by Alan Bernstein, SHRM-SCP – HR Office Savers
Last month we talked about preparing for the interview day—be on time, communicate professionally, and be ready to take notes. Today I want to talk to you about standard interview questions you can expect during the interview.
Employment History
Companies will ask you about previous jobs and why you changed jobs. They are making an investment in a new hire and they want to know you are serious about working there and will stay awhile.
Most people change jobs for something personal, such as more money or a better commute. This is ok to share, but also share about learning new things and growing professionally. Employers want workers that care about the organization and company growth.
Pro-tip: Avoid putting down your previous employer or company. Even if the job was awful, find something good to say.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Your strength should be something you are good at that is relevant to the position. For example, if you are interviewing for a retail position, you might say you are very attentive to customers and double check orders to ensure accuracy at all times.
Your weakness should be something that is an actual weakness but is not detrimental to the job. And it should be stated in a way that highlights something positive. For example, if you are interviewing for a receptionist position you might say you are very good at multi-tasking but haven’t quite mastered word processing yet.
Pro-tip: Try to add that you are still learning. There’s no such thing as perfect; employers know this!
Why Are You Interested in This Job?
Employers want to know that you are interested in working at their company and in this job. The more interested you are the more likely you are to stay longer and be productive.
Tell them you have researched the company and what you like about the company. Let them know you are interested in doing the job and why. State one or two things about the job (based on the job description) that is appealing to you.
Pro-tip: Avoid superficial reasons that have nothing to do with the job like shorter hours and better benefits.
In Conclusion
Every interview includes standard questions like these. Be ready to answer honestly and completely.
Alan is the owner of HR Office Savers, Inc., an independent human resource consulting firm that supports small local businesses and individuals with their human resource needs, including staffing, compliance, and job search. Prior to launching his business, Alan held a series of Human Resource positions of increased responsibility at Harris Corporation, Honeywell International, GTSI Corp, and Verizon Wireless. Alan holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Buffalo, is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, and is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management.
Trouble finding a job? Have questions about your job search? Contact us today at www.HROfficeSavers.com. We are your job search experts!
Alan Bernstein, SHRM-SCP, is the owner of HR Office Savers, Inc. Prior to launching his business, Alan held a series of human resource positions of increased responsibility at Harris Corporation, Honeywell International, GTSI Corp, and Verizon Wireless. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Buffalo, is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, and is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management.