An interview is a formal meeting, in person, for the assessment of a
candidate or applicant. To always meet the employer's expectations follow our step-by-step, noob-friendly guide to answering Common Interview Questions to avoid the wrong perception as not being intelligent.
In today's work environment, one need to be familiar with some Common Interview Questions because the ever increasing demands and changes to enhance productivity and effectiveness of the workforce has made employers seek after applicants who pass the right attitudes, knowledge, and skill sets to achieve optimum results that will impact on the overall performance of the organisation.
With the increase in knowledge and improved tools of learning, it's expected that the modern day graduate should be equipped with the relevant skills, abilities and personal qualities which will endear the employers to seek after such individuals.
Individuals who possess exceptional qualities and demonstrate these skills are likely to be successful in a competitive job market and this puts them in a position of employability, just as In My Feelings Challenge as an employer.
The demands of the workplace are such that every job does not necessarily require the same Skillset because different jobs require particular different complications of skills needed for the job.
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Today's employers seek after graduates who are willing to learn and are capable of applying and adapting themselves to read situations.
The skills chart below will help you identify the skills and abilities that employers are looking for, then you will know the Common Interview Questions along with the best way to answer them.
How can you develop your skills?
There are many opportunities to develop your skills during your time at the University.
Employers often seek for individuals who have some evidence of involvement outside their course activities.
Volunteering in societies, engaging in social works, initiating projects for the communities, joining teams, obtaining work experience (paid or voluntary) or
doing a part-time job can help to develop, hone your skills and improve your CV.
NOTE: Please kindly request for a
letter of appreciation or acknowledgment from the beneficiary of your voluntary service, it would help during the job interviews.
Here some
questions you might expect at interviews.
This article aims to outline some techniques for coping with Common Interview Questions that you might face. It is meant to give you ideas and a good perspective on how to answer questions during job interviews.
Common Interview Questions: A Simple (But Complete) Guide for 2018 and beyond
Let's get started
Common and likely questions you might be asked during interviews:
1. What interests you about this offer?
Often times, applicants do falter when attending interviews due to lack of proper preparation and adequate research on intending choice of organization.
It's crucial for an applicant to know why you are applying for the job and also do thorough research on the organization of choice and must prove how valuable you would be to the organization through providing information collected while conducting the research.
This could arouse the recruiter/employer's interest and place you an advantage to secure the job easily.
At the interview session, it's imperative for you to talk about the specifics that caught your interest, attention to the intending job and endeavour to mention good things that the job will offer like career prospect, exciting area, and scope of work the company is pursuing, it is expected that as an applicant you must show a high sense of commitment to the company during the interview.
2. The role play (what is your intended role as an applicant?)
These questions are often designed to see how an applicant can react under pressure while at work and your ability to navigate, think through problems as they arise. As this scenario plays out, as an applicant you can't prepare your answers.
However, in answering the questions, it's expected you show an understanding of the issues, the ability to respond to the needs of others and be able to come up with a workable solution.
3. Can we know more about you?
These questions entail the applicant (you) providing relevant personal information about your course of study, personal details.
For questions that require reeling out personal details, you can summarize the main selling points like I'm a graduate of
human resource management with core competence in relationship management and effective communication skills, my knowledge and skills in Microsoft office applications are uncanny and my work experience from the various tasks I undertook has helped develop personal skills gained from the various tasks I undertook.
It's imperative to emphasize your highly relevant points.
Reading your course of study, talk about relevant parts and ensure it sounds interesting. An approach you can adopt might be, the course has afforded me the opportunity to be thoroughly prepared for this organization, with a core focus on the Area of expertise developed over time which is particularly relevant to this job.
4. The future view (What is your future view?)
As an applicant, employers/ recruiters expect that you have a life plan which is broken in short, mid and long-term goals. This demonstrates to them that the applicant possesses sound knowledge of career management and planning skills which aid the applicant at the job.
This further proves that the applicant has the requisite skills and knowledge needed for the job and can develop through the organization ranks and provide an opportunity to aim for a more strategic and management responsibility.
5. Job relevance
It is expected that you might face questions which are directly related to the job if the course of study is relevant to the job. During the interview, you should Portray that you have a good understanding of the question and can relate with what you have a knowledge about. It is permitted to ask for a moment or two to think through about your answers and don't do this too often.
6. Clarification
Often times, an opportunity is provided for an applicant to ask questions of the recruiters/ employers for the purpose of clarification.
To avoid the wrong perception as not being intelligent, it is advisable for applicants to avoid asking questions that are of little or no relevance to the organization. In case there are no questions to be asked, do make it clear there are no questions that you have been thoroughly briefed with detailed information.
In summary
• Do your research into the job, career area, and company. Check their websites, ask questions of friends and relatives who work or worked with the company.
• During the interview avoid using “WE” rather “I” and emphasize what you did that are of high relevance to the job or company.
• Be positive and convincing to the interviewer about the value you will bring to the job.
• Ask for feedback.
I'm pretty much sure that if you follow the advice given in this guide to common interview questions, You will always be able to answer any interview questions with confidence, in the employer's expectations and get your desired job.
