You probably know that to stand out among the candidates, you must have an updated resume and cover letter. But do you know how you can prepare yourself for your next job interview?
Understanding the questions asked in the interview and preparing excellent answers to them can prove to be very helpful for you.
Job interviews can be the most daunting part of the job seeking process. But one of the best ways to calm your nerves and impress your potential employer is to prepare some stand-out answers to the most common interview questions.
In this article we will discuss the common questions asked during the interview and give you tips on their preparation.
Tell me about yourself.
This question is the most common question asked at the beginning of the interview. Keep your answer focused on relevant professional information. Avoid personal discussion unless it directly relates to Job.
Example: I have been working as a marketing expert for an international company for the last 5 years. During this period I have led many marketing campaigns resulting in increase in visibility of the company and revenue growth. In my previous role, I managed a team of three marketers and collaborated with cross functional teams to achieve business objectives.
What are your strengths and weaknesses
While telling about your strengths, focus on those skills which are related to the job. For weakness be honest but also demonstrate your commitment to self improvement.
Example (Strengths) : One of my greatest strengths is my communication skills through which I quickly build strong relationships with team members and clients. This skill helps me collaborate efficiently and create a positive work environment. Additionally, I am highly organized, with the help of which I have the ability to manage multiple projects.
Example (Weaknesses) : I believe in continuous self improvement. Currently i'm working on public speaking. Public speaking and communication is very important for any job. I can communicate confidently with small public groups but I want to enhance my skills in addressing larger audience. To polish this skill, I have taken admission in public speaking courses.
How do you handle stress and pressure ?
The employer wants to know how you can manage stress in a demanding work environment. Here you have to tell your strategy by which you can remain composed and productive under stress.
Example: “I realize stressful situation are always going to come up, and I definitely have had to learn how to navigate them throughout my career. I think I get better at it with every new experience. While working on a new product launch at my last company, for example, things were not going according to plan with my team. Instead of pointing fingers, my first reaction was to take a step back and figure out some strategies around how we could we solve the problem at hand. Previously, I may have defaulted to panicking in that situation, so being calm and collected was definitely a step forward and helped me approach the situation with more clarity.”
How Do You Handle Constructive Criticism ?
In this question, the employer wants to know how you will accept the feedback given by the customer. And were you able to use this criticism in your Growth and Improvement. The answer to this question has to be given thoughtfully.
Example : “I will welcome this constructive criticism and use this great opportunity for my growth and improvement. In fact, I will seek feedback from my clients and supervisors to know where I need to improve. Whenever I receive constructive criticism, I try not to take it personally rather I will take this as a chance for my improvement.
What are your salary expectations ?
Before going for any job interview, you should know what is the salary of the position for which you have applied. You can get salary information through various Employers ask this question because every position has a budget and they want to know if your expectations are within their budget before moving forward.
Example : Based on my skills and experience and on the current industry rates, I’m looking at a salary around $____” (then fill in with your desired salary range and rationale).
