Dig Deeper Than the Typical Interview Questions to Impress Your Audience

The interview is coming up and your job is to make a solid impression. This requires more than just asking the typical interview questions. When preparing for this event, spend some time developing questions that demonstrate you have done your research. Get below the surface and ask probing questions that convey your critical thinking skills and preparation. This will make it clear to your audience that you are serious about the position. Here are a couple of examples of typical interview questions along with a more thoughtful alternative:

Typical interview questions about the company barely scratch the surface of learning about the organization, how it is poised for growth, what challenges it faces, etc. Your objective is to extract as much information as possible by asking insightful inquiries. For example, "Can you tell me something about the company that you are most proud of?" This will clue you in to what the interviewer deems important, especially pertaining to what he/she places value on. This is also a springboard to additional follow up questions that will allow you learn about the organization, the personality of the interviewer and the vision for the direction.

Typical interview questions about the position give you some insight to the expectations, yet for some reason, you always walk out of the interview with more questions than answers and you put yourself in a situation of making assumptions. An example of a suggested inquiry is, "How would you prioritize the functions/duties of this position?" This helps you understand where the company/hiring manager is placing emphasis. You also learn very quickly how to keep your manager satisfied with your performance.

Typical interview questions about turnover do not always shed light on this specific position or department. My favorite question on this topic is: "Is this position newly created or recently vacated?" By asking this question specifically, you are able to put your audience at ease with your tone and learn about the relevant situation you are competing for. By gathering this information, you can make a better determination of whether or not this position is right for you by understanding the expectations up front.

When interviewing, prepare like you normally have. Conduct your research and practice your responses to questions you know will be directed toward you. In addition, raise the bar of your candidacy by using your research to get beyond the typical interview questions of your competitors and ask probing questions. You will demonstrate your critical thinking skills and your deep seeded enthusiasm for the position.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Answer Typical Interview Questions

Typical Interview Questions and Their Answers:

If you think setting out your best outfit, polishing your shoes, reviewing your resume, and setting two alarm clocks so that you can't oversleep prepares you for an interview, think again. You need to know the answers to those dreaded questions that always seem to be asked at interviews:

1. Can you tell me something about yourself? Answer: I'm a quick learner and a hard worker. For example, last month I taught myself Excel so I could complete a report in time for a visit from the manager.

2. What has made you want to leave your current/past employer? Answer: While I really like my job and I've been able to take on more responsibilities, there is no room for me to advance at my company. Or - I've always admired your company and I would like the opportunity to work here.

3. Where do you see yourself five years from now? Answer: With a greater sense of responsibility, maybe supervising a department or overseeing larger projects.

4. What is your biggest weakness? Answer: In the past, I felt nervous speaking up in groups, but since I started giving presentations at department meetings, I am now much more confident.

5. What do you like to do in your spare time? Answer: I really like sports. I joined a volleyball team this summer and we're coming up in our league.

6. Can you describe the qualities you think a good boss possesses? Answer: A great boss is someone who is accessible to employees and open to their ideas.

7. What attracts you to this company? Answer: I love your product (service). I am particularly impressed with the ...

8. Why are you the right person for this job? Answer: With my background working for a competitor, I'm aware of what this position requires. I know I have what it takes to be a successful addition to this company.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Typical Interview Questions - Tell Me About Yourself

These types of typical interview questions are asked by the employers to get to know the applicant better. Below are the best answers to this question and other similar type of queries.

1. Tell me about yourself
The question is very vague and at the same time ominous. Would the applicant tell the interviewer about her love for traveling? Would she run down all her resume's contents? Remember this question aims to find out the applicant's values and attitude.

Best Answer:
I am the firstborn in the family that is why starting from a very young age, I already learned the value of responsibility and ownership. When my younger sibling's knee is scraped off, or when the pet is lost, I know I am responsible because I was given the task to look after them. I carried this value even when college and up until I started working. This taught me to lead and to head and become accountable for my work and the team that I am heading.

Reminder:
The key to acing this question is to mention some seemingly unconnected topic and then relating it to an applicant's personality or attitude.

2. What are your hobbies and interests?
This simple question is not to be answered whimsically because it has a lot of relevance. Much as it's fun to rattle off the love for collecting fountain pens or comic books, answer this with relevance to the job being applied.

Best Answer
An applicant can say that she is a photography hobbyist when being interviewed for a writing job. She can say that she is good at visualization and sometimes images evoke her imagination and propel her writing.
Another sample answer would be telling the interviewer the love for travel for an art director/creative job and then mentioning that new places and experiences are a source of inspiration.

Reminder:
It is not wrong to tell the interviewer some hobbies or interests just as long as it is somehow related to the job being applied. The key is to mention some seemingly unconnected topics but relating it to an applicant's skill in relation to the job being applied.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

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