How to Prepare for a Job Interview

The more time you spend preparing for a job interview, the better your chances will be
of acing it. You’ll feel more comfortable speaking with the hiring manager if you’re
familiar with the company’s products and services.

Research the company. Before your interview, take the time to learn as much as
possible about the job and your prospective employer. There are many different
resources you can use to find information and news about the organization, its mission,
and its plans.

Tap your connections for insider information. Who you know at a company can help
you get hired.

Check LinkedIn to see if you have connections who work at the company. Ask them if
they can give you any advice that will help with the interview process.
If you’re a college graduate, check with your career office for alumni who may be able to
help.

Make a match. Take the time before the interview to make matches between your
qualifications and the requirements as stated in the job announcement. This way, you
will have examples at hand to demonstrate your suitability for the job.

Practice your responses. Write out your answer in advance for each question and
then read it aloud to ensure it sounds natural. Try to keep it short and sweet. You don’t
want to come across as the type of person who endlessly drones on about themselves.

Be prepared to show and tell. It can be helpful to remember the tip “show, don't tell.”
For example, rather than stating that you are an excellent problem solver, instead give
an example that demonstrates this, ideally drawing on an anecdote from your
professional experience.

How to Make the Best Impression

The first impression you make at a job interview, is going to be the most important one.
Hiring managers can decide whether you’re a good candidate, or not, within a few
minutes of meeting you. These tips will help you make a terrific first impression.

Dress for success. What you wear to the interview is important because you don’t
want to be underdressed or overdressed. A three-piece suit can be as out of place as
shorts and a t-shirt. Carefully choose appropriate attire, and don’t be afraid to ask the
person who scheduled the interview if you’re not sure what to wear.

Be on time or a little early. You definitely don’t want to keep your interviewer waiting,
so be on time or a few minutes early for your appointment. If you’re not sure where
you’re going, do a trial run ahead of time so you know how long it will take you to get
there.

If your interview is virtual, check to make sure that you're comfortable with the
technology ahead of time.
Keep it positive. Always try to put a positive slant on your responses to questions. It’s
better to give the impression that you’re more motivated by the possibility of new
opportunities than by trying to escape a bad situation. In addition, it’s important to avoid
bashing your current organization, colleagues, or supervisor. An employer is not likely to
want to bring on someone who talks negatively about a company.

Follow up after the interview. After every job interview, take the time to send a
thank-you note or email message sharing your appreciation for the time the interviewer
spent with you, and reiterating your interest in the job. If there was something you wish
you had said during the interview, but didn’t get a chance to, this is a good opportunity
to mention it.

Source:
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-interview-questions-and-best-answers-2061225
Top 10 Job Interview Questions and Best Answers
How to Answer the Most Common Interview Questions
BY ALISON DOYLE Updated April 19, 2021
Are you ready to ace your upcoming job interview? One of the most important parts of interview
preparation is being ready to respond effectively to the questions that employers typically ask.

Since these interview questions are so common, hiring managers will expect you to be able to
answer them smoothly and without hesitation.

TIP: You don't need to memorize your answers, but you should think about what you're going to
say so you're not put on the spot.

Your responses will be stronger if you know what to expect during the interview and have a
sense of what you want to focus on. Knowing that you are prepared will boost your confidence
and help you minimize interview stress and feel more at ease.

Top 10 Interview Questions and Best Answers

Review these most frequently asked interview questions and sample answers, and then prepare
your own responses based on your experience, skills, and interests.

IMPORTANT: Remember that it’s less about providing the “right” answers and more about
demonstrating that you’re the best candidate for the job.

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

This is one of the first questions you are likely to be asked. Be prepared to talk about yourself,
and why you're an ideal candidate for the position. The interviewer wants to know why you're an
excellent fit for the job.

Try to answer questions about yourself without giving too much, or too little, personal
information. You can start by sharing some of your personal interests and experiences that don't
relate directly to work, such as a favorite hobby or a brief account of where you grew up, your
education, and what motivates you.

TIP: You can even share some fun facts and showcase your personality to make the interview a
little more interesting.

2. Why Do You Want This Job?

Why are you a good fit for the position? What would you accomplish if you were hired? This
interview question gives you an opportunity to show the interviewer what you know about the
job and the company, so take time beforehand to thoroughly research the company, its
products, services, culture, and mission.

Be specific about what makes you a good fit for this role, and mention aspects of the company
and position that appeal to you most.

3. Why Should We Hire You?

Are you the best candidate for the job? The hiring manager wants to know whether you have all
the required qualifications. Be prepared to explain why you're the applicant who should be hired.

Make your response a confident, concise, focused sales pitch that explains what you have to
offer and why you should get the job. This is a good time to review the qualifications and the
requirements in the job listing, so you can craft a response that aligns with what the interviewer
is looking for.

4. What Is Your Greatest Strength?

This is one of the questions that employers almost always ask to determine how well you are
qualified for the position. When you are asked about your greatest strengths, it's important to
discuss the attributes that qualify you for that specific job, and that will set you apart from other
candidates.

When you're answering this question, remember to “show” rather than “tell.” For example, rather
than stating that you are an excellent problem solver, instead tell a story that demonstrates this,
ideally drawing on an anecdote from your professional experience.

5. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

Another typical question that interviewers will ask is about your weaknesses. Do your best to
frame your answers around positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee, turning
seeming “weaknesses” into strengths.

This question is an opportunity to show the hiring manager that you're well qualified for the job.
In addition to learning whether you've got the right credentials, the hiring manager wants to
know whether you can take on challenges and learn new tasks.

You can also share examples of skills you have improved, providing specific instances of how
you have recognized a weakness and taken steps to correct it.

6. Why Do You Want to Leave (or Have Left) Your Job?

Be prepared with a response to this question. You'll need to give an answer that’s honest and
reflects your specific circumstances but keeps it positive. Even if you quit under challenging
circumstances, now isn't the best time to share what could be construed as too much
information with the interviewer.
The interviewer wants to know why you left your job and why you want to work for their
company. When asked about why you are moving on from your current position, stick with the
facts, be direct, and focus your answer on the future, especially if your departure wasn't under
the best circumstances.

7. What Are Your Salary Expectations?

What are you looking for in terms of salary? Questions about money are always tricky to
answer. You don't want to sell yourself short or price yourself out of a job offer. In some
locations, employers are legally prohibited from asking you about salary history—but they can
ask how much you expect to get paid.

Do your research before the meeting so that you’ll be prepared to name a salary (or salary
range) if you’re asked. There are several free online salary calculators that can provide you with
a reasonable range based on your job title, employer, experience, skills, and location.

8. How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure?

What do you do when things don’t go smoothly at work? How do you deal with difficult
situations? The employer wants to know how you handle workplace stress.

Do you work well in high-stress situations? Do you thrive on pressure, or would you prefer a
more low-key job? What do you do when something goes wrong? The best way to respond to
this question is to share an example of how you have successfully handled stress in a previous
position.

Avoid claiming that you never, or rarely, experience stress. Rather, formulate your answer in a
way that acknowledges workplace stress and explains how you’ve overcome it, or even used it
to your advantage.

9. Describe a Difficult Work Situation or Project and How You Handled It.
There isn't a right or wrong answer to a question about handling a difficult situation. How you
react will show the hiring manager your work style and how you manage issues. It will help
determine if you mesh with the company, and you're a fit for the role.

The interviewer wants to know how you respond when faced with a difficult decision. As with the
question about stress, be prepared to share an example of what you did in a tough situation. It’s
important to share details to make the story believable and engaging.

10. What Are Your Goals for The Future?

Are you a job hopper? Or do you plan on staying with the company, at least for a while? Do your
plans for the future match the career path for someone typically hired for this position?

This question is designed to find out if you’re going to stick around or move on as soon as you
find a better opportunity. Keep your answer focused on the job and the company, and reiterate
to the interviewer that the position aligns with your long-term goals.