10 answers that will help you ace your interview!

The secret is out! Below are the top 10 most common interview questions that could be asked during your interview with your prospective employer, and how to answer them…

1. Tell me about yourself?
   Best Answer:
   The Employer is looking for a brief summary about you and is more interested in hearing about your educational and professional background than your hobbies and favourite foods. See if you can sum up your educational and professional background in about 60 seconds and ensure that you make connections between your background and the position for which you are being interviewed.
2. What is your greatest strength?
   Best Answer:
   This is your time to shine. The interviewer is looking for work related strengths that directly align with the position you are being interviewed for. Mention a number of your strengths and most importantly be prepared to give examples that illustrate your particular skills.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
   Best Answer:
   This is a challenging question but the best way to answer is to turn a negative into a positive such as “I’m a perfectionist” or “I expect others to be as committed as I am.” The most important thing is to place a huge emphasise on what you’ve done to overcome and improve it. This question is all about how you spin your answer and turn it into a positive one.
4. Why do you want to work here?
   Best Answer:
   Compare your goals with the objectives of the employer and the position, then reiterate why you would be an asset to them. Demonstrate your knowledge about the employer and position by discussing specific details that pertain to this and why that interests you.
5. Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation and how you overcame it?
   Best Answer:
   Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened in a work place environment. Be specific and then discuss what you did to solve the problem. Make sure to spin your answers into a positive situation by demonstrating what you learned from the experience and how you plan on improving for next time.
6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
   Best Answer:
   Discuss your career goals and how this position relates to your goals for the future. A GREAT answer to this question will also include specifically explaining how you plan on accomplishing these goals. This demonstrates to the employer that not only have you thought about your career goals but you have also created a plan and are motivated to take the initiative to ensure that you will successfully reach these goals.
7. What is your biggest accomplishment?
   Best Answer:
   The best way to respond is to give an example of something you accomplished that is directly related to the job you are interviewing for. Review your resume and review the job posting. Find the best match and use that to show how what you accomplished will be beneficial to the employer interviewing you.
8. Why should we hire you?
   Best Answer:
   The best way to respond is to give concrete examples of why your skills and accomplishments make you the best candidate for the job. Take a few moments to compare the job description with your abilities, as well as mentioning what you have accomplished in your other positions. Be positive and reiterate your interest in the employer and the position.
9. What do you know about us?
   Best Answer:
   Prepare in advance and do your research so you can provide relevant and current information about the employer. Check the employer’s social media pages and website to see what information they are promoting and sharing. You’ll be able to pick up tidbits of information to speak about during the interview that will allow you to show your interest in pursuing a position with them. Also, research the people who will be interviewing you. Review their LinkedIn profiles and Google them to see what information you can find. The more you can discover, the more comfortable you will be talking with them.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
    Best Answer:
    This question is asked in almost every single interview so it is essential to have some questions prepared ahead of time. This will show the interviewer that you have done some research and are eager to know and learn as much as possible about the employer and position. This is similar to the answer above, “what do you know about our company?” the difference is you should phrase questions that relate to your knowledge of the employer but require more information for a more in depth understanding.

Now that you have all the top questions and answers for your interview you just need to concentrate on presenting yourself in the right manner, don’t forget that first impressions last!

Check out our Job Seeker Toolkit for more great tips and advice for your job search.