When can you start? Interview tips to help you land your dream job Your resume and LinkedIn profile can get you in the door, but landing that dream job will likely come down to how well you interview. The right preparation can definitely boost your confidence and also serve as a reflection of your interest, so do some research on the company or organization you’re meeting with. Take some time to think about possible questions and what your answers will be. Here, we share some common interview questions and strategies you can use.
Tell me about yourself. A solid response can lead the conversation
in a direction that allows you to elaborate on your qualifications. While this seems like a piece of cake, it can be difficult to answer effectively because it is so broad. The important thing to remember is that you should respond with your strongest selling points for the position, including your education, professional experiences and most important qualities.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? This is your opportunity to showcase your strengths. Give concrete examples. Be honest in describing areas where you want to improve (i.e., weaknesses), and be sure to describe how you are working to improve them.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Show some ambition. It’s OK not to know all of your goals moving forward, just be honest with how you hope your career will progress and what skills you want to develop. Why do you want to work here? Show what you know about the organization; do some advance research. Why did you leave your last job? Always bring up the positive attributes of your previous employment, even if it was not always a positive experience. Avoid criticizing previous employers in an interview.
Besides being ready to answer questions about yourself, it’s a good idea to have some questions in mind for the interviewer. It’s a way to demonstrate genuine interest and enthusiasm. Ask about the company’s culture, opportunities for advancement or what the interviewer’s favorite part about his or her job is.
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ASU’s Career and Professional Development Services offers coaching and resources to you for free, for life. To learn more about the tools available, visit asu.edu/career.
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