Job Seekers, master these 5 questions to ace your next interview
Important: Don’t copy these answers. Use it as inspiration to create your own:
Practice these 5 common questions to get hired fast:
1.Tell me about yourself.
2.Why do you want to work here?
3. Why are you a good fit for this role?
4.Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
5. What are your strengths & weaknesses?
Let’s dive in…
- Tell me about yourself.
Talk about you successes, strengths and why you.
Example:
I have been in marketing for over 5 years. I specialise in digital marketing and last year I grew the brand awareness by X%.
My strength is my ability to analyse data and identify trends ahead of time.
I know you are looking for someone to grow your brand awareness and I can utilise my skills & experience to add value quickly to this role.
- Why do you want to work here?
Use a 3-step structure:
- Research & appreciate
- Align your career goals
- Show your value proposition
Example:
I’ve been impressed with [company]’s commitment to an inclusive work environment.
I saw your Linked In post of the team award event, which excited me to apply.
Your focus on ongoing learning to promote your employees aligns with my ideal workplace.
And with my experience in [specific project],
I can contribute and fast-track the project.
- Why are you a good fit for this role?
Focus on:
- The skills required for the role
- How you can contribute
Example:
My degree and projects in [subject name] have allowed me to gain a deep understanding of this [industry].
And my practical experience working as a volunteer for [organisation name] helped me
learn the foundational [Skill]. Which has. prepared me pick up things quickly & deliver.
4. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
Show how you will add value in the short, mid and long term.
Example:
Short Term: I’m very passionate about X industry (e.g. Cybersecurity) and I want to continue expanding my knowledge in this area. Right now, I have good knowledge of A & B skills.
Mid Term: In addition to mastering these skills, I would also like to learn x &y.
Long Term: I am excited about how fast this industry (e.g. Al) is growing, so I will continue to upskill myself and add value in this role.
- What are your strengths & weaknesses?
Before I share the structure, ask yourself:
- Do I know the strengths that I enjoy?
- Will I be to use them in this job?
- You will fast-track your career if you play on your strengths every day
- You will hate your job after a few
- months if you can’t use them
Ok, now let’s look at sample answers…
- What are your strengths & weaknesses?
Weakness: Self awareness is key:
- Don’t select the weakness that will disqualify from the job e.g. project manager- time management
- Show how you are working to improve it
Example:
I get excited in the ideation sessions and I offer to do too much help which sometimes impacts my work.
I am now being more mindful how much I offer to help without impacting my work.
- What are your strengths & weaknesses? Strengths: Be humble and don’t show off:
- Pick the strength that’s relevant for the role, e.g. Sales – relationship building
- Back it up with an example
Example:
What I bring to the team is a strong record of relationship building.
And I was able to double my client base because of my network which helped me to deliver 140% of my target.
Tell me about yourself fresh grad
- Share what you studied and why: I studied Computer Science from University x because I have always been curious about designing software.
- Highlight skills gained via internship or projects: In my final year project, I used python as a programming language.
- Share what you know about the role: From my research, I understand you use python for a lot of your automation projects.
- Why you want the job: Therefore, this role would help me to get off to a good start to gain a broader experience and contribute my skills to the area that I am passionate about.
Read Also: Why it is Important to always Update your CV to Match the Job Description.
