When you are interviewing for a job, make yourself stand out

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience?

Interviewers love to hear the stories of candidates. Make your story start well, have an interesting end, and entice the interviewer to support you in winning the job.

Tell us about an experience that sparked a strong interest in your current career, and then talk about your education. In this story, combine your academic training, your passion for the discipline or industry you work in, and your work experience to make yourself the best candidate for the job. If you've ever managed a complex project or worked on an exciting, distinctive design, mention them as well.

Example: "I'm a small-town youth with few job opportunities and few good schools, so I'm keeping up with the times with online learning." I learned to code online and later got a computer programmer certificate. After getting my first front-end programmer position, I continued to invest time in mastering the language, tools, and frameworks of the front and back end. ”

2. How did you hear about the job posting?

Employers want to know if you're actively following the business, heard about the position from a recruiter, or been recommended by an existing employee. In short, they want to know how you found them.

If someone recommends you for the position, be sure to say their name. Don't assume that the interviewer already knows who recommended you. Perhaps you should also add how you met the referee. For example, if you've worked with your recommender Steve before, or had coffee together at an networking event, bring up the scene to add credibility to yourself. If Steve works for a company and recommends that you apply for the job, explain why he thinks you are the best fit.

If you're finding a job on your own, be clear about what attracted you – extra points if you can align your values with the business and its mission. You want to convince hiring managers that you're choosing their company over others for a few specific reasons.

Finally, if you were poached, explain why you came. Does this position match you? Does it align with your career path? Even if you're not familiar with the business before applying, be enthusiastic about what you've learned and be honest about why you're interested in following up.

Example: "I learned about job postings on LinkedIn because I've been following your company for a while." I'm passionate about what your company is doing in the X, Y, and Z areas, so I'm excited to apply for this position. The job requirements were a perfect match for my own skills, and it seemed like a great opportunity for me to contribute to your company's mission and a major turning point in my career. ”

3. Which work environment do you prefer?

Be sure to do your homework before the interview and understand the company and its culture, which will help you answer this question. Your preferences and tendencies should be closely aligned with the company's working environment (if they don't, then the role may not be right for you). For example, you might find on your company's website that they have a flat organizational structure, or that they prioritize collaboration and autonomy. In answering this question, you can mention these keywords.

If the interviewer tells you something about the company that you didn't find, such as "our culture looks serious on the surface, but in fact it is very relaxed, and there is little competition among employees", then try to describe your experience that matches it. Your goal is to share how your work ethic matches the organization's work ethic.

Example: "It's good for me. I love the fast-paced work environment, which makes me feel like I'm constantly learning and growing, but my real maturity comes from the process of working together as a team to achieve a collective goal, rather than competitively. My last internship was at a company with a similar culture, and I really enjoyed the balance. ”

4. How do you handle stress or high-pressure situations?

Employers want to know: Will you stick to your job or will you collapse under pressure? They want to make sure you don't break down when the pressure is surging and the delivery date is looming. Staying calm under pressure is a very valuable talent.

Share an example of how you stayed calm in the midst of chaos. If you're currently developing this skill, let them know and explain what you're doing to better cope with stress in the future. For example, it's fair to say that you've started mindfulness exercises to help you cope better with stress.

Example: "I realized that stress always comes and that in my career, I have to learn how to deal with it. I think that every time I experience a new experience, I do better. For example, when I was working on a new product launch at my last company, my team didn't execute as planned. My first instinct was not to blame, but to take a step back and come up with some strategy around how to solve the problem at hand. Previously, I might have been in a panic in such situations, so being calm and composed was undoubtedly a step forward and helped me deal with the problem more clearly. ”

5. Do you prefer to work independently or in a team?

Your answer needs to refer to the company's corporate culture and job description. However, you should be aware that most jobs will require some teamwork.

For many roles, collaboration is routine, while others require you to work independently. In answering this question, highlight the best traits of your personality and how those traits match the demands of the job. It is also possible to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of both situations, which are also good for you.

Example: "I appreciate the blend of the two. I enjoy strategizing with my team, listening to different opinions, and asking for feedback. But I'm also open to tasks that require me to do it independently. I find myself working best when I'm alone and concentrating in a quiet space, but I also value working with my teammates to bring out the best ideas. ”

6. How do you stay organized when juggling multiple projects at the same time?

Employers want to understand how you use your time and energy to stay productive and efficient. They also want to find out if you have your own way to keep your work on track in addition to your company's schedule and workflow plan. It's important to emphasize that you adhere to and value delivery dates.

Elaborate on a specific example of how you are staying on track. Talk about the importance and urgency of the project you're working on and how you're allocating your time accordingly. Explain how you stay organized and focused on the task at hand.

Example: "I'm used to working on multiple projects at the same time, and my current job requires me to switch between different software programs frequently. Timeboxing technology helps me make sure all projects are on schedule, allocating time on the calendar for multitasking. I've found that this really helps me prioritize my work and hold me accountable for repetitive day-to-day tasks within my responsibilities. ”

7. How did you improve your knowledge in the previous year?

This problem may arise because of the pandemic. Employers want to know how people use their time differently. Know that if you're not spending time learning skills or attending classes, don't be intimidated when answering this question. We can learn from any experience.

If you've taken the time to hone your professional skills, answer like this.

Example: "The extra hours allow me to reflect on where my career is headed. I read a lot of journals to stay up-to-date with the latest perspectives in the field and to improve my skills with some online courses such as..." (and then specify). ”

If you choose to work on personal development, so to speak.

Example: "Like everyone else, I gained some time last year because I didn't have to commute two hours a day. I decided to spend my time on the things I loved. So, I started learning to play guitar and keep a journal again. I feel like it brings me closer to myself and really helps my mental health and productivity. ”

8. What is your expected compensation?

Before you attend your first interview, you should already know what the salary level will be. Check the job search site for salary information. You can also ask industry insiders through the LinkedIn community.

Employers always ask this question because every position has a budget, and they want to make sure that your expectations match the budget before proceeding with the interview.

Keep in mind that it's best to discuss the range of salaries rather than specific numbers during the interview and leave room for negotiation. Also, it's best to err on the side of caution and quote a slightly higher number, as it's easier to negotiate down than upwards. In general, I would recommend not asking the salary issue before the interviewer brings it up, or too early in the interview process.

Example: "Based on my skills and experience, as well as the current level of pay in the industry, I would like to get about ____ (then fill in the range and justification you want). ”

9. Are you applying to other companies at the same time?

The interviewer wants to know if you are genuinely interested in the position or if this is just one of your many options. In short, they want to know if you're their first choice. Honesty is the best policy. If you're applying for other jobs, please be straightforward. You don't have to state where you're applying unless you have another offer. But they may want to know what stage you're in the hiring process at other companies. If asked, you can also say that you are actively looking for a job opportunity.

Example: "I've applied to several other companies, but this position is what interests me the most right now because..."

10. You have a gap period of one year on your resume. Can you tell us why?

Gap years are more common in some cultures. But for some professions, the gap can have a negative connotation (the industry is moving too fast and you can't keep up).

Let the interviewer understand that your gap is not about delaying the transition from childhood to adulthood, but about empowering you to become a confident expert. Depending on where you're in and how common this situation is, employers are likely to expect to hear about what you've done, what you've learned, and how that experience has enabled you in your current role.

Briefly explain why you chose the gap period, and then highlight how it has positively affected your future.

Example: "In my final year of high school, I didn't feel ready to choose my own educational path, so I took a few months of back-to-nature classes to clarify my purpose in life. It sounds a bit casual, but it actually gave me a lot of new skills during that time – especially leadership, communication, etc. During that time, I realized that I wanted to get a (write out your degree) degree to align with my hobby (talk about what that was). ”

In order to impress, you need to answer every question with grace and passion. But it can be really helpful to practice beforehand. Careful preparation will make you appear confident and at ease, which will help you become an ideal candidate in the face of fierce competition.