The number of candidates and interviews increase day by day and the men and women behind the desk would expect smarter and smarter responses to keep them interested. While some interviewers would allow you to open up and be creative, there are certain questions which are almost the same but quite tough to crack and if you survive them, you surely will land up with the job. So next time you are faced with one of these questions you surely will know how to handle them:
1. Talking about your weaknesses: Don’t get into a detailed explanation of your weaknesses. Don’t be too frank and open your heart out to the interviewer and tell him/her how badly you are at managing people and communication. Instead, take a potential weakness and put a positive spin to it.
2. How would you tackle a problem? This one could be quite tricky and risky too and it has the potential to make or break your interview. First of all, they may not like your answer; if they do like it, there is a chance they will steal it. Instead to be too accurate try this “I think you can increase product awareness by enacting some marketing strategies that could employ advertising, direct mail-or media placements.”
3. Talking about why you left your last job? An interview is not the time to dish the dirt on your previous employer. Response like that the company just wasn’t a good fit for my innovative personality. The organizations have distinct personalities just like people do.
4. Talking about yourself: This is a chance for you to shine, but not to tell your life history. Begin by listing your traits and accomplishments you feel are relevant for the position. You can say something like, “I am very creative and resourceful. I have been a sales manager for the past five years and used my abilities to devise unique incentives to keep the sales representatives motivated. Because of this my sales team earned numerous company awards.
5. Bad mouthing about your ex bosses: Although you may have had the most devilish bosses, take the high road and don’t give in to the temptation to vent any past frustrations. Instead pass this one by saying that “While none of my past bosses were awful, there are some who taught me more than others did.”
6. What are your goals? This is best answered by reiterating your objective statement on your resume. There are quite a few aspirations which you would want to keep to yourself which may include being a vice president of the company, own a yacht company or retire at 40. Give a practical, detailed response like being a secure a civil engineering position with a national firm that concentrates on retail development. Other response could be, “Ideally, I would like to work for a young company, such as this one, so I can get in on the lower level and take advantage of all the opportunities a growing firm has to offer.”