Six Interview Answers You Need to Get Hired
Any job interview you attend is going to be filled with questions. Some interviewers will ask you standard questions, some will have random or unusual questions, and others will use a mix of the two. But regardless of what you’re asked, the interviewer is looking for answers to a set of core questions that decide whether you’re right for the position.
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Most job seekers fail the interview portion of a career search because they don’t understand what the interviewer really wants to know. If you focus your responses to every question on addressing these key areas, you’ll demonstrate that you have what it takes for the job you want.
Here’s what employers want to know during an interview:
Are you familiar with the company and its goals?
If a candidate is submitting resumes cold without any knowledge of the companies, it becomes apparent during the interview. Employers understand that the best candidates have career aspirations that are a good fit with the organization—and those candidates will have taken the time to learn more about the company before the interview.
Do you have the required skills for the position?
In most cases, the employer will have seen your resume prior to the interview, and will be interested in talking to you because you’ve listed the right skills—although for some positions, you might have to take an assessment test to prove your knowledge.
However, your resume doesn’t reflect your soft skills. These are the personal qualities and attitudes that often become the deciding factor between candidates with equal hard skills. They include flexibility and multi-tasking, team mentality, leadership qualities, communication abilities, morality, organization, and even a sense of humor.
During an interview, employers are looking for signs that you have the right soft skills for the job.
Are you a good fit?
Most organizations want to maintain a thriving company culture, and that means hiring employees who fit with the established environment. Your interviewer will be trying to discover whether your own values and goals line up with the company’s, as well as how you’ll complement the people you’ll be working with directly if you’re hired.
Does your mindset match the job?
Most companies don’t hire people to remain in a single dead-end position for the duration of their employment. Interviewers are looking for signs that you’re motivated, you enjoy being challenged, and you’ll approach the job with a can-do attitude.
Asking questions about the details of the position and the opportunities for advancement within the company is a good way to demonstrate this attitude.
How do you measure up to the competition?
Even though it’s just you and the employer during an interview, it’s important to keep in mind that there will be more candidates vying for the same position. Your performance will be compared to those who have been interviewed before you, and you’ll become a basis for comparison to those who come after you.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a way to make yourself stand out from the other candidates during an interview.
Do you want it?
People apply for jobs for a variety of reasons. Some are just looking for a paycheck, others want to hone their interview skills, some are still exploring their options—and a few truly want the job.
If you’re one of the few, and you demonstrate that you really want this particular job during the interview, you’ll make yourself more attractive. Interviewers want to hire someone who will be happy to work for them—it means better productivity, improved performance, and decreased staff turnover.
Keep these key questions in mind during your next interview, and you’ll have a much higher chance at landing the job of your dreams. To discuss available job opportunities, contact us today and speak with a recruiter!
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