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How to Answer any Job Interview Question

By Joe McDermott

During the exploration stage of the job interview both the interviewer and the candidate will ask questions and partake in a dialogue. This is a two way process designed to see how closely the interviewee matches in terms of capability, commitment and fit.

A successful outcome hinges on how well this dialogue progresses and how effectively the candidate answers the questions. For many, this can prove daunting however the ability to answer job interview questions effectively is a skill that can be learned by anyone.

Tips For Answering Job Interview Questions

Here are some simple tips which I have found to be very useful:

Listen to the question being asked:
If you are unsure of the meaning or phraseology then ask for the question to be repeated or repeat the question back yourself. Say 'Can you please repeat the question, I'm not sure what you are asking?' or 'Can I clarify what you are asking...'

Answer the question that has been asked:
Do not give an unrelated answer no matter how useful you think the information is.

Don't waffle:
Stay focused and give relevant, brief, concise answers. Avoid giving superfluous information.

Be honest:
Don't exaggerate or add on something which you did not do. You will probably be caught out and in the event that you are not and you get the job, you may find that you are unable to carry out some of your duties causing untold stress for yourself.

Answer in the first person:
Use 'I' rather than 'We' even if the achievement was a team effort.

Throw 'hooks':
For example, if you were involved in some great achievement and the interviewer has not yet asked about it, you can throw what we call a hook which is a statement at the end of an answer which is designed to whet the interviewer’s appetite and encourage them to ask you to expand. You can then talk more about this particular achievement.

How to Easily Answer Any Interview Question

So, how would you answer tough interview questions such as 'What are your weaknesses?' or 'Why should we hire you instead of the other candidates?'.

And, how confident do you feel about answering Competency Based or Behavioural questions, both very commonly used at present.

For expert help with answering these difficult questions, we recommend InterviewGOLD™ a great online interview skills course that has helped thousands of candidates get jobs. Easy to use online system Video Practice Interviews Interactive Mock Interviews Questions with Model Answers All specific to your job and level Created by Recruitment Specialists

Have you got an Interview in Coming Up? Click here to Discover the Questions you will be asked and get Expert Sample Answers »

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About the Author

Joe McDermott is an experienced Career Coach and Interviewer. He is the author of best selling guides and a key contributor to the InterviewGOLD™ online course.

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