Interviews can be challenging, even for the most seasoned interviewee.  One way to prepare is to practice answering the hardest interview questions.  What are they?  And how should you answer them?  Read on…

1.  Tell me about yourself. Sounds easy, right?  But be ready to give the hiring manager a  two-minute answer about the kind of worker you are…they don’t need to know your life history or a laundry list of your hobbies and activities.  To answer this question well, stay focused on the things you have done professionally  that you feel passionately about.   Use examples to back it up.  Your answer should tell the hiring manager that you are great at your job, you love your work, and are therefore the best person to hire.

2.  Where do you see yourself in ten years? To answer this, focus on what you think is an achievable career goal within this specific organization and then explain how you’ll get there.

3.  What is your greatest weakness? Again, frame your response as it relates to the work you do.  Be honest, but show how you have worked or are working to overcome the weakness.  Some career coaches recommend that you answer with a strength instead, like I try too hard to please everyone.  This can work, but you have to make sure you sound authentic.  If it sounds too good to be true, the hiring manager may feel deceived.  And hiring managers don’t hire people who have deceived them.

4.  What salary are you looking for? Questions about salary are tricky.  You don’t want to name a price that is higher than they can offer, but you don’t want to go too low and give the impression that you are not worth a good wage.  One way to handle this question is to ask what their range is.  Another way to handle this is to know going into the interview what people in comparable jobs, with similar education and experience are earning in your area.

5.  Why do you want to work for us? This is your chance to show them what you know about the company, the industry, and the job.  Show them how your professional beliefs align with their company mission and values statements.  Explain why you feel passionately about this particular industry.  Highlight your qualifications and areas of expertise that match or exceed the job requirements listed in the job description.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Ace Your Interview
How to Answer Difficult Interview Questions
Common Interview Questions