This document provides advice on how to answer 6 common interview questions: 1) Tell me about yourself, 2) What are your greatest strengths, 3) What are your weaknesses, 4) What are you looking for in terms of salary, 5) Why did you leave your last job, and 6) Why you? For each question, it provides tips on how to structure your response to make a positive impression on the interviewer. For example, for question 1 it recommends developing a 30-60 second statement about your background and accomplishments as they relate to the job. For question 3, it suggests acknowledging a past weakness and how you've grown from it. The overall message is to be prepared with clear, concise answers that highlight

1. 6 Questions You MUST
Be Prepared To Answer
During Interviews
Original article by Patricia Erickson

2. Increasing your chances of
getting the job are pretty
simple if you're well-
prepared for your next
interview.
If you're ready to answer
some of the most common
interview questions, you're a
step ahead of your
competition.

3. 1. Why Don't You Tell Me About
Yourself?

4. Approach this question as it relates to the job
for which you are applying.
Develop a 30-60 second personal branding
statement that touches on your work history,
your education, and briefly highlights your
accomplishments.

5. Practice this a bit - if you're going for a sales or
client facing job, the employer wants to make
sure you're more than just a capable
communicator.

6. 2. What Are Your Greatest
Strengths?

7. For this particular question, you're going to
want to provide tangible skills.

8. Don't waste your time or the employer's with,
"I'm really a great team player,” or “I have
excellent communication skills."
Instead, describe your ability to bring new
clients on board or talk about your knack for
increasing sales, even in highly competitive
markets.

9. Here's an example:
"While I was in a sales internship with ABC
Company, I increased sales by 29% in March
and had the highest sales in the department
five months in a row."

10. 3. Tell Me About Your Weaknesses.

11. I remember an old boss of mine once told me
right before a routine corporate audit that I
should just answer the question.
That meant volunteering no additional
information. I've used that strategy on more
than one occasion and it has worked well for
me. In this case, do the same.

12. A good tactic is to talk about a weakness you
had and show how it has since worked to your
benefit.

13. "There was a time when I was a bit impatient
with co-workers who weren't able to complete
their work by the required deadline. I have
come to realize that my personal standards and
expectations are different from my co-workers
and it is no longer an issue for me."

14. Remember, you don't have to mention your
every quirk, tic, or foible!

15. 4. What Are You Looking For In
Terms Of Salary?

16. If you are in your first interview, you really don't
have a clear sense of what the job entails.
At this point, defer by saying, "I don't have
enough information about the job yet; what are
your expectations in the first 90 days? 6
months?"

17. Another approach is to ask if the employer has
a range in mind for the position.
As a last resort, you may decide to give the
employer a broad range based on past salary,
bonuses, and other benefits.

18. 5. Why Did You Leave Your Last
Job?

19. There are all kinds of reasons for leaving a
company; however, you really need to be
truthful with your answer.
That said, you should carefully craft your
answer to ensure it is appropriate. If your
company downsized, mention it.

20. If you made it through seven rounds of
downsizing and were one of the last to go, by
all means mention that, too!
Maybe you did everything you set out to do with
your company and there was no real room to
grow. Then, "It was time for me to find a
position where I could further hone my skills
and continue to grow."

21. 6. Why You? What Do You Bring To
This Job That No One Else Does?

22. If you're a salesperson, this is the time to show
what you've got.
Formulate your answer as it relates to their job
requirements and clearly demonstrate how your
expertise is a perfect match for their every
need.

23. Do your homework and be well-prepared for
your next interview.
If you can answer these six questions easily,
you're on your way to the job of your dreams.

24. Read The Original Article!
We hope you enjoyed this presentation!
Click here to read the original article by Patricia
Erickson on CAREEREALISM.com.