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Prep for the Top 10 Interview Questions
Carole Martin / Monster
Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming out of left field. But many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list and plan your answers ahead of time so you’ll be ready to deliver them with confidence.
What Are Your Weaknesses?
This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: “I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful.”
Why Should We Hire You?
Summarize your experiences: “With five years’ experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I’m confident I would be a great addition to your team.”
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you’ve given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, “I’ve selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices.”
What Are Your Goals?
Sometimes it’s best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, “My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility.”
Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
If you’re unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: “I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me.”
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: “After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience.”
smile
about 1 month ago
100 comments
I loved this article. I used alot of ideas from it for a telephone interview I just completed. I felt much more relaxed when I was able to have an idea as to what may be asked. I jotted down a few notes just to refresh my memory before the interview. I couldn't believe it though, the phone interview (the stomach flutters) before they called was as if I had actually walked into the interview room, lol. I did well in the interview because I felt confident.
samanvita
3 months ago
2 comments
The article helped me to evolute my past interviewees
Dr.Ramakrishna Aradhyula
DL77Chapman
5 months ago
4 comments
great article, I wish i had seen it a couple of days ago. I may have blown my chances in a recent interview... no/lol
chechelia
5 months ago
14 comments
I use all of these, except asking what animal. However I do like that one and may add it. I agree that it could shed some light on the individual's personality type, which is often important in determining if this person will mesh well with the rest of the employees. In addition, I like to ask "what do you know about our company?". I figure that if someone really wants to work here, they would have taken the time to at least "google" us and find out a little about us.
ranankareddy
5 months ago
2 comments
the answer are helpful
kozlaa
5 months ago
2 comments
a wolf silly. It's a hunter that bases everything it does off of teamwork.
jeanspusher
5 months ago
26 comments
I've never been asked what animal i would be... but dog sounds better than chimp. Chimp implies you like being silly? Dog is better for the same reasons bobdelta said
PARSHANT
5 months ago
2 comments
These were great questions/responses....This was very helpful.
bobdelta
5 months ago
2 comments
I think the animal question depends on the job position. I was thinking along the lines of dworths50, a dog for a sales position? It can be very friendly but aggressive when it has to be.
dworths50
5 months ago
2 comments
dworths50 / these are very helpful tools that helped me in considering what to study for in my next interview. On the animal question what do you think about a chimp or dog ???
HarrietAlison
5 months ago
210 comments
Very good questions that need to be thought about. The answers to these are so important. I Just had an interview yesterday for a part ime job and these are the very questions that were asked(except for the animal one).
PHYLLISBRANCHE
5 months ago
2 comments
These were great questions/responses. I'm still looking for an INTERVIEW (older woman here) but know that, when the time comes, this will help me present a better impression.
brc
5 months ago
2 comments
This was very helpful. These were some questions that have been ask already in my job interviews.
rich34232
5 months ago
590 comments
right in line with salary negotiations