You’ve submitted your resume, you’ve followed up, and the employer loves you! You’ve scheduled your interview, and suddenly you’re in panic mode. What questions will they ask? What skills can I bring to the table? Why do I want this job?
Preparedness is key.
Spend the few days leading up to your interview researching the company. Keep an eye out for their mission statement on their website and see how your values will mesh with the values of the company. These can become key talking points during the interview that demonstrate why you are the correct fit for the position.
We’ve all heard the cliché interview questions before, but they’re popular for a reason. Employers ask these questions to look for certain responses.
The following should help you in preparing answers to these key questions:
Tell me about yourself.
Pretend you are taking an elevator ride up with your future employer. You have 45 
seconds from the time the door closes to the time you reach your destination. What are your key strengths that you could highlight in that 45 seconds? Keep your answers short and concise. Practice your “elevator speech” so that you can outline your selling points in a clear and simple way.
What is your greatest weakness?
When you are asked what your greatest weakness is, try to turn a negative into a positive. For example, a sense of urgency to get projects completed or wanting to triple-check every item in a spreadsheet can be turned into a strength i.e. you are a candidate who will make sure that the project is done on time and your work will be close to perfect. Note that the term “weakness” should not show up in your answers – you always want to focus on the positive when interviewing.
What do you possess that makes you a good candidate for this job?
Remember when we said research was key? We weren’t kidding! Knowing about the position for which you’ve applied and why you’re qualified comes in handy when you’re asked a question like this. Do your homework and know what the position requires of the applicant so that you are ready to explain what skills you possess that make you an ideal candidate for the job. Learning about the position and being prepared for questions like this keeps you looking calm, cool and collected when you confidently answer the question!
Still confused? Don’t forget that the staff of Larock Healthcare Academy are always available for any extra resume help you may need. Schedule your appointment today by calling your local campus!
