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#JobInterview : 10 Common Job Interview Questions For 2024. Must Read Before You Go to Your Next Interview!

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Feeling anxious about an upcoming job interview?  If you’ve been out of the job search game for a while and only now find yourself tip-toeing back in due to a recent layoff, or if you are a fresh graduate and you’re seeking to make your career debut with your first degree-relevant job, it’s only natural for you to feel a little overwhelmed and apprehensive about the job interview.

After all, this is your big moment to shine.  You’ve worked hard to ensure that your application made it through to the hiring manager and created a lasting positive impression—one that would persuade them to get to know the person behind the resume and invite you for an interview.

And you’ve been successful thus far. So you should certainly give yourself a pat on the back for your efforts and success.  But now you want to be certain that all your efforts do not go to waste. The worst thing you can do is turn up unprepared for the interview, simply because you were unaware of how to answer some of the most common, yet challenging interview questions.

Some job interview questions sound simple in theory, but they will actually trip you up if you’re not carefully paying attention. Here are a few that you should be aware of—and some tips for how to answer them:

1. Tell Me About Yourself

For this question, ensure your answer covers three key areas: where you are now (your current or most recent job or educational attainment), where you were (your background and some highlights including relevant skills and experience, briefly), and where you’re going (where you see yourself at the company and your career goal).

Keep your summary concise and focused on the skills and qualities that make you a strong candidate.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

2. Why Do You Want To Work Here?

To effectively answer this question, conduct research into the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements. Look at their annual company reports and any LinkedIn updates they may have posted, as well as employee reviews, to give you a well-balanced idea of what would motivate you to work there. Align your response with how your personal and professional goals and values match the company’s culture and objectives.

3. What Are Your Strengths?

Select strengths, skills, and competencies that are relevant to the job—based on keywords you have extracted from the job advert and provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in past roles. Remember to be honest about your strengths and make your examples specific.

4. What Are Your Weaknesses?

For this question, be sure to relate a genuine area of improvement but frame it in a way that demonstrates you are being proactive in addressing the weakness. Highlight the steps you’ve taken to overcome this weakness, and ensure the one you select is not a dealbreaker for the hiring manager.

5. Can You Describe A Challenging Situation And How You Handled It?

For questions that commence with “tell me about a time,” or “can you describe,” the interviewer is looking for you to tell a story—a practical, tangible example of you in action, demonstrating a particular competency.

In these cases, it is best to use the STARR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflect) to structure your answer. Choose a situation relevant to the job, emphasizing your problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and ending with a reflection on what you could have done better or would do better next time.

6. Why Should We Hire You?

Ask yourself first, Why would I hire me if I was the hiring manager?

Then, closely study the job description, and summarize your key skills, relevant career accomplishments to date, and education, and how they align with the job requirements. Use these to effectively highlight your unique value proposition and what sets you apart from other candidates in terms of what you bring to the table to drive their business forward and improve results.

7. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

Employers want to be sure that you have a strong vision and that you are committed for the long-haul. You can demonstrate this through showing ambition and a desire for growth, and ideally, align your goals with a potential career path within the company.

8. How Do You Prioritize Your Tasks?

There is a plethora of time management tools, apps and advice available, and you can pull from any of these resources for your answer. However, they must truly reflect what you do in everyday practice.

Discuss your approach to prioritization and time management, such as using task management tools or prioritizing according to deadlines and importance. You should also have an example handy of how you’ve effectively managed multiple priorities.

9. How Do You Handle Constructive Criticism?

Being able to handle constructive criticism is a sign of emotional intelligence, leadership, confidence, and maturity, qualities that employers desire in their new hires—and which many have admitted are lacking in Gen Z graduate workers.

Since this is so essential, think back to when you have viewed constructive criticism as an opportunity to grow, whether in your career or in your studies. Provide an example, using the STARR method, of how you applied this feedback to improve your performance, and what the positive outcome was.

10. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

When discussing your current or most recent job, be careful to not sound bitter or unprofessional, or appear to cast the blame on your employer. Be honest, but remember to be diplomatic. It could be as simple as “I was laid off,” or it might be more complicated.

If it’s more complicated than a mere layoff, you could say that you are seeking a new professional challenge, growth opportunities, better alignment with your career goals and working preferences, or that you both realized that wasn’t the job for you.

Whatever your answer, keep it positive rather than talking about the negative aspects of your role.

There are many other common interview questions, but these 10 are a good starting point to help you prepare and feel more confident ahead of your upcoming interview. When you answer these questions following the tips provided, you will be sure to impress the hiring team, stand out from the competition, and be more closely aligned to secure the role you’ve been praying for.

 

Forbes.com | August 12, 2024 | Rachel Wells 

 

#JobSearch : Employers Are Restarting In-Person Job Interviews: 7 Mistakes To Avoid. Say Goodbye to the Zoom Interview in your Sweatpants. Are you Ready??

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While my career counseling client Robert sailed through his first two online interviews, he expected the last one to be the same. It wasn’t. “I’m kind of shocked,” he said. “The employer just told me my final interview is in person. I haven’t done that in six years, and I’m worried about how I’ll come across.” Robert discovered what many job hunters are now experiencing, and it’s a significant change in the hiring process. Many employers now conduct final interviews in their offices when the positions are onsite or hybrid.

If you are surprised by this change, you should also worry about how you will handle the in-person interview. How will your professional demeanor and presentation come across? Will you impress the employer and have them select you for the job? As we move away from the monitor and desk where you can have lots of notes and a resume displayed to help you nail the answers, now you must go and talk face-to-face with no help from any cheat sheet.

Will you make a mistake? The HR and hiring managers I’ve talked to say that people are losing that position because they are making some avoidable errors. Several hiring decision-makers mentioned they were concerned that the candidates had forgotten how to conduct themselves in live meetings, seeing customers, and interacting with team members.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

So, say goodbye to the Zoom interview sitting in sweatpants since no one sees anything below the desk. Here are some crucial interview pitfalls you must avoid when you meet the hiring team at their office.

Not controlling the opening.

This is a critical time when you must market yourself effectively and quickly capture the employer’s attention. So, your answer to the typical first question, “Tell us about yourself,” must showcase why you are the right person for the job. Develop an answer defining your five top selling points to demonstrate your key strengths, credentials, and accomplishments. Be concise and practice your answer so it is smooth and will get the employer to focus on you and what you bring to the roles. For an example of how to create this and what to say, read my Forbess article Best Way to Open An Interview To Secure A Job Offer.

 

Not knowing how to answer situational questions.

Job candidates report that these are always the most difficult. Your answer requires a work example when the question begins, Tell us about…, Give us an example…, Describe a time… etc. You won’t do well if you just wing this. Work examples require thought and practice. A common mistake is launching into the story without covering the basics, which will confuse the employer. Paint a clear picture from start to finish. Ensure the beginning defines who this is about, where it is, the circumstances and the problem, what you did, and note the outcome. Be sure the example shows you in the best possible light.

Failure to demonstrate your ability.

Many people will sit through the interview without clearly telling the employer what skills they’d bring to the job. They don’t emphasize the results they have delivered to past employers. They’re quiet; their answers may be very general or very vague. Employers don’t hire for vague generalities. They hire for specifics – and results. Specific skills, experience, and good examples of how you have successfully done that kind of work before. Specifics are what employers use to make decisions on who to hire. Know what you are best at. Offer details about the results you have achieved in the past to assure them you can do the same for them. Be succinct and keep the story brief.

Not doing your research.

Many candidates lost out on that job because they appeared clueless about the company and how to meet its needs. You need better preparation. The more inside information you can get, the more accurately you can phrase your answers to say that you are the best person to hire. Get as much insight as possible into the job and the company. When you first speak to the recruiter, take notes. Review the company’s website. What do they do? Are there details on new projects or new products coming out? Are they in the news? What is morale like? Try to uncover current problems the company is facing. Be wary of companies who are going through layoffs. Learn as much as you can about that job. Talk to your network to get some insider information. Look up the recruiter and hiring manager on LinkedIn. Connect with them. All this background will enable you to explain more effectively how you can do the job, demonstrate your interest in the company and the position, and impress the employer.

Making a poor presentation.

Most people no longer think about their appearance. They don’t realize the importance of those first few seconds when they meet the employer for the first time. The employer will check out your appearance from head to toe. Be aware that the employer often makes an immediate decision based on whether you would be an appropriate person to represent the company. It’s time to leave the casual look at home. Dress up. Select – or buy – a professional outfit. While only lawyers and Wall Street bankers may need to wear a suit, you must show you still know what business casual means in the office. Demonstrate your business savvy and professional appearance so they are assured you look appropriate to anyone you come in contact with.

Babbling.

Nervousness often makes people ramble on and on when answering a question. Nothing is worse than a candidate who talks for five minutes to answer one question. Instead, be concise – complete your answer in 60 seconds or less. To prepare, write out answers to common questions like “What’s your greatest weakness?” or “What are your salary requirements?” Then, edit your responses, create your best answer, and review it so you are comfortable with the response to ensure it’s no longer than a minute.

Failure to inspire confidence.

Interviews are not the time to be humble, meek, or too quiet about your accomplishments. If you don’t demonstrate competency and confidence that you can do the job, the employer will recognize that you probably can’t do the job. Eye contact, a smile, and some enthusiasm in your voice are essential. Express genuine interest in the job and working for that employer. Remember to mention people’s names when appropriate, especially as you say goodbye.

Forbes.com Author:  Robin Ryan   – Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

 

Forbes.com | June 18, 2024

#JobSearch : What To Say In An Interview When You’ve Been Laid Off. How to Answer: Why Were you Let Go?” A MUst REad for ALL!

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When you’re interviewing, the human resources representative, hiring managers and other interviewers will invariably ask you, “Why were you let go?” The question is mostly innocuous. It’s one of the fundamental questions an interviewer is curious about without having an ulterior motive. Nonetheless, it makes you feel like you’re guilty of something. It’s unpleasant to have to discuss why you lost your job. The key is to prepare a pitch of how exactly you’ll answer this question. By practicing it, your response will become deeply ingrained. You’ll be able to work through the discomfort and, ultimately, shine.

You can respond by telling the interviewer, “I loved working at X company. It was the best experience of my career. I learned so much and got to know so many amazing people. My boss and teammates were wonderful. It was heartbreaking to receive the news of my separation. I’m not going to pretend it didn’t initially hurt. However, after some time, I realized that this might be the best thing for me. If it wasn’t for the major layoff, I’d have likely stayed with the company for another 10 years—because it would be the easy thing to do. Now, I have the chance to seek out a new challenge—something exciting! Going through the layoff made me mentally stronger. I’m open to taking on new risks that I wouldn’t have done before. This includes interviewing for the role we’re talking about now. If it wasn’t for the downsizing, I wouldn’t be here speaking with you.”

Make sure to drive home why you want to work for this organization and why you are suitable for the role. “Your company is fantastic. I always held it in high regard. The opportunity you presented to me is my dream job. My background, experience, skills and education are all a perfect fit. It’s wonderful that I’m in the right place at the right time.’

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Be Prepared For Feeling Out Of Sorts

One of the biggest challenges throughout the job search process is figuring out what to say when interviewing. It’s hard for people who’ve succeeded most of their lives to suddenly feel like a failure, since they’ve been laid off. Before the interview, the person that was downsized will confide to their loved ones that they are uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed, even though intellectually they know it’s not their fault and the company laid off over 10,000 workers.

If you’ve been impacted by the wave of white-collar layoffs, it will take some time to spring back into action. You’ll need to process and come to terms with what happened. Then, while still healing, there’s pressure to jump into job-hunting mode. When you currently hold a job and are searching for a new role, it’s relatively easier. If you don’t succeed in moving forward in the process, you still have a job to fall back on. For those in between roles, it’s scarier. You worry about paying the bills and how you will stand out with thousands of other smart, white-collar professionals also looking for work with these unrelenting layoff announcements.

The alteration of your daily work habits will throw you off kilter, making you feel disoriented. You’ll miss your work friends and the familiar flow of the workday. Most fast-track professionals associate their personality and identity with their jobs. Without the title, there is a feeling of loss and emptiness. When you associate with career-driven people and have family members who pressure you to succeed, that’s an additional burden to bear.

Be Positive

It will take some time for the wound to heal. You’ll require some self-care. Deconstruct what happened. Speak with your boss, colleagues and others to understand why you were selected for downsizing instead of someone else. This serves a couple of purposes. If it turns out that you were terrific, but management called for a certain number of people from each division to be let go, then you know it’s not about you. If you did something that made the firm choose you, it will be an uncomfortable conversation, but ask for constructive criticism and feedback, so you can learn from the situation.

Unless you come to terms with the layoff, it will be hard to get a new job. You’ll inadvertently come to the interview process feeling embittered, angry and hurt. You may not realize it, but others will pick up on your vibe and frequency. Although it is natural to feel discouraged and resentful, the interviewer doesn’t care. It sounds crass and cold, but they want someone who comes across as a winner. In an environment where thousands of people are being laid off, managers feel they have their pick of the litter. If you enter the interview with a chip on your shoulder or say something mean-spirited or derogatory about your former boss, co-workers and company, it’s too easy, in this market, for the interviewer to take a hard pass and move on to the next applicant who has a more positive and enthusiastic attitude.

Forbes.com | February 2. 2023

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – 4 Things to Do Now to Prepare for Your 2019 Job Search.

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Most people looking for a job put it on hold in December. That’s generally because hiring slows down during the holiday season as people take vacations and lose time to seasonal events, and companies do other year-end activities like budgeting and employee evaluations.

December may not be when you’ll land a lot of interviews for permanent work, but it’s still a time of opportunity. If you know you will be seeking a job in the new year, you should take the month to get as ready as you can for the new year and the return of normal hiring rhythms.

Of course, if you’re out of work, you should not put your search on hold for December. Work on all of these things while you keep looking, because a hiring slowdown isn’t a hiring stoppage. And if you’re employed but ready to move on, these are good ways to get ready.

1. Get Your Resume in Order

It’s not enough to just update your resume. You also need to research whether resume format for your industry has changed. For example, in journalism, a one-page resume was the standard throughout the 1980s and 1990s. At some point in the 2000s that changed, and multiple pages became not just appropriate, but expected for more senior-level people.

In addition to making sure you have your resume copyedited and checked for other errors, it’s important to make sure it’s current. Talk to hiring managers or other people in your field who have recently gotten hired to find out what’s the current norm.

Top Resume Trends to Try Right Now (Plus, Two Trends to Ignore)

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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2. Get Your References Set

Very few people like surprises — at least when it comes to reference requests. Your references may all agree that you’re a wonderful person and an excellent worker, but they probably don’t want a surprise call asking about you.

Let your references know that you plan to start a job search and that you’re using them as references. This will have them expecting calls and give them a chance to opt out — maybe they will be traveling out of the country, or maybe they don’t think they can say anything nice about you.

3. Use Some Vacation Time

Vacation policies vary by company. Some carry vacation over into the new year, and some pay you for unused time if you decide to leave, while others do neither.

December is a popular month to take time off, and in some cases, even companies where unused time does not carry over will allow you to book January vacations using 2018 time. If you have unused days, see if you can use them early in 2019, which can give you time to search for a job and go on interviews.

7 Sneaky Ways to Search For A Job When You Have One

4. Polish Your Skills

Consider the type of job you’ll be applying for and examine your skill set. Maybe there’s something you know how to do that you’re a little rusty at. Take an online refresher course or do something that lets you show during an interview that you worked on that area. Even just starting the process can make a big difference to prospective employers.

Being Rested & Ready Will Pay Off

While December can be a hectic month, it also tends to be a time when most workers in fields that aren’t retail-related get time off. Use that time both to prepare for your job search and to recharge your batteries.

Do things like setting up email alerts for certain job titles and bookmarking company careers pages you want to track. Make sure you have interview outfits ready to go and that you have nicely printed copies of your resume and references. There’s only so much you can prepare, but doing what you can will make it easier once the job market picks back up in the new year.

 

GlassDoor.com | December 25, 2018 | Posted by