How to Excel at Interviews
Remember that an interviewer is not trying to catch you out. The purpose of an interview is for the company to find out more about you and to determine whether you have the skills, experience, and potential to succeed in the position.
5 questions you are going to be asked
1. What are your strengths?
The interviewer may ask ‘why should we employ you?’ or ‘How will you add value to the company?’ the answer lies in knowing your strengths. A key part of interview preparation is writing out your top strengths (skills and personal qualities) that you will be able to refer to during the interview.
2. Tell me a bit about yourself.
This establishes your sense of self awareness. An alternative way to ask this question would be ‘if I was to ask your current manager (or a colleague) to describe you, what would they say?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
The ambition question. Also lets the interviewer know if you are interested in a job or a career.
4. Tell me about you interests outside of work.
The interviewer wants to know how rounded an individual you are.
5. What do you know about this company?
Your answer here tells the interviewer how much preparation you have done and how serious you are about getting the job.
Banishing Nerves.
At an interview it is not just what you say, but how you say it that is important. You want to come across as confident, enthusiastic and professional and that means managing those nerves.
When you begin to feel nervous, don't try to ignore it, deal with it head on. Say to yourself 'it's OK to be nervous because this is important to me.' Remember without the initial sense of nerves there won't be that adrenaline buzz when the interview is over!
To discover 5 more questions that you are likely to be asked at an interview as well as tips for answering them plus strategies for transforming nerves into confidence visit www.jamessweetman.com/cdseries
James Sweetman is a Business and Personal Coach specialising in assisting candidates prepare for interview. Last month he launch ‘How to Excel at Interviews’ an hour long audio CD.
James can be contacted at _d.write(GE('james','jamessweetman.com'));james@jamessweetman.com
