October 09, 2019
There are many different kinds of interviews, but most employers still seem to ask the same basic questions. Set yourself apart from your competition by offering unique, specific, and well-researched responses. Make sure you DON’T respond to standard interview questions in a way that puts the interviewer to sleep:
1. Why are you interested in this role?
Boring Response: I’m looking for a change and I’ve always admired your company. I saw the role posted online and after taking a closer look at it I felt like my skillset was a good match for the job description.
Winning Response: I’m looking to help a company grow by contributing my skills and I’m excited to see that this role involves Digital Marketing, Project Management, and Content Development. In addition, I’m organized, a great communicator, and I love to write. These skills would allow me to help your company succeed.
2. Why do you want to work for us?
Boring Response: I love your company and what you stand for. Your company has such a great reputation and I think I’d fit in well on your team.
Winning Response: I love the way you are shaking up the marketing industry and I also admire your core values of teamwork, service, and innovation. I’ve been following you on social media for a while and it looks like you give back in the community. Your most recent volunteer event with The Salvation Army looked like a lot of fun.
3. How would you be successful in this role with limited experience?
Boring Response: I have always been a really hard worker, and there is no problem I can’t solve. I’m confident I can learn anything I put my mind to.
Winning Response: I just enrolled in an online course to earn my PMP certification. I’ve also had a lot of experience helping my current manager track client deliverables and timelines. In the past few months I’ve started to communicate with clients in my current job, so I've started to hone key project management skills. I’ve also received excellent feedback from my manager on my communication, writing, and organizational skills. These traits will help me to be successful as I am continuing to gain more hands-on experience.
4. What are your biggest strengths?
Boring Response: I’m hard working, trustworthy, punctual, and reliable.
Winning Response: I’m self-motivated, a strong communicator, excellent at solving problems on my own, and great at building lasting client relationships.
5. What are your biggest weaknesses?
Boring Response: I’m a perfectionist and I’m always being told that I work too hard and too much. I’m also really bad at public speaking.
Winning Response: I’m working on developing my public speaking skills and this is an area of opportunity for me. I’ve joined Toastmasters and I’m looking for some opportunities to practice this and get more comfortable with it.
5. What are your biggest weaknesses?
Boring Response: I’m a perfectionist and I’m always being told that I work too hard and too much. I’m also really bad at public speaking.
Winning Response: I’m working on developing my public speaking skills and this is an area of opportunity for me. I’ve joined Toastmasters and I’m looking for some opportunities to practice this and get more comfortable with it.
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Pamela Owens is an HR Consultant for Peoplr and a Career Coach for ePropelr. She has 10+ years of experience in Human Resources, Career Coaching, and Resume Writing and is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). As a Career Coach, she works with students, recent graduates, career professionals, and C-Level executives to prepare them for a smart, effective job search.
True Story: I once had a candidate join a Zoom interview from a chair on the beach.
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