Job Interviews: Questions and Answers

In my two previous columns, we discussed the importance of phone interviews to the recruiter and the candidate, especially the cost benefits. We also discussed how the candidate should be prepared in advance for a telephone interview. This week I will discuss the most likely questions that the interviewer in Sri Lanka will ask, over the phone or in person, and the reasons for such questions.

However, let’s summarize how a candidate should prepare for a phone interview. A job interview is serious and the candidate must realize the importance of such a conversation. Applicants apply for a new job because they either need a job for the first time or need to change an existing one. Whatever the reason, they expect a positive result and job security. There are usually multiple competitors for a job and you have to beat them all on merit to succeed.

Therefore, the more time you spend preparing for the interview, the better your chances of passing it successfully. When you know more about the employer’s organization, its products and services, you feel more comfortable and confident talking to the interviewer. Unlike the old days, currently candidates can gather enough information online through organizational websites and other platforms.

Usually in Sri Lanka, after the preliminary pleasantries, the interviewer asks the candidate to describe himself by saying “tell us about yourself”. Interviewers usually ask for this to break the ice and make the candidate feel more comfortable. First of all, the candidate must realize that this is the best opportunity to impress him in the first moment, which can go through the entire conversation.

Positive points

The recruiter will immediately know how confident you are. Keep in mind that experienced interviewers will not only appreciate your confidence, but also, in their opinion, will immediately add additional positive points to their assessment. At least in your mind, since this is an inevitable question that comes up most often and because of the overall impact it can have on interviewers, it’s best to formulate an effective answer and practice it a few times, at least in your mind. A small, unobtrusive note will definitely go a long way. However, if you are on a phone screening or interview, you can keep the notes in front of you and answer more effectively.

It’s best to answer using the present-past-future formula to share key background information related to the job. You can start with where you are right now, stating your current status and a brief description of your duties and responsibilities. More importantly, when you talk about the past, you can highlight experiences related to applied employment.

At this point, you can also talk about personal traits that may be helpful in getting the job done. For example, if you’re interviewing for a job related to customer service, you might discuss your natural cheerfulness, your affinity for a fast-paced environment, or your friendliness to others. You can finish by stating your intention to learn more about your craft and your ambition to move up in your career. It’s also wise to discuss your personal details, such as hobbies or volunteer work, to show your humane side.

Another possibly important question that almost all interviewers invariably ask candidates is “What are your strengths”? How you answer this question is just as important as the first one in which you describe yourself to the recruiter. An important factor for any applicant to consider is that your skills or subject knowledge can be effectively implemented through appropriate training. Still, your personal preferences are completely subjective. Therefore, the main purpose of the interview is to establish your internal strengths and how effectively they will align with the employer’s needs.

Research

Your answer to this question will help the employer decide if you are the best fit for the job. Therefore, it is important to show the interviewer that you have the qualities required for the job and that your answer should be in line with the company. Good research will tell you how to prepare for this important phase.

However, this is not a situation in which you should be completely humble. Therefore, avoiding unnecessary exaggeration, you should confidently state that you are the best of all the candidates the interviewer will consider for the job. A very important factor to remember in this is that the candidate should not be boastful, arrogant or dishonest.

Following the question about your strengths, the interviewer will most likely ask you, “What are your weaknesses?” As an interviewer in my long career in sales, in numerous interviews I have conducted, many candidates answer this question vaguely and weakly. Most often they are not prepared and either say they have no weaknesses or quote irrelevant points. Of course, this is a very difficult interview question and naturally puts candidates in a stressful situation. Still, this is a question that requires a mandatory answer. By asking this, the interviewer intends to know how sincere you are in your answer and whether you are willing to learn new tasks.

Therefore, it is important to react very carefully. For example, if you say that you have no weaknesses, it means that you are overconfident and the management will have problems when you are hired. On the other hand, if you provide a long list of personal weaknesses, you will be disqualified for incompetence.

The candidate should respond with authentic answers tailored to their own circumstances, while being honest without exaggerating their own weaknesses.

Weaknesses are negative factors most of the time, but they can be turned into positives if conscious effort is made. The candidate can cancel out the negativity of the answer by turning the negativity into a positive.

Authentic answers

In most cases, job interview questions fall into three distinct categories: knowledge, skills, and abilities. Just as answers to subjective questions like strengths and weaknesses should be well thought out and done carefully, so it’s a good idea to practice your answers well in advance of interview day.

Questions about your skills and abilities are quite simple compared to some other interview questions. These are the questions interviewers ask to gauge your potential. Let’s assume that if interviewers are asking about a particular skill, it’s because the job at hand requires it. But keep an eye on what’s going on below the surface.

Always consider the reasoning behind the interviewer’s question before you answer, even though you should understand it within seconds. For example, a question about how to explain a complex topic to a lay audience can test both your knowledge of the subject area and your communication skills.

However, an important factor to keep in mind is that you should never be dishonest during an interview. If the interviewer asks you a specific question about your skills and abilities, and if you don’t have any, you should be completely honest. Also avoid jargon or unnecessary exaggerations of your abilities.

What we have discussed above are a few possible questions that an employer will ask in a job interview. Since you are looking for the best opportunity, the employer is also looking forward to hiring the best candidate available. Hence, it is up to you to beat your competitors and appear better than they are by answering the interviewer’s questions successfully.