I get so nervous before job interviews — sweaty palms, dry mouth, butterflies in my stomach. It’s really not fun. But once I’m sitting down with the interviewer, things usually get better, in part because I love talking about myself and my work. I don’t mean this in a braggy way, but how often do you get to sit down with someone and really talk about the projects you love or how you want to grow your career, except in an interview setting? And sure, the lead-up is nerve-wracking, but with a little practice, you can master the most common questions a hiring manager will throw your way. Ultimately, being prepared is an easy way to ease the tension.Ahead, 10 questions you should answer without second thought, advice on how to nail the interview, and how to land your dream job.
Your résumé is just one page, and it only tells a fraction of the story of what you do on a daily basis. It should feature a lot of impressive numbers (you’ve managed a $1 million budget; you organized a 1,000-person conference), but during the interview, you need to add context. Share anecdotes that display your management skills; have a good explanation for why you left your first job; and be able to talk about your accomplishments.
When prepping for this question, it can be good to take a look back at past performance reviews and pull out all the positive feedback you’ve received. This is an interview — talking about your successes is key.
This question shouldn’t be a surprise, and you should have a clear and concise answer. You’re looking for an opportunity to grow. You love cats and taking photos, so this position as a cat photographer is a natural fit. You’ve dreamed of writing about beauty products your whole life.
Your answer should show how passionate you are about the position and that you’ve done your research into what the job will entail.
Your answer to this question should reveal that you’ve done your research on the company and the people you’ll be working with. Were they in the news recently for a big accomplishment? Mention that. Do they have world-class research facilities that are unparalleled? That’s a no-brainer. This is your chance to express your enthusiasm for the company, and help the hiring manager understand why you’d be a good fit for the job.
It can be really hard for some people to really talk up their accomplishments, but it’s crucial in a job interview. Again, go through past performance reports and make note of the positive feedback. And then take a few minutes to think about the things you do that make you feel really good. Those are the strengths you want to talk about — and make sure you have some anecdotes to back them up. You don't want to just state, "I'm a great manager." You need to share a few stories that illustrate your point.
My favorite episode of the British Office is when David Brent is going over Big Keith’s year-end review, and Keith lists that his weakness is “eczema.” Makes me laugh every time. This is one of the most difficult questions to answer, and saying “perfectionism” will drive your interviewer bonkers.
Having a smart and thoughtful response to this question can show the hiring manager that you’re self-aware, and willing to grow and change. No one is perfect at their jobs — if they are, it’s probably time to find something more challenging. And everyone has an area where they struggle. Be honest, but don’t reveal too much.
I really hate this question, and the first time I encountered it, I had a really hard time coming up with an answer. But it comes up all the time in interviews, and it’s a great chance to show off your problem-solving skills.
Remember, the problem doesn’t have to be epic, but your reaction needs to show that you’re flexible, capable of making smart decisions, and able to think on your feet.
This is not the opportunity to bash your current employer, as much as you might be tempted to say a few nasty things about that bitch of a boss who’s holding you back from a promotion. That’s a conversation to have with your friends over cocktails, or with your therapist. Playing the growth card is always good — you love your current job, but you’re looking for an opportunity to grow. And again, this is a time to show you’ve done your research, and explain why you’ll be such a good fit at this new company.
I love this question, because it’s a chance to talk yourself up using other people’s words. Again, reference those performance reviews, mention great feedback you received from clients, and talk about how well you work with your colleagues. If you’re really unhappy at your job — you feel minimized, there are no growth opportunities, you’re isolated — it’s okay to explain that you don’t think your boss and colleagues see your full potential, and tie your answer back to the question about why you’re looking for new a gig.
Again, this is a question where you need to do your research. And similar to the question about your weaknesses, you need to be honest without being harsh. You should not only have a list of improvements you would make, you should explain how you could help institute these changes. That will help the interviewer understand the value you'll bring to the job.
Don’t say no. Always have at least one question, even if it’s been a thorough interview, and you’ve asked almost as many questions as you’ve answered (a great interview is usually more like a conversation). This is a great time to ask about the hiring timeline and figure out the next steps. This isn’t the time to ask about vacation days.
It's a deceptively simple question, but it can be a really good conversation starter that can help you better understand the company's culture. Do you put your headphones on and power through a bunch of work? Do you thrive on being busy? Do you like strong direction or do you prefer a hands-off manager? Before you go in for an interview, take a while to ruminate on how you work best and what you look for in a boss (or how you like to be the boss, if that's the case).
When a hiring manager is considering a new employee, it's important for him or her to consider how you'll fit with the team. And while it can be disappointing not to get a job, just remember that you don't actually want a gig where you don't fit in.
Work is not all sunshine and roses, and when you're interviewing, sometimes you have to talk about the tough stuff along with all your achievements. Even if you and your boss have the best relationship of all time, there are moments when you will disagree. How do you handle those situations?
Obviously, you're not going to tell the story about the time you had a meltdown and cried in front of your coworkers (hey, it happens to the best of us). But you can talk about how you've successfully navigated tricky situations and survived an awkward conversation or two. This will show that you're diplomatic, flexible, and able to "manage up"— all qualities of a desirable candidate.
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