Slaying Tough Job Interview Questions
Inevitably, youll run into an interviewer who loves getting creative with outside-the-box questions. As experts in career coaching, we at GetFive have compiled a list of some of the trickiest interview questions weve heard, in an effort to help you nail that interview and begin your career transition.
Glassdoor Recruiters Answer Questions On How To Have A Successful Virtual Interview
How can I come across warm and personable through a video interview?
So, if you’re trying to come across warm and personable in a video interview, it’s really good to smile, use a lot of great eye contact, take your pauses, and also try to connect on a personal level. Right now, a lot of companies are doing video interviewing, so everyone’s in the same boat, and so you can talk about your personal experience right off the bat, and that way it’ll help with the conversation.
What should I wear to the video interview?
Can you go over proper video interview etiquette?
First, I would suggest doing a trial run before your interview, making sure the camera and microphone are all set up just so you don’t run into any issues during the interview. Next, I would make sure that the background is distraction-free, clean, and tidy, well lit, and in a functional space in your home or wherever you’re taking the interview from. And lastly, just to keep in mind that a video interview is just as important as an in-person interview. Good luck!
What are some tips for successfully completing a technical collaboration during an interview?
What To Do At The End Of Your Interview
At the end of an interview, its not uncommon for interviewers to ask if you have any questions for them. Be prepared for a few questions of your own. For example, you might ask for specifics about a typical work day or about next steps in the hiring process.
Once theyve answered your questions, politely thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. Later you might also consider sending those who interviewed you an additional note of thanks via email. This shows youre still interested in the position and keeps you top of mind, but dont be too pushy with your follow-ups. Allow the hiring team to arrive at a decision in their own time.
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How To Ace A Virtual Interview: 8 Tips For Making A Great First Impression Digitally
by Kaelyn Barron |
In recent years, many companies have made the transition to a remote workforce. This has happened for a variety of reasons: perhaps the company realized they could cut costs and even boost productivity by allowing employees to work from home, or maybe the change was a response to situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.
In any case, just as the actual work has taken to digital spaces, so too has job recruitment. Virtual interviews are increasingly common, and though the questions might remain the same, there are some technical changes that job applicants should review in order to have a successful interview.
How To Ace Your Panel Interview: 9 Tips
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Preparing for a panel interview is slightly different than other interviews. Some steps are the same, but there are a few extra areas to focus on when preparing, so Im going to walk you through how to prepare to ace your panel interview from start to finish.
Here are our 9 best panel interview tips. Lets get started
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How To Wow A Recruiter During A Remote Interview
Youve prepared to have the perfect remote interview, but now, its time to knock it out of the park in real-time. Heres how to impress a recruiter or hiring manager on your video call:
Dress for success.
Just because youre interviewing from the comfort of your home doesnt mean you should get too comfortable. For a remote interview, youll still want to dress as if you were meeting the interviewer in person think: a dress shirt and tie for men, and a blazer or dress for women.
But beyond that, youll need to think about what will look good on screen. You should avoid wearing distracting or bright patterns or colors or flashy jewelry, and instead, opt for neutral-colored clothing and, if you wear it, simple jewelry.
Lastly, make sure youve dressed appropriately from top to bottom. It might be tempting to skip wearing professional pants or skirts during a video call, but you may have to stand up, and mishaps happen and you dont want your dress to be the reason you lose out on your next dream job.
Make small talk.
When youre interviewing in person, it can be easier to build a rapport with the interviewer. Its not as natural on a video call, but it doesnt have to be awkward. If you can, try to make some chit-chat at the start, which can break the ice and make everyone feel more comfortable. Think of talking points ahead of time, such as a funny story or a sports reference.
Practice good body language.
Speak clearly.
What Interests You About This Job
With this interview question, your interviewer is trying to gauge a) your enthusiasm for the job and b) if you read and understood the job description. An answer that highlights a role or responsibility from the job description is a great way to go. If you blank and canât remember specifics of the job, an answer about âthe opportunity to put to useâ is always a safe bet.
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How To Ace An Interview In 8 Steps
When you look for a new job or position inside a company, whether it’s an entry-level position or a senior role, you may be invited for an interview following application submission. A job interview gives you an excellent chance to show the hiring team your best qualifications and experience. Knowing the top tips on how to leave a remarkable impression can help you complete a successful interview in the career you desire. In this article, we explore how to ace an interview and provide tips you can use to increase the success of a job interview.
Position Yourself In A Well
It’s essential to choose a quiet, well-lit, neutral, and clean space to conduct your interview, especially if you’re taking the virtual interview from home to limit distractions. Unlike interviewing in the office or a public space, virtual interviews provide an intimate glimpse into your personal life. Be sure to give a great first impression by keeping your area clean and limit any interruptions from family members, pets, partners, and roommates.
Dont plan to have your remote interview just anywhere. Its important to choose a location that is free of distractions and noises when participating in a video interview, as these interruptions can leave an interviewer with a negative impression of you. Take stock of your space and choose a location that is far from potential noises and distractions, such as a ringing doorbell, a childs room, or near a TV that could be turned on. And if you can select a room with a door, make a sign to hang on the door that asks not to be disturbed.
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Practice Answering Interview Questions
Whether the interview focuses on job-specific topics or your professional profile, the interview is likely to include a few standard questions. You can review a list of the most popular interview questions and practise how you would answer. Focus your responses on the company, position and your relevant qualifications and goals.
Read more:Top 16 Interview Questions and Answers
Choose A Career Path And Research The Market
You can start by defining your career goals and discovering your core values. Before applying to a position, it is appropriate to gather all the information you need in order to decide if that’s the profession you want. After that, you can research the market to know more about the job opportunities within a specific sector, average salaries, primary duties and responsibilities, the job market’s expectations for the future and any additional information you wish to know.
After the research, you can apply to the positions that interest you and begin to prepare for your interview. If the employer knows you are informed about the current market outlook, potential challenges and professional expectations, you may come across enthusiastic about the role and industry.
Read more:How To Choose the Right Career Path
Also Check: How To Ask For A Job Interview
Free: Second Interview Question Pdf Cheat Sheet
Ok the next thing you should do is download our “Second Interview Question Cheat Sheet“.
In it you’ll get:
- 5 of the most common second interview questions you could face
- Professional-sounding example answers for each question that you can model your answers after
With this amazing cheat sheet you’ll be pretty much ready for anything you’ll face in your second interview!
Go Beyond The Common Interview Questions
Yes, the job search is intimidating, but reviewing interview questions and answers in advance is one way to calm your nerves and boost your confidence. Are you looking for more ways to stand apart from the competition? Set up a free profile with Monster and we can send you career advice, workplace insights, and more job interview tips directly to your inbox. It’s a quick and easy way to stay one step ahead.
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What Do You Know About This Company
This interview question is a clear attempt to find out if youâve done your research. Show youâre enthusiastic about the job by researching the company before your interview. Chances are your interviewer isnât going to grill you, so it can be as simple as checking out the company website and doing a quick Google search. Bringing up recent news such as a leadership change, a big company event, or a recent product launch can earn you a gold star from your interviewer and demonstrate you know your stuff.
Why Are You Leaving Your Current Position
Employers often ask this question to understand what motivated you to find a new job and if you’re still on good terms with your recent employer. Keep your response positive and professional. Focus on the benefits of the position you’re interviewing for, like more opportunities for professional growth. You can also use this question to reiterate the skills and qualifications you have that make you such a great fit for the role.
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What Should You Do To Prepare For An Interview
To increase your chances of a successful interview, you should prepare before you meet with the hiring manager. Create a rough outline of the topics they are likely to discuss with you. Identify how to show them you’re a strong candidate and think of opportunities to make a good impression. Elements to follow when preparing for an interview include:
- Research: Conduct online research to learn more about the company, its employees and its values. You can review the “about us” webpage to get additional information about the company. This helps you provide an informed answer if the interviewer asks why you’d like to work for the organization.
- Plan: Prepare for the interview a day or two beforehand by selecting your outfit, gathering your requested interview materials and closely reviewing the job description.
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Practice: Research common interview questions and practice answering them before the interview. You can perform a mock interview with a friend or colleague or practice in front of a mirror to familiarize yourself with your mannerisms, posture and facial expressions.
Put Your Technology To The Test
As mentioned above, do at least one full test call with a friend beforehand ideally, at least a few days before your interview to make sure everything works. Ensure that your computer has all the latest updates installed and that your Zoom is up to date.
If there are other people using the Wi-Fi in your home, you may want to ask them to stay offline during your interview. If your signal is sometimes iffy, you might also consider purchasing a Wi-Fi booster to ensure your connection is stable. Log on an hour before your test to make sure you dont need to install any last-minute updates. During your interview, keep an eye on the details, like ensuring your screen name is displaying your first and last names and that theyre spelled correctly.
Although it might feel awkward, its important for you to practice out loud, record yourself during your test run and then watch it. This isnt just to get comfortable with the technology and ensure that you can be seen and heard with ease, but also to prepare when things to go wrong. Because they will.
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What Did You Eat For Breakfast
The interviewer asks questions like this to gauge if you would be a good fit for the companys culture. Show some personality and humor, and be sure to answer according to whatever vibe that company gives off. My competition, you might say, with a laugh, and then reveal your fondness for the new Icelandic yogurt you found at Whole Foods.
If You Woke Up And Had 2000 Unread Emails And Could Only Answer 300 Of Them How Would You Choose Which Ones To Answer
This is asking about how you prioritize and keep organized. The ideal candidate for most positions does a good job of dealing with situations according to their level of priority. Possible answers: filter by priority , or search for subject lines that include high-priority keywords. Or you can mention you have VIPs set up to go to a separate email folder.
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If You Were An Animal Which One Would You Want To Be
Don’t be alarmed if you’re asked weird interview questions. Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer “a bunny,” you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer “a lion,” you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?
Why Are You Looking To Leave Your Current Job
This may seem like a place to launch into all the things you dont like about your current job. Or to talk about what a terrible person your boss is. Dont do it. Thats the path you do not want to go down. And thats really what this question tends to prod out of many people.
If I am interviewing you and ask this question and you tell me all the ways your boss doesnt appreciate you and your company has terrible leadership, Im thinking what youre going to be saying about me in a year when you are interviewing somewhere else.
Make sure you are framing your answer in a way that doesnt shed bad light on your current or most recent employer. You want to focus on things like youve enjoyed working for the company but your growth options are limited there so you are exploring outside opportunities.
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When Were You Most Satisfied In Your Job
The interviewer who asks, “When were you most satisfied in your job?” wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. “I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems that is an important part of the job for me.”
Test Your Technology Beforehand
It’s imperative that you check and test your technology several times before the interview and that day to ensure success. Be sure to double-check your wifi connection, camera and audio, and video conferencing platforms to confirm they are all working seamlessly. Being technologically savvy is a coveted skill that employers are looking for, and by not doing your due diligence to ensure that you’re good to go in the technology realm, you could have the hiring manager or interviewer questioning if you’re the right candidate for the position.
A day before your interview, perform a few tests of the software youll be using for the interview to ensure it works properly. Take time to explore the software and familiarize yourself with how it works. And if the software shows others an image of yourself, make sure the image you select is up-to-date and appropriate.
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Types Of Second Interviews
As I mentioned above, there is a good chance that your second interview looks a lot different than your first interview.
While the introductory interview is usually just a one-on-one with a person from HR or a hiring manager, the second interview can follow a lot of different formats .
Here are some of the different interview formats you could see on your second interview:
Find The Right Context
Memorization works solely in times of urgency. If you want to learn in the most effective manner, then you need to have context for information.
Find an aspect thats interesting for you try to research for related information, and youll discover the joy of learning.
The first step? Jot down as much information and as many ideas as possible: How Simply Jotting Down Ideas Can Make You Smarter
With time, this practice will make you a faster learner.
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