What To Say During A Job Interview

‘this Job Aligns Well With My Long

Mentioning your professional goals helps show employers you’re a motivated and ambitious candidate. State your goals and how they align with the position on their team. These goals can assure an employer that you’re not just interested in the current job opening, but that you have a vested interest in developing your career within the company. Because employers aim to keep staff engaged, showing that you plan to grow with the company can help distinguish you from other candidates.

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Good Negative Qualities To Say During An Interview

Youâve got an interview at an awesome company, and youâre eagerly waiting to tell them why youâre so excited about working with them. During the interview, you answer all of the questions from the hiring manager with ease.

âWhat do you consider your biggest negative quality?â

What? Negative qualities? How do I say that Iâm not good at something without looking bad? I shouldâve prepared for this better, you think, as your heart starts to race.

If you donât prepare a good answer to this question, you may very well encounter this scenario.While thereâs no universal formula to successfully answering this question, there are definitely things you can do to increase your chances of impressing the recruiter/hiring manager â and eventually, getting that desired job.

Hereâs what you can do to make answering this question a lot easier for you.

I Don’t Have Any Questions

Most interviewers will ask if you have any questions near the end of the interview. An important part of preparing for an interview is to think about meaningful questions you can ask the employer that will show your interest in the company or the position.

Example:”I know from the company’s mission statement that you want to be the leader in motor vehicle sales. I am curious how you define being a leader and the ways you aim to achieve this mission.”

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Where Do You Think The Company Is Headed In The Next Five Years

The response you receive will give you an insight into the company’s progression plans and its place in the market, while giving you a general idea about job security. You may also get a heads-up on any major upcoming projects.

Asking about future plans shows a real interest in the organisation and reiterates your commitment to the company.

Important Things To Say During A Job Interview

Weve done the work for you and compiled a list of the most effective expressions to use in an interview. However, you need to use common sense when incorporating these statements in your interview.

Dont feel like you have to hit every single one: in fact, that might sound a little silly. You dont want to sound like a robot spouting out pre-planned statements that dont fit within the context of a broader conversation. Instead, keep these in your back pocket to pull out whenever it makes sense.

Keep in mind that you shouldnt repeat these statements verbatim, or in the order they are listed. Instead, use your own words to demonstrate the core idea and insert each thought tactfully, so the conversation flows naturally.

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Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years

Answers to this question go one of two basic ways. Candidates try to show their incredible ambition by providing an extremely optimistic answer: “I want your job!” Or they try to show their humility by providing a meek, self-deprecating answer: “There are so many talented people here. I just want to do a great job and see where my talents take me.”

In either case you learn nothing, other than possibly how well candidates can sell themselves.

For interviewers, here’s a better question: “What business would you love to start?”

That question applies to any organization, because every employee at every company should have an entrepreneurial mind-set.

The business a candidate would love to start tells you about her hopes and dreams, her interests and passions, the work she likes to do, the people she likes to work with — so just sit back and listen.

Preparing For A Phone Interview

Usually, during phone interviews, employers are seeking general, high-level information about you and your background to see if they should advance you to the next step in the hiring process. You should be prepared to talk about why youre looking for a job, why youre interested in this specific job and company, and your background.

Each employer has a different set of questions for phone interviews, but there are several commonly asked questions. Below are several phone interview example questions and answers you can use as inspiration when preparing for your interview.

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• Why are you applying for this position?

• Why do you want this job?

• Tell me what you know about the role

• Why do you want to work here?

• Why are you looking for jobs?

• What are you passionate about?

• What are your salary expectations?

• Are you interviewing with other companies?

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Do You Have Any Questions

It is important that when given the opportunity, you ask at least a few thoughtful questions to your phone interviewer. This shows you are engaged, actively listening and genuinely interested in the opportunity.

Researching the company is an easy way to understand the companys history, mission and values. A great place to start is by browsing the companys website. You can also search the internet for recent news articles. Use the information you find to help shape your questions. Your initiative will be well-received because it proves you took the time to learn about the company and industry.

Here are a few example questions you might consider asking:

• What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?

• How has this role grown or adapted to suit the needs of the organization?

• What kind of growth does the company expect to see within the next five years?

• Do you have any concerns about my experience or skill set?

• Thank you for explaining the role to me in such depth. When might I hear back from you regarding next steps in the process?

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How Do You Avoid These Common Interview Mistakes

• Study up before your interview. Learn about the company and review the job description to identify which of your skills fit the job.

• Give them a solid handshake and make eye contact. These things give an immediate impression that you’re confident and trustworthy.

• Be on time!

• Keep detailed information about your personal life out.

• Leave your cell phone in your car, or put it on silent and leave it in your purse or briefcase.

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Things You Should Say During A Job Interview

So you completed a winning application form and got shortlisted for a juicy new job. The good news is youve already proved youre a viable candidate. But next comes the part a lot of people dread, the job interview.

If you do your research and prepare yourself physically and mentally, you will step into the interview better equipped and more confident to answer the job interview questionsyoure asked. But this is not enough by itself. There are a handful of things that interviewers love to hear without prompting in fact, they dont even realize theyre looking for some of these phrases until they hear them.

Be proactive. Be enthusiastic. But be focused. Use key phrases from the job description to demonstrate that you are on the same page as your interviewers. For added emphasis, illustrate how you will use these skills to benefit this specific company. Drawing a connection between your potential value and the needs of your potential employers demonstrates your engagement and passion. Saying Heres how I can help your company is the acceptable way of declaring: I am the right person for this job.

Be grateful, also. Business guru Suzy Welch suggests the three traits recruiters are looking for are sincerity, courage, and humility. Brave up and tell your interviewers: Thank youfor this opportunity. I want this job. And then send a thank-you note afterwards it will put you ahead of three-quarters of the competition.

Tell Me A Little About Yourself

If you’re the interviewer, there’s a lot you should already know: The candidate’s resume and cover letter should tell you plenty, and LinkedIn and Twitter and Facebook and Google can tell you more.

The goal of an interview is to determine whether the candidate will be outstanding in the job, and that means evaluating the skills and attitude required for that job. Does she need to be an empathetic leader? Ask about that. Does she need to take your company public? Ask about that.

If you’re the candidate, talk about why you took certain jobs. Explain why you left. Explain why you chose a certain school. Share why you decided to go to grad school. Discuss why you took a year off to backpack through Europe, and what you got out of the experience.

When you answer this question, connect the dots on your resume so the interviewer understands not just what you’ve done, but also why.

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What Would You Do If You Suspected Neglect Or Abuse In The Home Of One Of Your Students

What They Want to Know: Teachers walk a delicate line as advocates for their students welfare. Think about how you would respond should you suspect a child has been subject to abuse.

I take my position as a mandated reporter very seriously. I am aware of the districts daily health check system that early childhood teachers are required to implement daily. In my previous position, we also did daily checks when the children would arrive each morning. There was one child in my previous classroom who had odd bruising on both arms and I was not sure if the bruises were from rough play with siblings or friends, or from an adult being physically abusive.

Before I said anything to anyone, I reported what I saw to the principal who guided me through the process to determine the cause of the bruising. Ultimately it was discovered that the bruises were from the childs older sibling. The way my school handled the situation enabled us to ensure the child was in a safe situation without falsely accusing or upsetting the parents.

How Did You Hear About This Position

Employers want to know whether you are actively seeking out their company, heard of the role from a recruiter, or were recommended to the position by a current employee. In short, they want to know how you got to them.

If someone recommended you for the position, be sure to say their name. Dont assume that the interviewer already knows about the referral. Youll probably want to also follow up with how you know the person who referred you. For example, if you and Steve worked together previously, or if you met him over coffee at a networking event, mention it to give yourself a little more credibility. If Steve works at the company and suggested that you apply for the job, explain why he thought youd be the perfect fit.

If you sought out the role yourself, be clear about what caught your eye extra bonus points if you can align your values with the company and their mission. You want to convince the hiring manager that you chose their company, over all other companies, for a few specific reasons.

Lastly, if you were recruited, explain why you took the bait. Did this role sound like a good fit? Does it align with the direction you want to take your career? Even if you werent familiar with the organization prior to being recruited, be enthusiastic about what youve learned and honest about why youre interested in moving forward with the process.

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Overly Prepared Answers Or Cliches

One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to research questions you expect the interviewer to ask and prepare answers for these questions. However, when using prepared answers during an interview, you want to make sure the answer sounds genuine. Many candidates will use cliches when answering common interview questions. During your interview, try to choose an answer that is honest and will make you stand out as a candidate. Instead of saying “My greatest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist,” which interviewers often hear, try to identify an experience you were able to learn from in your previous position.

Example:”In my last role, I would sometimes struggle with taking on too many responsibilities and then find myself overburdened. While I don’t like to say no to a task or project, I was able to learn that it is ok to ask for help and to delegate tasks so our entire team could accomplish our goals together and on time.”

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Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Position

Maybe the thought of going into work makes you want to cry each morning. Or perhaps hearing your colleague gab away on the phone for hours each day makes you want to hide in the conference room.

Either way, you want to keep it professional when stating why you would like to leave your current job. Sure, this can be a difficult interview question, but theres no need to get into potentially problematic answers.

Consider keeping it neutral and positive by saying something like, Ive been with my current company for X years and Im ready to find something new. I also really feel that your company culture is a better fit for me because of your commitment to work-life balance and team building.

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It Can Be Difficult For Me To Maintain A Healthy Work/life Balance

Finding work/life balance is important to maintain motivation in your job. While it is certainly honorable and shows a strong work ethic to spend your time and energy on work, it is also necessary to prioritize resting, going on vacation, spending time with your family and enjoying hobbies. Doing so can help you feel refreshed when you are at work and can increase motivation, creativity and support a positive outlook.

If this is the weakness you choose to present during your interview, explain the ways you have learned to balance life and work and how you have seen your work improve as a result. You can also explain that work/life balance is something you find important in the role you are applying for.

Before providing this as an example, you should do extensive research about the company culture. If you are interviewing for a position in which it is necessary to have your phone on and available at all times, you might not want to say you turn your phone off at night to achieve work/life balance.

Example:Because I truly love my work and have ambitious career goals, it can be difficult for me to keep a healthy balance between work and my personal life. I have seen a negative impact on my motivation and focus when I ignore my personal needs.

Tell Me About Yourself/tell Me About Your Background

Recruiters and hiring managers will likely start a phone interview by asking about your background. This is a simple way for them to learn more about you. You should use this time to explain your relevant experience, what youre currently doing and why that makes you qualified. While you can include a few personal details that allow the employer to understand how you lead a well-balanced life, you should focus on professional qualifications and accomplishments.

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Why Are You Applying For This Position

Another common question, Why are you applying for this position? or What about this job interests you? tells employers whether or not you are serious and have a genuine interest in pursuing the position. To answer this question, use details listed in the job description that made you want to apply. This can be duties listed in the job description, details about the company or something about the job that aligns with your career goals.

Example answer:Ive been working for several years on gaining skills in your industry. I feel I have the knowledge, skills and qualifications youre looking for, along with a unique perspective coming from a different industry. I am passionate about working in the environmental protection space, and it is time for me to make a change. I feel your company is the perfect place for me to do that.

‘i Have Reviewed The Job Description And Look Forward To Discussing My Qualifications In More Detail’

The job posting or description provides essential information about the role to which you are applying. Informing the interviewer that you have reviewed this information helps show your interest in the position. You can also highlight the skills, experiences and other qualifications you have that align with the job’s requirements or responsibilities. When possible, you may also mention that the job description aligns closely with your career goals to prove your interest. This phrase serves as a summary of your qualifications before you go into more detail during the interview.

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Say These 8 Things In Your Interview To Impress Employers And Get The Job

If you follow the advice above you will get hired faster and avoid having bad interviews.

Its not about copying these exact phrases though try to understand why employers want to hear each phrase , and then customize it and make it your own!

And if you want more help with what to tell employers to get hired faster, I have a full page of interview resources, answers, and tips HERE.