Question 2 - What are your weaknesses?

This question is designed to un cover issues and stress the interviewee - chance it is often referred to as a stress question. 

The idea is not to be either painfully honest or give a rehearsed 'how my negative is actually a positive'

Poor answers would include:
I work too hard
I haven't got any 
I am motivated and don't know when to stop 


A better way would be to demonstrate a weakness you have overcome. This shows you have insight and can overcome issues (remember your conscious competence ladder)

A skilful answer example would be..

“I’ was never confident with public speaking – which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. when I realised this was a problem, I asked my employer if I could enrol in a presentation and speech workshop. As a result I was able to overcome my fear and since then, I’ve given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high level executives – I still find it challenging but enjoyable” 

For many more examples and unique customisable templates click here for my downloadable 'watch anytime' online course, which contains:

• 12 videos
• 26 lectures
• 10 activities
• Transcripts and PDF slides
• Supplementary information
• Critical reflective learning opportunities - including 'baseline' and conclusion development

This course will provide you with the; tools, skills, techniques and confidence to be 'the candidate of choice'

Question 1 - Tell Me About Yourself

This question is usually the first one asked by a interview panel (80% start with this question). As such it 'sets the scene' and affords you the opportunity to make a great first impression.

Poor answers would include a lot of unnecessary information about hobbies, home life, ancient work history or personal matters. Cliches should also be avoided.

“I’m 38 years old, married, have 3 children which take up a lot of my time and I love reading and knitting.....” 

“I am a team player”

“I have excellent communication skills” 

Skilful answers would consider what the potential employer needs (not what you want). So ensure you:

• research the companies strategic plan - this usually runs for 3-5 years and will give you a
  road map for where they are going and the key stages in how they will get there
  
• prior to the interview research the specific role - not the general industry or organisation
  
• read the detailed job description including essential and desirable skills
  
• Find out of there is anything in the outside environment which is likely to impact (either
  positively or negatively) on them. For example; government policy or legislation,
  

Skilful answers market yourself and crucially.......

Sell what the employer wants / needs to buy

Consider including the following elements, but remember it should take ideally no more than 60 seconds to give this answer:

• why you made the decision to go into your particular field (if you are just starting out)
  
• where you are now in your career
  
• what qualifications make you the perfect candidate for the job in question - how you
  have positively impacted on your current / last employer
  
• what strengths do you have that match this jobs requirements and how can you quickly
  and concisely summarise them
  
• why do you want to work for this company? 

“I recently designed a new __product which was really interesting, challenging and increased our sales by 15%”
(stop here and wait to be asked to expand) 

For many more examples and unique customisable templates click here for my downloadable 'watch anytime' online course, which contains:

• 12 videos
• 26 lectures
• 10 activities
• Transcripts and PDF slides
• Supplementary information
• Critical reflective learning opportunities - including 'baseline' and conclusion development

This course will provide you with the; tools, skills, techniques and confidence to be 'the candidate of choice'