Additional Tips for Answering Interview Questions
Forgot what you wanted to say?
"Sorry, my mind has gone blank. Could we move to the next question and come back to this later?"
Lack of specific experience? Show your spirit:
"I haven’t directly worked with this, but I can share an experience that is related to that…"
"I haven’t directly worked with this, but I would approach this by…"
Need time to think?
"That's a great question. Let me take a moment to think about it."
"I want to give you a thoughtful answer. Can I take a second to consider?"
Unsure about the question? Clarify:
"Could you please clarify what you mean by…?"
"Do you mean in terms of…?"
Asked about a weakness? Frame positively:
"One area I’m working on improving is… Here’s what I’m doing to address it."
"I used to struggle with…, but I’ve been actively working on it by…"
Asked about handling failure? Show growth:
"In a past project, I faced... I learned from the experience by… and now I…"
"I encountered a challenge with... I took it as a learning opportunity and now…"
Asked a difficult question? Stay honest and positive:
"That’s a challenging aspect, but I believe my skills in… will help me handle it effectively."
"While I may not have encountered that specific situation, my experience with... has prepared me to handle similar challenges."
Discussing achievements? Be concise and impactful:
"In my previous role, I achieved... by implementing… which resulted in…"
"One of my proudest accomplishments is… because it demonstrates my ability to…"
Handling behavioural questions? Use STAR method:
"When asked to describe a situation, use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result."
"For example, in a challenging project (Situation), I was responsible for… (Task). I took the following actions… (Action), and the result was… (Result)."
Answering salary expectations? Be prepared and flexible:
"Based on my research and the market rate, I’m looking for a range of… However, I’m open to discussing this further."
"My primary focus is on the role and the growth opportunities. I’m sure we can come to a mutual agreement on compensation."
Asked about long-term goals? Align with company vision:
"In the long term, I see myself taking on more responsibilities and contributing to… within the company."
"I aspire to grow within the company by… and eventually take on a role in…"
These tips will help you navigate various scenarios during an interview, showcasing your adaptability, honesty, and positive attitude.
What are some good questions for a candidate to ask an interviewer?
Most interviews end with the question, “Do you have any questions for us?” Here are some questions a candidate might ask an interviewer:
Why is this position open?
What are the average daily responsibilities of this job?
How would you describe the company culture?
What is your training/onboarding process?
What can I expect in my first 30/60/90 days on the job?
What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?
What is your favourite part of working for this company?
What development opportunities does the organization offer?
What changes do you expect to see within the company over the next year/five years?
What are the next steps in the interview process?
Do you have any concerns that we could address now?
Comments