This is a follow up to the last article about answering difficult interview questions. We receive a tremendous amount of questions from clients that struggle with the interview process so thought we would initiate a part two dedicated to this important aspect of the job search process. Being prepared will help you land that exciting job opportunity.
There are many questions that stump candidates leaving them feeling like they blew their last job interview. Applying for so many jobs, finally getting your foot in the door and then not feeling confident about how you did on the interview? That can be devastating and crushing to the ego which affects how well you perform on the next interview. It’s essential to learn from the experience and be prepared for the next interview so you land that amazing job opportunity.
Why Are You Looking for Another Job?
Keep in mind, the job interviewer is not your friend or your therapist. This is not an opportunity to go through a list of why you are unhappy in your current job or aren’t experiencing job growth, why you already left or why you believe you were let go. It’s all important but this is not the forum for that discussion. Never speak negatively about your former employer. Think of something neutral or forward thinking in terms of your career.
It’s always important to be genuine but that doesn’t not mean sharing the whole story. Consider why you are applying for that particular job. What it has to offer in terms of job growth and challenging work. Focus on the positive aspects of taking this step in your career rather than what you are leaving behind. It makes for a more compelling response and doesn’t take you out of the running for this exciting position. You also don’t want to be perceived as a job hopper. It’s critical to convey that you plan to stick around.
First Three Things You Will Do In This Role
Always be mindful of your audience. If you tell your potential boss that you plan to dismantle what he or she has worked so hard to build, that won’t go over well. Be sensitive to the reasons why certain processes and procedures were put in place. Be thoughtful in your response. Of course, you will be coming in with fresh ideas and a new perspective. That makes sense. However, most companies want to be sure that you will take the appropriate time to understand the full picture before taking steps to initiate changes. Think about how you plan to increase your knowledge base about the company with the goal of contributing to meeting business objectives.
What is your Biggest Weakness?
The interviewer wants to know that you have self-awareness and understand what you need to work on. So, when you answer, you want to be honest of course. You also want to think through a response that makes sense, nothing that gives the impression you are not a strong candidate. Giving a weakness that is actually a strength like I work too hard is not the best response. You can talk through this with someone who knows you from a career standpoint and can help you identify your area of opportunity. You can also think about something your manager has asked you to improve upon. The essential part of this answer is that you have worked on this area and made improvements.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Always have questions ready for the job interview. If you don’t ask any questions, it appears as if you don’t have an interest in the job or it may give the impression that you apply for many jobs and are not specifically interested in working for their company. You want at least one question you ask to demonstrate you researched the company. The other questions can focus on what interests you in terms of work environment, values, job growth and company results. Basically, what’s important in terms of helping you make a decision regarding if you want to work for this company and feel you will experience job growth.
Mock Interviews
Participating in a Mock interview is a great opportunity to practice, try new things, get expert advice and put a plan in place for the actual job interviews. It’s a safe space. Professional resume writers can offer you the opportunity to have a skype mock job interview that can save you a considerable amount of time and energy so you can better focus your efforts. Once you are ready for the tell me about yourself question which we address in the previous article, you want to know how to respond to other frequently asked job interview questions.
Articulating what you have done throughout your entire career can be a challenge. Trying to figure out what is the most relevant information to share with your interviewer can feel like a mystery. One session with an experienced career coach and professional resume writer can be of tremendous value. It allows you to frame your job interview responses and impress the interviewer. When interviewing, people tend to do one of two things. Either they ramble on giving way too much information therefore losing their audience or they just don’t truly sell themselves.
Focus Your Answers
A career coach can help you think through your major accomplishments, contributions to other organizations, your unique skill set and stay focused on what’s most relevant. Some people just don’t feel comfortable talking about themselves and their accomplishments. A professional that can guide you through the process is extremely valuable.
Let’s face it, job interviews are very stressful. You want to just skip the job interview and show them what you can do. It’s a necessary evil so to speak. Being prepared and anticipating some of the questions will help put your mind at ease and feel more confident as the interview approaches. Confidence is key to presenting yourself well. Understanding what the hiring manager is looking for will give a real advantage over other candidates. You want to understand your target audience and put your best foot forward when you answer those tough interview questions.