The Top 10 Asked Interview Questions - How to Answer
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This document provides guidance on how to effectively answer the top 10 questions commonly asked in job interviews. It explains why interviewers ask each question and provides examples of both poor and skilled ways to respond. Key advice includes relating responses back to the job description, providing concrete examples, focusing answers on benefits to the employer, and asking thoughtful questions of one's own.
The Top 10 Asked Interview Questions - How to Answer
- 1. ACE THAT INTERVIEW INTRODUCTION ACE THAT INTERVIEW
- 2. ACE THAT INTERVIEW 1. Tell me about yourself 2. What are your weaknesses / greatest failure? 3. What are your strengths? 4. Why are you leaving your current job / role? 5. Why did you apply for this position/why do you want to work for us? 6. Where would you like to be in 5 years time? 7. Why should we hire you? 8. What salary are you expecting? 9. How do you explain a gap in your employment? 10. Do you have any questions? INTRODUCTION ACE THAT INTERVIEW
- 3. “tell me about yourself” why ask? 80% stress question silence long ramble ‘set the scene’ can you supply what they want?
- 4. poor hobbies, home-life, ancient history, personal matters, verbatim cv, politics, religion: cliche answers: d, have 3 children which take up a lot of my time and I love “I am a team player” “I have excellent communication skills” “I am the best salesperson ever!”
- 5. skilful: you must sell what they want to buy give; examples, overview, logical progression & how you match their needs what do they want: • strategic plan - 3-5 years • job description • annual reports • company newsletters • articles • social media • company website • industry specific sources • newspapers • outside environment
- 6. “what are your weaknesses” why ask? negative / behavioural question seeks to uncover problems & un-nerve assesses your ability to: take risks face challenges critically reflect & change practice
- 7. poor “what are your weaknesses” painfully honest lay out all your shortcomings comedian!
- 8. skilful “what are your weaknesses” things you have overcome commitment to self development act on critical reflection one skill more developed than another don’t mention skills that directly affect selection
- 9. “what are your strengths" why ask? proven track record match of skills with need
- 10. poor what are your strengths? takes credit for others work doesn’t provide examples sweeping statements arrogance humble rambling “I am good a motivating people”
- 11. skilful what are your strengths couple of key skills not arrogant or humble skills that match company needs, wants, problems or goals remember - sell want the employer wants to buy
- 12. “why are you leaving” why ask?
- 13. poor why are you leaving your current role / job -ve response lying ‘bad -mouthing’; manager, colleagues, company, customers or job personality clashes didn’t get on you weren’t ‘understood’
- 14. “why did you apply for this position” why ask? what interests you - role & company ? sound reasoning & judgement how can you articulate
- 15. poor why did you apply for this position flippant non-specific comedian “because it pays more” “because you advertised in the local paper”
- 16. skilful why did you apply for this position could include*: • more responsibility • more opportunity • what’s most interesting about the role / company? (*could add higher salary, but not as the primary reason)
- 17. “where would you like to be in 5 years time” why ask? gives indications you are: • ambitious • career orientated • committed to them
- 18. poor why should we hire you mentioning particular job titles showing lack of commitment being a comedian “doing your job” “lying on a beach” “not here!”
- 19. skilful where would you like to be in 5 years time explain you want to be in a position where your; continually developing skills, talents & responsibilities can best serve the company Again relate this back to information search you have carried out prior to the interview
- 20. “why should we hire you” why ask? interviewer wants an answer that: • reiterates your qualifications • highlights what makes you unique • up-sells your positive personality traits • shows how you can benefit the company must provide evidence
- 21. poor why should we hire you recapping the job role description bad mouthing other candidates outright arrogance verbatim re-read of your CV why this job will benefit you (not them)
- 22. skilful why should we hire you show evidence of how you can address their; wants, needs, goals and problems concentrate on the benefits to them (not you)
- 23. “what salary are you expecting” why ask? what are you are worth? what can they ‘get away’ with have you done your research? how well can you communicate “how much do you think you are worth?”
- 24. candidates fear this: too high - out of the running too low - de-value yourself, held to ran
- 25. poor what salary are you expecting give a specific figure don’t go too low don’t give an expansive range don’t lie about your current salary
- 26. skilful what salary are you expecting research salary averages: your experience your geographical location this information, ask the interviewer what the
- 27. “how do you explain a gap in employment” why ask? what are your reasons? are any gaps beneficial to them? can you articulate well
- 28. poor how do you explain a gap in employment -ve ‘someone else fault’ no reason lying
- 29. skilful how do you explain a gap in employment sound but truthful reason how gaps have increased your skills • raising children • gaining further qualifications/training • a period of self employment* • freelancing or consulting* • owning your own business* • volunteering* • exploring or travelling* (* add to cv timeline)
- 30. what if you were fired? more difficult to explain ?explain you need a role that uses different strengths (do these match what the interviewer wants?) emphasise the steps you have taken be +ve don’t blame anyone else
- 31. “do you have any questions” why? how well can you communicate? are your questions well considered? are you prepared? can you leave a +ve impression?
- 32. poor do you have any questions no questions asking about; salary, benefits, holidays leaving a -ve impression
- 33. skilful do you have any questions +ve uptempo impression ask about interviewers areas of interest - show developed communication skills if all else fails ask if they need any clarification from you
- 34. for the full version of this course, including videos, examples and unique answer templates please see https://www.udemy.com/ace-that-interview- answer-the-top-10-questions-like-a-pro/#/ Sarah Simpson MBA, BSc, FIntLM, Dragontooth Training www.dragontoothtraining@gmail.com