31 (2024)

FAQs

How do I answer "Tell me about a time when you made a mistake"? ›

"In five years, I see myself as an important part of this organization, having grown in my role and contributing to the company's success. I want to improve my skills in [mention specific skills relevant to the job], and take on more responsibilities, working with my team to reach our goals."

Situational interview questions ask interviewees to explain how they would react to hypothetical questions in the future, while behavioral interview questions ask interviewees to explain how they have dealt with actual situations in their past.

Here are some common mistakes that happen at work that might help you think of the right example to share in an interview: Misunderstanding instructions from a coworker, leading to a mistake. Missing a deadline. Losing a customer/client as a sales representative.

Use the STAR method to answer behavioral questions, like “Can you share a time when…” STAR stands for situation, task, action, and result and is meant to help you structure your answers to those questions.

When people pause before replying to a question, even for just a few seconds, their answers are perceived to be less sincere and credible than if they had replied immediately, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. And the longer the hesitation, the less sincere the response appears.

You should organize your reply in a way that helps showcase your skills and expertise. For instance, Buj recommends using the STAR method, where you provide a Situation (offer context), Task (the issue), Action (how you explained it) and Result.

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

What is your strength and weakness? ›

For strengths, discuss how they can help you excel at the job. For example, if you're a motivated self-starter, focus on how that relates to the role you're applying for and how you believe this strength can benefit the company. For weaknesses, avoid anything that doesn't directly impact your professional performance.

The best way to answer "Tell me about yourself" is with a brief highlight-summary of your experience, your education, the value you bring to an employer, and the reason you're looking forward to learning more about this next job and the opportunity to work with them.

It is crucial, to be honest and genuine in your response. Don't try to make up for a failure or exaggerate the impact of a minor setback. Instead, choose a failure you genuinely learned from and that demonstrates your ability to overcome challenges. Remember, the interviewer is not looking for a perfect answer.

Points to Emphasize

You should remain positive for every question of an interview, even if you are talking about a time where things did not go smoothly. Admit that you did something wrong, being humble can work to your advantage. Discuss how you handled the situation. Discuss what you learned from the experience.