you’ve just began your job search? Download our free interview guide today for detailed advice on:
- How one can prepare for various questions
- Which inquiries to ask your interviewer
- What you’ll be able to do in the course of the interview to enhance your probabilities of success
- Why your actions matter after the interview is over
