The four tips on recognizing job interview traps are often not spotted until too late. We will also be delving into other aspects of an interview session while waiting to get the job.
A job interview is a conversation between the employer or board of employers and the applicants. This is a sensitive and important part of an employment process as lots of factors are looked into.
This process isn’t just for you as the applicant to attend a question and answer section but also for you to measure the worth, tangibility, and personality of the office setting that you may eventually get employed into.
How to prepare for a Job interview
Before accepting to attend a job interview, you must have read about the company, its goals, and what they do.
Therefore, preparing for the interview isn’t as difficult as it sounds, however, some things must be done for the interview to be a near or success story.
Check out the Job description
Go back to the description that accompanied the job title and read through it carefully, taking into account what is required of you and how to accomplish them. This helps you understand what you are interviewing for.
Consider your qualifications and reason for interviewing
Take a good look at the criteria for application, what are your reasons for choosing to apply, and if the company’s goals are along with yours.
Having the right qualifications is another factor to be well looked into as this is the first stage of confirmation for the job listed for you.
Research on the job
Having passed the qualification phase of the interview, do all-round research on the job that you are interviewing for, reading through and having a full grasp of the entire job, advantages and disadvantages for you.
Oftentimes, the job may venture into service and product delivery so you may necessarily need to research what services they render or productions they engage in.
Other times, the role of the job should be properly examined to be sure of your input individually or as a team player.
Think about your response before the interview session
Everyone has an automatic response to negative or positive questions but in terms of the professionalism of an interview, certain responses are considered polite and organized.
Since you won’t be able to predict some of the questions you will be asked, it is advisable to read up on interviews online that are relative to the job role you are applying for. This sets your preparation on the roll.
Some questions to be expected are;
Why do you want to work here?
Be positive.
What value can you bring to the company?
Highlight some basic qualities.
What are you passionate about?
Your response should gear towards the job and not the economy of the nation.
What are your strengths?
Talk about the most important skill that can be useful to you and the company.
Work on your body language
An interview session gives your interviewers a chance to get to know your personality before you gain full employment.
Oftentimes, they watch out for your manner of approach, your posture, and your charisma as they question you.
Your confidence also speaks for you when answers fail to come to certain questions being asked while undergoing such interviews.
Body language gives a positive or negative vibe depending on how prepared you are for the interview or job.
Prepare to ask your interviewers questions
Many interviewees are so shy or unsure of boldly asking questions in their sessions as they feel that this could influence the interviewer’s decision negatively.
But the reverse is the case as this is a sign of great confidence and high self–esteem.
If you have trouble thinking of questions to ask your interviewers, here are some;
Ask about the goals of the company
Ask about your salary if you are considered for the job.
Ask for the next steps to take haven finished with the interview
Go a step further by asking what makes them enjoy working for the company.
These questions speak volumes of your boldness and outspoken nature.
4 Tips on Recognizing Job Interview traps
As a company interviews you, they intend to determine if you are the right person for the job, your role during the interview is to also determine if the company is the right place for you to spend all your time, energy, and strength.
In this process, the company asks questions that may put you in a tight spot and make you uncomfortable, all you have to do is relax and respond as professionally as possible.
These questions are seen as trap questions but harmless need to say.
Here are some tips for recognizing and how to respond neutrally.
- Why did you leave your previous job or place of work?
As a job seeker, you should avoid going into details about what transpired at your previous place of work or stating the most obvious reason.
Simply say something honest by talking about the future. E.g. I wanted to upgrade my skills, or I wanted to be more, or I was prepared for the next opportunity.
This shows how mature you are when it comes to handling personal matters or keeping some things confidential.
- Tell me about you
This phrase creates tension in the hearts of interviewees as they are a bit confused as to where to start. When asked to do this, interviewers are looking out for your work history, and how you managed well.
To answer this, be direct with your response by making it short and simple, avoiding catchy phrases that may put you in the spotlight. E.g, …I have been working in the health sector for about five years and would like to know what an ideal member of staff looks like…
Answers like this streamlined the conversations without going out of context.
- What is your biggest weakness?
This question is quite tricky and may therefore mislead you into thinking that you should respond on a personal basis.
The interviewer needs to know how credible you are when it comes to admitting mistakes and how you may have handled such a weakness.
To answer, simply say… I am open to improving my strengths and converting the said weakness to one of my biggest strengths.
- What do you think your salary should be?
Another tricky question that may look like a trap but isn’t. Interviewers ask this to measure your familiarity with the job role. Note that you will not be seen as greedy as long as you are as expressive as possible.
To answer this, choose a salary range that is fair enough and can satisfy you for the month or year.
These are important questions to prepare for. Are there other ways of recognizing job interview traps? share with us in the comment section below.
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