News Article

INTERVIEW TIPS - Answers To 7 Hard Job Interview Questions

Posted 7th November 2023 • Written by Robin Ryan on forbes.com •

What are your salary requirements? The wrong answer can cost you the job by being too low (they devalue your skills) or too high (out of their pay range). It is better to respond by asking, “What is the salary range for this role?” If you are pressed for a number, give a range. Try responding with, “When I researched what the typical salary for this role was (cite a source like Payscale.com), I found it was between $75,000 and $100,000, and I’m within that range.”

What is your greatest weakness?

Here's a new but quite effective approach. Select something you were not good at because you have not done it before. For example, you have never used Canva, a graphic design platform. Then, explain that your weakness was from having no knowledge or experience using this program. Continue to say, “Knowing that it would be an important skill to acquire, I took classes, watched tutorials, played with it, and worked with a mentor, and I have mastered Canva and used it frequently.”

Tell us about a big mistake you made on the job. This answer requires forethought since most people only state what they did wrong. But that isn’t effective. You need to show this mistake was a learning experience. The employer wants a brief analysis of the error and how you took steps not to repeat it.

Tell us about yourself. Don’t waste this chance to capture the interviewer’s attention.

Your answer should summarize your five top selling points, such as years of experience, relatable skills, accomplishments, and education. Focus on demonstrating your strengths and illustrating how you can meet the employer’s needs.

Tell us about your greatest accomplishment.

You want to discuss something you did in the last few years. Carefully consider what you have achieved on the job. Think about what you’re trying to stress and what is relevant to the job you are trying to land. Ensure that it demonstrates your ability to excel when performing the job you’re interviewing for. Avoid noting personal achievements such as “I lost seventy pounds” or “I ran a marathon.” It is better to illustrate a proud work accomplishment with specific details so the employer will be impressed and reassured that it is the kind of work you will do for them.

Describe a difficult coworker you had to work with.

Offer a reply where you are the hero. For example, “I thought the coworker might be such a challenge to work with because he wanted to hide that he didn’t know how to do something. So, instead of confronting and embarrassing him, I said I knew some shortcuts to do that task and asked if he wanted me to show him. Once I did that, he became less defensive and easier to work with.”

What do you know about this job and our company? Learn as much as possible before your interview. Do your research and visit the company’s website. Scour it to learn as much as you can about what the company does. Search for recent news online, look for new products, expansion, growth, and did they have any recent layoffs. (You’ll want to ask about those.) Read the job description thoroughly, paying close attention to the top duties, which are likely the most important. When you talk to the recruiter, ask questions to understand what the employer thinks are the critical job duties so you can address them when you speak to the hiring manager.

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Click to see more Interview and CV tips from People First Recruitment to help in your search for a Mandarin speaking job, a Japanese job, a Language job or a job in Supply Chain, Procurement or Demand Planning in London & the UK