CandoCareer.com

Professional Resume Writing & Interview Preparation Services

Tough Interview Questions and How to Overcome Them

Don't kid yourself; all employers will try their best to detect problems or limitations in your skills, since they will affect how you can benefit their company.

For example, if you had a two-year gap in employment on your resume, many would consider it a problem or a "red flag". Do you have a good reason for it? Do you know how to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself."? Open-ended questions such as this are difficult to answer, and many candidates respond by "rambling. Knowing how to respond is critical to securing a job offer.

There are three steps involved in answering interview questions:

1) Understand what the interviewer wants to find out.

They may be wondering if you are dependable, able to adapt, or a team player.

2) Don't give too much information. This may result in your presenting it in a damaging way.

Present the answer in a way that is to your "best" advantage - think before you respond.

3) Respond to the question and take the chance to present your relevant skills.

If you know what they are looking for, you can respond by selling the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the employee's concerns.

Some of the top problem questions include:

Tell me about yourself.
Why are you here?
You don't have a BBA, and the ad specifically stated you needed one Why did you apply for the position?
What are your compensation expectations?
What is your biggest weakness?
Why were you fired from your last job?
Why should I hire you?

Understand that some employers are more likely to hire someone who presents him or herself well, rather than a candidate with extensive credentials. The safest way to answer questions is to emphasize your strongest personal strengths, backing them up with examples that demonstrate your value to the company.