Going for a new job is daunting no matter what, if you’re leaving your old job or this is your first go at it, it’s enough to get those anxiety gears going. However, there’s no need to be afraid since you’re most likely going to be asked questions that have been asked a million times before, which is excellent because you can prepare for them accordingly. So, how do you nail those tricky interview questions?
What are your weaknesses?
There’s nothing worse than having to think about what you’re no good at; however, it’s equally as bad rushing in there and saying that you don’t have any; we’re human, everyone is flawed in some way or another. However, you don’t want to rush in saying you can’t help it, but you always seem to be late. What you need to do is pre-think a real weakness, perhaps you’re too pedantic? Maybe you keep a messy desk? Or maybe you’re a little disorganized; however, the main thing you have to focus on is how you have accepted this and how you compensate and challenge yourself to be better.
What didn’t you like about your current job?
We urge you, for whatever reason, it is not a good idea to list out all your colleague’s mishaps, incompetencies, or who stole your lunch. If you’re working it into a joke then maybe you can get away from it, but otherwise, we just encourage you to stay away from that kind of thing. What’s the best thing to focus on here is perhaps some of the things you were less able to do in your old job that you’re more likely to do in this one. Don’t be too negative, and remember it’s okay to have mostly enjoyed it, but everyone has something about their job they’re not keen on.
Why are you leaving your old job?
This can be a tough one depending on what the real reason is, however, a future employer doesn’t want to hear how Sally at the back always seemed to add to your workload, or how your boss never appreciated how you got their coffee order right once. Okay, that sounds a bit harsh, but what they’re looking for is someone who’s not going to find the same reason to leave at their company. This means you want to turn a negative into a positive, and it’s as simple as rephrasing a sentence to achieve this.
Do you prefer working as part of a team or on your own?
This always seems to be a kind of trick question, since most jobs have an element of working as a team or independently. The best answer tends to be a bit of both, most people like to have a bit of both, even if they do have a preference, so it’ll seem perfectly normal. Make it feel real, though, make sure you relate it back to personal experiences on group projects and independent tasks and how both have been rewarding or even taxing at times.
Stay calm, prepare, and deliver
There’s no point going into a job interview worrying too much, if you do, then you’re only going to come across differently. However, it’s best not to act overly confident, just be yourself. You have to remember that you need to like this job as much as they need to like you. Prepare for any questions that might come your way and do your research into the business as much as possible.
Job interviews can be scary, but with as much preparation as you can give, you’ll be fine, and if you don’t get it, then it wasn’t meant for you, and there will be another opportunity around the corner.
