Frequently Asked Questions on Job Interviews
Every job seeker spends time scouring the employment ads, designing a resume and preparing for the interview. As part of the interview preparation, the job seeker considers which questions will be asked and how to answer them. The job seeker should prepare answers for those questions that are asked in the majority of job interviews.
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Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
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Employees leave jobs for a variety of reasons. Some employees seek higher level positions or increased compensation. Other employees move to a new city or state, requiring the individual to find a new position. Still others choose to start a new career in a different field. At times, employees leave companies as a result of termination. Interviewers ask this question to learn why the employee left, but also to discover the applicant's attitude toward the previous company. The applicant should respond by presenting both the company and himself in a positive light, even if the applicant left the previous employer under negative circumstances.
Tell Me About Yourself.
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Interviewers often ask applicants to share information about themselves to open up the interview. The interviewer wants to learn more about the individual applying for the position. The job applicant can focus this answer in a variety of ways. She might focus on her accomplishments. She might focus on the satisfaction derived from performing her daily responsibilities. Or she might focus on her future goals. Whichever approach she chooses, the interviewer gains insight into the applicant and her priorities. Before the interview, the applicant should learn about the goals of the company and the interviewer and incorporate those goals into her response.
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Why Should We Hire You?
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This question allows the applicant to point out his best qualities and why they fit in with the requirements of the position. This question provides a platform for the applicant to give a short summary of himself, his accomplishments and the benefits he can bring to the company. The applicant should rehearse his response to this question enough to feel comfortable responding while still sounding natural.
Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?
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Many companies offer opportunities for internal advancement. Interviewers ask this question to learn about the applicant's future ambitions. An applicant who seeks a job to carry her into retirement demonstrates a lack of future goals and may create the impression of a less dedicated worker. An applicant with goals beyond the scope of the interviewing company may intimidate the interviewer who realizes the company cannot accommodate those goals. If possible, the applicant should respond with potential advancement opportunities that exist within the organization.
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