Going into an interview is often described as one of the most nerve wrecking situations people have to face; that is because they are worried that they will be negatively evaluated or perceived by the interviewer.
From the second you enter the company’s building to the time you are back outside, you are being observed. That’s why preparation can definitely help you turn your interview into a great opportunity to convince prospective employers about the tremendous value you will add to their organization.
When it comes to preparation, not only should you research the vacancy, the company and the industry, but you should also try to anticipate questions that tend to come up during almost every job interview. The bad news here is that these questions are not easy to answer since there is no “best” way of answering and every employer expects different answers. The good news is that because these questions are so frequent, you can prepare for them well in advance in order to be able to give the perfect answer without breaking a sweat.
Akhtaboot will help tip the scales in your favor, with hints on how to answer the top 5 trickiest interview questions!
Question #1: Tell me about yourself and your work experience?
As general as this question might seem to be, people often find it hard to summarize their entire working life in just a couple of minutes. Make sure that you start with the present and explain why you are truly qualified for the position. If you are a recent graduate, you can start by talking about the projects that you have worked on during college and how your participation was critical to the project’s success, but for those with many years of experience, it is advisable to highlight the projects and skills that are in line with the position you are applying for. Keep in mind that the way you answer this question, says a lot about your communication skills.
Question #2: Why do you want to leave your present company?
The most frequent answers to this question include: “Better Opportunity” and “Career Development”. Both answers are totally acceptable, but somehow, too common. Giving your answers some identity will make you stand out from every other applicant and will definitely help you shine. Regardless of whether you resigned willingly or you got fired, you should never badmouth a former employer. As good as it may feel to do so; it will always come across as a red flag when you’re being interviewed. Remember that all employers are looking for loyal employees, so make sure that you sound like one!
Question #3: Where do you see yourself in five years?
When it come to this question, it’s doesn’t matter what you say, it’s how you say it. Job seekers often think there’s a correct answer to this question. Instead, this question is usually asked in order to get a sense of your overall career goals and aspirations and to see if you may fit well with their organizational culture. Try to think about the big picture; what are your goals? What do you want out of your career? Even if you still have no clue what it is you want to do, you will probably have an idea of the type of working environment you prefer. Try to summarize these thoughts and turn them into a great answer to this question.
Question #4: What do you think are your weaknesses?
While most of us would talk for about an hour answering the “what are your strengths?” question, many find it hard to answer the opposite question, “what are your weaknesses?”. The smartest way to deal with this question is to try and turn your weaknesses into strengths. For example, you can say that you tend to be very hard on yourself when you make a mistake. This seems to be an honest confession of a true weakness, but it will actually be taken as a good thing to your interviewer. The last thing you want is to appear like a big head admitting that you have no flaws whatsoever.
Question #5: What are your salary expectations?
When it comes to salary expectations, stay away from discussing salary details before receiving a job offer, especially if you are new to the job market. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to discussing a fair compensation when the time comes. If you were cornered to provide a more specific answer, always give a range instead of one fixed number. As funny as this might sound, the first one to state a specific number loses, so make sure it is not you!
When it comes to interviews you must really understand that interviewers are not your friends and neither should you treat them as such. While telling the truth might seem like a good idea at first, choosing to reveal everything could possibly ruin any chance you have for a second interview.
Remember that the worst thing you can possibly do is to go through the whole interview focusing on your negative points. Be proud of your experiences, skills and personality and use the interview as an opportunity to show them off. Remember that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the bargain hunter is looking for!
Amer Al-Saleh honored on behalf
Samah Al-Nasser (HR Specialist
During Akhtaboot's CV
