By Dorcas Karuana,
If you’ve made it to the interview round during your job search, congratulate yourself! The hiring manager obviously thinks you could be a good fit for the position and wants to learn more about you.
Now comes the time to practice your answers to the questions you’ll probably encounter during the interview. Being prepared to answer them is a task that is part of standard interview preparation. The toughest part of any job interview can be answering the dreaded job interview questions. Practicing helps you not only perfect your answers, but also sound confident while you’re answering their questions.
In the majority of circumstances, your answers to these job interview questions and your demeanor when you answer them will determine whether you get the job or not.
Here are some of the toughest questions to prepare yourself for and how to answer them:
1.“Tell me about yourself.”- Some people think this is an icebreaker question, so they answer it like they would in a social situation and say something along the lines of, “I’ve got 3 kids, I love to swim, hardworking e.tc. This is a great mistake. All the interviewer is really asking you is, “Why do you feel you are a good fit for this job?” Set yourself in their minds as a great candidate.
This is where your prepared elevator speech (a 30- to 60-second pitch about yourself) can come in handy. Always keep it concise but compelling—they won’t have time for your life story. The best answer to this question is a short, concise outline of: your relevant work experience, your education or credentials and a positive statement of expectancy.
2. “What are your weaknesses?”- This is possibly the most annoying job interview question just because of its ridiculousness. Most people will either to give them an obviously fake weakness (like you’re a perfectionist or you work too hard… ugh!), or a real weakness (like you’re disorganized or you have a bad temper), which means you might as well kiss your job offer goodbye now.
The hiring manager is not just looking for your weakness, but also, how you react to a difficult question. He/she doesn’t actually want you to share major weaknesses, especially those that are vital to the job at hand. Instead, take one weakness and put a positive spin on it, such as one you recognize that you have and discuss how you’re working to correct it.
3. “Tell me about the worst boss you’ve ever had.” This is a question where you need to resist temptation to divulge dirt on your past experiences. Be very careful about answering this question. Don’t take this opportunity to bad mouth a previous employer even if you have genuine complaints about your old boss.
Instead, say that none of your bosses were terrible but you did learn from some more than others. Talk about the knowledge and experience you’ve gained from working with a variety of people. For instance, make a broad statement such as, “I’ve had all types of bosses, and some were much better than others at managing and communication,” should be enough of an answer.
4. “Why did you leave your last job?” – This question is justifiable for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the interviewer is looking to see if you quit or were fired. Take the high road here and do not speak badly of your former coworkers and boss. Even if you left your last position for negative reasons, put a positive spin on it and stay professional. Tell the interviewer something like you were looking for a company you could grow with and that would give you a chance to learn more or perhaps the cultural fit wasn’t right for you
5. “Why should I hire you?”– This is often one of the most dreaded questions by most job seekers. You may be wondering how on earth do I answer that question adequately? The interviewers want to know:
- How well you fit the job?
- What unique skill, attribute or experience will you bring to the company?
- How confident are you that you are an excellent fit for the job?
The key to answering the tough interview question of why should we hire you? Is preparation:
Right attitude -Your voice tone should be positive and show enthusiasm as you respond.
Right skills/ Experience– You need to know what your transferable skills are as well as relevant experience to the job that makes you unique and stand out from the rest of job seekers. Perhaps you see that the organization lacks a clear marketing strategy, something you have experience in creating and implementing.
Depending on what you find and your unique selling points, answer confidently and show the hiring manager how you will benefit the organization if they hire you
6. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”– Employers want to see what types of goals you have set for yourself and your career. They are looking for ambition and your plans to continue in your current career and at their company. If you are interviewing early on in your career, they will be looking at what your ambition level is as well as your drive and determination. If you are interviewing at the mid-level of your career, they will be looking for answers that fit their needs.
Make sure whatever you answer is, it involves that organization in some way – mention climbing the corporate ladder, developing your skills further and making a career within the organization. Discuss how your skills and traits can help you excel at the current position and benefit the company in the future. Don’t share anything too personal, such as plans to start a family or travel the world, which could take you out of the running for the job.
In conclusion, the interview is undoubtedly one of the most unnerving steps of the job search process. Luckily, one way to temper your anxiety is by knowing what’s in store and crafting smart replies to tough interview questions in advance. Need some help getting prepared? Contact us today.
Dorcas is the Head of Recruitment at Corporate Manpower East Africa.
Email: dorcas(at)corporatemanpower.co.ke
What other tough interview questions have you encountered? Let us know in the comments below