What have you been doing while unemployed?
You need here to let the interviewer / employer sees that you
have spent your time constructively and have been effective
in a worthwhile activity. Beware of the looking for work answer
as the employer may think that you have been ineffectual in
your job hunting or what you will do anything for money –
REMEMBER the job you want.
Tell me about YOURSELF.
A usual response to this is HUH?, What do you want to know?
This is an easy one to prepare for – this is the opportunity
to sell yourself-be positive, confident and proud of your
achievements. Remember, this does not all have to be work
related, hobbies, voluntary work can all be mentioned if relevant
to the post.
What are your strengths?
Another opportunity to sell yourself. Beware of becoming over
confident. The employer will not employ someone who is too
opinionated or seemingly a know all.
What are your weaknesses?
Please don’t say “I don’t have any”
or something similar – we all have weaknesses. Make
your weakness a STRENGTH “ I do not like a job that
has no Responsibility “ or “I think I am a bit
of a PERFECTIONIST” etc. If Not this approach, admit
to a weakness that is totally unrelated to the job ( But not
cheese cakes or hot chocolate)
Why do you think we should employ
you?
What they are really asking is – Will you be a worthwhile
addition to our staff and work to improve the company’s
profitability? Let the employer know of the skills, knowledge,
enthusiasm you have of and for this work or how you will apply
yourself to learn.
You have had quite a few jobs over
the few years. WHY?
They may well be suspicious that you cannot hold onto a job,
you get bored easily, you can’t get along with people,
you’re unsure of your future plans etc.
Why did you stay so long with one
company?
Many people think it’s good to have a history with one
company. Yes – if you progressed through the company.
Not so-if you stayed in the same post for many years, the
employer may think you were in a comfortable Zone “RUT”
and that you may lack drive and ambition.
We are really looking for someone
YOUNGER.
Tell them you have stuff a young person couldn’t offer
– experience, past training, good work record reference
etc. (But that you are no too old to learn)
We are really looking for someone
OLDER.
Let them know you are adaptable, fast learner, not set in
your ways, have fresh approach to work, no preconceptions
etc (but are responsible and mature)
Stable
work History – and seeing things through to completion.
This is the amount of the time the candidate has the habit
if spending at one job or one activity. Do they change around
often? Not persisting with things they start, giving up when
difficulties or problems arise. Stability may be checked through
such questions as:
Why do want to change jobs now?
Do you feel you have done all you can in your present job?
Your stability may also be looked at from your work history
(Too many jobs?) Did you drop out of college/University for
no particular reason? Did you concentrate on a few jobs and
make a success of them? The employer needs to know that you
will remain with them long enough to recoup the money already
spent on the interview process and that any further training
or investment in you will be worthwhile and that you will
see projects and tasks through to completion.
Hard work – the ability to persevere
and keep occupied.
This is the ability to work steadily. Employers are looking
for people who like to be engaged in a constructive and worthwhile
activity – paid or unpaid. Questions to check on conscientiousness
may be along the lines of:
Do you enjoy challenges and solving problems? If Yes –
can you tell me of an instance when you when you successfully
overcame a problem in your last job?
When were you last promoted?
Again your academic background can be looked at here –
did you get good grades? Did you start work at an early age
or swan around doing nothing in particular? The employer wants
evidence that you like to be busy and that you will not fold
under pressure or when a problem arises.
Loyalty – serving the interest
of the company.
The interviewer will be looking at whether you have put yourself
cut in the interests of your former employers and worked well
with colleagues and worked towards organisational rather the
purely personal goals. Loyalty may be checked through questions
such as:
What did you think of your last employer?
What team projects have you successfully completed in your
last jobs?
Be careful never to criticise previous employers and beware
of those little friendly chats regarding your partner –
never discuss any shortcomings you feel they may have.
Ability to get along with others –
maintaining good relationship.
People working well together with little friction is obviously
important. The employer will want to know that you have the
ability to maintain good working relationships with both your
peer group and management. They may want to see how you react
to a hierarchical structure and also how other people have
accepted you. This may be in questions like:
What types of people IRRITATE you?
What makes a Good Boss?
What makes a good Team worker?
Its is not only important that you get along with people –
it is equally important
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