I have my first job interview in over a year. I'm beyond nervous because I REALLY want this job, but DOZENS of people have applied for it.
I'm a good worker but I'm not very good at interviews. How can I ace this? And a few questions.
When an interviewer says "So tell me about yourself" <-- What do they really want to know.
What trick questions should I be prepared for? And how do I answer them?
Anything that they might throw at me that I should be ready for?
How do I make a good impression? Ive had interviews before for jobs I had experience for but I never got a call back so I must be doing something wrong.
Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
5 Steps to a Great Job Interview
Recommended Answer:When they ask you "So tell me about yourself" remember it is not a blind date your set up with, they don't care to hear about the personal stuff, just how well you will fit the qualifications for the position (ie hard worker, employee of the year, with prior job for 10 years, worked up to supervisor of department). Know the job you are applying for and what qualifications they are looking for. Have bullet points how YOU fit those qualifications. Bring a fresh resume to the interview and present it to the person interviewing you. Make sure to write down their name/department/title and send an email or letter that afternoon thanking them for their time and reiterating how you are a suitable candidate.
Dress for the position. Bring a leather bond notebook and take notes during the interview. Have questions for them regarding the position or company and NOT about hours, salary or moving up in the company. You make a good impression by being comfortable and friendly.
Job Interview Questions - How to Answer Popular Job Interview Questions
- I agree with E & L the "Tell me about your self" should be answered with a shot 30-60 second statement about he value you bring to a company.
Here is a list of the 50 most common interview questions. www.gettoknowu.com/LifeLessons/Co… This should help so you are not taken off guard.
Good luck.
- Make sure any resume is not a standard MS WORD resume, but something tailored to you and your accomplishments and the job you are seeking (I am no good at this either).
There are books at the libraries and bookstores on interview questions and how to answer them.
Just be yourself. Be polite, well-dressed, well-mannered, maybe a little bit of cologne (turns heads).
Don't say anything bad about your former employers or supervisors even if they were Attila the Huns. It makes you look like you would cut them down later.
The question I hate is "What is your best attribute and what is the thing you were worst at on your last job?" Try to say "I was maybe a little too much of a workaholic"....or something like that...not "I goofed off alot."
Tell them what you did well at your last job and how you improved things and how you will be an asset to THEIR company (research the company online as best you can). Probably tell them you are a "team player" and work well with people (always good).
If you are older, say 40 or 50, it is difficult, because companies that hire fulltime with benefits often do not want to give health insurance to older workers, because they will more likely USE the benefits and their premiums (of which the company pays a major share) will be way higher.So they don't want to hire older workers fulltime. It is very hidden discrimination. They will sometimes hire 20 year olds fulltime quickly, because the health premiums for two 20 year old workers will be the same as one 50 year old worker. And they likely will pay into the health insurance, but rarely use it for anything major.
Send a thank you note or card after the interview ASAP. They say people remember that, because hardly anyone does this.
- I would search online for interview questions and especially ones tailored for the type of job you're interviewing for. I've been the interviewer and been on plenty of interviews myself, personally I like getting to the point and many simply ask the same questions anyway. Looking up questions will at least make you feel more prepared and less nervous.
So when they say "tell me about yourself" - simply give them relevant information that pertains to giving them reasons to hiring you. The personal qualities you bring, the experiences you've had.
Be sure to make appropriate eye contact, dress appropriately, and do not wear strong smelling cologne. You also want to make sure you know something about the company you're interviewing with especially if they've been in the news recently, have a few questions to show your interest and that you've been paying attention to the the interviewer, have a few copies of your resume on hand (more than one person could be interviewing you, and they may want to test your preparedness also).
The only common question I can think of is "What are your strengths and weaknesses" I hate that question as an interviewee but as an interviewer I like to hear whatever BS someone comes up with. I would just be safe, and tell them something that used to be a weakness but is something you've actually improved upon.
