Linked Interviewing

Ever had a job interview for something and the interviewer asked you if you were good with details? They probably asked it to see how well you can describe something or how much information you can provide. Or they simply wanted to see if you notice what's missing.

if you can answer the question with a little thought, you can demonstrate that you are someone who can handle the responsibilities of a job. The best way to answer the question is to point to a specific task that you performed well in the past.

You may be asked by a job  interviewer if you are creative or innovative. Your answer to this question depends on the nature of the job and what the responsibilities are. Of course this can be extensive if the job requires creativity like a graphic designer where artistic ability and visual work is essential.

But it may also be asked to individuals to see if they can think differently. It goes with the old saying think outside the box. It may be a position that involves developing new products or designs that are being brought to the marketplace.

This type of question could also be asked of managerial candidates to get an idea of their leadership skills. Managerial candidates may not be creative themselves but work as part of a team or be leading those in creative positions. A potential employer may be seeking individuals who can create an atmosphere where creative thinking can thrive through collaboration and brainstorming.

This kind of question can make you throw you off your game. You want to have an answer but not exaggerate what may have happened. Think about it. Chaos. Everything is crashing down around you. Your life feels like the second half of Titanic when the ship is sinking but also on fire. What do you do? How do you stay calm under pressure?

With this question a potential employer wants to know how reliable you are. This depends on what they mean by dependable. It also depends on the extent of responsibility involved in the position and its requirements.

This may mean being reliable is showing up and doing the work that is necessary as part of the job description. Or it may be keeping information confidential and secure such as a position in cybersecurity or a mental health counselor.

How to answer this rests in understanding the requirements of the position and what you are requires to do. It comes down to expectations. What are the expectations of the position and job performance. Understanding these expectations helps to answer this interview question.

This is another question used in the job interview to try and gauge a response from the candidate on the spur of the moment. Regret is a powerful concept and very emotionally driven.

People could have strong regrets and may make the mistake of spilling out their experiences that are not appropriate in the job interview. Alternatively we all have regrets and should not say we do not have any. You come off looking fake.

Answer this question by explaining a situation you have no control over but that things could have turned out better. It may have been a decision or action taken by someone else that had an effect on you.

This is a question used by interviewers to try and catch candidates off guard. People generally do not like to admit to failures and mistakes. When asked this question job candidates may not know how to answer or stumble trying to come up with something.

Many applicants will make the mistake of saying that have not had failures or cannot think of any. This is not a good idea. We all make mistakes and it is best to be honest about something we have failed at.

Failure teaches you what you need to learn, lessens your fears, shows you what you are capable of, and improves your resilience.  Failure makes you work harder so you can achieve more in life.  Psychologists and business leaders state that your failures make you better so you can reach success.

What motivates you?

When employers are looking for candidates they want to make a difference in their organization. Therefore they will ask what motivates you to understand what is important to you. There are different reasons what motivates individuals in the work they do. These can include the following. Recognition. One of the most important factors that brings loyalty to employees is engagement from employers in the work they do. Making a difference. This is important to many and draws people to fields like nonprofits. Self development. Some people want to improve their skills and take learning as their responsibility. Employers appreciate employees willing to learn and may cultivate employees for advancement. Financial. This is certainly a motivating factor for people that may just want a better standard of life for themselves and their families. What motivates you should not be taken lightly. It is a factor that draws satisfaction in the work we do.

What are your weaknesses? This is a question a interviewer will ask to get a better picture of a candidate. People may not want to answer this question in a bad light. But it can help by showing the person can grow and learn. It can also be a source of content on Linkedin to tell part of your professional story. 

This is a question in a job interview where the employer is trying to find key skills and characteristics to fill the position. It is important to use keywords relevant to the position that can be used.

People often make two critical mistakes in answering this question. They appear over confident and arrogant or they minimize their because they do not know how to express their accomplishments.

It is possible to appear confident without overdoing a response. One thing people have a tendency to do is answer questions with “I am”. It is better to answer to answer questions with phrases like “Others have told me that”.

Some people may feel that they have not accomplished much in previous employment and don’t express their strengths that makes them stand out. Other people may be humble and not wish to boats.

Being humble has always been a hallmark for kindness and esteem. But you can be humble while still giving yourself credit for your accomplishments. When you’re proud about what you’ve done, the building blocks of self esteem become tighter and tighter and eventually, you learn to trust yourself and your decisions.

As an employee, patting yourself on the back is nothing wrong. Every success that’s passed on to others will make them sit up and notice you – and respect you for your hard work.

Tell me about yourself. This is the most common statement made in a job interview. The interviewer is looking for information to see why you are the best candidate for the job. But there are often two issues that can result from this.

The first is too many people fall into the trap of giving too much personal information. Instead of giving a snapshot of a professional summary they start giving their life story.

People may talk about their kids, their pets or favorite hobbies. The employer is looking for an elevator pitch something that can be said in a minute that describes you, what you have done and the impact you have made in your career.

Think about the relevant skills and qualities that the employer is looking for in the position. However this may lead to another issue. Difficulty in identifying successful aspects in one’s career.