Let’s be honest, giving an interview for a job or internship is not the most enjoyable thing to do, especially if you are more on the introverted side like me. But unfortunately, like all things social and uncomfortable, it must be done so that we have a shot at achieving what we had originally set out to accomplish. In about two days from now, I have to give an interview for a part-time job and to save myself and you from anxiety, I’ve compiled this list of common interview questions and answers after hours of research and live experimentation.
1) “So, tell me a little bit about yourself”
Although this is considered to be a ‘warm up’ question, don’t forget that first impressions are very important. However, no matter how philosophical this question can get, don’t get perplexed. Instead, try using the present, past and future formula as developed by MIT career counselor Lily Zhang. This involves highlighting your current role, your past role and achievements and finally your goals for the future and how you plan to achieve them. I remember making the mistake of reciting my entire resume and cover letter as a response to this question, so make sure you don’t do that. You’ll get plenty of opportunities to talk about your experiences later on in the interview.
2) “Why do you want this job?”
This is a great opportunity for you to show that you’ve done your research about the company’s mission, vision and values. You can explain how your own values align with theirs and why you are so passionate about the role and what it entails. You can also talk about your prior experiences and how that has contributed towards making you fit for this role. For example, if the role of a graphic designer in the past helped you learn how to stick to deadlines, you can highlight how your newly developed skill of time management will help you in your role as a social media manager by developing a consistent posting schedule. Towards the end, make sure to point out how this opportunity would propel you in your career path and achieve the goals that you have set for yourself.
3) “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
This is a tricky question because you want to make sure that you don’t come off as too arrogant or too unfit for the job. For your strengths, you can mention a trait or skill that would directly benefit the company and what they’re looking for. You can also provide examples from your past experiences that show how this skill has benefited you in another role to help prove your point. For your weaknesses, you can be honest and mention a trait that needs improvement, but don’t forget to explain how you plan or are currently working towards bettering that particular trait. For example, you can frame your answer by saying something like this, “I’m not the most talkative or expressive person but I’m trying to overcome this by attending advocacy events held by clubs and by posting my art online.”
Instead of looking at interviews as something that you loathe but has to be done, think of this as an opportunity to highlight your skills and talents which would set you apart from the rest. The main reason why you are giving this interview is because they saw something in you that would be valuable to them, so congratulations! Lastly, remember to always link your answers back to the position that you’re applying for and its requirements so that you don’t get sidetracked and appear confused. At the same time, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through and create a memorable image for yourself. Good luck bestie!