Tough Interview Questions:
Here are a selection of the typical type of tough
interview questions you may be asked.
1. Why are you leaving your current job?
The employer is seeking to identify problems you have
had in the past that you may carry over into your new
job. Always cite positive reasons for joining and
leaving a company. Never criticize your previous
employer or work colleagues. Avoid statements that may
convey a negative impression of yourself or your ability
to get on with others. State that you are looking for a
new challenge and briefly explain why you see the
advertised position as an important step forward in your
career.
2. Why should we employ you rather than one of the
other candidates?
The interviewer wants to know what unique quality makes
you the best person for the job. To differentiate
yourself from the other candidates, you must show that
you have researched the company thoroughly and studied
the job description. You should be prepared to
demonstrate clearly how your skills, qualifications, and
accomplishments match the employer's specific needs. It
is important to convey genuine enthusiasm for the post.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This particularly tricky question requires painstaking
preparation and rehearsal. The interviewer is looking
for evidence of critical self-assessment and a
commitment to continuous self-development. Stress
specific job-related strengths and accomplishments.
Select one weakness that could be viewed both as
positive and negative, e.g. you are a perfectionist who
tends to work too long hours. Show, by particular
example, how you have successfully addressed this
tendency. Make sure to portray yourself in a positive
light. Never mention a weakness that is directly related
to job for which you are being interviewed.
4. Tell me about yourself.
The interviewer wants to know how well suited you are to
the job and how you can benefit the company. Spend no
longer than two minutes answering this question. By
analysing the job description and carrying out detailed
company research in advance, you will have a clear idea
of the ideal candidate. Focus on your skills,
qualifications, and accomplishments that relate to the
advertised position. Remember that the company has a
problem and they are looking for the best solution.
Prove to them that you can solve their problem better
than anyone else.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
This question is designed to determine your career plan.
Have you well planned short-term and long-term career
goals? Is the advertised position consistent with these?
If hired, are you likely to commit yourself fully to the
company or will you seize the first opportunity to move
on? Show that you have a structured way of establishing
goals. Demonstrate the importance of the job on offer as
part of your career progression. Stress that you are
ambitious, but realistic. Let them know that you plan to
develop professionally within the company and to work
energetically to obtain promotion.
6. Why do you want to work for our company?
The interviewer is trying to discover how much you know
about the company. Once again, detailed company research
will pay handsome dividends when it comes to answering
this question. The candidate who displays a knowledge of
the company and an awareness of the challenges it faces
is more likely to be selected than the tongue-tied
interviewee who looks perplexed when asked why he or she
wants to work for that particular company.
You should find out as much as you can about the
company's organisational structure; its financial
history; its range of products, goods or services; its
aims and objectives; its philosophy and culture; its
trading methods; its history, current position, and
future developments; its competitors; its training
programmes; its attitude towards its customers; its
achievements; and any problems it may have. Tailor your
answer in terms of their needs not yours.
Be positive. Say that you like what you've heard about
the company and the way they treat their staff and
customers. Stress that you are confident that you can
make a meaningful contribution.
Article Kindly Supplied By Assignments Plus
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