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DESCRIBE YOURSELF/TELL
ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF
You saw this coming. Sure, the recruiter has already read your resume,
but he's bound to ask you to introduce yourself anyway. Most recruiters
do this to break the ice and make you more comfortable; others are
gauging how well you make a good first impression. Keep your answer
short but rich; try to squeeze in work habit and personal interests
/ hobbies into around three minutes of self-description.
WHAT DO YOU
KNOW ABOUT OUR FIRM?
This is no time to regret NOT having researched a bit about your prospective
employer. Before the interview, you should have done a little reading
on the company's size, services, products, market image, employees,
vision etc. The short, popular and easy-to-remember facts you read
will do. Try to show that you know a bit about the firm because you
like it as a business entity, not just because they could offer you
a job.
WHY WOULD YOU
LIKE TO WORK FOR US?
Actually saying "Why not?" is NOT the best way to start. Try to focus
on how you'd like to be part of a company with their reputation, image,
work environment, or whichever genuinely attracts you about the company
other than the pay. Don't forget to also focus on how their needs
perfectly match what you want to do in a career - for instance, you
may want to say that your "copywriting skills could really flourish
when put to constant use, particularly in your marketing division."
Show how your skills and career goals could help contribute to their
own goals and requirements.
WHAT CAN YOU
DO FOR OUR FIRM THAT OTHER APPLICANTS CAN'T?
Cite specific examples of how your skills have helped colleagues and
employers in previous projects. Show how you can apply the same skills
to solving their own problems or in helping out with their needs.
WHY SHOULD
WE HIRE YOU?
This is when you market yourself in a brief statement or two - remember
to sound confident and firm in your answer. Remember the keywords:
Abilities, Skills and Knowledge. If you have Experience, you get extra
points.
WHAT DO YOU
KNOW ABOUT THE JOB BEING OFFERED?
Keep your response concise. Briefly state what the function of
the job is and how it contributes to the division and to the company
as a whole
WHAT WOULD
YOU SAY ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?
When talking about your good points, mention personal traits that
emphasize and strengthen your skills, like "I'm a very outgoing person,
which I believe helps me communicate better with other people." Talking
about your weaknesses is a bit trickier; a popular way of dealing
with this is showing how a weakness ACTUALLY contributes; one of our
favorites is "I tend to be TOO meticulous, I usually pick on every
last detail of my work." Safe answers tend to dwell on pointing out
what you LACK as a worker that could easily be solved once you're
on board. Saying "I can't think of any weaknesses
" only shows that
you're overconfident, or that you don't know.
CAN YOU WORK
UNDER PRESSURE?
You will never meet a good recruiter who will fail to ask you this,
whether implicitly or explicitly. At this, cite past work experiences
where you've met the deadline despite EVERYTHING. Oh, and don't forget
to say "Of course."
DO YOU HAVE
ANY PECULIAR WORKING HABITS?
Don't get TOO weird in your answer. Cite personal habits that
are potentially good for the job - try the likes of "Coffee helps
keep the flow of creative juices in me-which is why I drink a lot
on the job." Or try safe ones like "I usually keep my eyes closed
when I'm thinking."
HOW WOULD YOU
GO ABOUT HANDLING [example of a working situation].
When the recruiter asks you specific steps you take in solving a particular
working problem or situation, give an answer that projects methodical,
effective and most of all, ethical thinking. [personality]
WHAT DO YOU
LIKE TO DO IN YOUR OWN TIME?
State activities that present a clean but fun image of you - watching
movies, Friday-night parties, sports, reading and of course, stuff
done with family and friends. Most recruiters like people who have
healthy relationships with their families and friends.
IN YOUR OPINION,
WHAT IS THE TOUGHEST PART ABOUT A JOB?
Saying "working" is not even funny. Anyway, be honest about it
- recruiters recognize the fact that everyone has a nit to pick about
their jobs. Keep in mind, though, that it is helpful to state how
you handle it in a way that it doesn't affect your performance that
greatly.
WHAT KIND OF
A PERSON ARE YOU?
When asked about your personality, keep in mind the position you
are applying for. For instance, when you apply for a sales job it's
usually helpful to say that you're the aggressive type, whereas a
calm and level-headed personality earns points with customer service
work.
DO YOU SEE
YOURSELF AS A LEADER?
"Yes" is always a good answer, but add that while you handle being
in charge quite well, you also respect the authority of your superiors.
This is helpful especially if you're applying for your first job.
Also, don't forget to cite examples of how you've been effective as
a leader.
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