Wondering how to answer today’s top ten interview questions? Read on!
Job interviews rank with trips to the dentist office as one of the most deplorable things that we face in life. Well, at least we know the dentist. Who wants to spend 30 to 60 minutes sitting under blinding lights and sweating out answers to questions that come from someone that we have never met?
Let’s make the job interview go smoothly by providing you with the top 10 interview questions and as a bonus, an idea on how to answer each question with professional aplomb.
Tell Me About Yourself
Right off the bat, the job interviewer wants to pry into your personal life. Avoid lengthy, disjointed answers that recollect your fondest childhood memories. The key to answering this question involves framing the answer in a way that reflects your passion for your chosen vocation. Toss in a few positive traits like Tony the Tiger sprinkles sugar on a bowl of corn flakes.
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
“Because I heard your standards are low enough to hire someone like me.” Seriously, this member of the top 10 interview questions is loaded with career ending land mines. The job interviewer wants to learn how much effort you put into researching the company. Answers such as “Because your 401k rocks” do not pass the job interview test.
Why Should We Hire You?
“I don’t know…because I have photos of you in compromising positions.” The intent of the interviewer when asking one of these top ten interview questions is to discern whether that you match the personality and professional profile of the company’s other team members. Keep your answer specific by emphasizing that you are qualified to solve some of the company’s ongoing problems. Modesty gets you nowhere, with your answer to this question.
What are Your Greatest Strengths?
This question appears to put you in the driver seat, but it can derail your job candidacy faster than the job interviewer can say, “Thanks for coming down to meet with us.” Focus on two, maybe three professional strengths that directly impact the performance of the company. The job interviewer does not care that you can juggle three broken wine bottles, while you cross a wire that spans an open fire.
What are Your Greatest Weaknesses?
“I have none” is an answer that ensures your name goes to the back of the job candidacy line. This questions gives you the opportunity to admit a flaw AND the measures you have taken to correct the flaw. Avoid clichés and definitely do not stammer.
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
The hiring manager wants to understand your motivation for interviewing with the company. You need to talk about company specifics that prove you have performed your homework, before walking into the building wearing newly purchased business attire. Emphasize how your professional skills complement the skills required to get the job done.
What is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
Select a professional accomplishment that falls in line with what the company values in an employee. The accomplishment should demonstrate your passion for what you do and more important, the dedication and discipline that you exhibited to achieve your noteworthy accomplishment. Your greatest accomplishment highlights the professional skills coveted by the company.
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
“Sitting where you are making people I never have met sweat through a series of ridiculous questions.” The goal of this question is to find out whether you are making a long-term commitment or simply are a hired gun ready to leave at the drop of a higher salary. Highlight the steps that you plan to take for moving up the company ladder in a reasonable amount of time. Our of all of the top ten interview questions we have listed, this one seems to be rising up the list.
What Would Your Boss Say About You?
Of the top ten interview questions, this one leave biting the hardest on your tongue. “If my boss knew I was talking to you, he would have a few choice words to say about me.” You have to use boss terms to nail this job interviewer question. Boss terms include loyal, dedicated, motivated, and team player.
Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
Thankfully, this question signals the end of the police like interrogation that has gone down the past hour. The urge at this point of the job interview is to flee the building as fast as you can. However, this question often determines your job status. The questions that you ask the job interviewer are just as important as the answers that you gave during the interview.
Having strong answers to the top ten interview questions will increase your odds of being prepared and hopefully landing the job!
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