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Answering tricky – but common – interview questions

If you've been on a lot of job interviews, you may have noticed certain questions get asked almost every time. Yet even though they're commonly asked, many jobseekers struggle with finding the right answers. While technically most interview questions don't have "right" answers, there's no mistaking that some answers are better than others. Here are some of the most common questions that jobseekers trip up on, and tips for how to best answer them.Can you tell me a little about yourself?You may have heard that people love to talk about themselves – which is why it's odd that this question proves so challenging. The open-ended nature of the question puts the pressure on you – and that's really the point. "This question seems simple enough, but if you respond by talking about all of your past jobs and your dog, you're doing it wrong," says Val Matta, vice president of business development at CareerShift. "You need to answer this question with a short pitch that shows you're the right fi...

/ Interviews

Getting interviews but no job offers? 7 reasons why it happens

Most job seekers know the frustration of getting a second interview only to be "pipped at the post" by another candidate. Sometimes the other applicant will have more relevant experience than you, but if you find that you're frequently missing out - or rarely get past the first interview stage - there could be something you're doing wrong.Here are seven reasons why you're getting interviews but no job offers. 1. You didn't prepare well enoughSam Waterfall, founder of Obvious Candidateand author of HIRED! The Essential Guide to Interview Success, recommends a minimum of six hours preparation time for any interview. 'Candidates who put in preparation effort are not only better at answering questions, they also experience a noticeable confidence boost which shines through in their performance.'Make sure you research the role and organisation thoroughly. Often, the thing that gives one candidate an edge over another is an air of confidence or professionalism. Knowing about the challenge...

/ Interviews

Seven ways to beat nerves and boost your confidence at interview

Your palms sweat and your mind goes black. When you eventually think of something to say, you waffle on so long you forget what the question was. If interview nerves are a problem for you, here seven strategies to ensure you stay calm, confident and relaxed. 1. Prepare wellSome nervousness can be a good thing as it raises your attentiveness and shows that you care about the process. 'At the same time, no-one should under-estimate how nerves can block what you want to achieve at interview,' says John Lees, author of a wide range of career books including How to Get a Job You Love. 'That's why it's important to prepare beforehand and have strategies in place to deal with anxiety. If you feel ready, you can even get to enjoy the adrenalin rush. Being prepared turns fear into focus.''Don't think you can wing it. Interviews need preparation – lots of it,' agrees Corinne Mills of Personal Career Management and author of Career Coach. 'Research the job, the company and the likely questions...

/ Interviews

Messed up at interview? How to recover the situation

Interviews can go wrong for all kinds of reasons. You spill your coffee over the interviewer, your mind goes blank, or you give an embarrassingly weak answer. Don't let one slip-up derail the whole meeting - handle the situation well, and your ability to stay calm and collected could actually go in your favour!1. Admit the mistakeWhen it comes to recovering from a faux pas, it's nearly always better to acknowledge your mistake.'Don't ignore what just happened hoping the interviewer hadn't noticed. They had,' warns Corinne Mills of Personal Career Management and author of Career Coach. 'If you stumble over your words, say the wrong thing or fall on your face, it's far better to acknowledge out loud what just happened. For example, you might say: "I'm not sure that came out as I intended, let me try again," so at least you try and put it right. 'If you ignore it, they might query how self-aware you are, or whether you do that kind of thing all the time.'2. Your mind goes blank If you'...

/ Interviews

6 ways your interview answers make you sound boring

Most people fear "going blank" in an interview but saying too much can be just as bad. Lose the interest of an interviewer and you're likely to lose the job. Here are six ways your interview answers make you sound boring – and what to say instead.1. You use clichésThe interviewer asks, "What's your biggest weakness?" and you say, "I'm a perfectionist."'Nothing is more likely to send an interviewer's eyeballs rolling to the back of their head,' says career coach Sam Waterfall of www.obviouscandidate.com and author of The Essential Guide To Interview Success.So how can you answer the question better?'The key is to give a genuine answer, but to avoid naming a weakness in a skill that is central to the job,' says Sam. 'For example, your high standards make it hard for you to delegate. You realised this was restricting the amount of work you could get done, so you made a change.'Sam continues: 'Maybe you enrolled on a course or spoke to a great delegator and quizzed them on how they do i...

/ Interviews

How to ace your interview presentation and get the job

Presentations are becoming an increasingly common part of the recruitment process, particularly for roles that require verbal communication skills. Marketing, sales, public relations and teaching are just some of the sectors that ask candidates to give a talk at interview. If you're asked to give a presentation, here are seven tips to impress.1. Know what's expected of you Find out as much as you can before the interview. Who will be in the audience? How long will you required to speak for? Will you be expected to host a Q&A session at the end, or field questions during your talk? 'Sometimes you'll be given a topic in advance, sometimes you will only be given this 30 minutes or so beforehand,' says John Lees, author of a wide range of career books including The Interview Expert: How to Get the Job You Want.'The employer should also clearly inform you whether you are expected to use PowerPoint, and when your slides should be submitted.'Ask if anything is unclear. The more you kno...

/ Interviews

What an interviewer is secretly thinking about you

Interviews are tough enough but if you're faced with a hiring manager who's hard to read, the experience can be even more daunting. Here are six things an interviewer is likely to be thinking about you - and how to use the information to your advantage.1. Do you actually want to work here? It might sound obvious – you turned up for the interview after all – but a hiring manager is looking for signs that you are keen to carry out the potential role. Anna Budner, Talent Acquisition Specialist at NonStop Recruitment, says: 'When we interview for candidates to work for us we are always looking to identify the same factors - namely that the person is motivated to work here. Not just interested in gaining interview experience, testing the market, or hoping for a stop-gap position.'The lesson: Make sure your enthusiasm comes across. Sit up straight, lean forward slightly when you answer a question and remember to smile. Nod your head to show that you're listening and ask questions about th...

/ Interviews

Seven interview mistakes that will lose you the job

You can recover from many things in an interview – being late or even spilling your coffee over the hiring manager won't necessarily lose you the job – but interviewers are less likely to forgive a candidate who asks inane questions, bores them, or makes empty brags. Here are seven interview mistakes that can see a candidate instantly rejected – and how to avoid it happening to you. 1. You seem moody and you mutter 'You can lose the job in the first minute of the interview by not thinking about your initial impact, warns John Lees, author of a wide range of career books including The Interview Expert. 'Sounding flustered, confused, irritated, being too loud, or inaudible – any of these could lose you the job from the outset.'Don't underestimate the importance of building rapport with the interviewer as you wait for the lift or walk to the interview room. If you're not great at small talk, practise and get better. Make eye contact and be fully present (stop running over question scen...

/ Cover Letters

How to get a job when you’re overqualified

Being over-qualified for a job can be a difficult sell. You know that you have a wealth of skills and experience to bring to the role – but how do you persuade an employer that you won't resume your job search and leave as soon as something better comes along? Be honestThere are many reasons to apply for a job that, on the face of it, is well below your experience level. You might be changing careers, need a job that fits around childcare commitments, or have been forced into the decision by redundancy or unable to find a graduate job after leaving university. Whatever the reason, it's important to reassure the employer that you will be happy in the role. 'If you're worried that you might be dismissed as over-qualified, it's best to be honest and open with prospective employers,' says Kelly Kendall, Managing Director of Cordant People, the high street brand of Cordant Recruitment. 'Don't be defensive - show the potential employer that you have positive reasons for applying for the r...

/ Interviews

Top interview tips to land a job in tech

Whether you're a seasoned tech professional or a recent graduate, you need to shine at interview if you want to land the top jobs. So what exactly are employers looking for and how can you stand out from the crowd? Read on for advice from the experts…Demonstrate your cultural fitEmployers typically consider a candidate's background, qualifications and previous experience - but will also be looking for signs that they will 'fit' with the organisation and complement the team in place.A fast-paced, dynamic start-up that operates with a flat management structure and few operating procedures will want someone who thrives in that environment, for example. If they recruit someone who is more comfortable with fixed procedures, they're unlikely to stay with the company for long.'You need to get a feel for the culture of the company to which you're applying,' advises Amy Lynch, Recruiter at ThoughtWorks. 'Although a solid hands-on ability is crucial to succeed in a technical role, demonstrati...

/ Interviews

Illegal Interview Questions

Honesty might be the best policy when it comes to interviews but that doesn't mean you should divulge personal information just because it's asked. In fact, there are some questions that are illegal for an employer or recruitment agency to pose. With that in mind, here's how to recognise when you're asked an illegal question – and how to respond.An employer will want to find out as much about you as possible during a job interview. While questions about your skills and experience are perfectly valid, there are some personal questions they should not ask – and which you're under no obligation to answer.'Illegal questions are those that could lead a potential employer to discriminate against you – on the grounds of age, race, marital or parental status, religion, health, disability or sexual orientation, for example,' explains Corinne Mills, (www.personalcareermanagement.com) Managing Director of Personal Career Management.Questions about health and disabilityThe Equality Act 2010 con...

/ Interviews

How to answer brain-teaser interview questions

Interview questions should be fair and designed to find out if you can do the job – but in reality, candidates can be asked some very odd things. While you can't predict what questions you will be asked, you can prepare by developing a strategy for answering them.'Your answers might not reveal how well you will perform in the role – but they do give an indication of how well you cope under pressure and if you can think on your feet,' says John Lees, career coach and author of "Just the Job!".What kind of questions can you expect? Questions like "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" are difficult, but not surprising. Brain teaser questions tend to be unexpected and challenge you to think laterally. In theory, you could be asked anything, but certain roles attract particular types of questions.'Some seemingly strange questions are actually related to the role, for example, "How would you sell me this water cooler?"' explain John. 'If you're going for a sales job or one that requir...

/ Interviews

Eight Toughest Interview Questions

Interviews are designed to do just one thing: identify the best possible candidate for the advertised job. And sometimes it may feel that the questions being asked have been designed to deliberately catch you out or make you question whether you are up to the job or not.But that's not their intention. Some questions aim to establish how well you cope under pressure, others will be to reveal your personality or to see what your career aspirations are. Just remember that there is no need to draw a blank or clam up if you have done your research and preparation beforehand.If you want to avoid an interview disaster, here are some of the toughest interview questions and their suggested responses.Q: "Tell me about yourself"This is perhaps the most open-ended question of them all and is typically used by interviewers as a warm-up question to give you the opportunity to shine. But resist the temptation to start talking about your life history. What your interviewer is looking for is a quick...

/ Interviews

10 Crucial Questions to Ask in the Interview

You've sailed through the interview. You breathe a huge sigh of relief. And then comes the killer bite, "Do you have any questions?" This could make all the difference between being a job seeker and a job getter. Ask, ask, ask One survey of over 150 recruitment managers found that the most unforgivable behaviour exhibited in job interviews was not having any questions to ask. If you don't ask questions in the interview, many recruiters will wonder if you are truly interested in the job. They also need to feel satisfied that the candidate has enough information on which to make a decision in case an offer is made. Susan Trainer, a senior Information Systems recruiter interviews hundreds of candidates to determine if they represent a good fit for her client companies. "It makes me crazy when I ask a candidate if they have any questions and they say either 'No, you have answered them already' or 'How many days holiday does your client give?' There are so many things you can screw up in...

/ Interviews

Answering Six Common Interview Questions

While you'll never be able to anticipate every question you might be asked in an interview, you can get a head start by developing strong, concise answers to commonly used questions. Most interviewers will ask similar questions like these to gain knowledge about a candidate's abilities and qualifications and compatibility with the job and the company.1. Tell me about yourself. This is often the opening question in an interview. It's also one of the most difficult if you're not prepared. Remember, the interviewer does not want to hear about the football team you support or your unusual hobbies. This question calls for your one-minute advert that summarises your years of experience and skills and your personality in the context of the job for which you are being interviewed. Get to the point and sell your professional self. Develop a few brief sentences that demonstrate you have what it takes to do the job – experience, proven results and desire to contribute.2. Why should we recruit ...

/ Interviews

10 tips for job interview success

Job search techniques change, the labour market changes and job descriptions change. But what more or less stays the same is the job interview. It's your chance to sell yourself. The first 30 seconds of a job interview are the most important – so if you want to be a cut above the rest you need to be on the ball. Rob Yeung, a business psychologist, maintains that an interview is all about the three Ps. "You need to prepare, you need to practise, and then, on the day, you need to perform."Here are 10 tips for interview success.1. First impressions count Greet your interviewer with a smile and firm handshake. Give eye contact. Try to make small talk during the walk from the reception area to the interview room. Liz Anderson, a human resources manager says, "You have to sell yourself before you can sell anything else and the first 30 seconds are when the interviewer subconsciously makes decisions about whether they like you or not and whether you will fit into the team."2. Be prepared R...

/ Interviews

How to succeed at management interview tests

Whether you're an experienced manager or applying for your first managerial position, you can expect to face some stringent tests as part of the interview process. More industries are subjecting candidates to psychometric tests, completed online as a pre-assessment before the actual interview.Rob Williams, chartered occupational psychologist and independent psychometric test developer, reveals the three types of tests you're most likely to encounter and how to perform at your best.Personality questionnaires These kind of tests have no right or wrong answer. Instead, they are designed to ascertain your management style and see if it fits with the job.The best way to prepare is to thoroughly research the position (and similar roles in the company and across your industry) to get an idea of the personality traits they most value.These kind of tests are often used to generate question prompts for recruiters to probe your weaker personality traits. 'Big discrepancies will probably be fla...

/ Interviews

9 ways to be remembered at interview

You only have a short amount of time to impress at an interview – so how do you ensure that a hiring manager remembers you? Follow our expert interview tips and make sure your name stands out for all the right reasons. 1. Those opening moments Psychologists tell us that we make snap judgements whenever we meet someone new, based on minimal amounts of information. 'Interviewers don't make a complete hiring decision, but they do form strong assumptions based on how easy you are to talk to,' says John Lees, career coach and author of The Interview Expert.'Do you readily respond to questions and volunteer information? As part of your interview preparation, practice small talk and opening conversations in a relaxed manner.' 2. Show and tell Showing an example of what you've achieved in the past is a good way to be remembered, especially if it's something you can leave behind with the interviewer.'This doesn't mean you should bring along your year-six science project and obviously depend...

/ Interviews

7 questions to ask during an interview

If you want to impress at your next interview, think carefully about the questions you will put to them. Asking intelligent questions will set you apart as a candidate, and the interviewer's answers can help you decide whether or not the job is right for you. Here are seven questions you should consider posing and what they reveal about you as a candidate.1. How would you measure success in the role in 3, 6, and 12 months' time?Knowing how success is measured by the company will give you an idea of the employer's priorities, how you will be expected to progress, and what the role actually involves. For example, if an employer talks about the need to improve inter-department relations before hitting sales targets, you will know what kind of issues you can expect to face. Ask for specifics on what your deliverables will be on a project. Do you feel comfortable with the pace of work and their expectations? What it shows: You're results-driven and keen to prove yourself once in the role...

/ Interviews

Top telephone interview tips

Firstly, if you have a telephone interview for a job – well done! You have interested a potential employer or recruiter enough for them to arrange a telephone interview with you. This is often an intermediary stage, following application, to whittle down candidates to a more manageable amount for face-to-face interviews; it can occasionally be the only interview, however, particularly if there are problems of distance. A telephone interview is very much a two-way conversation. The employer wants to find out a bit more about you; they want you to expand on your CV, provide more detail and concrete examples, and they will be gauging how you come across on the telephone – your verbal communication skills, your enthusiasm and your interest. Asking pertinent questions about the role and the organisation are vital then – just as relevant for you is whether you want to progress your application. It could be that, on reflection, and armed with more information, this is not the opportunity f...

/ Interviews

10 Unusual Interview Questions and How to Tackle Them

There are various ways that you can prepare yourself for an interview. One can research the company thoroughly, carry out a test-run to get to the premises and consider the questions that you may be asked in order to prepare a good answer. But what happens when an interviewer throws an unusual question at you? No matter how much preparation you can do, you can never fully be trained on how the interview will occur. You have to be prepared to expect the unexpected.How can you deal with a difficult query when caught off guard? Breathe: The last thing you want to do is get stressed or hot and bothered. The key is to take a deep breath and compose yourself. You will see things much clearer by relaxing. Repeat the question back: By repeating the question out loud, you can give yourself an extra few seconds to think of how to answer it. You can also really get to grips with what exactly the question is asking. If you are really unsure what it means, ask the interview to explain it. It is ...

/ Interviews

How to handle interview questions that you can’t answer

Your mouth goes dry and your mind goes blank. The interviewer peers at you with a quizzical look. You ask them to repeat the question. Their look turns to bemusement and then annoyance. You still don't have an answer – so what do you say? 'Many candidates leave too much to chance, hoping that certain questions will come up, or relying on their ability to improvise on the day,' says John Lees, career coach and author of Job Interviews: Top Answers to Tough Questions.And if you don't pre-package answers and plan for the actual event, where you will be nervous and under pressure, you're far more likely to find questions tricky. 'Tricky questions are simply, "questions I could have predicted if I'd thought about the interview more carefully,"' asserts John. The good news is that 80 per cent of interview questions are predictable.How to prepareSo how do you prepare for "tricky" questions? John's advice is to be tough on yourself. 'Start with the employer's shopping list. Work out their t...
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