TIPS: The top 5 interview questions & how to approach them

With this job market, job interviews are an even more important step to obtaining your dream job. You could avoid this process by taking a risk and hire yourself by becoming an entrepreneur. Regardless of whether it is a phone interview or in person you want to be as prepared as possible for the interview. Talented Generation cares about your success so here are the 5 most common interview questions (that I've both asked and been asked) and how to approach them: 

1. Tell me about yourself. This question is often the first the interviewer will ask so be prepared. This is not the time to discuss how you broke your finger skateboarding when you were 12 or how you hated erasing the chalkboard when you were in elementary school. Instead, the interviewer is oft looking for you to describe your professional skills and how they will be an asset to the company. Your answer should focus on the skills you think are essential for success i.e. Microsoft Office, multitasking, time management, working with groups, etc. Thus, your answer could be something like: 

My name is Raine, I have 4 years customer service experience working for various technology companies including 2 fortune 500 companies. For 2 of those years, I was responsible for training new employees as well as implementing more effective training programs in order to assist new hires with making a smooth transition into our company.

The answer encompasses my experience while also discussing subtle skills like supervising others, working with a volatile industry and a commitment to delivering satisfactory customer service.

 2. What is your greatest weakness? Focus on a genuine weakness but not one that will cost you the job. It will help if you have a weakness your interviewer is likely to relate to.You may choose to discuss your fear of public speaking. This will only work if your job does not involve public relations.  Public speaking is a genuine source of anxiety for many people so chances are the interviewer will be able to relate to your weakness. Regardless of what you choose, make it a genuine and solution-oriented answer. Do not EVER answer with things like "I'm lazy at times" or "I don't respond well to authority." Also, stay away from answers like "I work too hard", "I'm too kind", and "I'm too patient" because these are answers the interviewer has heard a thousand times.  Be sure to discuss how you are turning your weakness into a strength. Something like a fear of public speaking can be improved upon and you can discuss it without being too self deprecating. 

3. What do you know about our company? This is where you display your researching skills. Briefly discuss the company history and different projects the company is currently involved with. Before the interview peruse the company's website until you are comfortable conversing about what you've learned. Take special note of mission statements, press releases and any info you can gather on your interviewer. This question could be the easiest one to answer because a simple Google search of the company can give you all the info you will need. There is no reason to ever get tripped up on this question. 

4. What is your 5 year plan? or Where do you see yourself in 5 years? The interviewer asks this question to gauge your ability to be forward thinking. This is your time to show you have ambition. Discuss in detail what you see yourself doing and more importantly tie it back into your growth in that company. If you're applying for an associate position discuss your ambition to become partner and to join the management team. Make special note of the steps you plan to take to get there and how you plan to remain a dedicated asset to that company.

5. Tell me about the most high pressure situation you've dealt with in the last 6 months. As much as you may be tempted to discuss the time your S/O make you walk the dog at 2am, refrain from such discussions. Nobody wants to hear that anyway. Another thing, your interviewer doesn't care! This is not the time to ramble about BS, control what you share and be meticulous about everything you say. Use this question to demonstrate your resilience and your perseverance in a work environment. Speak about a tough deadline you had to meet and how you approached it. Although you are expected to discuss a hurdle, be sure to discuss it in positive terms. Thus, even though you had difficulty meeting the deadline you should emphasize your determination to complete the task with excellence and in a timely fashion.

Remember, an interview is a 2 way street: they are interviewing you, but you should also interview the company to ensure that you complements to each other. Asking questions shows that you have researched the company and your position and it will help illustrate your interest. 


Here are a few questions you should ask:

What do you think are the three key skills/strengths vital to this position?

Describe the work environment. What is a day in the office like? What are some of the challenges of working here? 

What would I be expected to accomplish in the first six months on the job? in the first year?
Why did you decide to join the company? What are the things that make you stay? 
What is the most difficult part of working for this company? What sort of challenges can I expect? 
What sort of training is offered for this position?

What is the next step in the hiring process for this position?

How soon can I expect to hear from you?

Bare necessities: 5 Essentials for every Young Professional

1. A Resumé: You should ALWAYS have a copy of your most updated resume within reach. Be sure your resume is an accurate and honest representation of your abilities and your qualifications. It should be as close to perfect as possible (free of typos, consistent formatting, etc.). Print it out and comb over it line by line before you distribute it to others. Be sure your contact information is always up to date.

2. Business Cards. I think this one is a given especially since business cards are so cheap and easy to come by. Dont believe me? Imagine this, you meet someone at a networking event and they do not have their cell phone. How are you going to give them your contact information? Write it on a napkin? Heck no! Politely offer them your business card and take down their information. Follow up within 24 hours with an email or a phone call (NOTE: texting and calling are not the same and should never be used interchangeably) and continue to build from there. After a few months of communicating you can look back and say it all started with a business card.

3. Mentor: Find someone who has been where you are or someone who is where you want to be. Do not be afraid to reach out to them and make a genuine connection. They have valuable information and you should make use of them as a resource. Having a great mentor will make an incredible difference. They can light your path and become lifelong friends. Hey XW *wink*

4.A tailored suit: Don’t just buy a suit in your respective size. Take it to a tailor and have it cut to fit you. Your waist may be a size 2 or 32 but you may need your pants hemmed. You WILL be able to tell the difference. Although you will have to invest a little more time and money in tailoring your suit, consider it an investment in your future. Click here for tips about "looking the part" of a YP from HUSL Today.

5. The perfect handshake. Handshakes that are too firm make you seem like you're trying too hard and a soft handshake is just annoying (especially for men). Practice yours with friends you trust until you reach the oh so important middle ground. Well my friends, I know this list is by no means exhaustive. What do you consider essential to your success in your profession? Did I miss anything? Do you agree.

The floor is yours. What things do you think have been essential to your success? What do you consider a bare necessity? Share it amongst friends

Words to Know

Today's word to know is:

irascible (adj.) :

Definition : easily angered or provoked, irritable

Examples in context :

A grouch is irascible. The students generally abused substitute teachers, but they knew that even substitute teachers become irascible on Monday mornings. an irascible old man an irascible response

Source: English-for-students.com

Investing in your appearance: TIP # 2 for YP Females-Your undergarments are nobody's business

A woman’s ensemble can be ruined if she is wearing the wrong undergarments. You must ensure that they fit properly. If you are not sure of your size, consider asking an underwear associate in a department store to help you find your size. The associate should take your measurements and then determine your underwear size. Having comfortable underwear is a great foundation to a woman’s professional look. Having a pleasant attitude is easy when you do not have to worry about unsightly gathering or pinching. On a side note, your underwear is your preference and it is nobody’s business, make sure it is not visible to the naked eye. In more conservative business environments, you may choose to take advantage of the opportunity to maintain your uniqueness through your underwear choices. The important thing is that you keep your unique undergarments to yourself. Consider control top panty hose or other shapewear to give a smoother look under your clothing.

Investing in your appearance: TIP #1 for YP Females-Get to know your body

I have realized that a professional look for women of all shapes and sizes is like great art. The picture must be clean and the frame must serve to highlight the picture without overpowering it. When the two work well together, it is a wondrous spectacle. Your body and mind are the artwork and your attire is your frame. Women face a unique dilemma. Moreover, it is difficult to choose one area that is more important than the others. We must dress to ensure that while our attire fits, it does not take away from our mind. As a YP woman you want to be respected for your intellectual capabilities and you want your presentation to reflect this. A woman’s professional look begins with an understanding of her body type. Whether you are busty or bootylicious, you must acknowledge and embrace your assets. Doing so will prompt you to shop in places that cater to your body type, thus increasing the chance that you will find something that works for you. Do not endeavor to fit into your clothes, make your clothes fit you. For example, acknowledging that you are bustier than the average woman may prompt you to shop in departments that cater to busty women. Women should consider having their clothes altered as well to achieve a great fit. Your clothes will feel better, and you will be more comfortable in them. Keep in mind that having a few appropriately fitting pieces trumps having a wardrobe filled with the opposite. Stay tuned for more TIPS!!!

Note: I do not claim ownership of the above photos, I found them on google...where else?!