Question 1 Tell me about yourlf.
TRAPS: In other words you must ll what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in job hunting.
So, before you answer this or any question it's imperative that you try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem or goal.
To do so, make you take the two steps:
1. Do all the homework you can before the interview to uncover this person's wants and needs (not the generalized needs of the industry or company)
2. As early as you can in the interview, ask for a more complete description of what the position entails. You might say: "I have a number of accomplishments I'd like to tell you about, but I want to make the best u of our time together and talk directly to your needs. To help me do, that, could you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position? All I know is what I (heard from the recruiter, read in the classified ad, etc.)"
Then, ALWAYS follow-up with a cond and possibly, third question, to draw out his needs even more. Surprisingly, it's usually this cond or third question that unearths what the interviewer is most looking for.
You might ask simply, "And in addition to that?..." or, "Is there anything el you e as esntial to success in this position?:
This process will not feel easy or natural at first, becau it is easier simply to answer questions, but only if you uncover the employer's wants and needs will your answers make the most n. Practice asking the key questions before giving your answers, the process will feel more natural and you will be light years ahead of the other job candidates you're competing with.
After uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of this job bear striking parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. Be sure to illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your achievements, all of which are geared to prent yourlf as a perfect match for the needs he has just described.
Question 2 What are your greatest strengths?
TRAPS: This question ems like a softball lob, but be prepared. You don't want to come across as egotistical or arrogant. Neither is this a time to be humble.
BEST ANSWER: You know that your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. And from Question 1, you know how to do this.
Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each strength, an example chon from your most recent and most impressive achievements.
You should, have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements so well committed to memory that you can recite them cold after being shaken awake at 2:30AM.
Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choo th
o achievements from your list that best match up.
As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to e in their employees are:
1. A proven track record as specially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.
2. anagement "savvy".
3. a decent human being.
4. Good fit with someone to feel a team player who meshes well with interviewer's team.
5. of humor.
6. Good communication skills.
7. willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness lear goals.
9. high level of motivation.
10. a leader.
Question 3 What are your greatest weakness?
TRAPS: Beware - this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an "A" for honesty, but an "F" for the interview.
PASSABLE ANSWER: Disgui a strength as a weakness.
Example: "I sometimes push my people too hard. I like to work with a n of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength."
Drawback: This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it's so widely ud, it is transparent to any experienced interviewer.
BEST ANSWER: (and another reason it's so important to get a thorough description of your interviewer's needs before you answer questions): Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.
