Be Ready for Your Next Interview

An interview is not only about picking the right outfit, but about picking the right answer to the questions asked. What does that mean? When going on an interview, and putting the usual nervousness aside, be prepared with some answers to common interview questions. If you rehearse these ahead of time you will grasp most of your answer when replying, no matter how stressed you feel.

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

An interviewer will identify any qualifications that weren’t listed on your e resume that may be important for the position. This question ensures that the candidate has a good understanding of what the job entails and the skills they need to be successful in the position. It may also expand to include your responsibility and how dependable you are

Do you work better as part of a team or independently?

Don’t answer one or the other, but include both in your response. Even if a job is remote, they are interested in someone that can be a team player. This question is especially important if the position requires the candidate to work more on their own or more as a team. Depending on the job requirements, the answer the candidate gives can help you determine if they will be a good addition to your team.

How would your best friend describe you?

Again, this is another tricky question. See yourself through someone else’s eyes and point out your special qualities. This question gives the interviewee the chance to highlight their best attributes as well as whether they will be a positive addition to your company’s culture. You can get a good idea of the candidate’s personality as well as how they interact with others based on the answer to this question.

What sets you apart from other candidates?

Before answering, review the job description, and focus on one or more aspects of the job that you excel at. Don’t forget to include something not in the job description, like I am organized and in addition to using this skill in my current job, I have organized fundraisers or class reunions. By asking them to choose only one skill, the candidate must decide which skill is most important for the job. This question ascertains that the candidate has an understanding of what the job entails as well as the skills they need to be successful in the position.

What have you accomplished that you are most proud of?

Here they are looking for a professional accomplishment but feel free to intertwine a professional accomplishment with a personal experience. This will show the interviewer that you are more than a person filling a slot. This question can help ease tension and boost the candidate’s confidence by accentuating something they are proud of and enjoy talking about.

A good example - “I am extremely proud of my contribution to the new employee handbook in my previous Office Manager position. Prior to my revising this the handbook was confusing and causing problems with employees.”

Why are you leaving (or why did you leave) your current position?

This question gives you an interviewer a chance to better understand what the candidate is looking for in a job. Some candidates will list a few negative aspects of their current position that has led them to look for other employment. These views can inform you as to what the person wants in a new job, as well as uncover any red flags such as excess complaining. So be sure to always speak about your current employer in a positive way!.

Think about these questions ahead of time.

Pause when you answer to gather your thoughts.

This will pay off in the end. And most of all, good luck in finding your next position.