Figuring out job interview question and answer strategies can be a nerve wrecking experience particularly for first timers or those that are in desperate need of a job. They would prepare endlessly for days, study self help books about ‘How to face an interview', memorize answers to ‘expected' questions etc. This article looks at the psychology of interviewers, job interview question and answer strategies, and what most people do wrong while faced with an interview.



Most people think that attending interviews means answering tough questions. Hence they try to prepare answers to as many questions as possible by reading books related to facing interviews. But it would be humanly impossible to remember all the answers and recall them at the right time. It should be borne in mind that by inviting you to an interview, the employer has already short listed you based on your resume that you are suitable for the job. Otherwise you would not have been called for the interview in the first place. Hence the purpose of the interview is mainly to ascertain three things - that the contents of the resume are true and that you are capable of doing the job, that you would be with the company as long as needed and that you would form a good chemistry with other employees of the company.

Keeping the above points in mind, the questions in the interview are likely to be oriented towards revealing the real you as most people write only good things about them in their resumes – as no one likes to admit that he or she was a failure. Most of the competing candidates would have more or less same qualifications; otherwise they would not have been called for interview and you have to stand out among the crowd by giving intuitive answers in the interview. While others might be busy rehearsing the generic questions, it might actually make it easy for you if you remember the main purpose of the interview as given above.

If you are asked the typical question, where would you see yourself in X years time, a proper response would be that you would want to be in the same position as the interviewer is, both starting at the same time. This type of answer would prompt the interviewer to ask more questions seeking clarifications. It would also send a positive signal that you are serious about the job and that you would stick around with the company. Giving intuitive answers would make you stand out among the crowd and compel the interviewer to hire you. Other points to remember when attending interviews are: questions are expected from you also, show your eagerness to know about the company's business and lastly clear any suspicions of the employer that he or she might have about your capabilities.

It is not a requirement to learn by heart expected questions and answers by guessing what the interviewer might ask. You just have to remain calm and allay any reservations that the interviewer may have about your capability and the job is yours.