Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions
July 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Job Interview
When preparing for a job interview, we often try to determine what questions the job interviewer may ask. While you can’t expect to anticipate every question that may be thrown at you, there are some commonly asked questions that you’d benefit from thinking through prior to going to the
Tell me about yourself.
Although this request sounds quite simple, it does require some thought. You will most likely have only 2-3 minutes to provide a response, so it is critical to figure out what is important to share. Consider the job you have applied for and then share a succinct overview of your most relevant job experience and skills. Don’t ramble.
What are your top three strengths?
Vary your response to this question according to the job opening. Ask yourself what the hiring manager is searching for in a candidate and then analyze your strengths to find a match. For example, strengths pertinent to a finance position might not be the same for an event planning position. You have multiple strengths, but your response must demonstrate your strengths are a good fit for the position.
What are your top three weaknesses?
Proceed with caution when providing an answer to any question about your weaknesses or development areas. Don’t be tricked into sabotaging your chances of getting the position by jumping into a impromptu response. Provide answers in technical areas of the job that aren’t critical to success. For example, “I would like to gain more experience in XYZ and have been working to develop my skills by conducting research in my free time”. This approach demonstrates that you are self-aware and working to develop or broaden your skill set. Be careful not to provide a weakness that is really a strength. Interviewers see right past this approach and it doesn’t come off as a genuine answer. For example, “I am such a perfectionist that I sometimes pay too much attention to detail”. This type of response is very cliché and in most cases won’t help you make a good impression.
What makes you a good candidate for this position?
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