| We have all undergone job interviews at some point | | | | Try not to make derogatory statements about your |
| in our lives but, even | | | | previous employers or |
| so, not everyone knows how to pass job | | | | negative comments such as: I needed more money. |
| interviews. What follows are some | | | | Generic answers like: |
| common questions and tips on how to answer them | | | | I'm making a career decision by applying at this new |
| the right way:The most common question you will be | | | | job, are better.Another common question is: What |
| asked is: Tell me about yourself. | | | | are your strengths? Use this lead to |
| As an open-ended interview question, this is your | | | | play up the positive traits you possess in connection |
| opportunity to play up | | | | with the job you |
| your positive work habits and your qualifications. It | | | | are applying for.The interviewer may then ask you: |
| would be best to | | | | What are your weaknesses? Try not to |
| devote your reply to facts about your work and | | | | dwell on your answer to this question. Buffer your |
| career. A skillful | | | | weak points by |
| interviewer will know how to use this one question | | | | pointing out a strength that compensates for it.The |
| alone to bring out | | | | interviewer is interested in your problem-solving |
| more information about you than a series of | | | | abilities when he |
| questions would. Try to keep | | | | says to you: Tell me how you overcame a major |
| your answer to a maximum of one minute long, | | | | problem in your |
| inclusive of a description | | | | past or current job. You will have to explain how |
| of your most recent position and what you are | | | | you solved the problem |
| hopeful to do next.After answering this question | | | | and show pride in your skill in doing so.A killer |
| briefly, choose to stay silent or follow-up | | | | question which you might be asked is: What sets you |
| with this question: Is there anything else you wanted | | | | apart from |
| to know? Listen | | | | the other applicants who are applying for this |
| well to the reply of the interviewer so that you will | | | | position? It is best to |
| know just what he or she | | | | devote your answer to highlighting your skills, |
| would like to hear from you.Do not rush into giving | | | | experience, and |
| an answer immediately to any question. | | | | presentation as you have no inkling of what the |
| Interviewers are aware of your anxiety and will | | | | other applicants might |
| want you to think first | | | | have to offer. Learn to match what you can bring |
| before answering. However, try not to wait too long | | | | to the table to what |
| between answers or | | | | the organization needs since this is key to clinching |
| you will seem like you are stalling. Interviewers | | | | the job. Determine |
| select open-ended | | | | the key elements of the position and how you can |
| questions just to see what you can come up with | | | | add value to the group.It is highly likely for |
| so do not ramble on while | | | | interviewers to ask more creative questions than |
| trying to determine your real answer.The next most | | | | these but these are the basic and most common. By |
| common question interviewers like to ask is: why do | | | | using these guide |
| you | | | | questions, you will be more prepared to hurdle that |
| want to leave your present job?" Or why did you | | | | interview and |
| leave your most recent | | | | get the job for yourself.Dave Poon is an |
| position? These are dangerous questions that should | | | | accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in |
| be treated carefully. | | | | Careers. |