The Glitz & Glamour: Interviewing The Do’s and Dont’s of how to respond during a job interview

ELIZABETH NAGUDI STAFF

What can make you succeed in landing a potential job opportunity?

Let us look at the top 10 questions you will likely be asked in your following interview.

Tell us about yourself.

Do’s: The go-to trick with interviews is storytelling. Think of the moment you were most proud of yourself in your career path and tell that story. Tell them of the career achievements you have had.

Don’ts: Keep it about yourself and not other people in your life.

Why should we hire you?

Do’s: This is the same as the famous question, “What do you bring to the table?” At this point, the confidence we discussed plays a significant role. Before the interview, you should have researched the organization and identified key areas to build your responses. What do you admire about the company, and would you like to be part of it? Talk about your hard skills that are needed to thrive in this role. Remember, a story invariably wins.

Don’ts: Remember, the goal is not to sound arrogant. You do not want to come off as one who knows it all and has overachieved to be part of this organization.

What do you want to achieve with this organization?

Do’s: This is not any different from the question, “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” At this point, you talk about the growth you expect in this position. If it is an entry-level position, be honest and talk about the advancement in your career, as honestly, you want to be in a different position in the next five years. Give realistic achievements that you have set to obtain with this position.

Don’ts: Do not be quick to throw this position under the bus if it is not what you hope to do in the next five years. Statements like “Be the boss” or “Take over your seat” are red flags. We all want growth, but keeping it positive will play a significant role.

What is your greatest strength?

Do’s: Tell those stories that bring out your strongest area. You could talk about soft skills such as communication skills, hands-on type of person, management of personal tasks and accountability, creativity, and analytical skills. There is a wide range of skills you can select from, and craft out a good story to back up those words.

Don’ts: Remember the confidence we talked about? It is not that time to brag and go overboard. Keep it to a minimum.

How much do you expect to earn?

Do’s: What is the entry payment for this particular job in any other company? What is the average entry pay for any role in this company? Does the company have financial records online to help you develop a figure? Did the job advertisement have any figures attached to it? All those guiding questions you can use to help develop a figure that will not scare the panel or undervalue you. You do not want to set a wage that is also lesser than what you have been earning.

Don’ts: Do not be over-demanding. You are still in an interview and have yet to be offered the job. Do not mention a salary as high as the company’s closing financial year statement. That is why you need to understand what is on the job market. This is one of the most tricky questions. However, that does not make it one of the most challenging questions to respond to if you carried out research.

Why did you leave your last job?

Do’s: It is perfectly fine to talk about your past job and why you decided to leave. The goal is to talk positively about it without criticizing why you left.

Don’ts: You do not want to bad mouth your former employer. Try to keep it professional.

Have you ever been fired before?

Do’s: Be as honest as possible. Be honest and tell them about it in a straightforward way. However, try not to sugarcoat the response but criticize your mistakes and how you have grown. Convert that period into a learning experience.

Don’ts: Do not lie. Do not be defensive about why you got fired. Let it go.

Can you show us how to operate this?

Do’s: What happens when this occurs during an interview? Once again, we point back to confidence. If it is a new operation that you are unfamiliar with, feel free to let the panel know what you are familiar with and tell them how you are ready to learn how to operate what is at hand. Indicate a level of knowledge that you have about that particular operation.

Don’ts: It is only human to panic. However, do your best to keep it under control.

What are your hobbies?

Do’s: This usually comes at the end of the interview and often comes off as an easy question. State your hobbies even if they do not align with the role you are applying for. Having a hobby that aligns with your role may be a bonus point, but it is not a must. Feel free to talk about two or three areas of your interest.

Don’ts: Playing video games all day may not be the best answer an organization is looking for. Alternatively, saying that you do not have any hobbies may be questionable.

How did you know about this position?

Do’s: Grab this opportunity to show how much you have always been interested in this particular organization. Show as much enthusiasm about the company as you can.

Don’ts: Do not blow this up with a onesentence response that will leave the panel wondering if you made a mass application to companies and it is your lucky day that you got called in for an interview.

The questions above do not exhaust the whole list of what could be asked during your interview. Every interview has different questions, which may or may not be related. There are also many sites online that you could use to practice good interview habits.

An extended version of this piece can be found at meramecmontage.com.