New Years Resolution
Can you answer the standard job interview questions? A few weeks ago, we talked about our New Years resolutions. We also discussed job searches and creating a checklist for your job search. The difference between an efficient job search and an inefficient job search will boil down to how methodical and organized you are. Our job search checklist is here. This tool will provide you with a step by step outline of what you need to be thinking about to conduct an effective job search. One of the most important is items on this checklist is being prepared for the job interview questions we know we will be asked.
Prepare for job interview questions
One item every job search checklist should have are a list of job interview questions. More importantly, your checklist should include your prepared answers. We know we are going to be asked the obvious job interview questions so you should be prepared. Practicing these answers out loud will help you sound more articulate and thoughtful. Both will lead to increasing your chances of landing a stronger offer.
Standard questions you will absolutely be asked
- Why do you want to work here at company X?
- What is your weakness?
- Tell me about your strength?
- What do you know about our company?
- What is your desired salary?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- When we call references, what would your current manager say about you?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- Tell me about yourself
Candidates should be prepared to answer the most important question in the first interview: What is your desired salary? Even if you are perfect for the role, no one will want to move you forward if they are not confident you will fit into their budget.
Lastly, check out our post on Behavioral Interviewing
Behavioral Interviewing is the methodology that most professional recruiters use to conduct interviews. Even if the recruiter isn’t familiar with this method of interviewing, answering with a Behavioral answer will make your interviewers job easier. The premise is that prior performance is the best indicator of future performance. What you have done and accomplished before is a better proof point than you saying you can or will do something in the future. So when you answer an interviewers job interview questions, include a prior example of how you were a hard worker or a prior example of where you showed initiative. Just saying we are a hard worker or can show initiative isn’t enough because all candidates say this.
Key Takeaway: The best chance of being successful through an interview loop will mean being prepared for the job interview questions. Make a checklist and be prepared for what we know if expected.
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