Below are standard interview questions and recommended response parameters for you to exercise before your onsite meeting:
Common Interview Question #1: “What can you tell me about yourself?”
- The answer should directly address the concerns and fit the objectives of the prospective employer;
- You want to be “selling” what the company is “buying.”
- Spend more time highlighting professional accomplishments, not personal ones
- Be brief – take a minute or less to answer this question
Common Interview Question #2: “Why are you looking?”
- Never speak poorly about your current company, team, or boss regardless of circumstance.
- Situate your reason for leaving your earlier roles in the best light possible; this is an opportunity to sell yourself; not to air dirty laundry or share grievances.
- If you are not actively looking, be honest about your current situation and upfront if your search is confidential.
- Be prepared to articulate your reasons for initial interest; never claim your actions are driven by salary.
Common Interview Question #3: “Why do you want to work for our company?”
- This question is the perfect opportunity to showcase the research you completed as you relay your preemptive understanding of the business and how you could see yourself adding value.
- Make sure that you can articulate “why here” – what specific attributes about the working environment, the reputation of the firm, the type of work, or the support of the team are most compelling to you?
- Prepare to respond in a way that continues to sell your skills and demonstrate an interest in their company culture.
Common Interview Question #4: “Why should we hire you?”
- At this point, you should consider the shortlist of areas the hiring manager is identified as critical
- Share a relevant accomplishment; outline the situation, what needed to be done, the specific results– quantify.
Common Interview Question #5: “What would you describe as your greatest weakness?”
- Keep in mind any potential concerns that your recruiter has shared with you from the client’s perspective.
- Your answer should be honest and structured in a way that expands or negates any potential hiring concerns.
- Pair your response with how you overcame the weakness and how this experience impacts your work today.
- Keep in mind that everyone has weaknesses and they can change multiple times as a career progresses.
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