When attending for a job interview, it is tempting to think that theinterviewer is there just to try and catch you out. Nothing could be furtherfrom the truth.

Basically, an interviewer will need to assess your interpersonal abilitiesand common sense to forecast your success in getting through the training andworking with team members. If you’re applying for a job with hard skills suchas programming computer code, you may be given more pointed questions aboutyour past work, etc.

In addition, you’ll be expected to strongly desire the company’s purpose,mission, and overall feel. Interviewers want to see passion because it leads tolong-term security in a job. If you love the company, you’ll feel morecomfortable working there.

Moreover, interviewers often try to find the person that’s self-disciplinedand driven. If a person’s motivated from the inside, the person is more likelyto be reliable, efficient, and energetic. This person, ideally, likes to bechallenged.

Use original stories to back up claims. Instead of just saying, “I havestrong leadership traits,” provide some concrete examples and originality.College students frequently make bold claims without stories that support themwell enough.

Furthermore, answer the question concisely. Interviewers commonly fall intothe trap of listening to answers that spill over into tangents and long-windedexplanations. Be concise in your answers so as not to add stress to aninterviewer’s day. Try not to go off on tangents.

In addition, be honest. If you’re lacking an important skill, show thatyou’re more than willing to learn the necessary skills to do the job well.

When you need to prepare for a job interview, there are some basicprecautions such as arriving 10-20 minutes early, dressing in formal attire,and observing all the rules of workplace etiquette, propriety, and politenessinherent to a working environment.

There are also questions that you can expect to be asked. For instance, whenI went for my first job interview, they asked me the following questions:

What expectations do you have about working here? What is your favoritemovie? Why? How would you describe it? What are some of your hobbies andinterests? Describe yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where doyou expect to be in 5 years time?

These types of questions are likely to be relevant to your workingenvironment or to the particular position you are applying for.

When you prepare for a job interview, be prepared to answer the followingquestions:

What defines you? What are you best at? What strengths do you have? Whatare you worst at? What don’t you like doing? What are your weaknesses? Where doyou see yourself progressing in the company? What is your favorite part aboutthis job? Why do you want to work here? What is your proudest achievement? What are some ideas for how you could improve the company? What is your workstyle? What kinds of people do you work best with? What was your favorite partof your last job? What was your least favorite part?

Prior preparation for these types of questions can pay dividends as you willbe less likely to hesitate when asked the questions and more likely to give areasoned and balanced answer.

Interviews · Little · Prepared