While a CV and a good covering letter are essential tools in your search for a job, they are tools that will help you to move to the next stage. When an employer is impressed by your CV and covering letter then you will probably be invited to an interview. In most cases the job interview is the time when the decision is made to offer you the job. This could be your one and only chance to convince the employer that you are the right person for the position. It is vital that you do everything that you can to prepare for a successful interview.
While it is not possible to know exactly what questions you will be asked and what approach your employer will take. Most interviews will be in two parts. There will usually be a part of the interview that focuses on the specialised nature of the job. It is impossible in an article like this to cover every question for every career. If you are applying for a particular post then you will already have skills and experience that will prepare you for questions specific to that position. What we can look at though is e second part of the interview. Here we can confidently predict that there will be questions about your qualifications, your recent experience, your personality, and your ambition. You can prepare for any interview because you can anticipate around half of the questions.
You should start by listing common questions and then writing your first thoughts in answer to the question. We have compiled a list of common questions in our interview tips to help you.
Tell me about yourself?
Why are you interested in this job?
What makes you the best person for this job?
Why did you choose the subjects that you studied?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
How do you think your friends would describe you?
What do you like about your current employer?
What do you know about our company?
What made you apply for this job?
When would you be available to start?
If we offer you the job would you accept it?
Is there anything that we have missed?
Do you want to ask us any questions?
Work through a list of questions writing a response to each one. Once you have your first draft responses, go back and start to fine tune them, where possible add references to your experience or qualifications to illustrate your answers. Ideally all of your answers should focus on three key goals. The first and easiest thing is that you should respond to the employers question. Secondly you should be trying to give the most positive presentation of yourself, your skills and experiences and to show the skills that you will be able to contribute to the employer. Finally you should demonstrate a positive can-do attitude and a motivation to do well.
Once you feel that you have completed your answers, take some time to read them aloud. This will allow you to hear what you sound like and to edit your responses to make then appear to be spontaneous, rather than someone reading a prepared response.
Ask friends and family for help. Many people have experience and can offer you further interview tips. Your friends and family know you well and will be able to offer advice that is specific to you.
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