Magnus Eventus Inc.

For newbie job seekers and veterans alike, the Interview is the make or break part of the application process. There will always be questions that will throw you off guard, so being the good Samaritan that we always are, we have narrowed down the TOP 10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS and how to answer them.

But before we proceed, how 'bout a little test run on how you would answer these nerve racking questions on your own. After doing so, compare it to the favoured answers by hiring officers as we move on.

1.What is your greatest strength? 

2. What is your greatest weakness?

3. Why should we hire you?

4. Tell me about yourself.

5. Why are you leaving or left your job?

6. What are your salary expectations?

7.Why do you want to work here?

8. What are your future goals?

9. What problems have you encountered at work?

10. How do you handle stress?

How did it go? Pretty easy? Was it difficult? Now imagine yourself being asked these questions off guard on your interview. I'm sure you would be spewing out the "Uhms" and the "Actually" and even the "So" at the beginning of every sentences.

Now take note, this is just guide on how to answer these nail biting questions, we don't  expect you to answer the hiring officer the answers that we have come up below. (Although we will be extremely flattered should you do so )

1. What is your greatest strength?

The interviewer don't mean your physical strength of course, it's worth a try answering them you can bench press 150 lbs on your free time but if you're looking for an answer that would impress them, take note of the key points below.

Why do they ask this?: Employers want to know the attributes that will qualify you for the specific job and set you apart from the other candidates 

Key Points

• Sell yourself (Just like when you are courting your girlfriend)
• Make a list of things that you are good at

Sample answers:

I 'm extremely customer oriented. I'm capable of  resolving what could be difficult situations. With (number of years) experience in (Insert the industry here) would definitely help resolving customer issues.

I'm a diligent worker. When I have a project, may it be a personal one or a professional task, I make sure I finish  them ahead of time so that I can check if I can improve them.

2. What is your greatest weakness?  

Even Superman has a weakness right? And so are you mere mortals like us. This is a tricky question, answer it wrong and you will be sending all the wrong signals to the hiring officer.

Why do they ask this?: Employers wants to know if you are liable for an honest shortcoming

Key points:

• Turn a Negative Into a Positive
• Mention skills that you have improved on

Sample Answers:

I used to be a heavy  smoker  before. but then I realized that not only that I'm hurting my health I'm also hurting my wallet so quitting made so much sense.

I had so much difficulties with Algebra back in college, but  with tutoring  and extra effort in studying, I managed to two come up with a passing grade.

3. Tell me something about yourself.

Now you could bail out by reciting whatever that is written in your resume starting from your name all the way to the character reference, that my friend is how a boring and a failed interview.

Why employers ask this question: It's a way to break the ice and make you feel more comfortable during the interview process

Key Points:

• Transition from Personal to Professional.
• Share your expertise

I'm (Insert Name here) and during my free time I (Insert activity that you love doing) and being a ( Insert practitioner of the activity that you love) helped me a lot when I'm feeling down.

I love to travel, travelling is my passion. One of the reasons why I applied to this company is because I believe that enjoying the work you love is the key to success.

4. Why Should we hire you?

There was a short comic about this question a few months ago, the interviewer asking this question to a millennial and the response was " Because you were hiring " It's funny when you're reading it but it's a different thing when it's being asked to you in real life.

Why employers ask this question: Hiring officer wants to know what makes you the  best fit for this position

Key points:

• Keep it brief

• Focus on your Uniqueness

Sample Answers:

I have the experience, and superior communication skills which I believe will be an asset to your company.

My experience in the industry and my ability to work with little supervision is a perfect fit for your company.

5. Why are you leaving/left your previous job?

This question is like your current girlfriend asking why you broke up with your ex. Obviously you don't want to answer her that it's because of her so tread lightly.

Why employers ask this question: Hiring officers are gauging whether the investment on you is worth in the long run

Key point:

• Be goal driven

Sample Answers:

There isn't room for career growth with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a new challenge

I have relocated area due to family matters and left my previous job to make the move.

6. What is your salary expectations?

Personally, this is the most difficult question on the list. Answering this questions poorly would undervalue your efforts and overdoing it would make you an overpriced applicant.

Why Hiring officers are managing the expectation on what you will be earning on the event that you're hired.

Key Point:

• Research the earnings of the position that you are applying for

Sample Answers:

I would like to be compensated reasonably for my experience.

I have a significant experience in (insert the field here), so that adds value to my candidacy.

7. Why do you want to work here?

This is by far the easiest question on the list. Think of the one good reason why you want to work in this company, doesn't matter if it's  personal reasons or professional , as long as you have a snappy answer to back it up.

Key Point:

• Be direct and honest.

Sample Answers:

The reason why I want to be part of your good company is because we share the same passion in (insert name of industry here)

I always believe in getting compensated good, and there is no company that offers a competitive salary better than (insert name of company here)

8. What are your future goals?

Just like you and your current boyfriend/girlfriend pretty sure you have your long term goals, same goes with the company that you are applying to.

Why employers ask this question: Employers want to be sure that you won't be moving on to another job right away

Key point:

• Make your goals align with the company

My long-term goal is to be with a company where I can continue to learn, take additional responsibilities, and contribute as much as I can.

I see myself as a top-performing employee in a well-established organization, like this one.

9. What difficulties  have you encountered at work?

This applies to experienced applicants, newbies take note as well.

Key points:

• Be confident and capable of making big decisions calmly and rationally

• Keep your answers positive

 Sample Answers:

I find that the hardest decision I have to make is when I have to choose between strong team members for a promotion. There have been occasions when, even though I personally liked one person better than another, I nonetheless had to choose the other person based on their potential to assume the responsibilities of their new role.

 A few years ago, I had to let some employees go due to downsizing. This was a hard decision that was ultimately necessary for the good of the company and everyone working for the organization. While I do not enjoy making those kinds of choices, I do not shy away from this part of my job

10. How do you handle stress?

Sooner or later it will get you. If the hiring officer asks you this question, you will definitely have your hands full in your new  work.

Key Points:

• Focus on how you dealt with stress and not how it bothered you.

• Give example on how you handled stress in your previous job.

Sample Answers:

When I deal with an unsatisfied customer, instead of being stressed, I focus on the task at hand. I communicate with them what I can do to resolve the issue. That helps de escalate the issue and make it less stressful for both the customer and I.

I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a challenging environment. . I find that when I'm under the pressure of a deadline, I can do some of my most creative work.

These questions were gathered by our team, and most of them we encountered personally when we were job seekers. The answers that we have prepared is based on what most  interviewers wants to hear from the applicant. Now go ahead and practice the answers in front of the mirror or with a friend, we sure don't want to sound scripted  in front of the hiring officer do we?