Job interviews are always stressful.  It doesn't matter how experienced or talkative you are, everyone panics when it comes to interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to prepare yourself. Take time to review the "standard" interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions. Also review job specifications to assess whether you have the skills required to do the job. Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll calm your nerves, boost your confidence and be ready with knowledgeable. Familiarize yourself with the following common interview questions.

1.    Tell us about yourself

Although your first instinct might be to start by describing your interests and hobbies, remember where you are. You are in a job interview with the sole purpose of being hired. The interviewers want to get a general picture of who you are and what you've done before. The information that you should detail when asked this question is to begin by describing yourself in a work situation. Prepare a one-minute long presentation or 'sales pitch' about yourself, talking about your educational background, previous work experience, key skills and career goals. Don't sound too rehearsed and focus on work-related items and don't be too personal.

2.    What are your strengths?

Strength is something that comes easily to you; something you're good at. When discussing your strengths highlight roughly three positive attributes or strengths that specifically apply to the available post based on what you consider to be the recruiter's specific requirements. You could, for example, talk about your ability to prioritise, solve problems, work under pressure, get along with different types of people, or lead a team. Give an example of a specific situation in which you demonstrated the skill/ability in question. And, unless you have a very tangible example to back up these claims, stay away from clich like "I'm hard working" or "I am a very quick learner".

3.    What are your weaknesses?

Although it's important to be honest, this is not the time to reveal your major character flaws. When indicating your weaknesses, never detail a character defect or poor performance areas that have no opportunity to be improved on. If you say, for instance, that you have a tendency to be late or argue with customers, the interviewer is not going to be impressed. Rather, choose a weakness you can overcome and explain how you did so. You could say you get nervous when giving presentations, but tackled this by presenting group projects as part of your studies. The interviewer wants to see that you are aware of your areas for weakness and that you've taken steps to work on them. Again, stay away from clich, like "I work too hard". If this is a real weakness, explain the consequences of working too hard (e.g. high stress) and how you addressed this (e.g. allocated more time for a hobby).

4.    How have you dealt with difficult customers before? Or how do you deal with conflict or criticism?

These kinds of questions are called competency questions as they help the interviewer see how you would handle difficult situations. You must always answer this question with a positive approach. Explain where you may have experienced conflict in the workplace in the past and how you dealt with it. Explain in a positive light, how you managed this conflict and what you learnt from the experience. Say that you listen and go the extra mile for customers. But remember, you need to relate your answers to specific examples to give the interviewer a better idea of your actual competencies.

5.    What do you know about our company and why do you want to work here?

Base your answer on the background research you've done about the company prior to the interview. When answering the reason for you wanting to join their establishment specify what interests you about the industry or company and how you feel you could contribute to its longevity. Express admiration and respect for the company and include an explanation as to what value you feel you will be able to bring to the company that other candidates may not be able to. Try to get a good understanding of the company's objective as well as their vision and mission and how you plan on sustaining this or improving on it, based on your relevant skills and attributes.

Are you attracted by its reputation or perhaps the career development opportunities it has to offer? Sincerity is important here, and relate your answer to long-term career goals. If you cannot (for example, you simply need a salary to fund your studies), still try to find positive aspects to explain why you want the job, like the nature of the position will allow you to use your excellent customer service skills.

6.    What do you do to deal with stress?

Another common way that this same question is phrased is "how do you handle working under pressure?" Ideally you will be able to offer a creative explanation for how you handle stressful situations. For example, you may say that you take five minutes to play Sudoku and calm down or that you keep your best reference letter in your wallet to re-read when you need an emotional boost. However, it's perfectly acceptable to simply say that you handle stress well and to give an example of an experience that shows this. Never say that you don't handle stress well, even if you don't. Provide an answer that shows that you at least know how someone should handle stress properly.

7.    Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

When answering this interview question stay focused on career goals and aspirations. Potential employers don't want to hear about your plans to 'Take over their company' nor your desire to become a pro golfer. Keep these career aspirations realistic and attainable within a 5 year period. Discuss ways in which you anticipate attaining your career goals as well as steps you have already taken to reach these career goals. Be careful about saying things like you want to be a manager as that could be the interviewer's job. Tell them in more general terms that you're interested in management and your goal would be to proceed to that level moving forward.

8.    What are you looking for in a job?

This may seem like an easy question to answer, it is in fact a tricky interview question. While the interviewer is asking you what you are looking for in a job, in actual fact they want you to answer with what they are looking for from you. Again when preparing for this question, be sure to have the job ad close at hand in order to assess in precise detail what the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. Answer this question the way you think the interviewer wants you to answer it, by describing desires that the job you have applied for will be able to deliver to the candidate.

9.    What are your salary requirements?

Prepare ahead of time prior to your job interview on how you intend on answering this question. A good place to start is to research the industry standard or market related salary that employees in similar roles are earning. Generally this information can be found on the internet or alternatively recruitment agents will be able to give you a good indication of your market related salary. In your interview, try not to discuss exact figures but rather give a ball park figure that you will be able to negotiate on later on should the employer makes you an offer.

If you request a salary higher than the range for the job, the interviewer will say you're too expensive - and this could cost you the job. If you request a salary lower than the range, the interviewer will say nothing - and you've just lost money. Rather say something along the lines of: "I'm interested in finding a job that is a good fit for me. I'm sure whatever salary you're paying is consistent with the rest of the market" or "what has been budgeted for this position and perhaps we can go from there." Don't be tempted to inflate your salary - many companies will ask for your latest payslip - you don't want to be caught out lying. Lastly, be persistent (but not pushy) - the employer will give in where they can if you're the best candidate for the job.

10. Do you have any questions?

One huge interview mistake that you can make is to say "no" to this common interview question that is typically answered at the very end of the interview. Employers may mistake this for a lack of interest in the job or even a lack of intelligence on your part. When asked if you have any questions about the role or the organisation, always have a few questions prepared to ask the interviewer. It is important to ask questions as this will illustrate your enthusiasm and desire to join their company.

As with the other typically asked job interview questions, research and prepare some typical interview questions for the recruiter. You will find tons of content and guidelines to assist in preparing ahead of time to ask the interviewer and display your interest in the company as well as joining the team. For example, you might ask what the interviewer thinks are the best benefits and biggest drawbacks of the job. However, listen carefully during the interview to see if there are any other genuine questions that come up for you. Don't hesitate to ask these when this common interview question is posed.

Sources:

• JOBS
• MSN-Businessnews
• About.com
• Financialhighway

Page Created: 07 March 2012