Job Interviews

It's very likely that the question is asking what your plans are concerning how long you would like to work for the company and what you would like to achieve. In this case, you need to be prepared to answer it from a personal standpoint.

An answer to the second could be "I hope to work for the company indefinitely and do my very best to (fill in with some thing or things that are pertinent to the position that you are seeking).

Another way of asking this question might be "Where do you see yourself in 5 (or any number) years?

Make a list of the things that are important to you in a job or career, by thinking about the following things:

• the field you'd like to work in: bioscience research, public relations, education...
• location: within 10 miles of Milton Keynes, anywhere in the UK, overseas - preferably a hot country...
• specific skills you'd like to use: working with computers, lots of contact with the public, a caring role...
• type and size of company: a large multinational, a small family company where everyone knows each other...
• working environment: a large office, lots of outdoor work, plenty of opportunities to travel - not stuck behind a desk...
• level of responsibility: upper management responsible for many people, responsible for a small team, no responsibility for managing staff...
• conditions: flexible hours, access to childcare, able to plan my own working day, long holidays...

2. From your list, choose the 5 things that are the most important to you and rank them in order of importance, with 1 being the most important and 5 being the least important.

3. Keep your list in a safe place - it will help when you need to write job applications or covering letters and when you're preparing for interviews.

You should relish this question and be eager to answer it! If you are not, then you are completely unprepared for the interview.

This is one of those questions people find tricky at interviews. The right approach for this question is to use it to highlight the 2 or 3 key strengths you have which match the requirements of the job. The job requirements will either be that have been mentioned in the advert, a person specification sent to you, or they would have told you during the interview.

Basically, to answer the question effectively, you have to do some research about the company and the position before you go to the interview.

However, you can answer such a question by telling the interviewer, point-by-point, about your qualifications, skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position. So use it as a selling pitch.

Carefully consider this question before applying for a job interview. You want your answer to show that you know what skills they want (from their job ad, job description or information you've gathered) and state what experience or knowledge you have that makes you a good fit. You don't have to lie; you just want to match their expectations. Tell them that you are really interested in the job.

Prior to any interview, you should have a list mentally prepared of your greatest strengths. You should also have, a specific example or two, which illustrates each of your strengths, an example chosen from your most recent and most impressive achievements. You should have this list of your greatest strengths and corresponding examples from your achievements very well committed to memory.

Then, once you uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs, you can choose those achievements from your list that best match up with them.

As a general guideline, the 10 most desirable traits that all employers love to see in their employees are:

1. A proven track record as an achiever, especially if your achievements match up with the employer's greatest wants and needs.
2. Intelligence...management "savvy".
3. Honesty...integrity...a decent human being.
4. Good fit with corporate culture, someone to feel comfortable with, a team player that meshes well with interviewer's team.
5. Like-ability, positive attitude and sense of humor.
6. Good communication skills.
7. Dedication - willingness to walk the extra mile to achieve excellence.
8. Definiteness of purpose, and clear goals.
9. Enthusiasm with high level of motivation.
10. Confident and healthy leadership.

You want to provide simple, clear, and concise reasons. This shows that you have considered how your skills apply to their needs. Many people have only considered this from their own point of view. This question encourages you to see things from the employer's point of view. Why are you valuable? Because you have specific experience in their problem areas? During the interview, you should be asking questions to determine how you can help. After doing this, you should be able to say something that the interviewer will appreciate.

Consider these suggestions in preparing yourself for the answer:

• Your key strategy is to first uncover your interviewer's greatest wants and needs before you answer questions. You might say: "I have a number of accomplishments I'd like to tell you about, but I want to make the best use of our time together and talk directly to your needs. To help me do that, could you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position? All I know is what I (heard from the recruiter, read in the classified ad, etc.)"

• List some qualities that you have which you think will be useful to them. You could also say: "I am dependable, adaptable, teachable and honest."

• The answer to this question should generally display your self-confidence, that you are the right fit for the company, that you are imaginative and clear in thinking. Be confident enough to say, "Our shared mutual benefits will complement one another".

• You know yourself better than anyone else does. Explain why you are essential to their team. Be honest in presenting yourself.

• This is one of the types of questions that is intended to get the person who is being interviewed to talk about themselves in a fairly informal manner. Such questions are usually about some aspect of your own life so that it is not possible for anyone else to answer them for you. You should think carefully about these questions before attending the interview.

• If the person by whom you are being interviewed has a sense of humor, you can try to make them laugh without losing your track of answering it with care and relevance.

• Say, "I meet or exceed the requirement you detailed in the job description. I have done the same work (or similar) in the past. My previous employers have rated my ability to do the same/similar work highly. Along with direct experience I have the skills and experience". Be prepared to provide examples and evidence for your claims.

• You could say: "I have been trained to accomplish the task for the job you are offering. I am a positive person who performs well under pressure. I have a good work ethic and have always been interested in (list what the company does). I know that I can be an asset to your company and would love the opportunity to show you this."

• Another way of answering this question: "I feel that I am definitely the right person for this post. Based on what I have been told and read about this position, I believe I am an outstanding match and have the qualifications and willingness to achieve excellence with this company."

• Another way of answering is by saying, "I am a sincere, hard-working person with a strong desire to achieve goals. I strongly believe in myself. I am fully confident, optimistic, co-operative and a very sensible person. I believe in hard work because our tomorrow completely depends on today. I would love to share my abilities an learn here".

• "I work great with others. I have awesome people skills and can adapt to changing schedules. I have knowledge with computers and would be an asset to your team. I will complete required tasks in a fashionable manner and get them done correctly the first time. I am organized and will keep my work area clutter-free so that anyone who is looking for something can find it quickly and easily. If you require more information concerning my abilities I would be more than happy to answer them."

• When you are being interviewed, stress your virtues: punctuality, reliability, organizational skills, follow directions well, team player, flexibility, good people skills, enthusiasm, intentions in the field, hard worker. These are the kinds of things employers want to hear. Be sure to stick as close to the truth as possible or you will be found out and could be terminated from the position upon attaining it.

• You could also say: "I have no basis for comparing myself with the other applicants. However, what I can tell you is about myself and why I deserve to be here. Firstly, I believe in myself, my abilities and my skills. Secondly, I have the passion and desire to excel in this position...."

• Or say, "You should offer me this job because this role correlates well with my skills, experience and current knowledge. I believe that my past experience and skills, combined with my passion and commitment for (say the role you are interviewed for) are a great asset to offer (say the company name that interview you).

• Narrate your strengths, and explain how these will enable you to fulfil your job function efficiently and effectively. Explain your talents and skills, and relate these to the objectives of the company that you are applying to. Then say, "You should hire me because I have excellent people skills, I complete any task that is put before me and I will go beyond and above my daily duties as a co-worker and/or employee".

• You could say something like "I think with my past and present experience in (whatever field you are applying), I have gained experience in conditions of service, employees relations and management. I believe that this position requires the candidate to have insight in this field and the issues which they could face."

• They are trying to decide, based on just a little bit of information, whether or not they should hire you. So help them decide! Highlight any parts of the job or job description that sound like you but add positive comments to each description. Tell the interviewer how closely you match the job description ("I'm an excellent writer." or "My great personality and helpfulness are perfect for customer service." or "I know many of the required software programs and I'm also a quick learner!") Are they looking for someone who has a lot of computer skills? Do you have these skills? Or do they need the type of management experience that you have? Then go on and on about them! This is your chance to convince them to hire you!

• Tell them what you can DO for their company that makes you better than the other applicants. If possible, list specific instances in which you made a positive contribution to your past jobs.

Remember: Maintain good eye contact, have good posture dress neat and clean. Men, check your fingernails and hair. Ladies, dress appropriately, no cleavage, little make-up and light scent. Sit with both feet on the floor and your hands relaxed in your lap.

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