We’ve all been asked the most common interview questions, so you’re expecting them. But the real question is, are you making the same mistakes that most people make when answering them?
Tell me about yourself.
The Mistake:
Most candidates find this question overwhelming, even those who recognize that they’re expected to respond about their professional self, not their personal self. As it’s a very broad and open question, candidates tend to ramble, especially when their answer has no real “point” to it. Meaning they talk about their professional selves in very generic and general terms and basically end up rehashing their resume.
The Fix:
The key to answering this question effectively is being able to talk about your experience in a way that positions you as a perfect match for the role. Yes, you should tell a story, but one with a very clear beginning, middle and end. You should be able to end whatever you say with, “So that’s why I’m looking to make a move and am really excited about this opportunity.” Whether you say it or not is up to you, but that’s the message your story needs to tell.
Why are you interested in this position?
The Mistake:
Generally, candidates focus their response on how the role fits into their career plan, how it fulfills their professional aspirations and advances their career. That’s all well and good and yes, some of that should come into play, however, people aren’t just hired to do a job. They’re hired to be part of the company as a whole, a company that has very specific objectives and goals to achieve.
The Fix:
The main focus of your answer should be centered around how you are going to add value to the organization. You have to convince a hiring manager that you will be capable of helping his/her team achieve its goals. Your interest should revolve around using your skills to increase efficiencies and produce results. Provide specific examples of how you were able to do that in your last role so that the hiring manager has a clear picture of your capabilities.
Why are you looking to leave your current role?
The Mistake:
Most candidates know not to speak negatively about a former employer. But knowing you shouldn’t do it and not actually doing it are two very different things. It can be difficult not getting caught up in the moment when the hiring manager probes for more details.
The Fix:
Keep your current role and what’s missing from it out of the conversation all together. Focus on the new potential opportunity and what you find motivating about it. Perhaps it’s the opportunity to hone in on one of the multiple areas you handle and let go of those you’ve become less interested in. Always look forward, not backwards.
Do you have any questions for me?
The Mistake:
Having no questions shows not only a lack of interest in the role or the company, but also a total lack of understanding of what the interview process is all about. Asking questions that are easily answered by a quick perusal of the company website is even worse, as it will highlight how little you did to prepare for the interview. Being unprepared certainly doesn’t inspire hiring managers with the confidence that they’re going to have a great rate of return by hiring you.
The Fix:
Questions that show an understanding of the competitive landscape of the company’s industry will highlight that you’ve given this opportunity some deeper thought. Other solid questions are those related to what needs to be achieved or what has made others succeed or fail in the role. If you need a fallback, you can ask about how the department fits into the larger whole of the organization.
Why should we hire you over someone else?
The Mistake:
Most candidates will start rattling off a list of achievements and accomplishments that the interviewer is probably already aware of. Some even fall into using superlative speech, “I’m the best candidate for the job because…” But you don’t know a thing about the other candidates so you can’t really compare, can you? Not to mention, you should probably assume that the other candidates are just as qualified on paper as you are for the opportunity.
The Fix:
Go ahead and acknowledge that you can only assume they’re considering other candidates that are as qualified as you are for the role. Then talk about things that aren’t on your resume like the soft skills you possess that are a necessary compliment for someone to be successful in the role. “I hope I’ve been able to show you why I’m qualified from a professional achievement perspective. I can only imagine the other candidates are equally accomplished. What I can tell you is that I’m an excellent communicator and can think quickly on my feet. I’m very adaptable and don’t get thrown off balance in a crisis. This is a high-pressure role and, in addition to my five years of experience successfully turning under-producing sales teams into high performers, I think those soft skills are a critical compliment.”
How do you handle stress?
The Mistake:
Many candidates try to turn this into a joke. “Stress? I thrive on it. Bring it on. It’s like any other day for me.” They don’t fully answer the question or leave the interviewer with a clear understanding of their process.
The Fix:
There is only one way to answer this question… you must be specific. Tell the interviewer exactly what it is that you do that allows you to handle stress so well. Do you time-block what needs to get done? Do you create a weekly list and then a daily list? Do you focus on one thing at a time or go back and forth between multiple projects? The more detail, the better. It’s safe to assume if you’re being asked the question, you’re interviewing for a job where stress management matters.
What is your biggest weakness?
The Mistake:
Don’t even think about saying you’re a workaholic or a perfectionist. This is a hack answer that is as dated as it is false. Any interviewer will see right through it and other similar responses.
The Fix:
You’ve got to find something authentic that rings true… just not so true that it negatively impacts your ability to do the job. If your job is writing-focused but doesn’t have a large web component, then being somewhat weaker in writing for SEO may not be a hindrance. It’s always important to show that you have taken steps or are actively taking steps to improve in this area. Maybe you’ve taken a few classes and have set up tutorial meetings with friends who specialize in SEO writing. Perhaps you’re getting better at giving presentations but it’s still one of your weaker skills. As long as your job doesn’t require you to make weekly presentations, it’s probably not going to cost you the job.
