Zimpapers Logo

This is the third part in which we are looking at the top 10 interview tips
Job interview questions
Job interviews are always stressful – even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared.

Take the time to review the common interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also, review sample answers and advice on how to answer these typical interview questions.

Common interview questions about your work history

Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment.

Questions about your resume

What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met?

What were your responsibilities?

What major challenges and problems did you face?

How did you handle them?

What have you learned from your mistakes?

What did you like or dislike about your previous job?

Which was most / least rewarding?

What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?

Questions about job demotions.

Questions about your supervisors and co-workers.

What was it like working for your supervisor?

What do you expect from a supervisor?

What problems have you encountered at work?

Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager?

Have you worked with someone who didn’t like your work?

 

How did you fit in with the company culture?

Who was your best boss and who was the worst?

Describe your ideal boss.

Why are you leaving your job?

Why do you want to change jobs?

Why were you fired?

Why were you laid-off?

Why did you quit your job?

Why did you resign?

What have you been doing since your last job?

Why have you been out of work so long?

Interview questions about you

What is your greatest weakness?

What is your greatest strength?

How will your greatest strength help you perform?

Are you nice?

How would you describe yourself?

Describe a typical work week.

Describe your work style.

Do you consider yourself successful? Why?

Do you work well with other people?

Do you take work home with you?

How do you view yourself? Who do you compare yourself to?

How many hours do you normally work?

How would you adjust to working for a new company?

How would you describe the pace at which you work?

How do you handle stress and pressure?

What motivates you?

Are you a self motivator?

What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?

Tell me about yourself.

What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?

What are you passionate about?

What are your hobbies?

What are your pet peeves?

What do people most often criticise about you?

What is the worst thing that you have ever gotten away with?

What is your dream job?

What makes you angry?

When was the last time you were angry? What happened?

Why did you choose your major?

Why did you go back to school?

If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?

If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?

Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?

Give some examples of teamwork.

More teamwork interview questions.

What type of work environment do you prefer?

How do you evaluate success?

If you know your boss is 100 percent wrong about something how would you handle it?

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.

Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it.

Most common interview mistakes

What shouldn’t you do when interviewing?

Here are the most common job interview mistakes, blunders, and errors a candidate for employment can make.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to make these mistakes without even realising it – and many of them are more common than you might think!

Take the time to prepare before your interview, so you don’t have to stress out about blunders after it.

When you interview a job, it’s imperative to look professional and polished. Although your attire may vary based on the position you’re applying for -f or example, you should wear business casual clothing to an interview for a non-professional job garb to an interview at asmall start up company – it’s important look well-dressed and put together, no matter what the company.

Read more about what to wear to an interview and what not to wear to a job interview.

Next on the list, is something you would think would be a no-brainer – being on time for your interview.

Arriving late
Everyone knows that first impressions are very important in landing a job, but did you know that you can make a bad first impression before you even arrive at your interview?

Running late not only suggests poor time management skills, but shows a lack of respect for the company, the position and even your interviewer.

Bringing a drink with you

Ditch the coffee or soda before you enter your interview. If you need to fuel up, do it before you get to the interview.

Having a drink in front of you creates the opportunity for distraction – fiddling with the cup, or missing a question while taking a sip, for example.

And although it may be a relatively unlikely possibility, bringing a drink into your interview also gives way to other unsightly accidents – like spilling the drink on the desk, on you, or even your interviewer!

Using your phone during the interview

Before you get to your interview, put your phone on silent.

Texting during your interview is not only rude and disruptive, but it’s a pretty clear message to your potential employer that getting the job is not your top priority.

For the same reasons, don’t answer calls (and certainly don’t make calls!) during the interview. To resist the temptation to check your phone, stow your phone in your bag before the interview.

Knowing anything about the company

Don’t let your potential employer stump you with the question, “What do you know about this company?”

It’s one of the easiest questions to ace, if only you do some research before your interview.

Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available in an “About Us” section on most company websites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory.

Also check the company’s LinkedIn page and Facebook page, if they have one.

Do you know where you worked when? You might be surprised to know that some interviewees don’t recall their dates of employment and some of the other data on their resume. Here’s how to keep your avoid fuzzy resume facts.

Fuzzy resume facts
Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application.

Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.

Read on for the next common interview mistake.

Not paying attention

Don’t let yourself zone out during an interview. Make sure you are well-rested, alert and prepared for your interview.

Getting distracted and missing a question looks bad on your part.

If you zone out, your potential employer will wonder how you will be able to stay focused during a day on the job, if you can’t even focus during one interview.

If you feel your attention slipping away, make the effort to stay engaged.

Maintain eye contact, lean forward slightly when talking to your interviewer, and make an active effort to listen effectively.

How to thank the interviewer

Taking the time to say thank you after a job interview not only is good interview etiquette, it reinforces your interest in the position.

Use your thank you letter, as well, to address any issues and concerns that came up during the interview.

Keep in mind though, that your thank you note should be brief and to the point. A couple of brief paragraphs are plenty. – about.com.