So… you just got invited to interview for a job you really want to get into. If it goes well and you answer the questions confidently, you could sell yourself to the employer as the perfect person for the job. But if you have no idea how to answer, you could lose a huge opportunity. To help you succeed in this key moment, here are some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them:
“Can you tell me about yourself?”
This is usually the first question of an interview. Although it sounds like an opportunity to introduce your personal life, it’s more of a question about your experience. Answer this question by giving a 2-3 sentence spiel about your previous experience that makes you stand out for the position.
Example answer: My name is xxxx and I am a grade 10 student at XYZ high school. I have 3 years of experience in clothing retail, working as both a cashier and sales associate at SportChek.
“Why are you interested in this position?”
This question is testing how much you know about your employer and your specific position. An outstanding answer shows that you are clearly interested in your employer organization and know a lot about your position. Try to answer this question by pointing out a few things you like about the employer and some previous experience relating to the position.
Example: I volunteered for Youth Central for the past three years and I love the supportive environment here. As a youth who wants to engage in the community, I’m very excited for this opportunity. I have also taken a leadership position in the past as the president of my school’s debate club.
“What is your greatest strength?”
This question gives you a great opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. Try to be as detailed and convincing as possible when you’re describing this strength. In other words, describe why your biggest strength is whatever you say it is. Remember to use specific details!
Example: My greatest strength is my skill in writing, and I consistently received outstanding feedback on my creative writing and essays. A few months ago, I received first place in my school’s essay writing contest.
“What is your biggest weakness?”
This is one of the hardest questions to answer. After all, who would want to hire someone with a huge weakness? For this question, try to put a positive spin on your answer by describing how you’re trying to improve your weakness.
Example: My biggest weakness is my procrastination, but I’m trying to procrastinate less by setting alarms to remind myself of upcoming deadlines.
“Do you have any questions for me?”
Usually, you should ask the interviewer to describe the position in some way. If you ask these types of questions, you can show your passion for the position and also get a hint of how well you did in the interview (which is very relieving!) If you see bad hints, however, don’t worry. Sometimes, interviewers get very tired from talking and don’t have the energy to answer enthusiastically despite liking you a lot.
What will the first few days of the job look like?
This question shows that you’re excited to start the job, because you are planning for the job before the interview is over. Your interviewer’s answer can also give you some information. If they start describing the first days in detail, they probably want to hire you and are answering to help you fit in better. However, if they are vague, they probably aren’t very interested and might not see you fitting into the position.
Example answer with good signs: Thanks for asking me! In our first meeting, you will be planning an icebreaker game for about 10 other volunteers. Then, we will start a social media campaign where we will make 15 posts for our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Example answer with bad signs: Well, you’ll be doing some activities leading other volunteers and some social media stuff as well.
Do you have any tips for me to be successful in this position?
This is one of the best possible questions to ask, because it shows that not only are you planning ahead for the job, but you are also aiming for success. Again, the specificity of the interviewer’s answer can tell you a lot. If you get very detailed advice, it’s usually a good sign. However, if you don’t get a lot of specific pointers, the result might be unfortunate for you.
Example answer with good signs: Great question! I would say it’s important to keep a to-do list to check off as you do your tasks, because we have deadlines every week starting next month.
Example answer with bad signs: Alright… I think time management is important in the job because it gets really busy.
After they tell you the tips for success, mention that you’ll keep the tips in mind and briefly describe some strategies you will use to incorporate these tips into your work. By doing this, you will connect yourself to an example of success in the position. Whenever the interviewer thinks of success, they will think of you!
Example: Great, I will definitely keep your time management tips in mind! I have an agenda that I already use on a daily basis, so I will make sure to write my checklists on there.
Again, a vague answer doesn’t necessarily mean you did bad on the interview. Interviewers speak with up to dozens of people a day, so they might just be tired from talking so much!
Conclusion
And that’s a how to answer some of the most important interview questions! Remember, interviewers are not looking for the perfect candidate, because there are no perfect candidates. When you are answering interview questions, all you need to do is show experience, honesty, and a willingness to learn. Good luck!