No matter how many fancy new ways emerge to help you find a job, there's nothing that replaces the need for a face-to-face interview. Even if the interview is on Zoom, it's still a matter of having a discussion about yourself.
The
employer asks hard questions, and you're put on the spot to prove your value.
You're a gladiator in the ring, and you'll get eliminated if you make a small
misstep.
The
trick is being prepared for the types of interview questions you're likely
to face. Gladiators that train tend to make it out of the Colosseum intact.
We're going to run through some of the main principles of interview questions
today, giving you some preparation for your big day.
Let's
get started.
Understanding The Main Types of Interview Questions
The
first question that comes your way in the formal interview is something along
the lines of, "Who are you?"
When
a potential employer tells you to tell them about yourself, what do you say?
It's the doorway to the conversation, and it seems trivial, but it's an
important piece of the puzzle. It's their first or second impression of you as
a person.
Be
sure to focus the response on the kind of employee you are and the work you've
done to get to the position you're in now. Your education, past employment, and
work ethic are a few of the things you should cover.
That
said, this is a chance for you to tell someone whether or not you'll be a good
person to be with day-in and day-out. Let your personality
shine through your answers.
Not
only do you need to be qualified, but the employer's seeing if you'd be a good
fit for the company culture. Let's take a look at a couple popular questions:
"Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?"
For
most of us, the true answer to this is absolutely stuffed with
complaints and gossip. Do not, we repeat, do not let
those frustrations slip in your interview answer.
Someone
who's willing to disparage their previous employer on the spot doesn't appear
to be someone that will invest themselves in their next venture.
Express
your fundamental dislikes about the previous position, but maintain that you
worked hard and committed yourself to the company until you weren't able to
anymore.
This
is made a lot easier if you were sought out by a recruitment agency for a better position.
"Why Are You a Good Fit for This Position?"
This
is the question that should require the most thought in advance. We can all
produce a canned answer to this question on the spot if we want to. That said,
that's what most people do.
You
list your hard work ethic, your relevant experience, and your desire to help,
etc.
Those
things don't make you stand out, though. All other interviewees have those
things as well. Your value exists somewhere in between all of those things, and
it's your job to find out why you're valuable and tell your employer in a
convincing way.
Need Help Preparing?
If
you're stressed about the types of interview questions you might face, don't worry.
You're not alone. Everyone goes through that series of nervous thoughts before
a big interview.
We're here to help with more interview preparation ideas. Explore our site for more insight into job interview questions, business advice, and much more.
