How to Answer 5 Top Interview Questions Part II : Be Honest with Your Answers

This article relates to a previous article about being successful at the job interview and how to land the dream job. But here, we will concentrate more closely on the questions you will face. No one goes along to a job interview with the intention of creating a bad impression. Everyone wants to present themselves in the best possible light and to walk away with a potential, if not actual, job offer. Do not view the interview panel as people who are there to simply trip you up. Instead, try to look at them as objective people who are trying to find out who you are, what your values are and how you will benefit the company if they decide to hire you. This is how they will get to know you, so it is important to be professional and do your best to come across as confident. But the best way to do well before the interview is to prepare thoroughly. Do some research into the company and come up with some questions that you think you might be asked and work out how you will answer. Here are some common questions you will face.

1. What is your biggest weakness?

This question can be quite frightening to people and they may hesitate before answering it. Who wants to admit that they have weaknesses? Many people see this as a trick question, one that may disqualify them from the job. But that is not the case at all. Rather than make a long list of your weaknesses, pick out one specific issue. Look at a mistake you may have made in your last job and then see how you overcame it. Potential employers do not expect perfection. They want to know that you are human and that you can handle errors in a professional manner. So do not focus on the negative outcome. Consider the positive results and how you learned from your mistake. That is what they are really looking for.

2. Did you get along with your last employer?

You may be seeking new employment because you did not get along with your last employer. If that is the case, you cannot change the past. But what you must never do is speak disparagingly about your previous employer. It will put the interview panel off straightaway if you launch into a verbal attack against your last employer. Even if there was a serious altercation, do not focus on that. Mention times when you did get along, but stress that when you left it was time for you to move on. You are under no obligation to give details into disagreements. Be honest, but do not feel that is the perfect opportunity to offload your anger and frustration onto complete strangers. That is not the intention of the interview.

3. Why should I hire you?

The job interview is the perfect opportunity to "sell yourself", but do not go overboard! Talk about the particular skills you possess that you can bring to the company and highlight your qualifications. By talking about the company and how it can be improved by your presence you are showing that you are serious about the job and are likely to be a good fit. Do not mention other candidates and talk of how much better you would be than them. You know nothing about them, so reserve judgment about others and concentrate more on your own qualities and attributes. Attacking others will never be acceptable to an interview panel. It will mean disqualification.

4. How do you feel about working for a man/ woman?

If you have never worked for anyone of the opposite sex and you feel uncomfortable about this, do not worry. You may have traditional views about the role of men and women and find it hard to accept the authority of some people. Or your cultural background may not have afforded you the opportunity to mingle freely with members of the opposite sex. Again, do not lie with your answer. But at the same time, do not say anything that can be construed as being sexist. It is unacceptable to voice opinions that violate the rights and dignity of others. Remember that in a job situation, you will almost always need to be able to work as part of a team. If you hold rigid views with regard to a person's gender, you are unlikely to be successful at work. If you have only worked for people of the same sex as you, mention this, but also say that you are willing to work for both men and women. It is a necessary part of life. If you are willing enough to attend a job interview, you must expect that someday down the road you may have to work for a person of the opposite sex.

5. Tell me about yourself

This question does not mean you should mention that you have a wife, three children, a dog and guinea pig. Nor do the interview panel want to know that you like to take part in extreme sports. If you mention that, what are they more likely to assume? They will see you as a liability and they are less likely to hire someone who puts their health and even their life in danger. When you talk about yourself, confine your answer to your professional expertise, background and your enthusiasm for the company. You can reiterate your skills and qualifications in this question.

This is just a small sample of questions that the interview panel can ask. Just be aware that whatever you are asked, you must be truthful in your answers. Do not formulate lies to get around questions and do not say "pass, next question please". Do your best to answer the questions to the best of your ability and in the most professional manner possible. Keep out unnecessary personal details and always be positive, rather than negative. These qualities are going to stand you in good stead for the job you are seeking.