The Hustler's Digest StaffTo get a job, it is not enough to send your CV and cover letter. If the recruiter is interested in your application, you will have to face them during a physical interview. Some recruiters even ask for a phone or Skype interview before this final step. The interview is a very important step in the recruitment process and sometimes very frustrating for the candidates. Even if you have all the skills required for the position, you need to be well prepared so that the questions you are asked do not stress you out. Here are some of the frequently asked questions you should be aware of.
Introduce yourself!
“Introduce yourself” or “Tell me about yourself” is logically the first question you will be asked in an interview. It’s pretty much a trick question since it’s not enough to say your first and last name but to present your entire professional background in a few convincing sentences. It is like summarizing your CV in a few lines.
If you are a young executive, you may want to start by reading the different resume templates available online before creating your own and summarizing it. Talk to yourself at home before coming to an interview and ask yourself this question. The recruiter expects a fairly simple but summarized presentation. You can write it down on a draft and repeat it several times so that you can remember it during the interview.
If you don’t know how to do this, the best way to answer this question, after your first and last name (age not required), is to first mention your training or the studies you have completed in order to apply. Then, continue by mentioning the positions you have held and all the internships you have done. And insist only on your most important experiences.
At the end, you will share your professional project. Tell the recruiter what you want to do in the future or explain why you are applying.
What do you know about our company?
The second question you will probably be asked is about the company you are applying to. The recruiter will want to know if the applicant has sufficient information about the company. They are only going to hire someone who is motivated to be a part of it and contribute to its advancement.
Having a comprehensive knowledge of the company, its organization, its core business, its culture and its values means that you are truly interested. If necessary, look into the Internet and social networks to prove that you know almost everything about this company.
Why are you interested in the position?
Of course you are interested in the position offered for having applied. Without this interest, you would not have been able to come to the interview. But the recruiter may not feel this motivation if you do not explain why you are interested in the position. Remember, your answer may determine whether or not you are the ideal candidate.
If you have prepared well for this interview, you probably already have the answer. The important thing is to match the tasks listed in the ad with your project or with the last positions you have held. Sometimes, companies do not want candidates to know everything about them, but at least want them to be aware of why they are applying for the job.
How do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
This is a career issue. The recruiter would already like to know if you have already set goals for the future or not. No company will be interested in a person who does not aspire to anything in life. Everyone has dreams and professionally speaking, everyone has to find ways to achieve them. And this is what companies would like to have as employees in order to be sure that they will certainly advance in the company of such people.
However, you have to remain humble and determined. You need to show your recruiter that you have enough ambition to achieve your career plan. You can easily search the web to find out what project might suit you. The ideal is to answer with a project that is related to the position you are applying for.
Are you the ideal candidate? If so, why?
This question seems simple enough to answer but it is a trick question. Candidates may not hesitate to answer with a “YES”. However, this answer requires a strong explanation to support your analysis.
In order to be the ideal candidate, mention examples of projects or your main successes to convince your future employer. Prove your motivation, but be careful not to overdo it, even if you think you have all the required skills. Simply prove that you can by all means assume the responsibilities that you will be given.
What are your salary expectations?
At the end of the interview, recruiters always ask for your expectations if it is not already mentioned in your cover letter or if it is not already fixed in the ad.
This question is quite delicate. In order to answer it properly, do not give a precise figure. Instead, give a salary range for which you would be willing to take on this assignment. You must base your answer on concrete elements. You must take into account your years of experience, your profile, the additional benefits you may have and the salary you received in your last position. To avoid making a mistake, you can already find out on the web or from professionals in the field how much their salary can be.
