How to prepare yourself for interview in 2017?
Before the Interview:
1.
Read-up about the
company; its product and services
2.
Prepare for some key
questions such as:
1.
Tell me about yourself
2.
Tell me about your
current job profile
·
Any key challenges faced/ resolved which had huge business
impact
1.
Why do you want to
leave your current job
2.
What makes you
interested in this profile / company
3.
List down your
personal goals, strengths and what do you bring to the table
4.
Talk to people who
might be working in that firm about company’s culture, dress code and so on
5.
Keep 3-4 print-outs of
your resume accessible
6.
Focus on self-grooming
and keep a professional attire ready for the day
During the Interview
7.
Maintain eye-contact
with a positive body language, shake hands firmly and smile
8.
Stay engaged in the
conversation, avoid looking around in the room
9.
Ask questions wherever
required, stay focussed
10.
Be proactive in asking
questions about the company / job profile and key requirements for the profile
you have applied for
11.
Avoid talking negative
about previous bosses or bad-mouthing the company
12.
Remain formal; laugh
or joke wherever appropriate
13.
Avoid boasting too
much about education, achievements, and so on
14.
Leave on a pleasant
note, thanking members in the interview, while politely enquiring when can you
expect to hear from them next
Frequently asked Interview Questions and how to answer them!
Tell me about yourself?
Less is more! Avoid blabbering and let your answer be targeted to the job and not be your personal biography.
What are your strengths?
Interviewers want to gauge your sense of self-awareness! Choose your strengths carefully and relate them to the job you are applying to.
What are your weaknesses?
The trouble with this question is that you’re being probed about your limitations when your natural instinct is to keep your imperfections well hidden. So you need to structure your answer so as to give it a positive spin. Describe a weakness that can be seen as a strength!
Explain the gaps in your resume?
Almost always an awkward question but doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. The good news is that it’s common these days. Just briefly explain why you left your previous job and avoid blame or negativity. Don’t get into the messy details! Less is more here- Have a clear, reasonable, solid explanation, prepared in advance to explain the gap. Remember that the interviewer will be on the lookout for any red flags, like signs of unprofessionalism, dishonesty or lack of enthusiasm.
Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years from Now?
Don’t follow scripts! Embrace the question, be natural and describe your long term career plans in a way that’s relevant to the employer!
Why should we hire you?
Could be your make or break moment in an interview! This question is an open invite to go ahead and sell yourself. Your answer should reiterate what your real value is and why you are the best person for the job.
What motivates you?
This soul- searching question might confuse you because it’s very broad and easy to misconstrue. It is asking what makes you tick and what keeps you going! Knowing what actually keeps you motivated will tell your recruiters whether or not you will succeed in their culture. There is no such thing as an ideal answer to this question. Your response should be based on your personal experience and analysis. Contemplating what has kept you highly motivated in your career will not only help you respond to this question, but will also help you know what you expect from your next job.
What are your salary expectations?
There is no way you can dodge this question! So craft a response that sounds natural and unrehearsed. Do some research, bounce off figures with people in your field, check for industry norms and come up with a range that’s both genuine and reasonable. Don’t throw a number that’s either too low or unrealistically too high!
Why did you leave your last job?
A tricky question which can sometimes leave you tongue-tied! Be confident, clear and calm about why you have left or are leaving the other job, before you redirect your answer to precisely why you are so eager for the new one. It’s good to focus on the positive and what all you like about the new opportunity so talk in brief about the negative to avoid getting into the awkward details.
How do you handle stress at work?
Stress is an intrinsic part of every job! And employers want candidates who can stay calm under pressure, evaluate situations coolly and simply get the job done. So talk about a situation or a major crisis where you kept your cool,used your problem solving skills and rose to the challenge.
Less is more! Avoid blabbering and let your answer be targeted to the job and not be your personal biography.
What are your strengths?
Interviewers want to gauge your sense of self-awareness! Choose your strengths carefully and relate them to the job you are applying to.
What are your weaknesses?
The trouble with this question is that you’re being probed about your limitations when your natural instinct is to keep your imperfections well hidden. So you need to structure your answer so as to give it a positive spin. Describe a weakness that can be seen as a strength!
Explain the gaps in your resume?
Almost always an awkward question but doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. The good news is that it’s common these days. Just briefly explain why you left your previous job and avoid blame or negativity. Don’t get into the messy details! Less is more here- Have a clear, reasonable, solid explanation, prepared in advance to explain the gap. Remember that the interviewer will be on the lookout for any red flags, like signs of unprofessionalism, dishonesty or lack of enthusiasm.
Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years from Now?
Don’t follow scripts! Embrace the question, be natural and describe your long term career plans in a way that’s relevant to the employer!
Why should we hire you?
Could be your make or break moment in an interview! This question is an open invite to go ahead and sell yourself. Your answer should reiterate what your real value is and why you are the best person for the job.
What motivates you?
This soul- searching question might confuse you because it’s very broad and easy to misconstrue. It is asking what makes you tick and what keeps you going! Knowing what actually keeps you motivated will tell your recruiters whether or not you will succeed in their culture. There is no such thing as an ideal answer to this question. Your response should be based on your personal experience and analysis. Contemplating what has kept you highly motivated in your career will not only help you respond to this question, but will also help you know what you expect from your next job.
What are your salary expectations?
There is no way you can dodge this question! So craft a response that sounds natural and unrehearsed. Do some research, bounce off figures with people in your field, check for industry norms and come up with a range that’s both genuine and reasonable. Don’t throw a number that’s either too low or unrealistically too high!
Why did you leave your last job?
A tricky question which can sometimes leave you tongue-tied! Be confident, clear and calm about why you have left or are leaving the other job, before you redirect your answer to precisely why you are so eager for the new one. It’s good to focus on the positive and what all you like about the new opportunity so talk in brief about the negative to avoid getting into the awkward details.
How do you handle stress at work?
Stress is an intrinsic part of every job! And employers want candidates who can stay calm under pressure, evaluate situations coolly and simply get the job done. So talk about a situation or a major crisis where you kept your cool,used your problem solving skills and rose to the challenge.
Even though most jobs
don't require smooth talking skills, getting through the interview often does.
You don't have to answer every interview question perfectly, but you can
improve your interview skills. Here are 10 interview skills that will help you
land the job.
1. Do your background research.
This may not seem like an actual interview skill, but it is. If you walk into an interview saying, "Now, what do you do again?" and "Do you guys have funding yet?" you're doomed before you begin. No matter how sparkly your personality is, you have to do the background research.
2. Be polite to everyone.
You may have heard stories of people who were rude to the receptionist, cut someone off in the parking lot, or yelled at the barista at the coffee shop around the corner and then didn't get the job. These things happen, and they can ruin your chances. I will never, ever, not in a million years hire the person who is rude to the receptionist or barista. Many recruiters and hiring managers feel the same.
3. Watch your body language.
This one is a bit harder. My Inc. colleague Minda Zetlin listed 21 body language mistakes that people make. Some of them are especially important in an interview. For instance:
Lean in or sit up straight to show you're interested.
Keep eye contact so you look honest, but don't just lock in a stare, because then you look aggressive.
Don't nod too much. Yes, you want to show agreement, but too many nods and you start to look like you don't truly care.
4. Watch your real language.
If you have a potty mouth, save it for your friends, and not for the interview. If the interviewer is letting the f-bombs fly, you can feel more comfortable doing the same, but otherwise, use words that express your actual feelings and ideas.
5. Review your own resume.
You know what you did, right? Are you sure? I once got caught off guard in an interview when the hiring manager asked me a specific question about an accomplishment on my resume. I had to stumble for a minute before my brain latched on to what she was talking about. Don't make that mistake. Refresh your memory, especially old jobs.
6. Prepare for standard questions.
Lots of interviewers are going to ask you to "tell me about a time when ..." followed by something appropriate for your field and this particular job. You should have great answers prepared for this. Brainstorm a list of possible questions and work on your answers. Another Inc. colleague, Jeff Haden, just listed the 27 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers. Definitely, review these questions before arriving at a job interview.
7. Prepare your wardrobe.
Yes, people judge you by what you're wearing. Most interviewers aren't going to care the brand of your jacket, or if the heel of your shoe is scuffed, but you should be dressed appropriately. Generally, for most professional jobs that means a suit, or one step lower. If you're concerned, go to their parking lot before the interview and watch people come out. If their style is business casual, you should wear a suit. If they are wearing jean and flip flops, you're probably fine in business casual, but better to be overdressed than underdressed, in most industries.
8. Prepare your questions.
Don't ask questions that could be answered by looking at the company website. Do ask questions about the challenges of the position, what success looks like, and how this position fits in with the organization's goals. Remember, you want to look like you're really interested in succeeding in this position, and you need this information to do so.
9. Don't badmouth your former employer.
You're most likely going to be asked why you're looking to leave your current job (or why you left your last job if you're unemployed). Don't lie, but don't be super negative either. "My boss is a huge jerk. She is nit-picky, plays favorites, and smells like tuna fish." These things may all be true, but you don't come out looking good. Figure out how to explain why you're leaving, why you got fired, what you learned from it, and how this all means this new job is a great fit.
10. Don't forget the thank you card.
It doesn't have to be a card anymore; an email will do just fine. You can get hired without one, but it's a nice gesture to send a quick follow up email to the hiring manager and recruiter. It keeps you in their minds and shows your politeness, which brings this full circle. You begin by being nice to everyone, and you end the interview by being nice to everyone, and you increase your chances.
1. Do your background research.
This may not seem like an actual interview skill, but it is. If you walk into an interview saying, "Now, what do you do again?" and "Do you guys have funding yet?" you're doomed before you begin. No matter how sparkly your personality is, you have to do the background research.
2. Be polite to everyone.
You may have heard stories of people who were rude to the receptionist, cut someone off in the parking lot, or yelled at the barista at the coffee shop around the corner and then didn't get the job. These things happen, and they can ruin your chances. I will never, ever, not in a million years hire the person who is rude to the receptionist or barista. Many recruiters and hiring managers feel the same.
3. Watch your body language.
This one is a bit harder. My Inc. colleague Minda Zetlin listed 21 body language mistakes that people make. Some of them are especially important in an interview. For instance:
Lean in or sit up straight to show you're interested.
Keep eye contact so you look honest, but don't just lock in a stare, because then you look aggressive.
Don't nod too much. Yes, you want to show agreement, but too many nods and you start to look like you don't truly care.
4. Watch your real language.
If you have a potty mouth, save it for your friends, and not for the interview. If the interviewer is letting the f-bombs fly, you can feel more comfortable doing the same, but otherwise, use words that express your actual feelings and ideas.
5. Review your own resume.
You know what you did, right? Are you sure? I once got caught off guard in an interview when the hiring manager asked me a specific question about an accomplishment on my resume. I had to stumble for a minute before my brain latched on to what she was talking about. Don't make that mistake. Refresh your memory, especially old jobs.
6. Prepare for standard questions.
Lots of interviewers are going to ask you to "tell me about a time when ..." followed by something appropriate for your field and this particular job. You should have great answers prepared for this. Brainstorm a list of possible questions and work on your answers. Another Inc. colleague, Jeff Haden, just listed the 27 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers. Definitely, review these questions before arriving at a job interview.
7. Prepare your wardrobe.
Yes, people judge you by what you're wearing. Most interviewers aren't going to care the brand of your jacket, or if the heel of your shoe is scuffed, but you should be dressed appropriately. Generally, for most professional jobs that means a suit, or one step lower. If you're concerned, go to their parking lot before the interview and watch people come out. If their style is business casual, you should wear a suit. If they are wearing jean and flip flops, you're probably fine in business casual, but better to be overdressed than underdressed, in most industries.
8. Prepare your questions.
Don't ask questions that could be answered by looking at the company website. Do ask questions about the challenges of the position, what success looks like, and how this position fits in with the organization's goals. Remember, you want to look like you're really interested in succeeding in this position, and you need this information to do so.
9. Don't badmouth your former employer.
You're most likely going to be asked why you're looking to leave your current job (or why you left your last job if you're unemployed). Don't lie, but don't be super negative either. "My boss is a huge jerk. She is nit-picky, plays favorites, and smells like tuna fish." These things may all be true, but you don't come out looking good. Figure out how to explain why you're leaving, why you got fired, what you learned from it, and how this all means this new job is a great fit.
10. Don't forget the thank you card.
It doesn't have to be a card anymore; an email will do just fine. You can get hired without one, but it's a nice gesture to send a quick follow up email to the hiring manager and recruiter. It keeps you in their minds and shows your politeness, which brings this full circle. You begin by being nice to everyone, and you end the interview by being nice to everyone, and you increase your chances.
27 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers
While some
job interviewers take a fairly unusual approach to interview questions, most
job interviews involve an exchange of common interview questions and answers.
Here are some of the most common interview questions, along with the best way
to answer them:
1. "Tell me a little about yourself."
If you're the interviewer, there's a lot you should already know: the candidate's resume and cover letter should tell you plenty, and LinkedIn and Twitter and Facebook and Google can tell you more.
The goal of an interview is to determine whether the candidate will be outstanding in the job, and that means evaluating the skills and attitude required for that job. Does she need to be an empathetic leader? Ask about that. Does she need to take your company public? Ask about that.
If you're the candidate, talk about why you took certain jobs. Explain why you left. Explain why you chose a certain school. Share why you decided to go to grad school. Discuss why you took a year off to backpack through Europe, and what you got out of the experience.
When you answer this question, connect the dots on your resume so the interviewer understands not just what you've done, but also why.
2. "What are your biggest weaknesses?"
Every candidate knows how to answer this question: Just pick a theoretical weakness and magically transform that flaw into a strength in disguise!
For example: "My biggest weakness is getting so absorbed in my work that I lose all track of time. Every day I look up and realize everyone has gone home! I know I should be more aware of the clock, but when I love what I'm doing I just can't think of anything else."
So your "biggest weakness" is that you'll put in more hours than everyone else? Great...
A better approach is to choose an actual weakness, but one you're working to improve. Share what you're doing to overcome that weakness. No one is perfect, but showing you're willing to honestly self-assess and then seek ways improve comes pretty darned close.
3. "What are your biggest strengths?"
I'm not sure why interviewers ask this question; your resume and experience should make your strengths readily apparent.
Even so: if you're asked, provide a sharp, on-point answer. Be clear and precise. If you're a great problem-solver, don't just say that: provide a few examples, pertinent to the opening, that prove you're a great problem solver. If you're an emotionally intelligent leader, don't just say that: provide a few examples that prove you know how to answer the unasked question.
In short, don't just claim to have certain attributes -- prove you have those attributes.
4. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Answers to this question go one of two basic ways. Candidates try to show either their incredible ambition (because that's what they think you want) by providing an extremely optimistic answer: "I want your job!" Or they try to show their humility (because that's what they think you want) by providing a meek, self-deprecating answer: "There are so many talented people here. I just want to do a great job and see where my talents take me."
In either case you learn nothing, other than possibly how well candidates can sell themselves.
For interviewers, here's a better question: "What business would you love to start?"
That question applies to any organization, because every employee at every company should have an entrepreneurial mindset.
The business a candidate would love to start tells you about her hopes and dreams, her interests and passions, the work she likes to do, the people she likes to work with... so just sit back and listen.
5. "Out of all the other candidates, why should we hire you?"
Since a candidate cannot compare himself to people he doesn't know, all he can do is describe his incredible passion and desire and commitment and... well, basically beg for the job. (Way too many interviewers ask the question and then sit back, arms folded, as if to say, "Go ahead. I'm listening. Try and convince me.")
And you learn nothing of substance.
Here's a better question: "What do you feel I need to know that we haven't discussed?" Or, even "If you could get a do-over on one of my questions, how would you answer it now?"
Rarely do candidates come to the end of an interview feeling they've done their best. Maybe the conversation went in an unexpected direction. Maybe the interviewer focused on one aspect of their skills and totally ignored other key attributes. Or maybe candidates started the interview nervous and hesitant, and now wish they could go back and better describe their qualifications and experience.
Plus, think of it this way: Your goal as an interviewer is to learn as much as you possibly can about every candidate, so don't you want to give them the chance to ensure you do?
Just make sure to turn this part of the interview into a conversation, not a soliloquy. Don't just passively listen and then say, "Thanks. We'll be in touch." Ask follow-up questions. Ask for examples.
And of course if you're asked this question... use it as a chance to highlight things you haven't been able to touch on.
6. "How did you learn about the opening?"
Job boards, general postings, online listings, job fairs... most people find their first few jobs that way, so that's certainly not a red flag.
But a candidate who continues to find each successive job from general postings probably hasn't figured out what he or she wants to do -- and where he or she would like to do it.
He or she is just looking for a job; often, any job.
So don't just explain how you heard about the opening. Show that you heard about the job through a colleague, a current employer, by following the company.... show that you know about the job because you want to work there.
Employers don't want to hire people that just want a job; they want to hire people that want a job with their company.
7. "Why do you want this job?"
Now go deeper. Don't just talk about why the company would be great to work for; talk about how the position is a perfect fit for what you hope to accomplish, both short-term and long-term.
And if you don't know why the position is a perfect fit... look somewhere else. Life is too short.
8. "What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?"
Here's an interview question that definitely requires an answer relevant to the job. If you say your biggest achievement was improving throughput by 18% in six months but you're interviewing for a leadership role in human resources... that answer is interesting but ultimately irrelevant.
Instead, talk about an under-performing employee you "rescued," or how you overcame infighting between departments, or how so many of your direct reports have been promoted....
The goal is to share achievements that let the interviewer imagine see you in the position -- and see you succeeding.
9. "Tell me about the last time a co-worker or customer got angry with you. What happened?"
Conflict is inevitable when a company works hard to get things done. Mistakes happen. Sure, strengths come to the fore, but weaknesses also rear their heads. And that's OK. No one is perfect.
But a person who tends to push the blame -- and the responsibility for rectifying the situation -- onto someone else is a candidate to avoid. Hiring managers much rather choose candidates who focus not on blame but on addressing and fixing the problem.
Every business needs employees who willingly admit when they are wrong, step up to take ownership for fixing the problem, and, most importantly, learn from the experience.
10. "Describe your dream job."
Three words describe how you should answer this question: Relevance, relevance, relevance.
But that doesn't mean you have to make up an answer. You can learn something from every job. You can develop skills in every job. Work backwards: Identify things about the job you're interviewing for that will help you if you do someday land your dream job, and then describe how those things apply to what you hope to someday do.
And don't be afraid to admit that you might someday move on, whether to another company or -- better job -- to start your own business. Employers no longer expect "forever" employees.
11. "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
Let's start with what you shouldn't say (or, if you're the interviewer, what are definite red flags.)
Don't talk about how your boss is difficult. Don't talk about how you can't get along with other employees. Don't bad-mouth your company.
Instead, focus on the positives a move will bring. Talk about what you want to achieve. Talk about what you want to learn. Talk about ways you want to grow, about things you want to accomplish... explain how a move will be great for you and for your new company.
Complaining about your current employer is a little like people who gossip: if you're willing to speak badly of someone else, you'll probably do the same to me.
12. "What kind of work environment do you like best?"
Maybe you love working alone... but if the job you're interviewing for is in a call center, that answer will do you no good.
So take a step back and think about the job you're applying for and the company's culture (because every company has one, whether intentional or unintentional.) If a flexible schedule is important to you, but the company doesn't offer one, focus on something else. If you like constant direction and support and the company expects employees to self-manage, focus on something else.
Find ways to highlight how the company's environment will work well for you -- and if you can't find ways, don't take the job, because you'll be miserable.
13. "Tell me about the toughest decision you had to make in the last six months."
The goal of this question is to evaluate the candidate's reasoning ability, problem solving skills, judgment, and possibly even willingness to take intelligent risks.
Having no answer is a definite warning sign. Everyone makes tough decision
1. "Tell me a little about yourself."
If you're the interviewer, there's a lot you should already know: the candidate's resume and cover letter should tell you plenty, and LinkedIn and Twitter and Facebook and Google can tell you more.
The goal of an interview is to determine whether the candidate will be outstanding in the job, and that means evaluating the skills and attitude required for that job. Does she need to be an empathetic leader? Ask about that. Does she need to take your company public? Ask about that.
If you're the candidate, talk about why you took certain jobs. Explain why you left. Explain why you chose a certain school. Share why you decided to go to grad school. Discuss why you took a year off to backpack through Europe, and what you got out of the experience.
When you answer this question, connect the dots on your resume so the interviewer understands not just what you've done, but also why.
2. "What are your biggest weaknesses?"
Every candidate knows how to answer this question: Just pick a theoretical weakness and magically transform that flaw into a strength in disguise!
For example: "My biggest weakness is getting so absorbed in my work that I lose all track of time. Every day I look up and realize everyone has gone home! I know I should be more aware of the clock, but when I love what I'm doing I just can't think of anything else."
So your "biggest weakness" is that you'll put in more hours than everyone else? Great...
A better approach is to choose an actual weakness, but one you're working to improve. Share what you're doing to overcome that weakness. No one is perfect, but showing you're willing to honestly self-assess and then seek ways improve comes pretty darned close.
3. "What are your biggest strengths?"
I'm not sure why interviewers ask this question; your resume and experience should make your strengths readily apparent.
Even so: if you're asked, provide a sharp, on-point answer. Be clear and precise. If you're a great problem-solver, don't just say that: provide a few examples, pertinent to the opening, that prove you're a great problem solver. If you're an emotionally intelligent leader, don't just say that: provide a few examples that prove you know how to answer the unasked question.
In short, don't just claim to have certain attributes -- prove you have those attributes.
4. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Answers to this question go one of two basic ways. Candidates try to show either their incredible ambition (because that's what they think you want) by providing an extremely optimistic answer: "I want your job!" Or they try to show their humility (because that's what they think you want) by providing a meek, self-deprecating answer: "There are so many talented people here. I just want to do a great job and see where my talents take me."
In either case you learn nothing, other than possibly how well candidates can sell themselves.
For interviewers, here's a better question: "What business would you love to start?"
That question applies to any organization, because every employee at every company should have an entrepreneurial mindset.
The business a candidate would love to start tells you about her hopes and dreams, her interests and passions, the work she likes to do, the people she likes to work with... so just sit back and listen.
5. "Out of all the other candidates, why should we hire you?"
Since a candidate cannot compare himself to people he doesn't know, all he can do is describe his incredible passion and desire and commitment and... well, basically beg for the job. (Way too many interviewers ask the question and then sit back, arms folded, as if to say, "Go ahead. I'm listening. Try and convince me.")
And you learn nothing of substance.
Here's a better question: "What do you feel I need to know that we haven't discussed?" Or, even "If you could get a do-over on one of my questions, how would you answer it now?"
Rarely do candidates come to the end of an interview feeling they've done their best. Maybe the conversation went in an unexpected direction. Maybe the interviewer focused on one aspect of their skills and totally ignored other key attributes. Or maybe candidates started the interview nervous and hesitant, and now wish they could go back and better describe their qualifications and experience.
Plus, think of it this way: Your goal as an interviewer is to learn as much as you possibly can about every candidate, so don't you want to give them the chance to ensure you do?
Just make sure to turn this part of the interview into a conversation, not a soliloquy. Don't just passively listen and then say, "Thanks. We'll be in touch." Ask follow-up questions. Ask for examples.
And of course if you're asked this question... use it as a chance to highlight things you haven't been able to touch on.
6. "How did you learn about the opening?"
Job boards, general postings, online listings, job fairs... most people find their first few jobs that way, so that's certainly not a red flag.
But a candidate who continues to find each successive job from general postings probably hasn't figured out what he or she wants to do -- and where he or she would like to do it.
He or she is just looking for a job; often, any job.
So don't just explain how you heard about the opening. Show that you heard about the job through a colleague, a current employer, by following the company.... show that you know about the job because you want to work there.
Employers don't want to hire people that just want a job; they want to hire people that want a job with their company.
7. "Why do you want this job?"
Now go deeper. Don't just talk about why the company would be great to work for; talk about how the position is a perfect fit for what you hope to accomplish, both short-term and long-term.
And if you don't know why the position is a perfect fit... look somewhere else. Life is too short.
8. "What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?"
Here's an interview question that definitely requires an answer relevant to the job. If you say your biggest achievement was improving throughput by 18% in six months but you're interviewing for a leadership role in human resources... that answer is interesting but ultimately irrelevant.
Instead, talk about an under-performing employee you "rescued," or how you overcame infighting between departments, or how so many of your direct reports have been promoted....
The goal is to share achievements that let the interviewer imagine see you in the position -- and see you succeeding.
9. "Tell me about the last time a co-worker or customer got angry with you. What happened?"
Conflict is inevitable when a company works hard to get things done. Mistakes happen. Sure, strengths come to the fore, but weaknesses also rear their heads. And that's OK. No one is perfect.
But a person who tends to push the blame -- and the responsibility for rectifying the situation -- onto someone else is a candidate to avoid. Hiring managers much rather choose candidates who focus not on blame but on addressing and fixing the problem.
Every business needs employees who willingly admit when they are wrong, step up to take ownership for fixing the problem, and, most importantly, learn from the experience.
10. "Describe your dream job."
Three words describe how you should answer this question: Relevance, relevance, relevance.
But that doesn't mean you have to make up an answer. You can learn something from every job. You can develop skills in every job. Work backwards: Identify things about the job you're interviewing for that will help you if you do someday land your dream job, and then describe how those things apply to what you hope to someday do.
And don't be afraid to admit that you might someday move on, whether to another company or -- better job -- to start your own business. Employers no longer expect "forever" employees.
11. "Why do you want to leave your current job?"
Let's start with what you shouldn't say (or, if you're the interviewer, what are definite red flags.)
Don't talk about how your boss is difficult. Don't talk about how you can't get along with other employees. Don't bad-mouth your company.
Instead, focus on the positives a move will bring. Talk about what you want to achieve. Talk about what you want to learn. Talk about ways you want to grow, about things you want to accomplish... explain how a move will be great for you and for your new company.
Complaining about your current employer is a little like people who gossip: if you're willing to speak badly of someone else, you'll probably do the same to me.
12. "What kind of work environment do you like best?"
Maybe you love working alone... but if the job you're interviewing for is in a call center, that answer will do you no good.
So take a step back and think about the job you're applying for and the company's culture (because every company has one, whether intentional or unintentional.) If a flexible schedule is important to you, but the company doesn't offer one, focus on something else. If you like constant direction and support and the company expects employees to self-manage, focus on something else.
Find ways to highlight how the company's environment will work well for you -- and if you can't find ways, don't take the job, because you'll be miserable.
13. "Tell me about the toughest decision you had to make in the last six months."
The goal of this question is to evaluate the candidate's reasoning ability, problem solving skills, judgment, and possibly even willingness to take intelligent risks.
Having no answer is a definite warning sign. Everyone makes tough decision
6 Ways You’re Making Yourself Look Less Professional
One of the key steps in your personal
branding journey is working out exactly what you want to project. In fact, it’s
the first thing you need to do.
You may want to brand yourself as an innovator, a fountain of knowledge or a creative soul, but whatever it is, the chances are that you’re also going to want to brand yourself as professional.
The loveable amateur rarely has sustained success, but despite this, so many people undermine their personal brand by doing a few simple things wrong. So what are they, and how do you resolve them?
Overusing Social Media
Social media is the place where many people start with personal branding, and rightly so. It’s a great tool to sell yourself in as an expert, build your profile and share or comment on stories that interest you.
On top of that, it’s not a particularly high intensity way to start with personal branding. Yet so many get it wrong.
There’s a difference between being seen and being invasive. Many people post far too much, and as a result, the quality suffers. While everyone may be seeing your posts because they’re filling up their newsfeed, this is no good if the quality is low. Overly self-promotional and bragging posts should be kept to a minimum too.
Keep what you share on the right side of the quality/quantity line, and you’re much more likely to present a professional personal brand.
Using ‘I’ and ‘me’
While you might think your personal brand is actually all about using ‘I’, research suggests that people use personal pronouns more in communications tend to have the lowest social status. As a result, the studies show that you’re overuse of ‘I’ and ‘me’ might actually be making you appear more inexperienced.
And it makes sense. The more self-conscious you are, the more likely it is that you’ll be keen to make it clear that these are your thoughts, not necessarily the right thoughts. This means that you’ll actually come across as less authoritative than if you choose to state your views outright.
Think about removing unnecessary personal pronouns from your communications and you may find that your personal brand is coming across with far more professionalism and an impressive, authoritarian tone.
Stop saying ‘sorry I’m late’
Note how many times you’re saying this in a week. Whether it’s in meetings, networking events or deadlines, you may find that you’re saying it far more often than you think you are.
If you are saying this too often, it’s time to change that right away. It’s one of the big mistakes people make when trying to build a professional image, and turning up late is seen as a faux-pas by almost everyone. Not only is it disrespectful, but it will never fail to get the meeting off to a bad start.
If you know it’s your lack of organisation getting in the way, take active steps to keep better, physical track of what you have to do each day. If you’re just faced with an overloaded schedule, try to space out your arrangements better and your personal brand will benefit hugely. Three great meetings are always better than five rushed ones.
Inconsistency
When people first start their personal branding efforts, many fall into the trap of producing too much. When you’re full of blog ideas, great articles to share and lots of great insight, it’s easy to set a standard that you can’t keep to.
Letting your pages go stagnant actually has little to do with what you’re producing now, but what you were producing to start with. There’s no problem with bi-monthly posts, just the same as there’s no problem with daily posts, but what makes a page looks stagnant is when this regularity changes.
As ever, high quality, insightful output is the key, and whatever timeline you have for producing that, make sure it’s going to be manageable when other things in life catch up with you.
Proofreading
You’d be surprised how many people make this cardinal sin with their personal brand.
It applies to all your correspondence, whether it’s social media, blogging or the emails you’re sending. Take the time to check for spelling and grammar errors please! Nothing makes you look more slap-dash than using the wrong ‘your’ or misspelling ‘receiving’ for the tenth time.
It has the double whammy of making you look amateurish and rushed. On the flip side, a clean bill of spelling health will make you look professional and like you have taken care over what you’re sending.
Careful of your but…
‘I’ve only been in the industry for 2 years, but…’
‘I’m a photographer but right now I work in a bar’
‘I work in PR but I’m looking to pursue a sales career.’
What’s common with all of these? You switch off after the ‘but’. The issue is that however insightful what you’re saying is, everything after the ‘but’ will get lost.
Of course speaking like this comes from a place of uncertainty and you might understandably be weary of being exposed as a fraud. However, if you have aspirations over and above what you’re currently doing, you need to own them.
If there’s no relevance in what you’re currently doing, don’t involve it. It’s just unnecessary information and getting in the way of presenting a united, professional front.
You may want to brand yourself as an innovator, a fountain of knowledge or a creative soul, but whatever it is, the chances are that you’re also going to want to brand yourself as professional.
The loveable amateur rarely has sustained success, but despite this, so many people undermine their personal brand by doing a few simple things wrong. So what are they, and how do you resolve them?
Overusing Social Media
Social media is the place where many people start with personal branding, and rightly so. It’s a great tool to sell yourself in as an expert, build your profile and share or comment on stories that interest you.
On top of that, it’s not a particularly high intensity way to start with personal branding. Yet so many get it wrong.
There’s a difference between being seen and being invasive. Many people post far too much, and as a result, the quality suffers. While everyone may be seeing your posts because they’re filling up their newsfeed, this is no good if the quality is low. Overly self-promotional and bragging posts should be kept to a minimum too.
Keep what you share on the right side of the quality/quantity line, and you’re much more likely to present a professional personal brand.
Using ‘I’ and ‘me’
While you might think your personal brand is actually all about using ‘I’, research suggests that people use personal pronouns more in communications tend to have the lowest social status. As a result, the studies show that you’re overuse of ‘I’ and ‘me’ might actually be making you appear more inexperienced.
And it makes sense. The more self-conscious you are, the more likely it is that you’ll be keen to make it clear that these are your thoughts, not necessarily the right thoughts. This means that you’ll actually come across as less authoritative than if you choose to state your views outright.
Think about removing unnecessary personal pronouns from your communications and you may find that your personal brand is coming across with far more professionalism and an impressive, authoritarian tone.
Stop saying ‘sorry I’m late’
Note how many times you’re saying this in a week. Whether it’s in meetings, networking events or deadlines, you may find that you’re saying it far more often than you think you are.
If you are saying this too often, it’s time to change that right away. It’s one of the big mistakes people make when trying to build a professional image, and turning up late is seen as a faux-pas by almost everyone. Not only is it disrespectful, but it will never fail to get the meeting off to a bad start.
If you know it’s your lack of organisation getting in the way, take active steps to keep better, physical track of what you have to do each day. If you’re just faced with an overloaded schedule, try to space out your arrangements better and your personal brand will benefit hugely. Three great meetings are always better than five rushed ones.
Inconsistency
When people first start their personal branding efforts, many fall into the trap of producing too much. When you’re full of blog ideas, great articles to share and lots of great insight, it’s easy to set a standard that you can’t keep to.
Letting your pages go stagnant actually has little to do with what you’re producing now, but what you were producing to start with. There’s no problem with bi-monthly posts, just the same as there’s no problem with daily posts, but what makes a page looks stagnant is when this regularity changes.
As ever, high quality, insightful output is the key, and whatever timeline you have for producing that, make sure it’s going to be manageable when other things in life catch up with you.
Proofreading
You’d be surprised how many people make this cardinal sin with their personal brand.
It applies to all your correspondence, whether it’s social media, blogging or the emails you’re sending. Take the time to check for spelling and grammar errors please! Nothing makes you look more slap-dash than using the wrong ‘your’ or misspelling ‘receiving’ for the tenth time.
It has the double whammy of making you look amateurish and rushed. On the flip side, a clean bill of spelling health will make you look professional and like you have taken care over what you’re sending.
Careful of your but…
‘I’ve only been in the industry for 2 years, but…’
‘I’m a photographer but right now I work in a bar’
‘I work in PR but I’m looking to pursue a sales career.’
What’s common with all of these? You switch off after the ‘but’. The issue is that however insightful what you’re saying is, everything after the ‘but’ will get lost.
Of course speaking like this comes from a place of uncertainty and you might understandably be weary of being exposed as a fraud. However, if you have aspirations over and above what you’re currently doing, you need to own them.
If there’s no relevance in what you’re currently doing, don’t involve it. It’s just unnecessary information and getting in the way of presenting a united, professional front.
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