I picked 3 interview questions that everyone gets asked, and people, well struggle to answer off the cuff, unless you have the gift of the gab.
I’ll cover –
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why are you leaving your job?
Straight in at – Tell me about yourself.
The “Tell me about yourself” question is often asked at the beginning of a job interview, and it can be a bit intimidating. However, it’s also a great opportunity to showcase your personality, experience, and skills. Here’s a general framework you can use to answer this question:
Start with a brief personal introduction: Give your name, where you’re from, and any relevant personal background information that is appropriate for the situation (e.g., “My name is John Smith, and I grew up in a small town in Hull”).
Highlight your relevant experience: Discuss your most relevant work experience, skills, and achievements that pertain to the job you’re interviewing for. Be sure to emphasize how your experience aligns with the job description and the company’s needs.
Discuss your goals: Talk about what you hope to accomplish in your career and how you think the job you’re interviewing for will help you achieve those goals. Be specific and demonstrate how you’ve thought about your career path.
Conclude with a positive statement: End your response with a positive statement that expresses your enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview for the job and your excitement to learn more about the company.
Here’s an example response:
“My name is Jane Doe, and I’m originally from Birmingham. I have been working in the marketing field for the past five years, specializing in digital marketing and social media management. In my current role, I’ve been responsible for increasing social media engagement by 20%, resulting in a significant boost in website traffic and sales.
I’m excited to interview for this position because I’m looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to take my skills to the next level. I’m particularly interested in the innovative marketing campaigns that your company has implemented, and I believe my experience in social media management would make me a valuable asset to the team.
Overall, I’m excited to learn more about the company and the potential to contribute to its continued success.”
What are your weaknesses?
The “What are your weaknesses?” question is a common interview question that can be tricky to answer. Here are some tips to help you prepare a thoughtful response:
Be honest, but strategic: Don’t try to pretend that you don’t have any weaknesses, as everyone does. Instead, choose a weakness that is not essential for the job or one that you have been working on improving.
Focus on a professional weakness: Avoid mentioning personal weaknesses or character flaws. Instead, focus on a skill or attribute that is important to the job, such as public speaking, time management, or technical skills.
Explain how you are addressing your weakness: After you’ve identified your weakness, explain what you are doing to address it. This shows that you are proactive and willing to improve.
End on a positive note: Finish your response by highlighting a strength that offsets your weakness. This shows that you have self-awareness and balance.
Here’s an example response:
“My weakness is public speaking. While I’m comfortable speaking one-on-one or in small groups, I get nervous when I have to give a presentation in front of a large audience. To address this weakness, I’ve been taking public speaking classes and seeking opportunities to practice my skills. For example, I recently volunteered to lead a training session for my team, which gave me the chance to practice speaking in front of a larger group.
However, I believe that my strength in written communication and my ability to think on my feet offset this weakness. I’m comfortable communicating through email or messaging, and I’m able to adapt quickly when unexpected challenges arise.”
Why are you leaving your current role?
The “Why are you leaving your current job?” question is a common interview question that can be difficult to answer without sounding negative or unprofessional. Here are some tips to help you prepare a thoughtful response:
Be honest, but tactful: While you should be honest about your reasons for leaving your current job, it’s important to be tactful and professional in your response. Avoid speaking negatively about your current employer or colleagues and focus on your reasons for seeking a new opportunity.
Highlight your career goals: One way to answer this question is to talk about how the new opportunity aligns with your career goals. You can explain that you’re looking for new challenges, more responsibility, or a different type of work.
Mention any positive aspects of your current job: Even if you have reasons for leaving your current job, there may be some aspects of it that you enjoyed or that helped you grow professionally. Highlighting these positive aspects can show that you’re leaving for the right reasons and not just because you’re unhappy.
End on a positive note: Finish your response by expressing your enthusiasm for the new opportunity and how you believe it will help you grow professionally.
Here’s an example response:
“I’ve learned a lot in my current job, and I’ve had some great opportunities to grow professionally. However, I’m ready for a new challenge and I’m excited about the opportunity to join your team. Your company has a great reputation for innovation and growth, and I believe that I can make a valuable contribution to the team.
I’m looking for a position that will allow me to take on more responsibility and have a greater impact on the company’s success. While my current job has been a great learning experience, I feel that I’ve reached a point where I need to move on to continue growing and developing my skills.”
Play with it, chat to friends and family – and build yourself an answer book of information for interviews. Trust me when you do a few you want to remember the slick answer for the future.