Frequently Asked Questions at a Job Interview… and How to Answer Them
One of the most important things to do before a job interview is to prepare. Here is a list of several frequently asked job interview questions and how to best respond to them. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Your response should not be about your private life, but focus more on your work experience and career. You should highlight your qualifications, work ethic, competencies, and additional merits that make you a good employee. What are your strengths? Depending on your personality, you may or may not be uncomfortable answering this question. The best advice is to keep your answers relevant to the position. Name up to five strengths that can be illustrated by clear examples from your work experience. For instance, you can say this: I have great time management skills, which was recently demonstrated when I was able to complete a time-sensitive project on time without compromising the progress of my other projects. What are your weaknesses? This question can get tricky if you’re not prepared. Remember that everyone has at least one weakness so you will be expected to answer this question. The best way to do that is ensure your answer is in the context of your professional life—not your personal life. Avoid weaknesses relating to your behavior. Preferably, identify weaknesses that can also be seen as a strength and can be followed up with a benefit that compensates for the perceived weakness.
For example, you can say something similar to this: I tend to be overly meticulous with my work, which is something I am working on improving. For me, having strong attention to detail is usually a strong asset. However, like most things, I’m sure it’s better in moderation. How do you deal with pressure from tight deadlines? Everyone is sensitive to the pressure of tight deadlines and the only difference is the extent of that pressure. For this question, you should provide examples of past projects that had tight deadlines and clearly explain the steps you took to complete the project successfully within the given timeframe. Where do you see yourself within five (or ten) years? For this question, avoid talking about goals that you know are probably not achievable. Instead, emphasize your interest in thoroughly mastering the job for which you are applying. If you seem overly ambitious, an employer may have doubts about your motivation to perform the initial duties of the job for which you are applying. Why should we choose you and not another applicant? The best way to answer this question is to emphasize your positive traits that apply to the job. This is your chance to highlight your qualifications, your positive attitude, and your self-confidence — qualities that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Repeat important keywords from the job description and explain why your qualifications and experience are related. For example, I am an excellent fit for this position because I bring significant value to the team with my five years of work experience in the biotech industry, and my experience in fundamental research.
14 oxfordcorp.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker