10 Interview Questions Decoded

By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Anyone who's ever spent time in a job search has probably walked away from at least one interview knowing right away that they botched it. Quite often, people who do feel confident about their last interview know they still could have answered one or two questions much better than they did.

By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Anyone who's ever spent time in a job search has probably walked away from at least one interview knowing right away that they botched it. Quite often, people who do feel confident about their last interview know they still could have answered one or two questions much better than they did.

The problem behind such scenarios is that too often, job seekers misunderstand or underestimate what they're being asked during an interview, according to Jack Warner and Clyde Bryan, co-authors of "Inside Secrets of Finding a Teaching Job." A question such as, "Do you have any more questions for me?" may seem innocent and simple enough to answer, but candidates who give a weak response are usually the ones screened out of consideration for the job.



Job seekers should be aware that every question an interviewer asks is an opportunity to sell themselves as the most outstanding, must-have candidate for the job. In their book, Warner and Bryan identify some of the most popular interview questions, reveal what interviewers really want to know when asking them and offer tips to help job seekers develop a savvy response.

These questions include:

Tell us about yourself.

What they're really asking: What makes you special? Why should we hire you?

Tips: Prepare several selling points about yourself. Give a quick "elevator speech" that overviews your experience and achievements.

What are your greatest strengths?

What they're really asking: How do you perceive your talents and abilities as a professional? Will you be an asset to our organization?

Tips: Sell yourself. If you don't promote your strengths, nobody else will. Prepare six or seven responses. Be "confidently humble."

What are your greatest weaknesses?

What they're really asking: How honest are you being about yourself with us? How realistic are you?

Tips: Present your weakness as a positive. Don't talk too long or emphasize your downfalls.

Why are you interested in working here?

What they're really asking: How dedicated are you? Do you have a passion for this type of work?

Tips: Keep your answer simple and to the point. Stay away from such responses as, "Many of my friends have worked here." This response isn't very impressive. <

Why should we hire you?

What they're really asking: Can you convince us you're "the one?" Can you sell your "product?"

Tips: Make a powerful statement about the value you'll bring to their organization. Toot your own horn, but be wary of sounding arrogant.