I Got The Interview! How Do I Answer The Questions?
Here is how to answer common questions in a way that makes you shine!
Tell us about yourself.
What they are looking for: Skills you have, that make you perfect for the position! Think about what passions motivate you to work hard. You can also include hobbies.
Research: Look up the job description AND qualifications to tailor a better response. Write down your pitch and practice in the mirror. This sets the tone for the rest of the interview!
Scenario: Michael is looking to apply for a job as a cashier at Walmart. The job description says that they want someone who works well in a team and helps customers with a positive attitude.
Example: My name is Michael and I am currently a high school student working towards my high school diploma. I am currently a member of a club on campus called DFY in Santa Clarita. I love working with my teammates to welcome guest speakers and set up community events! We get to build positive relationships with each other as well as members of the community. I love being on my feet, so I skateboard a lot too. I am hoping to go to a trade school and buy a car.
Notice: Michael has no work experience. He made that disadvantage easy to overlook because he gave examples of how he could still use skills that were applicable to the job. He showed that he loves serving customers with a positive attitude and that he enjoys doing work that involves being on his feet. Additionally, he showed that he is motivated to earn money right now because he wants to make some big purchases. This reassures the employer that he will work hard to meet his goals.
Why do you want to work here?
What they are trying to find out: If you are just trying to get any job, or if you actually really like this particular job. If you admire a company you are more likely to stay. Plus people like flattery!
Research: Find what sets this company apart from others in similar industries. What are you looking for and how does this fit? Also check the description for their values and mention how you align with those.
Scenario: Carly has an interview for a job at In N Out
Example: I love how every time I come into In N Out the service is so quick and efficient despite how crowded it always is! I think it is because the employees work so well together as a team! I want to learn from them and be a part of a group that prioritizes great customer service. It may not be as cheap as other fast food restaurants, but for the quality it's a great bang for your buck! I mean let’s not forget the fries are made fresh in house!
What is your greatest weakness?
How to answer: Choose a weakness that is also a strength.
Scenario: Selena is applying for a car rental sales position. The job posting emphasized that it is a fast-paced environment. Where great customer service is important.
Example: A weakness I am working on is my patience. Whenever customers have any issues, I just want to urgently resolve them instantly. However, there were times when I needed to trust the process of experts on my team to resolve the issue. Like when I sold gloves online sometimes there were manufacturer delays. I would reach out to the manufacturers to get an ETA and resolve anything causing extra hold up. I had to develop a more realistic timeline as to how quickly things got resolved and trust my team. Not everything was an instant fix. Most of the time things worked out well, even if there was a little bump in the road. Now I focus on what I can control and my follow-up. I also started doing difficult puzzles at home, rather than ones I could finish in a day. It teaches me to patiently work on something for a bit longer to get results.
Notice: Selena’s response showed she has a sense of urgency and cares about customer satisfaction. These are traits the employer wants. She showed how she is working on being more realistic with her expectations and how she is building stronger relationships with her team.
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