You'll see eight common interview questions and four different techniques you can use. You'll see how to answer these common interview questions using the techniques we'll show you.
Let's start with our eight common interview questions.
- Tell me something about yourself.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What are yours?strengths flaws?
- What is your leadership style?
- Can you tell me about a time you showed ---?
- Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult situation at work.
- Why do you want this job?
- Why should we hire you?
1. Make your interview answers more concise
What's he doingresumemean?
It means you don't waste words. If you speak briefly and concisely, you get straight to the point and don't add anything unnecessary to your answer.
Let's look at two questions in this section:
- Tell me something about yourself.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
These are common questions during job interviews and they are also very open-ended questions.
Open questions can be dangerous. You know why?
It's because you can wallow.Walk aroundit means talking a lot without saying much. This does not give the interviewer a good impression!
Let's start with an example answer to the question "Tell me about yourself."
- Well, I was born in a small town in Northern Italy, where I also went to school. I studied engineering at university and then… So after I graduated… I mean, I did a masters degree first, but then I worked for a few years at a small company in my hometown, which was really fun . After this…
Okay, we can stop there. Do you think this is a good answer? Why or why not?
Not a good answer. Why not?
There are three things the candidate does that you should try to avoid:
One: the candidate mentions many unnecessary details.
Second, he doesn't speak in complete sentences.
Third, there is no clear direction.
If you do these things, your answer to this answer will be long and unfocused.
What is the solution? You have to be more concise. But how?
Avoid unnecessary details first. Do not give your entire work history. Interviewers can take it out of your resume if they want.
Second, speak in complete sentences with clear beginnings and endings. This means you need to think ahead as you speak.
Third, think about what you want to emphasize in your answer and put it at the beginning. This gives your answer a clear direction.
Let's look at some examples of this:
- I've always loved designing and building things, so it made sense for me to become an engineer. I have worked in different roles and companies, from which I have learned a lot, but now I am ready for a new challenge.
What do you think; Better?
it's much better. Look at the beginning first.
The candidate immediately identifies a key characteristic (he likes to design and build things) and links it to his career in engineering.
The candidate's answer is very concise: it does not contain any unnecessary details and it also has a clear ending.
What about our second question?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Here's a possible answer:
- There are many things I could do. I would like to make some kind of progress. What I mean is that I don't just want to do the same things that I do now. I like to move forward in my career, for example… Um… I definitely see myself in a better position than I am now.
Good answer? Bad answer?
Okay, it's not terrible, but it could be a lot better.
The candidate fights. She doesn't get her point across, doesn't speak in full sentences, and wastes words on vague and unnecessary ideas.
Here's a better answer:
- I'm not exactly sure, but the most important thing is that I keep learning and growing in my career. I am the kind of person who needs new challenges to stay focused. Maybe I'll even start my own business, because I've always wanted to do that at some point in my life.
This is much more concise. The candidate's answer has a clear beginning and end and does not waste words.
What can you do to make your answers more concise?
The best way to practice is to record yourself speaking. You can record yourself answering these two questions.
Then listen to yourself. Try to find sentences you don't finish or words that don't add to your meaning.
Then try again. Keep practicing until your answer is clear and focused.
2. Use coaching language in your job interviews
Next, let's look at another point that will make your answers clearer and more structured: the language of the sign.
SignLanguage means words and phrases that show your listener where you are going. For example wordsFor exampleit is sign language. When I sayFor example,You know I'm going to give you an example.
Simple, right?
Yes, but it is also very important. Without the formatting, longer answers can lose focus and be difficult to follow.
In this section you will find answers to two questions:
- what are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What is your leadership style?
Let's look at an example answer to the first question:
- I am very good at working with other people. In my last job I always tried to encourage my colleagues and create a good atmosphere. I think I can be a little careless sometimes. I am not the type of person who focuses on details. I am very calm and can stay calm even in very stressful situations.
What do you think;
It's not bad, but it can be hard to follow. The candidate jumps around a lot.
Adding highlights can make a big difference. Let's see how:
- Firstly, I am very good at working with other people. For example, in my last job I always tried to encourage my colleagues and create a good atmosphere. On the other hand, I think I can be a little careless at times because I'm not the type of person who focuses on details. When I go back to my strengths, I am very calm and can keep a cool head even in very stressful situations.
Note: the content is exactly the same. We have not changed the basic ideas of the candidate at all.
However, the answer is now much clearer and easier to follow. Using such markers can make a big difference!
Let's look at our second question for this section:
- What is your leadership style?
See an example answer that doesn't use formatting:
- I am quite a practical manager. If someone on my team has a project, I keep an eye on things, but I don't have to go into every detail. I am very approachable. I make sure my team knows that they can always come to me with problems or questions. I like to lead from the front. When everyone is working late to meet a deadline, I make sure I'm there.
Now take a look at some markers you could use in this answer:
- Finally
- This means that
- Also
- First of all
- In this
- For example
Now you have a job to do! I want you to stop the video and put these sign phrases in the answer you just saw.
Go ahead, pause the video and do it now!
Finished? Let's see the answers:
- First of all, I am a hands-on manager. For example, if someone on my team has a project, I keep an eye on things, but I don't have to be involved in every detail. In addition, I am very approachable, so my team knows that they can always come to me with problems or questions. Finally, I like to lead from the front. That means if everyone is working late to meet a deadline, I'll make sure I'm there.
How did you do? Could you use sign language?
Remember that sign language seems very simple, but don't forget it. Proper use of markup language will make your answers much clearer and easier to follow.
3. How to add structure to your interview answers
Next, let's look at another way to make your answers more structured, clear, and focused.
In this section you will find the answers to these two questions:
- Can you tell me about a time you showed —–?
- Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult situation at work.
These questions probably need more answers.
For longer answers, it is very important that your answers have a clear structure. Otherwise, your meaning may be lost!
There is a method you can use here. it is called the STAR method.
STAR means state, task, action, result.
So you start your answer by giving the context: what was the situation and what should you have done?
Then you discuss what you actually did and what the end result was.
Let's do an example together. Imagine the examiner asking:
Can you tell me about a time when you showed great customer service?
Let's use the STAR method:
- There was a time when a customer's order didn't arrive and we didn't know what happened. The customer was very dissatisfied and I had to try and solve the problem for him. I arranged for a replacement to be sent as I thought we could find out later what had happened to the previous order. In the end, the customer was happy that I could solve his problem quickly and easily.
You will see how you can create clear, structured answers by following this method:
Let's do another example. Think about our second question:
- Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult situation at work.
This time you're going to try! Pause the video and answer this question. Your answer must consist of four sentences. Follow the STAR method, one sentence for each part.
How was that? Did you find yours easy to answer?
Let's look at one way you can answer this question:
- On one occasion, three days before the project deadline, we realized that two of our teams were using incompatible software tools. As a project manager, I had to find a way to deal with this without causing delays. I've talked to them bothteam leadersand we made a plan for a group to convert their work into a different format, with the help of some employees from other departments. It was very close, but we managed to get everything ready in time.
Again, you can see the STAR method in action.
If you combine this STAR method with the sign language you learned in part two, you will be able to express yourself clearly in English, even in longer and more complex answers.
Finally, let's look at another tip you can use to impress your interviewer and increase your chances of getting that job!
4. Mirror Words: Impress your interviewer
You will learn about mirroring and how it can help you.
What does mirroring mean?
It means using the same words and expressions as the person you are talking to.
For example, if the interviewer asks you:
- How do you think your values fit with our corporate culture?
You can start your answer by saying:
- I think my values align with your corporate culture for two reasons. A…
Mirroring has many advantages.
First, it keeps your answers focused. By using the same words and phrases, your answer will be relevant.
Most importantly, it shows the interviewer that you are listening and that you care about the questions and the company.
The mirror is powerful. We unconsciously mirror people when we like or respect them. By consciously using mirroring you make a better impression.
You should start by researching the company you are applying to. How do they describe themselves? What adjectives do they use on their website or in their advertisements?
Also read the vacancy carefully. Pay attention to the words they use to describe the candidate they are looking for.
Use these words in your answers. Let's think about this question:
- Why do you want this job?
Imagine applying for a job at a company that describes itself as “innovative” and “forward-thinking.” In the job posting they say they want someone who is"creative" and "flexible".
Here's a good example answer:
- Creativity is very important to me and I have always wanted to work in an environment where I can innovate and find my own solutions to challenges. I also believe that your company will continue to grow in the future and I think it would be fun to contribute to that growth.
The candidate does not use all four words, but refers to all four ideas. For example, instead of “seeing the future,” he talks about the company that will evolve in the future.
This shows that it is in harmony with the company's values.
Let's do another example. Imagine applying to a company that describes itself as "commanding respect" and that proudly speaks of its long history. In the job posting, they say they want someone who has "excellent communication skills" and a "passion for helping others."
During the interview they ask:
- Why should we hire you?
Here's a good sample answer, using mirroring:
- I believe good customer service starts with good communication, which is my strength. I also believe that in customer service you should pay attention to what you are doing. I am interested in helping others and therefore believe you would consider me a respectful and efficient team member who fits within your company's established traditions.
Again, the candidate does not necessarily use the words directly, but refers to all four ideas.
Be careful when using mirroring. you don't want to sound like a robot! This is why sometimes you have to change words and phrases a bit, instead of repeating them over and over.
Now you've seen four effective techniques you can use to give better answers to interview questions in English.
Remember: be concise, use markup, use the STAR method to structure longer answers, and display key words and phrases.
You can also use these tips in other types of English interviews, such asIELTS speakingInFCEinspection. We hope it was helpful. Good luck if you have a job interview soon!
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