Here are some common interview questions and tips on how to answer each one.
You already know how important it is to prep for a job interview. You research the company, practice responses to typical interview questions and prepare a few questions of your own. But are you sure you’re preparing answers that will make you stand out with the hiring manager? Or are you inadvertently giving responses that are costing you the job?
Even the simplest questions, like “Can you tell me a little about yourself?” can trip up the most qualified candidates. But they can also give you a chance to shine and make a strong impression on your interviewer.
Here are some common interview questions and tips on how to answer each one:
1. “Can you tell me a little about yourself?”
This is one of those “easy” questions that’s actually not so simple. By starting the interview with this general request for information, the human resources manager is likely gauging your confidence level, your enthusiasm and passion for the job, and your ability to communicate clearly.
That’s why it’s best to talk mostly about your career path, rather than your personal life. So focus on your professional experience and skills as they relate to the job posting, and mention where you went to school and what you studied. Then wrap up by explaining why this particular position interests you.