Practice Makes Perfect For
Difficult Interview Questions

Contributed by Michael Plontz

More than likely, you’ve experienced the sweat inducing, nerve-wracking, “spotlight’s on you” interrogation known as the job interview. If you’ve been through the job interview process several times, you probably noticed that the questions–although worded a bit differently–are the same in nearly every interview.

Realizing this and anticipating the questions are the first steps to a successful interview. This allows you to prepare your answers well in advance and give yourself plenty of rehearsal time.

Consider each question carefully as you prepare your answers because each one is designed to determine your suitability for the position. In other words, don’t take each question at face value; scratch the surface to figure out what the interviewer is trying to find out about you.

1. Describe what you do in your current position?
Sounds pretty straightforward and easy to answer, doesn’t it? Obviously you know what you do and can relate that to others, right? Keep it brief. Give a short list of your responsibilities or a general overview. If your interviewer wants you to expand on anything you mention, he or she will ask.

2. Why are you looking to leave your current position?
Be careful with this one. You do not want to criticize your current boss and coworkers, but rather state positive reasons for wanting to leave. Looking for a new challenge, increasing chances for advancement, and improving your benefits package are all good reasons for wanting to leave, while “my boss is a shrew” is not a good reason.

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
You know this one is coming, but are you ever prepared for it? The bottom line is that you must be! The answer to this question must be rehearsed carefully as it tells volumes about your confidence level, attitude and self-awareness. The key is to highlight one weakness that can also be viewed as a positive: a workaholic who is also a perfectionist, for example. Describe what steps you have taken to curtail this “weakness.”

As far as strengths go, be specific and cite examples of how these strengths have impacted your work. Do not sound like you are bragging or overly confident as most companies are hiring you and not your ego.

4. Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this job?
Assuming that your interviewer can read, he knows what’s written in your resume. This is the time to highlight skills that may not be appropriate on a resume. Patience, a strong work ethic and respect for others are wonderful characteristics to highlight. Your eagerness to continue to learn is a positive also. Citing the fact that you learned Photoshop® through computer-based Internet training shows that you are constantly looking to challenge yourself and “sharpen the saw.”

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is a way for you to show that you are able to establish realistic goals. Keep in mind that these goals need to match the opportunities afforded by the position for which you are interviewing. In addition, you need to emphasize the fact that the job is in keeping with your long-term goals. Employers want to make sure that you are going to stick around for a while.

6. Why do you want to work for our company?
This is where your research skills come into play. Nearly every company in today’s marketplace has a web site, and this is an excellent place to find out about a company. In fact, that is why you are being asked this question. Your potential employer wants to know if you took the time to learn about his company. If you didn’t, he will assume that you just aren’t that interested.

Tips & Techniques for a More Successful Interview

• Dress appropriately. Suits–for both men and women–show you’re serious about getting the job.

• Breathe deeply. You’re going to be nervous; there’s no getting around that. One technique that helps is to take deep breaths before your interview, and especially right before you start talking.

• Make eye contact. People who have a hard time making eye contact are perceived as less than truthful or timid.

• Keep things moving along. The most common interview problem is over-talking. Answer questions within three minutes and answer ONLY the question at hand. Rehearsal really helps here.

• Show your excitement. Lean forward once in a while if you want the interviewer to be interested.

• Practice, practice, practice. Rehearsal is key to a successful interview. Role playing with friends is a great way to accomplish this as you may get some useful constructive criticism.

• Be yourself. Don’t act in an interview because you will be found out if you get the job.

• Follow up. Write a quick e-mail on the same day of your interview thanking your interviewer for his or her time. They will be expecting it.

Sealing the Deal
You are going to have good and bad interview experiences throughout your working life, but now you know that there are ways to increase your chances of coming through an interview with flying colors. Subsequently, this will increase your chances of getting the job.

Know the questions, know your answers, and learn a few simple techniques, and your potential employer will see that you are the right one for the job.

Photoshop is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the U.S. and/or other countries.

About the Author:
Michael Plontz is a freelance writer residing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

 

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