Candidates can expect to hear the usual, run of the mill questions when sitting on the other side of the interviewer's desk. They are all hard to answer to a certain extent, because being put on the spot and having to give an acceptable response requires a fair bit of experience. Those who have been through a few interviews before, and blew them, might be able to relax more and not have the fear of rambling on and on and saying something nonsensical.
What Interviewers Love to Ask
Can you tell me about yourself and your education background?
This is not as easy as you might think. Condensing your life into a few sentences without making it too short or too long is surprisingly difficult. When the interviewer asks you to give more information about yourself he/she doesn't want to hear everything. Just stick to why you're the best applicant, and be prepared to back this up with a couple of examples.
What is your greatest weakness?
This is one of the classic interview questions that make people cringe. Saying that you are a workaholic would be a mistake. In the mind of the interviewer you will either be lying, or telling the truth, in which case you define working too much as a weakness and do not want to work that much at all.
Instead, you should pick a genuine weakness you are working to remedy, such as planning and prioritization. It might help to have something tangible like a daily planner handy, and show it to the interviewer.
Why do you want to work here? (What is really being asked: What do you know about this company?)
To answer this you must do your homework before the interview. Offering insightful information about the company's products and/or services would help, as well as why you think working there would be better than doing the same job in another firm.
Where do you see yourself in five years? (What is really being asked: How focused are you?)
Here's another tough one. Your answer should be centered around the employer, with special emphasis on rising to new levels in the organization and taking on new challenges.
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer. (What is really being asked: How well do you handle pressure?)
The interviewer will try to get a sense of how you react when under stress. Illustrate this by highlighting your diplomatic skills and awareness of other people's needs.
Questions Which are Asked to Catch a Candidate Off Guard
It's wise to be ready for questions like these. They are meant to stump you, so have some answers prepared.
If you were a tree, or a car, what kind would you want to be? (What he/she really wants to know: How creative are you?)
The interviewer will want to know how quickly you think on your feet, and what really makes you tick. The more creative your answer is, the better. "I don't know" is the worst possible response.
What are your salary expectations for this job? (What is really being asked: Can we afford you?)
The best way to answer this is with another question. Ask what the budget is for the position being offered. If the interviewer continues to probe, quote your current salary and say you'd like to improve that figure. Then, if he/she will not drop the subject, you should come up with a specific number. It could be that the interviewer is trying to determine how badly you want the job.
Every interview will be different. Some recruiters will have a sense of humor and others will not make eye contact. Experience is a definite asset, and you should follow the lead of the interviewer. The bottom line is to expect the unexpected.
Scott Hayden - Since joining Suite101 in early 2007, I've contributed articles about travel, history and health. My speciality is writing about workplace ...
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