Usually this question is always reserved for last during an interview, and it's hardly a fluffy, throw away question. It may just seem like the interview is over and they are asking this question as a courtesy. FORGET ABOUT IT!! This can be the make it or break it interview question. Point is this .. the interview questions never stop until you actually leave the office!
Your answer here will be the last thing they hear from you. You can so easily make it a memorable moment by having a really good question to ask. No self serving questions please, those are killers and reason enough to dismiss your chances. Asking about on going training' or "'if hired, I would be very interested in moving to the next level, can you tell me what certifications I would need' or "'can you tell me if there is a company policy in place should there be a Pandemic' "' a thinking person asks these type of questions. That'll be a great impression to leave them with.
If you do proper research on the company first, you'll come up with great questions to ask them.
When The Recruiter Asks: "What Do You Know About Our Company?"
This is clearly where they get to see if you've done your homework. And again, it can make or break your chances for being hired. Remember you got the interview because you were qualified, so here's your chance to show up prepared, it'll be your edge over the other guy, remember he's qualified too.
This is a hiring process, in essence, a competition, go in proactive .. a passive approach to any interview will backfire. Always be assertive, and never ever be aggressive. Qualifications aside, all interview questions / your answers, are in fact deciding your final interview score and you are being scored.
When The Recruiter Asks: "Can You Tell Me About Your Weaknesses?"
Remember, they never really want to hear about a weakness, they do want to hear how well you express yourself and deal with the actual interview question. Your answer always has to end in a solution that can be applied to the job at hand. Here's a simple and yet great sample I teach all the time. "I used to actually have a problem saying no to people, these days with my time management and setting priorities skill set, I no longer have that problem as my To Do List manages me first, and saying no, is now a non issue"'. Simple, concise and does in fact mention that you understand time management.
The interview questions and your answers are not hard, they just need prep and solid rehearsing out loud. Out loud because otherwise how will you know how smooth and convincing you are? That in itself will give you that extra confidence you need. Trust me, recruiters can spot confidence and sincerity a mile away. Remember, show them the real you when answering interview questions. Don't give them template like, cookie cutter answers. Make notes, practice out loud, do more research, ask questions "' it all works and will always ensure a high interview score.
When you are an accountant and you are applying at an accounting firm, it is pretty obvious why you are interested; you are interested in using your acquired education, skills, and knowledge in your career field.
However, maybe the position is a cashier for a store and you just want a job; you do not have a brilliant answer to offer. Not to worry. Do not discount very basic answers such as "I need to earn money to support myself and/or my family," or "I want more out of life, and I need to work if I am going to have a better lifestyle for my family." Employers like employees who need to work; such employees are more apt to be dependable, responsible and productive.
8) Why do you want to work for us?
Here you should be specific in your answer. There may be thousands of accounting firms with positions to offer, but it is now a question of "why us"?
Research the firm as best you can. Phone book ads often contain great information, such as how long a firm has been in business, what it specializes in, who are the key members of the firm, and whom they hope to serve.
Depending upon what you learn at the library, and from other local sources, possible answers might be:
"You have an expanding firm, and I believe there will be opportunities for me to prove myself and grow with you," or
"Your firm is one of the oldest and most respected in our community, and I want to learn from, and be associated with one of the best," or
"I believe you will reward people according to their value to the firm, and I am willing to prove my value to you," or finally
"Your specialty happens to be my area of career interest."
9) Why should we hire you?
Here you must be straightforward and confident about your ability and what you have to offer. Say, "I believe I am qualified and can do the job."
Amplify this answer by stressing your strong points, such as your appropriate education, specialized training, proven experience, skills and abilities.
Do not say you can do any job. You do not know that for a fact, and, more important, the person interviewing you-no matter how good you look on paper or act in person-does not really know if you can do it either until you start having to perform on the job.
This is why you should qualify your answers with "I believe . . . ," or "Based on my performance in similar positions in the past, I have no reason to think I will not be able to do the job for you."
10) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Good strengths include some very basic character traits, such as determination, honesty, responsibility, dependability, inquisitiveness, willingness to learn, openness to new ideas, stability, and humor. Pick traits that you are confident and comfortable with.
In approaching the question of your weaknesses, rule one is to have some. The worst answer you could give is "I do not have any weaknesses." We all have weaknesses, and if we are unwilling to talk about them, it is a big red flag that there are some definite personality problems.
Never let your lack of confidence, or overdeveloped ego, prevent you from showing your weaknesses. Handle the challenge by taking your weaknesses (whatever they may be) and turning them into strengths. If you are a workaholic, say "Sometimes I do not know when to stop working on a project. I can get so involved I may work 16 hours straight. This may upset other employees who quit at the normal time."
11) What are your career goals?
Your objectives or goals are very important. You do not want to be a wandering generality; you want to be a meaningful specific.
People want to know if you have thought about your future, and have a plan to get where you want to go. You should have both short and long range goals. A good short range goal might be to secure a position in your career field, develop more experience in an area of interest, or position yourself with a firm or organization that is growing.
Long range goals require you to picture yourself, and where you would like to be, 10 or 20 years from now.
12) Why did you leave your last position?
This question can be asked because they are testing your reaction, or if your gives the impression you have been "job-hopping".
If there was a problem with leaving your last position (you were fired, encountered a personality conflict, or got mad and quit), be careful not to speak ill of the position you held, the organization you held it with, or members of the organization. Put downs score no points and reflect poorly on you, regardless of the challenges you may have had.
Good reasons to leave jobs are: 1) an opportunity for advancement, 2) an opportunity to make more money, 3) an opportunity to secure more or better benefits, 4) to gain more job satisfaction, 5) a better career opportunity, 6) a more challenging position, or 7) an opportunity to work with better people.
While all of these are legitimate reasons, none of them is the best answer to the question. It is best to simply say, "I am looking for a better opportunity." The better opportunity could be any of the above seven answers without actually saying so.
Both Mike Perras & Ed Bagley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mike Perras has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interview Questions, Education Toys and Cover Letter. Knowing what job interview questions will be asked and knowing what answers are actually expected will score higher points during your job interview and trust me, every answer is being scored! I hope you'll join me at. Mike Perras's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Ed Bagley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Promotional Advertising and The Republican Party. Ed Bagley is a Professional Writer and Personal Marketing Specialist; he helps high-end clients get jobs (those making $40,000 to $350,000 annually). He has helped 5,200+ clients get jobs during a 20-year career. Visit Ed Bagley at...http://www.Internet-M. Ed Bagley's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.