Interview Tips

The 5 Toughest Questions You’ll Be Asked in an Interview(Updated 2022)

Interview Tips, newsletter / May 19, 2022

Have you ever wondered what the most difficult questions to answer in an interview are? Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to take your career to the next level, an interview can be an intimidating experience, especially if you don’t know what questions to expect or how to answer them. While there are many different types of questions that may come up during an interview, ranging from behavioral to situational and everything in between, these five questions tend to be the toughest that anyone can ask you, regardless of your industry or position.


Do you have any questions for me?

Asking questions of your interviewer can help you better understand what it will be like to work at that company and spot any potential red flags. But you don’t want to ask something so basic that it makes you look unprepared or uninformed. You also want to avoid asking questions about salary, benefits, or other sensitive topics until later in the process—when they are more likely to impact your decision about whether or not to accept a job offer. That being said, here are five tough questions we often get asked

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Asking about your weaknesses might be one of toughest questions you’ll face. Try to maintain a positive spin on your shortcomings, and keep in mind that hiring managers are looking for candidates who are humble and willing to admit their faults. Describe what you’re working on improving and offer concrete examples of past weaknesses that you have addressed. When responding to other tough interview questions, remember to never say anything negative about former employers or coworkers – even if you’re asked directly!

Tell me about yourself.

It’s a standard first question in almost every interview, and it’s often answered with a mini-bio. Don’t do that! Instead, focus on how your skills and experience will help you excel at doing whatever job you’re interviewing for. This is your opportunity to show how much value you can add to a company—and a good way to get across exactly what makes you different from other candidates.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Employers often ask questions like Where do you see yourself in five years? as a way to gauge how ambitious you are. While it is helpful to know where you would like to be, make sure you don’t paint a picture of success that is unobtainable or requires more experience than you have. If you don’t know what your goals are for five years from now, now may not be your time for promotion just yet.

Why do you want to work here?

The first question most interviewers ask is often Why do you want to work here? It seems harmless enough, but it is actually one of the toughest questions you’ll be asked in an interview. This isn’t because employers are trying to trick you into a bad answer, it’s just that they want to know how genuine your interest is. The best strategy for answering this question involves explaining why YOU want to work for THEM rather than simply repeating what you know about their company.


Conclusion

No, these won’t all be easy questions—and if you find yourself struggling to get back on track after a tough question, don’t panic. Remember that interviews are not just about answering questions; they are also about showing confidence and connecting with your interviewer on a personal level. After all, you will have to work with these people every day if you get hired. The best way to answer any tricky questions is by keeping calm and remembering who’s really in charge: you! Good luck!

9 Ways to Make a Great Impression at Your Next Job Interview

Interview Tips / May 14, 2022

Whether you’re vying for an executive role or just want to get your foot in the door with a smaller company, it’s important to make a great impression at your next job interview. Though job interviews come in many shapes and sizes, there are certain behaviors that will always make you stand out from the crowd – and keep you moving toward getting that all-important job offer. If you want to know how to make a great impression at your next job interview, here are nine ways to do it right…

1) Present yourself well

Grooming and personal appearance are often an initial (and lasting) impression for candidates. Be sure your clothes are clean, you’ve showered, and that you’re well-groomed. Men should make sure their nails are trimmed and clean, while women should ensure they have plenty of lip balm and hand lotion to combat dry skin that can result from nervousness or running through the sprinklers on your way into work. If you haven’t done it recently, schedule a haircut before you interview.

2) Do your research

Before you go in for your next interview, spend some time researching about your potential employer. You might think that it’s okay to wing it—especially if you already have some experience in your field. However, as one career coach points out, research shows that candidates who know something about their future employer do significantly better than those who don’t. The reasons are obvious: 1) You know what kinds of questions you should be asking, and 2) You’ll be able to discuss what positions the company has available in an informed way—not like someone who just walked off of a turnip truck!

3) Prepare for the questions

You’ve nailed down your suit, nailed down your answers—but how are you going to nail those questions? You should prepare for every question your interviewer might ask by thinking about examples from your previous experience that show you in a good light. Also, some interviewers will ask for short answers (one or two sentences) and others will want more detailed responses. It helps to know ahead of time which type of response is expected so you can tailor your answers accordingly. Finally, before heading into an interview, make sure you know how long it’s scheduled for and budget your time accordingly.

4) Arrive early

There’s nothing wrong with showing up 15 minutes early, but when you show up 30 minutes early, it shows your interviewer that you’re prepared and eager. Also, if traffic is bad or if there are any delays, you won’t be late. Another benefit of arriving early is that you have time to decompress before sitting down with your interviewer. This will help calm your nerves, so when you shake hands with your interviewer, you can focus on impressing them instead of worrying about being late.

5) Ask questions

Many people are so nervous about interviewing for a job that they forget it’s an opportunity for them to ask questions, too. Of course, you should be prepared with questions in case your potential employer asks if you have any. But beyond that, take advantage of your interview time and figure out what you want and need to know before signing on with a company. Before going into an interview, make sure to research everything you can about the company: What is its mission? What makes it different from competitors? Are there industry trends or opportunities that seem promising? Can you tell if they’re doing well financially? Who do they serve as customers? Is their client base growing or shrinking? How might their business model change in coming years?

6) Smile!

It might sound silly, but smiling can help you make a great first impression. People are more likely to hire people they like. So, when it comes time for your interview, remember to smile at whoever is interviewing you and greet them by name with a firm handshake. It doesn’t matter how nervous you are; if you’re greeting someone with a big smile on your face, they’ll be put at ease and will like you that much more because of it. What’s more? It works both ways—if someone thinks well of you in an interview setting, chances are good that their thoughts about you will follow through once hired.

7) Offer good eye contact

Good eye contact lets employers know that you’re interested in them and their company. If they feel like you’re invested in what they have to say, they’ll be more inclined to hire you. That said, staring down your interviewer isn’t an appropriate strategy—it can make them uncomfortable and seem inappropriate for your first meeting together. Shoot for maintaining slightly better than average eye contact (typically about 10-20 seconds per glance) throughout your interview. For an easy way to monitor yourself during an interview, make note of how many times your eyes naturally move from face-to-face. Two glances per minute is ideal.

8) Be professional, but be yourself too

In most cases, you should be as professional as possible during an interview—but that doesn’t mean that you should be boring. It’s okay to put your personality and unique perspective into your answers—just remember that being funny is great, but making inappropriate jokes will be remembered for all of the wrong reasons. Be respectful of others and use good judgment when speaking about certain topics (be mindful of your audience). A job interview is not an excuse to brag or share too much information—remember that interviews are two-way streets and sharing more than necessary can make you look greedy or unprofessional. In most cases, it’s better to give shorter answers rather than rambling on without knowing where you’re going with it.

9) End with a hand shake

You’ve answered all of their questions, you’re winding down your time together, and you know it’s time for them to let you go. While it may seem like there’s nothing left to do but say goodbye (and maybe ask if they want any more coffee), taking one last step can make all of the difference. Take their hand in yours, and then give it a firm shake. A simple handshake is an immediate sign that you know how professional interactions work. It may seem clichéd, but first impressions are important—even more so during job interviews—so pay attention! Keeping good posture shows that you’re ready and willing to start working right away. Sitting up straight and keeping your shoulders back instantly conveys professionalism, attentiveness, and confidence.

Conclusion

At your next job interview, have confidence in yourself and your skills. By being prepared and knowing what to expect, you’ll walk into that interview room feeling confident. Practice makes perfect, so try out some of these tips when you visit with friends or family before your next big interview. Good luck! You can also find similar articles on related site like below:

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9 Mistakes You Make When Searching for a Job

CV Tips, Interview Tips / April 28, 2022

 

Job seekers often make mistakes that keep them from finding the right opportunity, or worse yet, prevent them from ever starting their new career. If you’re looking to land your dream job, here are 9 common mistakes you need to avoid to have any chance of success. Keep in mind that each mistake comes with an explanation and a tip on how to avoid making the same error again. Hopefully, you can learn from other people’s mistakes as well as your own!

1) Not Finding Out What Recruiters Want

One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is taking their search into their own hands. They think they know what recruiters want, but they don’t. In fact, job seekers who do get an interview with a company often realize that what they thought recruiters wanted was entirely different from what those same recruiters are actually looking for. That’s why it’s important to do some research about what recruiters look for and how you can match up with that ideal candidate. There are no dumb questions – as long as you ask them before you go in to your next job interview!

2) Sending Unprofessional Applications

Another common mistake people make when applying for jobs is to send out unprofessional applications. Don’t use Comic Sans. Don’t attach your resume in Word or PDF format—use either plain text or Microsoft Word document format (.doc). Do not include any typos or misspellings; in an age of spell check, it shows a lack of care. If you have applied with another company recently, don’t highlight that fact. All these things are unacceptable and may disqualify you from being considered as even an interview candidate before your application is ever read.

3) Failing to Follow Up

Reaching out to recruiters is good, but often times it’s not enough. It’s common to hear stories about applicants who get passed over because they failed to follow up with recruiters and keep them in-the-loop on their search. This lack of communication leaves recruiters guessing and speculating as to your level of interest and commitment, ultimately making it easier for another applicant to steal away an opportunity. To ensure you don’t miss out on a job opportunity, always remember follow up!

4) Not Using Keywords in Applications

Don’t make it easy for recruiters to ignore your application by not including keywords. Recruiters have very specific jobs they need to fill and they’re probably pretty busy, so they’ll get through applications as quickly as possible in order to clear their desk space and start filling other positions. Keep your resume focused on keywords used by recruiters or you risk getting skipped over entirely. If you aren’t sure what those keywords are, then ask other professionals in your field; lots of people will be happy to help out a fellow professional who is genuinely interested in figuring out how to improve their chances at landing work.

5) Not Following Directions or Instructions Correctly

This is especially important when completing an application or resume. If you want to succeed in your job search, it’s vital that you read directions carefully and follow them exactly as they are written. One small mistake in grammar, formatting or just filling out information completely can make all of your efforts worthless and cost you future consideration. It can also cost you time, money and heartache!

6) Failing To Research Companies

It’s important to spend some time familiarizing yourself with a company before you apply. How long have they been in business? What is their reputation like? This is especially true if it’s your first job or you’re changing careers. Applying to new jobs blindly may seem like an efficient use of your time, but remember that not all companies are right for you, and even when there might be mutual interest, it doesn’t mean you can or should take that job. A quick online search can go a long way towards preventing unfortunate surprises later on.

7) Gossiping About Previous Employers

No one wants to work with someone who only tells their side of every story, especially when they’re bad-mouthing former employers. A future employer doesn’t need to know about your lousy ex-boss—but it does want to know what you learned from that experience and how you can help its company be better. If you have any complaints about former workplaces, make sure your prospective employer hears them directly from you. And if it comes up in an interview, give yourself ample time to explain both sides of an issue without going into too much detail or using industry jargon.

8) Treating Your Job Search Like A Part-Time Hobby

If you’re looking for your first job, then your immediate instinct might be to throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got. I know that was certainly my approach! Unfortunately, though, there is no substitute for experience when it comes to getting hired – if an employer sees even one red flag on your resume, they won’t bother moving on to an interview. After all, they have a large pile of applications on their desk and each day they need to fill several new positions. To get through their stack quickly, they’ll prioritize people who appear more polished. Therefore, one of your goals should be polishing up your resume. Start by proofreading it carefully and asking friends or family members to look over it as well.

9) Having An Online Presence That Limits Your Hiring Opportunities

Having little to no online presence makes it hard for employers to identify you as an applicant. If you’re currently looking, create an online presence (like LinkedIn) that allows recruiters and hiring managers to find your profile easily. This will make it much easier to find out about job opportunities, especially those you might not know about otherwise. It’s true that many companies do use their own databases when screening applicants, but by showing up on general social media sites like LinkedIn or even Facebook, you can take advantage of those sources as well. If your desired employer can’t track down your information via Google or through search engines like Bing and Yahoo!, how much time will they spend digging into other means? Answer: Not much.

Conclusion

As you’re no doubt aware, it takes lots of hard work to find and land your dream job. What you may not know is that your networking skills are often just as important as—if not more important than—your ability to do the job. If done correctly, networking can dramatically increase your chances of finding employment—and lead to more job offers. But in order to succeed, you need to be intentional with each step; in other words, stop thinking like a job seeker and start thinking like an entrepreneur.

Interview Tips and Techniques

Interview Tips / April 25, 2022

Arrive early at the interview venue

While going Try not to go for the gold on schedule. There are so many things that could turn out badly, as indicated by Murphy’s Law. You may not track down the right structure or room, or traffic could come upon you. You could have to utilize the bathroom. Being late would definitely disrupt your meeting achievement. Twofold really look at the meeting area and plan to show up something like 15 minutes prior. One of my number one, individual talking tips is to show up perhaps 30-45 minutes ahead of schedule and position yourself at a close by bistro. Along these lines, you’ll everything except kill conditions that keep you from showing up on schedule, and you can do a fast pack with your notes while having a tea. before the interview.

How you dress

It most likely should be obvious that you’ll need to browse your best outfits to wear for your immensely significant meeting. Remember to press, and don’t utilize an excess of fragrance. Clean your shoes prior to venturing out from home. Trim your fingernails. Likewise, concerning interview dress tips, have a look at the organization’s about page, in the event that they have one, to check whether you can get a feeling of how workers may be dressed there. It very well may be an incredible method for checking what to wear.

Research the Company and what they do

Investigating the organization to know what they do and how they work is an unquestionable requirement. Additionally, twofold check assuming that the organization’s a counterpart for you. It happens that you possibly realize who the questioner is the point at which you stroll into the gathering. Be that as it may, on the off chance that you can, find them on the web. You’ll have a method for making a few extraordinary, fitted remarks and casual conversation to bond. Try not to go into a meeting without evaluating the items or administrations that the organization offers. You really want to plan for a meeting. In the event that they have a blog, read it. Assuming that it’s an eatery, eat there. Assuming that they fabricate dish cleanser, make some effervescent froth.

Be Prepared to Answer Their Questions

This is a meeting you will get questions. While you may not realize how it’ll work out, there are a few general inquiries that are posed in many meetings. Really take a look at a portion of our inquiries here: https://findsajobs.com/inquiries questions/

Wear a Confident Smile

A cordial, sure grin is of the main things to wear to a meeting. While it will not inspire them to disregard your other dress, it will do something amazing in making you seem to be an ideal expansion to their group.

for more interview tips or interview questions click here

 

7 Things You Should Do Before Applying for a Job

Cover Letters, CV Tips, Interview Tips / April 26, 2022

Many people rush through their job applications, but that’s a big mistake. You want to ensure that you put your best foot forward and show the company why you’re the perfect fit for the job. However, you’ll never be able to stand out from the competition if you don’t know what to do before applying for a job. With these seven things to do before applying for a job, your application will blow any other applicant out of the water and land you an interview with little trouble at all!

1.  Get your CV up to date

A CV (curriculum vitae) is basically your resume. If you already have a good resume and just need to update it, ask for assistance from someone who has strong writing skills to help edit or re-write your CV. For example, if you’re applying for a job as an editor, use a colleague who is also an editor to proofread your document. This way, you’ll get feedback on how well you’ve been expressing yourself and also make sure that spelling and grammar are correct—and these details really do matter!

2. Research the Company

Spend some time on the company’s website and social media pages. Look at their mission, goals, product and service offerings, and their team. Search them on Glassdoor to see what others are saying about working there. This will give you insight into how people feel about working at that company. It will also help you identify any potential red flags that may tell you whether or not it’s worth applying or if it’s even a good fit for your experience level and career aspirations.

3. Reach out to Former Colleagues

There’s nothing wrong with sending an email to your contacts asking them to pass along your resume or to just give you some advice on how to best market yourself. It might feel like begging, but you’re showing that you have skin in the game and are willing to do what it takes. And if they won’t forward your resume, they almost certainly know someone who would be more than happy to read it. (Plus, many employers will ask where else you are applying.)

4. Find Out About The Culture

Look at your prospective employer’s website and see what it says about its company culture. If you’re lucky, you can even get to know some of your future co-workers through social media. Talk to people who are currently employed by your potential employer, on or off-the-record (if it’s a smaller organization) and ask them about their experience working there. What do they like? What don’t they like? If you’re already doing work in that industry, find out if there are any trade groups or professional organizations where you can talk to people who work there directly. Find out what’s great, what’s not so great and even why they chose to leave.

5. Review all Requirements

Confirm you have all of the requirements listed on your job application. While some jobs are fairly easy to fill out (title, name, email address, etc.), others might have more specific requirements—including those you can’t control. For example, if you’re applying for an account manager position in Pretoria with extensive experience managing existing clients from Durban and Cape town, most employers will also want to see professional references from both regions as well. If you’re missing any requirements and want to avoid getting cut out of contention early on, go ahead and reach out with questions about whether your background is acceptable or if there’s something else that needs to be added (or removed).

6. Write an Inspiring Cover Letter

First impressions count. To really get your foot in that door, you have to make sure you’re looking and feeling as good as possible. First impressions are generally made when you walk into an interview, but they begin well before then. A good cover letter is one of your best opportunities to make a great first impression. Here are seven things you should do when putting together an application package before applying for jobs.

7. Don’t forget about References

When you’re first starting out in your career, references can feel unnecessary. And while they’re not 100% necessary—most recruiters and employers will conduct basic background checks on you anyway—not having them is something to avoid if possible. When applying for a job, you usually have to list three professional references who are familiar with your work. When choosing these three people, pick people whose opinions are important to you and make sure they know that their reference of you is required and why it’s important that they complete it. In some cases, employers ask questions such as What was [your name] like to work with? or How would you describe his/her strengths? when evaluating job candidates.

Conclusion

Your job search will be smoother and more successful if you take some time to plan ahead. Make sure you’re focusing on your career goals and that your application materials are well-crafted and convey an accurate picture of who you are. When you take these measures, hiring managers will not only be impressed with your knowledge and preparation but they’ll also have confidence in placing you at their company – increasing your chances of getting hired! Good luck!

How to Answer Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Interview Tips / April 28, 2022

One of the most common questions you can expect in a job interview, second only to tell me about yourself, is why did you leave your last job? Since this question has such a profound impact on how your future employer will judge you, it’s important to prepare yourself with an answer that doesn’t make you look bad or give them any reason to disqualify you from the position. Here are five tips to help you effectively answer this difficult question at your next job interview.

Don’t Use Trite Answers

We’ve all heard I was looking for a better opportunity, or I wanted a job that better fit my skillset, but when it comes time to answer why you left your last job in an interview, don’t fall back on trite answers. Instead, have specific examples prepared. For example: I left my last job because I wanted more responsibility and wasn’t able to grow within that position.

Show Them a Personal Experience

We often forget that interviewers are people too. By telling them a story about something you learned from your last job, you demonstrate that you can communicate effectively and work well with others. Remember: Interviews are about selling yourself—and storytelling is a tried-and-true method of doing just that. For example, by telling an interviewer about how you learned a new skill or solved a challenge as part of your job, you’re showing them what kind of person you are. Do it well and they’ll know exactly who they’re hiring.

Let Them Know You Belong in the Position

So many applicants leave their previous jobs on bad terms. While employers want to know why you left and what motivated you, they are more interested in finding out whether or not you will stay at their company long-term. If there was a specific reason why you had to leave, be sure to highlight how those issues will not affect your work at a new company. Be positive about leaving your last job and emphasize how excited you are about joining a new team.

Show That It Will Not Happen Again

If you left your last job because of intolerable working conditions, it’s absolutely essential that you show that those conditions won’t exist at your next job. For example, if you left because of a bad boss and poor teamwork, make sure to emphasize that you don’t just want a new boss and some new teammates—you want an office environment where people are treated respectfully and are given ample opportunities to collaborate with one another. This is a good time to speak up about things like open communication channels and clear lines of responsibility. If an interview question keeps coming up during each subsequent interview—be honest in describing how your circumstances have changed since then.

Explain that You Learned Something New

Sometimes you need to say that you learned something new. Sometimes things are just not a good fit, but there are good reasons. It is important to show that you have learned from your previous job experience, and explain why it was time for a career change and how you plan on making it happen. This will show your motivation and how professional of an employee you will be. Always remember that interviews are two-way streets. The employer is interviewing you as much as or more than you’re interviewing them (you want them also). You need to prove that they need YOU!

Conclusion

The key to answering why did you leave your last job interview question is a matter of communication. Don’t get bogged down in trying to find a single, shiny answer. Come up with a few good reasons and then pick one that you can expand on more than others. Also, don’t assume that your interviewer is only interested in negative answers – sometimes it can be just as helpful (and positive) to talk about what you learned from an experience as well as how much you enjoyed it. Just make sure that whatever reason you choose, it sounds genuine and believable. Remember, people like hiring people they believe in – so make sure they have no reason not to believe in you!