5 Interview Questions You MUST Be Prepared To Answer!

Summary

This video script provides valuable interview preparation tips, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer common interview questions. It covers key topics like how to introduce yourself, why you're interested in the role, discussing weaknesses and strengths, handling salary expectations, and showcasing your greatest professional accomplishments. The script offers specific examples to guide candidates through these typical questions, with a focus on authenticity and strategic thinking to stand out in interviews. Additional resources for interview coaching are also mentioned to help boost confidence and success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Storytelling is crucial in interviews; being a great storyteller increases your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job.
• 😀 The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a tried-and-true approach to answering interview questions effectively.
• 😀 When asked 'Tell me about yourself,' focus on relevant experiences and background that make you the best fit for the job, avoiding irrelevant details.
• 😀 For the 'Why do you want to work here?' question, demonstrate genuine interest in the role and the company, showing how your goals align with theirs.
• 😀 Be honest when answering 'What’s your greatest weakness?' Choose a real weakness, explain its impact, and describe how you've worked to improve it.
• 😀 Answer 'What’s your greatest professional accomplishment?' using the STAR method, focusing on an achievement that is relevant to the job you're applying for.
• 😀 Salary expectations should be handled carefully by giving a range based on research and ensuring it aligns with your needs and the company's budget.
• 😀 When asked 'What questions do you have for us?' ask insightful questions about the role, company culture, and team dynamics.
• 😀 Avoid robotic, rehearsed responses during the interview; instead, internalize your answers to make them sound more natural and conversational.
• 😀 Prepare for interviews by researching the company, practicing answers, and using resources like interview crash courses or boot camps for additional support.

Q & A

What is the STAR methodology and how is it useful in interviews?

The STAR methodology stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It is a structured approach to answering interview questions by framing your responses as a story. It helps the interviewer understand the context of your experience, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes of your actions. This method is effective in showcasing your skills and experiences in a clear and concise way.

How should I prepare for the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

For this question, focus on providing context for why you're interviewing. Avoid sharing irrelevant personal details or going off-topic. Use your background to show how your experience makes you a strong fit for the role, and aim to keep your response calculated and relevant to the job.

How do I answer the 'Why do you want to work here?' question effectively?

To answer this, express a sincere interest in the company and the role. Highlight how the job aligns with your career path and mention something unique about the company that differentiates it from others. This will show that you’re not just looking for any job, but are genuinely excited about the opportunity.

What’s a good way to address the 'What is your greatest weakness?' question in an interview?

Be honest and choose a real weakness that doesn't severely impact the role you’re applying for. It’s important to provide context on how this weakness has affected your work and what you’ve done to improve it. Hiring managers value authenticity and self-awareness.

How should I approach the 'What is your greatest strength?' question?

For this question, pull from the job posting and emphasize a strength that is directly relevant to the position. Provide a solid example to back up your strength, ideally using the STAR methodology to demonstrate how it contributed to your success in past roles.

What is the best way to answer 'What is your greatest professional accomplishment?'

When answering this, choose an accomplishment that is directly related to the job you're applying for. Use the STAR methodology to describe the situation, your role, the actions you took, and the outcome. Make sure it’s a significant achievement that demonstrates your potential value to the company.

How do I answer the salary expectations question in an interview?

Don’t give a direct number right away. Instead, ask the interviewer if they are willing to share their salary range first. If they push it back on you, give a range based on your research and the compensation expectations for similar roles. This way, you can gauge if their offer is in line with your expectations.

What should I do at the end of an interview when asked if I have any questions?

At the end of the interview, it’s important to ask thoughtful questions about the job, the team, or the company culture. You can also take this opportunity to ask about compensation if it hasn’t been discussed yet. Asking the right questions shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.

How can I avoid sounding robotic during the interview?

While it’s important to be prepared, don’t memorize answers word-for-word. Practice your responses to the point where you can say them naturally, without sounding like you're reading a script. The goal is to come across as authentic, confident, and conversational.

What resources does Brian recommend for preparing for job interviews?

Brian recommends two resources for interview preparation: the 48-Hour Interview Crash Course, which helps you get ready for any major corporation's hiring process in just 42 hours, and the Ultimate Jobseeker Boot Camp, which covers everything from job search to interview strategy and salary negotiation.