The first step in preparing for a job interview is to make an interview preparation chart to highlight personal qualifications, skills, and achievements. It is important to prepare for interview questions by focusing on your background, academics, extracurricular activities, work experiences, and career goals as they relate to the job for which you are interviewing. Also, it is important to prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer because it leaves an impression that you are interested in the job and have researched about the organization. Some examples of the most common and the most dreaded interview questions are as follows:
- How do you handle stress?
This is one of the top five commonly asked questions in job interviews. The ability to handle stress is a vital skill in any job and employers want to make sure that the ideal candidate is able to meet the job challenges, take on multiple tasks, and perform well under pressure. Here is an example of how I will answer this question:
“Good stress keeps me productive. I have done some of my best work under tight deadlines, where the atmosphere was very stressful. Mostly, I keep up-to-date with my work by prioritizing the responsibilities and keeping track of tasks. I also regularly use a calendar and a notebook, which helps me stay organized. Some other stress management tools I use that make me feel relaxed, elevate my mood, and ease stress are talking to my friends and working out regularly at the gym.”
- What are your weaknesses?
This is one of the most common and the most dreaded interview question. The best approach to answer this question is to pick a weakness and then explain both why it is a weakness and how it can be strength. Here is an example of how I will answer this question:
“I am a workaholic and very hardworking. This is because I am a perfectionist and I want to get the work done perfectly, even if it means working after hours. I do not get tired by working hard. Instead, I get energy from working long hours because I know that I am being productive and my hard work will get the work accomplished.”
- Why should we hire you?
This is usually one of the last questions in an interview. It also gives another chance to prove that you are the best candidate for the job. While answering this question, it is important to give specific examples from your academic qualifications, work experience, volunteer activities, and personal strengths and indicate how these are relevant to the job. Here is an example of how I will answer this question:
“I am very motivated, hardworking, and a fast learner. During my internship as a marketing manager at a business firm, I communicated with business partners and clients. I also developed strategic marketing plan and obtained new business partners, increasing the company’s portfolio. Through this experience, I realized how much I enjoy working in the marketing world. Thus, I think this position is a great fit for me and I’m excited about this opportunity.”
