You’ve landed an interview. Excellent work! Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew what questions you might be asked?
Make a good guess by preparing for these six frequently asked interview questions.
1. What can you tell me about yourself?
Interviews often open with this seemingly informal inquiry. Don’t be fooled. The interviewer is NOT interested in your personal history, your hobbies or your career path. What they genuinely want to know is, “Why are YOU, with your unique talents and qualifications, the ideal candidate for this position?” To answer correctly, develop a brief elevator pitch highlighting the top two to three qualities that make you a great fit for this role.
2. What are your greatest strengths?
Once again, emphasize how your top talents apply to this job. However, respond carefully. You want to sound confident without looking arrogant. If you are afraid your comments will come off as bragging, try supporting your claims with stories or examples of how you successfully used your strengths to handle situations in the past.
3. What are your greatest weaknesses?
This is one of those tricky questions. Ultimately, the interviewer is hoping you will accidentally reveal any major flaws. After all, it’s easier for them to eliminate someone during the interview process than to realize, too late, they made a bad hire. Your best bet is to mention something not directly related to the role and to explain how you are working on improving this skill.
4. Why are you interested in this position?
Your potential employer is searching for someone who is qualified, enthusiastic and a good culture fit. Research the company and the role ahead of time so you can explain exactly why you are the right person for the job. And, don’t forget to display your excitement by mentioning something specific you love about this organization.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Obviously, the interviewer knows you can’t predict the future. Instead, they are trying to determine your level of commitment. In other words, they are on the lookout for job hoppers. Reassure them by briefly outlining your (realistic) career goals and then showing how your objectives line up with this position.
6. What are your salary expectations?
Don’t let this question trap you. If you give too high of a number, you can immediately eliminate yourself from consideration. And if you give too low of a number, you can end up with a smaller paycheck than you deserve. It’s fine to say, “Before answering this question, I’d like to find out more about what this position involves.” But if the interviewer insists on an answer, be prepared with an industry-appropriate salary range. For more tips, read this past post on how to talk about salary requirements.
Are You Hoping Your Next Interview Results in a Job Offer?
At Connectology, our manufacturing recruiters will help you perfect your application materials, practice for interviews and land that job! Our goal is to match talented candidates with top companies in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and beyond. Check out our current openings today!
