Work & Money 

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45 ways to ace your interview

If interview hell is looming, get a grip & understand the sorts of questions that might come up. The key is to be prepared, so Check out these questions and suggestions then go in there fully armed.

General questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.

• Keep your answer to one or two minutes. Don’t ramble.
• If you have a profile or personal statement at the top of your CV use this as your starting point.

2. What do you know about our company?

• Research the company’s products, size, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, skills, history and philosophy.
• Be informed and interested. Let the interviewer tell you about the company, let them define their business in their terms.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

• Don’t talk about what you want; first talk about their needs.
• You want to be part of an exciting forward-moving company.
• You can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can’t?

• Relate past experiences that represent success in working for your previous employer.
• Talk about your fresh perspective and the relevant experience you can bring to the company.
• Highlight your track record of providing creative, workable solutions.

5. What do you find the most attractive about this position? Least attractive?

• List a couple of attractive factors such as the responsibility the post offers and the opportunity to work with experienced teams that have a reputation for innovation and creativity.
• Say you’d need more information and time before being able to make a judgement on any unattractive aspects.

6. Why should we hire you?

• Because of knowledge, experience, abilities, and skills.

7. What do you look for in a job?

• An opportunity to use skills, to perform and be recognised.

8. Please give me your definition of a ... (the position for which you are being interviewed).

• Keep it brief and actions/results-oriented.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

• Very quickly – after a couple of weeks getting to know your system and clients and a brief period of adjustment on the learning curve.
• Highlight that you’re a quick learner and used to adapting to new situations.

10. How long would you stay with us?

• As long as we both feel I’m contributing, achieving, growing etc.

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