Let us begin.
What are your biggest strengths?
This is your time to shine. Just remember the interviewer
is looking for work related strengths. Mention a number of them such as
being a good motivator, problem solver, performing well under pressure,
loyal, positive attitude, eager to learn, taking the initiative, attention
to detail. Whichever you go for, be prepared to give examples that illustrate
this particular skill.
Describe how you recently managed a diverse project team towards a common goal.
Focus on your ability to delegate in a fair and practical
way, how you clearly defined project roles and responsibilities, kept personality
clashes and conflict to a minimum and monitored and fed back to the project
team. Outline your management style and why it worked.
What do you know about us?
Follow these three easy research tips before your next job interview:
1) Visit the company website; look in the “about us” section and “careers” sections.
2) Visit the company’s LinkedIn page (note, you must have a LinkedIn account — its free to sign up) to view information about the company.
3) Google a keyword search phrase like “press releases” followed by the company name; you’ll find the most recent news stories shared by the company.
Remember, just because you have done your “homework”, it does not mean you need to share ALL of it during the interview! Reciting every fact you’ve learned is almost as much of a turn off as not knowing anything at all! At a minimum, you should include the following in your answer:
1. What type of product or service the company sells?
2. How long the company has been in business?
3. What the company culture is like OR what the company
mission statement is, and how the culture and/or mission relate to your
values or personality?
Why do you want to work with us?
More likely than not, the interviewer wishes to see how much you know about the company culture, and whether you can identify with the organization’s values and vision. Every organization has its strong points, and these are the ones that you should highlight in your answer. For example, if the company emphasizes on integrity with customers, then you mention that you would like to be in such a team because you yourself believe in integrity.
It doesn’t have to be a lie. In the case that your values
are not in line with the ones by the company, ask yourself if you would
be happy working there. If you have no issue with that, go ahead. But if
you are aware of the company culture and realize that there is some dilemma
you might be facing, you ought to think twice. The best policy is to be
honest with yourself, and be honest with the interviewer with what is it
in the company culture that motivates you.
Why should the we hire you?
This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself. This is why you need to be utterly familiar with the job description as well as the company culture. Remember though, it’s best to back them up with actual examples of say, how you are a good team player.
It is possible that you may not have as much skills, experience
or qualifications as the other candidates. What then, will set you apart
from the rest? Energy and passion might. People are attracted to someone
who is charismatic, who show immense amount of energy when they talk, and
who love what it is that they do. As you explain your compatibility with
the job and company, be sure to portray yourself as that motivated, confident
and energetic person, ever-ready to commit to the cause of the company.
What kind of salary do you need?
A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?
In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will
tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then
give a wide range.
Do you have any questions to ask us?
Never ask Salary, perks, leave, place of posting, etc. regarded questions.
Try to ask more about the company to show how early you can make a contribution to your organization like “Sir, with your kind permission I would like to know more about induction and developmental programs?”
OR
Sir, I would like to have my feedback, so that I can analyze
and improve my strengths and rectify my shortcomings.
Other job interview tips
Practice types of job interview such as screening interview, phone interview, second interview, situational interview, behavioral interview (competency based), technical interview, group interview…
Send interview thank you letter to employers after finishing the job interview: first interview, follow-up interview, final interview.
Prepare list of questions in order to ask the employer during job interview.
