So you’ve been invited in for an interview, fantastic! But are you prepared for those typical interview questions that are designed to draw out your ability to overcome objections? The following questions are ones that will sooner or later come up in most interviews. Despite how simple they appear to be, many people stumble on them due to lack of preparation, over thinking or just can’t think of a good enough answer.
Hint: It is vital that you remain calm and competent throughout and not let these typical interview questions destroy your interview. Remember to Think, Breathe and Answer.
Why is there a gap in your Employment History?
It’s fine if you have a gap in your work history – we’ve all had a point in our careers where we’ve been unemployed or between jobs. Just make sure you explain it to your advantage. Any type of experience that is beneficial to personal or professional growth will be an excellent example… such as taking time off to grow your portfolio, acting as a consultant, freelancing, etc.
Why are you leaving your current employment?
OR
Why did you leave your last job?
Depending on your situation, this question can be as easy as they come, or one of the hardest to answer. If you are in employment and you are leaving due to redundancy, it is plain to see why you are leaving and normally no further questions will be asked. On the other hand if you have left your current role because you just didn’t like it, you will probably be considered unreliable and lacking loyalty. You have to turn your reasoning into a positive. For example; Instead of “I didn’t like it there”, you could say, “I left because there was no progression opportunities and found it easier to focus on finding the right job by leaving and giving myself more time to find the right job where I can stay and build a career”.
What is your biggest weakness?
Instead of revealing your greatest weakness, take this time to show them that you’re not only self-aware, but also looking for ways to improve where you fall short. It’s also imperative that – if you state a weakness – it isn’t one that would hinder your work. Saying you have poor time management will almost immediately eliminate you as a candidate. Alternatively, don’t pick a cliched response like “I work too hard” or “I’m a perfectionist”. Instead a small weakness, like a fear of public speaking or being a bit shy, will do… not to mention it won’t present itself as a threat to your doing a good job.
Why should employ you?
This can be a tricky question to answer, as you don’t want to come across as arrogant. Instead, be confident in your abilities (but don’t over-do it), and match your skills to the job at hand. Just be sure to back-up your answers with work-relevant examples. Platitudes like “I’m a hard-worker” or “I’m passionate” are essentially meaningless, and won’t impress so much as bore the interviewer. This is an opportunity to reiterate your most impressive strengths – so make the most of it!
Do you have any questions?
This is a question almost every Employer will ask at the end of an interview. The most common answer given is “No, you’ve told me everything I need to know”. Instead, use this opportunity to almost lure a decision out of them. You could ask “Do you have any concerns or reservations about me”? This way, if they do you have the chance to overcome any of their objections. Of course, the more questions you do have for them shows that you have initiative and a keen interest in working there.
To round up:
- No matter what questions are thrown at you, remember to Think, Breathe and Answer.
- Always back up your answers with positive facts or opinions.
- Make sure to answer questions directly, don’t get side-tracked.
- Ensure your answers are relative and you are providing examples of your transferable skills.
Do all this and you will be fine!
Good Luck!