Right now, most college students have probably begun thinking about summer positions and internships. Before we all know it, the season of career fairs and interviews will be here, and it’s not too early to get yourself prepared. I’m not an expert, but I’ve had my fair share of interviews, and I’ve created a basic algorithm that has helped me get off on the right foot with potential employers every time.
Tell me about yourself.
This question is one that seems easy but tends to trip people up. The interviewer isn’t asking this to hear your whole life story; they probably already have your resume, so there’s no point in reciting it. Instead, start with a basic overview of yourself (I always start with my school year, major and where I’m from), then talk about things that are relevant to the position you’re applying for, such as work or volunteer experience that would set you up for success as this new position. It’s important to practice your answer to this question before an interview since you’ll most likely be asked it (I’ve never had an interview where I haven’t been asked this) and rambling or reciting your resume isn’t going to make a good first impression.
(If applicable) Why are you leaving your current position?
This question is both an opportunity for you to gauge if this position has qualities that are important to you, as well as an opportunity for the company to assess your loyalty and work attitude. It’s generally frowned upon to speak poorly about your previous company to a potential employer; even if you had a negative experience, phrase it in a professional manner that emphasizes qualities in a company that are important to you. For example, if you’re leaving your job because you feel stuck in your role, you can phrase it as “limited opportunities for growth.” This lets your employer know that you aren’t complacent in your work, and their response to you lets you know if this company is receptive to advancement opportunities.
What is your biggest weakness?
This question is dreaded the most by interviewees; there’s always a temptation to answer with the classic “I’m too much of a perfectionist!”, but unfortunately, even if it’s true, most employers won’t take that seriously. Instead, it’s not a bad idea to pick a real weakness that you struggle with. Choose a weakness that isn’t imperative to the job you want (i.e. don’t say you struggle with math if you’re applying to work in finance), but one that is a specific struggle you could face in the workplace (such as organization, public speaking or writing) and, most importantly, how you’re working on overcoming it.