Interview Questions And Answers | How to Ace An Interview

Summary

This job interview crash course provides expert advice on answering common interview questions. From introducing yourself and highlighting strengths to discussing salary expectations and handling weaknesses, it covers strategies for acing interviews. The video also addresses how to respond to tricky questions like salary expectations, job transitions, and stress management. Additionally, viewers are encouraged to prepare stories for behavioral questions and asked to remain positive, confident, and professional throughout the process. The key takeaway is to focus on demonstrating strong soft skills, a positive attitude, and being a team player, as they are crucial to success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start your interview with a concise summary of your resume, focusing on your most recent experiences and end with enthusiasm for the opportunity.
• 😀 When asked 'Why should we hire you?', answer by aligning your skills and experience with the job requirements listed in the job posting.
• 😀 For salary expectations, avoid giving a specific number initially; instead, request more details about the role, or ask for the company's salary range for the position.
• 😀 When asked about your weaknesses, avoid revealing true flaws. Instead, describe a strength that could sometimes have a negative side but explain how you mitigate it with another strength.
• 😀 Answer 'Where do you see yourself in five years?' by emphasizing your desire to grow within the role, focusing on performance-based advancement.
• 😀 If you left your last job voluntarily, explain it as your desire to take on more responsibility. If you were laid off, it's fine to mention it as a result of downsizing.
• 😀 Avoid criticizing your past employers. Frame negative situations positively, focusing on what you've learned or how you adapted.
• 😀 When asked 'Why do you want to leave your current job?', avoid negativity. Instead, focus on your readiness to grow and take on new challenges that the new job offers.
• 😀 Prepare by researching the company before the interview. Know their products, services, industry, competitors, and what sets them apart from others.
• 😀 For stress management questions, emphasize that you handle stress well and avoid going into excessive detail about past stressful situations. Keep your answer concise and confident.

Q & A

What is the best way to answer the question 'Tell me about yourself' in a job interview?

The best way to answer this question is by briefly summarizing your resume, starting with your oldest experience and moving towards your most recent job. End by stating how this experience has brought you to this interview, expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

How should you respond to the question 'Why should we hire you?'

You should respond by outlining how your qualifications align with the job requirements listed in the job posting. Address each skill, trait, or experience mentioned, and if there are areas where you may not fully meet the requirements, explain how your existing experience will compensate for them.

What should you do if asked about your salary expectations in an interview?

In an interview, avoid giving a specific salary number. Instead, state that you need more details about the job before providing a salary expectation. If pressed, ask about the approved salary range for the position, or provide a wide salary range to give yourself flexibility.

How should you approach the question 'What is your weakness?'

You should provide an answer that highlights a positive trait that can sometimes have a downside. For example, you could say you have high standards that can occasionally frustrate others, but you use your strong communication skills to smooth things over.

What is a good response to the question 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'

The best response is to express your desire to advance based on your job performance and take on new responsibilities. This response shows ambition without making specific predictions about promotions, which can vary by company.

How should you handle the question 'Why did you leave your last job?'

If you were laid off, it’s perfectly fine to explain that the company was downsizing. If you left voluntarily, say you were looking for more opportunities or responsibilities. If you were fired, it’s generally best to not share this unless necessary, and focus on explaining any misalignments in job roles.

What should you say when asked 'Why do you want to leave your current job?'

You should answer by saying you're ready to take on more responsibilities, explaining how the new position offers opportunities for growth that your current job doesn’t provide.

How do you prepare for the question 'What do you know about our company?'

Before the interview, research the company’s website. Know their products or services, the industry they are in, their competitors, and, ideally, how they differ from those competitors. This shows you’ve taken the time to understand their business.

What is the best way to answer the question 'How do you handle stress?'

The best way is to briefly state that you handle stress very well, and avoid elaborating too much. Mentioning past stressful situations may paint you as someone who is often stressed, so keep it short and positive.

How should you prepare for behavioral-based questions like 'Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work?'

Prepare 10 work-related stories in advance, covering successes, failures, and conflict resolution. These stories should be compact and ready to adapt to any question asked, ensuring you’re never caught off guard.

What are some good questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview?

At the end of the interview, you could ask about the challenges ahead for the role, what the interviewer enjoys most about working for the company, or about the typical day for someone in the position. These questions show interest and help you understand the role better.

What should you avoid showing during a job interview to improve your chances?

You should avoid showing frustration, disappointment, or boredom at any point in the interview. Maintaining a positive and enthusiastic attitude will improve your chances of success.

What is the main focus of a job interview beyond technical skills?

A job interview primarily tests your soft skills. Interviewers want to determine if you’re someone they would want to work with, assessing your attitude, communication skills, and how well you fit into the company culture.