I was giving a mock interview today to a student and afterward he said that he never expected such challenging questions and wouldn't have been prepared to give a good answer to some of them in an actual interview. It wasn't my intention to drill him or anything, but we do try to tailor our mock interview questions to get students thinking outside of the box and to see all types of questions a potential employer might ask.
Interviewing for a possible job is a process, and not just a simple one time meeting. The interview process begins before you even greet the employer with a handshake and doesn't end when they have finished asking questions. By viewing each of your interviews in this way, you can be prepared and confident even for the unexpected, tough and dreaded questions!
Before the Interview:
-Research the company, organization and interviewers.
-Prepare relevant questions to ask the interviewers.
-Make sure your interview attire is properly pressed and appropriate.
-Have extra copies of your resume.
Addressing some tough questions during the interview:
"What is your greatest weakness?"
Of course you don't want to reply with "I don't have any" or the over-used "I'm a perfectionist" but, at the same time, you are trying to market yourself in the best possible way. You do want to state a real professional-level weakness (time management, short deadlines, creativity, etc.) but remain confident in your ability to overcome it. Remember to tell the interviewer what steps you are currently taking to improve the weakness.
Behavioral Questions
These questions are aimed at getting you to provide specific examples of how you have developed the required skills for the job. For instance, they may ask "Describe a project where you used computer programming skills," "Describe a situation where you worked as part of a team," or "Tell me about a conflict situation you have encountered in the workplace."
By applying the STAR method, you can give the interviewer all of the information they need. Describe a specific Situation or Task and give enough detail for the interviewer to understand but not be overloaded. Describe the Action you specifically took and not just the efforts of the team. And don't forget to state the Result by identifying what was accomplished and learned.
"Why should we hire you?"
This question is commonly used to wrap up an interview and gives you a chance for a "final sales pitch" of your skills and experience. Try to highlight some unique skills or traits that would set you apart from other candidates and show your determination to succeed in the position. Don't be afraid to state that you are the 'best person for the job' but be sure you back it up with specific evidence!
After the interview:
-Be sure to ask your prepared questions.
-Ask the interviewer for a business card or contact information.
-Be sure you know how follow-up will be conducted (Should you call them? Will they call you?)
-Don't forget to send a thank you note to the interviewers within 48 hours!
If you are still feeling unsure or nervous about a big interview coming up, schedule a Mock Interview in our office or practice with a friend! These are only a few of the tough questions you may encounter- just remember to prepare before every interview!
-Courtney H
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