Job Interview Answers: How to Answer the Job Interview Questions
There are thousands of questions that you could be asked in an
interview, and there is no way you can memorize a "correct" response
fro each one - especially not the night before the interview.
Interview just aren't like that because they are often conversational
and informal. The unexpected often happens. For these reasons,
developing an approach to answering an interview question is far more
important than memorizing a canned response. The three-step process
to answer job interview questions: 1. Understand what is really
being asked. Most questions relate to your adaptive skills and
personality. These questions include "Can we depend on you?"; "Are you
easy to get along with?"; and "Are you a good worker?" The question
may also relate to whether you have the experience and training to do
the job if you are hired. 2. Answer the real question by presenting
your related skills. An effective response to any interview question
should answer the question in a direct way that also presents your
ability to do the job well. To show you how to use the Three-Step
Process, let's use it to answer a specific question: Questions: "We
were looking for someone with more experience in this field than you
seem to have. Why should we consider you over others with better
credentials?" The following sections show how one person might
construct an answer to this question using the Three-Step Process.
Step 1: Understand What Is Really Being Asked This question
is often asked in a less direct way, but it is a frequent concern of
employers. To answer it, you must remember that employers of ten hire
people who present themselves well in an interview over those with
better credentials. Your best shot is to emphasize whatever personal
strengths you have that could offer an advantage to an employer. The
person wants to know whether you have anything going for you that can
help you compete with a more experienced worker. Well, do you? Are
you a hard worker? Do learn fast? Have you had intensive training or
hands-on experience? Do you have skills from other activities that can
transfer to this job? Knowing in advance what skills you have to offer
is essential to answering this question. Step 2: Answer the
Question Briefly in a Non-Damaging Way For example, the
following response answers the question without hurting the person's
chances of getting the job: "I'm sure there are people who have more
years of experience or better credentials. I do, however, have four
years of combined training and hands-on experience using the latest
methods and techniques. Because my training is recent, I am open to
new ideas and am used to working hard and learning quickly." Step
3: Answer the Real Question by Presenting Your Related Skills
Although the previous response answers the question in an appropriate
and brief way, you might continue with additional details that
emphasize key skills needed for the job: "As you know, I held down a
full-time job and family responsibilities while going to school.
During those two years, I had an excellent attendance record both at
work and school, missing only one day in two years. I also received
two merit increases in salary, and my grades were in the top 25
percent of my class. In order to do all this, I had to learn to
organize my time and set priorities. I worked hard to prepare myself
in this new career area and am willing to keep working to establish
myself. The position you have available is what I am prepared to do. I
am willing to work harder than the next person because I have the
desire to keep learning and to do an outstanding job. With my
education complete, I can now turn my full attention to the job."
This response presents the skills necessary to do well in any job.
This job seeker sounds dependable. She also gave examples of
situations where she had used the required skills in other settings.
It is a good response.
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