Answering questions in interview

How would I answer these questions without sounding dumb!...lol

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why should we hire you?ca

Diamonds in Sumter, South Carolina said: How would I answer these questions without sounding dumb!...lol

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why should we hire you?ca

Well some of your strengths you could say: multi task, fast paced,hard worker, on time, gifted in customer service, etc

Why should they hire you: well say you would be a great asset to their company,etc..

Hope this helps.;-)

staceygirl in Phoenix, Arizona said: Well some of your strengths you could say: multi task, fast paced,hard worker, on time, gifted in customer service, etc

Why should they hire you: well say you would be a great asset to their company,etc..

Hope this helps.;-)

Yes!...this helps alot. Thank you very much.

Do not ever admit a true weakness in an interview. Admitting a true weakness can take you out of the running for the job. Use this question as an opportunity to sell your strengths to the interviewer. Use a strength that could be seen as a weakness to answer the question.

Persistence is a good example of using a strength as a weakness. When you are persistent, it means you don't give up easily. On the other hand, persistence can be a weakness because you may not always know when to give up. Employers don't want employees who give up.

When asked why the company should hire you, don't badmouth other candidates. First, pay tribute to other candidates. Say that you realize the company has plenty of excellent candidates for the job. Then do more than merely saying you would be a great asset to the company. Tell the interviewer why you would be a great asset. Set forth each of the job's requirements and explain how and why your qualifications meet those requirements. Conclude your answer by saying something like, "I have the skills you want and the experience you need. For these reasons you should hire me."

Remember that every time you are asked a question in an interview you are being given another opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. Don't blow any of these opportunities.

Good luck with your interview.

Have not been on an interview for awhile. This has helped me. : )

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Do not ever admit a true weakness in an interview. Admitting a true weakness can take you out of the running for the job. Use this question as an opportunity to sell your strengths to the interviewer. Use a strength that could be seen as a weakness to answer the question.

Persistence is a good example of using a strength as a weakness. When you are persistent, it means you don't give up easily. On the other hand, persistence can be a weakness because you may not always know when to give up. Employers don't want employees who give up.

When asked why the company should hire you, don't badmouth other candidates. First, pay tribute to other candidates. Say that you realize the company has plenty of excellent candidates for the job. Then do more than merely saying you would be a great asset to the company. Tell the interviewer why you would be a great asset. Set forth each of the job's requirements and explain how and why your qualifications meet those requirements. Conclude your answer by saying something like, "I have the skills you want and the experience you need. For these reasons you should hire me."

Remember that every time you are asked a question in an interview you are being given another opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. Don't blow any of these opportunities.

Good luck with your interview.

Oh yes! This has helped a great deal! I will utilize this and put it to work to my advantage. Thank you kindly! You've been a hug help!

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Do not ever admit a true weakness in an interview. Admitting a true weakness can take you out of the running for the job. Use this question as an opportunity to sell your strengths to the interviewer. Use a strength that could be seen as a weakness to answer the question.

Persistence is a good example of using a strength as a weakness. When you are persistent, it means you don't give up easily. On the other hand, persistence can be a weakness because you may not always know when to give up. Employers don't want employees who give up.

When asked why the company should hire you, don't badmouth other candidates. First, pay tribute to other candidates. Say that you realize the company has plenty of excellent candidates for the job. Then do more than merely saying you would be a great asset to the company. Tell the interviewer why you would be a great asset. Set forth each of the job's requirements and explain how and why your qualifications meet those requirements. Conclude your answer by saying something like, "I have the skills you want and the experience you need. For these reasons you should hire me."

Remember that every time you are asked a question in an interview you are being given another opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. Don't blow any of these opportunities.

Good luck with your interview.

Thank you very much! This has helped me tremendously. I got the job!

Diamonds in Sumter, South Carolina said: How would I answer these questions without sounding dumb!...lol

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why should we hire you?ca

Well what are your strengths?
In my position I would say that I quickly identify issues and come up with solutions to fix them. I mentor my co-workers when new processes are introduced. ect....

Diamonds in Sumter, South Carolina: "Thank you very much! This has helped me tremendously. I got the job!"

You're very welcome! Congratulations on your new job!!

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Do not ever admit a true weakness in an interview. Admitting a true weakness can take you out of the running for the job. Use this question as an opportunity to sell your strengths to the interviewer. Use a strength that could be seen as a weakness to answer the question.

because you may not always know when to give up. Employers don't want employees who give up.

When asked why the company should hire you, don't badmouth other candidates. First, pay tribute to other candidates. Say that you realize the company has plenty of excellent candidates for the job. Then do more than merely saying you would be a great asset to the company. Tell the interviewer why you would be a great asset. Set forth each of the job's requirements and explain how and why your qualifications meet those requirements. Conclude your answer by saying something like, "I have the skills you want and the experience you need. For these reasons you should hire me."

Remember that every time you are asked a question in an interview you are being given another opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. Don't blow any of these opportunities.

Good luck with your interview.

This helped me out quite a bit. I've always had a hard time with interviews with these type of questions.

For your strength using words like: professional, great ethics, good sense of humor, I'm detail oriented.

Using examples from your previous jobs where your manager told you what a great idea or great job you've done.

If you received an excellent performance review you can show that to the interviewer.

I dunno if I would mention ethics. You are expected to have ethics. Saying that you have ethics may be begging the point and raise red flags to the interviewer.

I agree with giving examples that support your strengths.

I can see your point on that, but; I have had 2 supervisors in the last 2 1/2 years and thats exactly what they were lacking, so I guess I speak from current experiences that I just had thank you

You know all of those "canned" questions that employers ask?

What exactly do they want to hear and see for answers?

For example, if you are asked, "What was the hardest problem you had to do at your last employer, and how did you handle it?"

"What did you like the least at your last employer?"

"What did you like the most at your last employer?"

"If you are cashiering with two people in line, and a third person walks in and starts yelling that you messed up their order, what would you do?"

"Why did you apply for a job here?"

"What was the most difficult thing you had to do and how did you handle it?"

"What are your weaknesses?"

"What are your strengths?"

"What would you do to improve this business?"

I doubt that many of these micromanagers that ask these questions really know what the "correct" answers are, anyway. The questions above were all posed to me during an interview I recently had at a retail store.

I surely don't know what the "correct" answer is in terms of the employer. I sure would like to know. Does anyone have any ideas?

Perhaps they look more for how we react and what body language we display as opposed to the actual content of the answers? Or possibly a combination of both? And what about vague and general questions, were they can be interpreted many ways thereby offering different "correct" answers?

And where do they get these question/answer sets anyway? Is there any way us job applicants can get this information?

Tell them what they want to hear? Isn't that what it really comes down to anyway? Wine and dine them, so to speak. Get them to ooh and ahh over us. Just be sure not to over exaggerate your skills so you can come through on the job for what is expected of you.

And then sometimes I think they ask all these questions so we can actually incriminate ourselves so they can hire a relative or friend instead of us. When in fact, we just might be the best qualified applicant.

Jake_EE in Ohio: "I think they ask all these questions so we can actually incriminate ourselves...."

Of course.

Or, they just attended an in-service on employment interviewing and simply have to show off their interviewing acumen.

'"What would you do to improve this business?""

I have an answer: "Get rid of you so candidates don't have to suffer your inane job interview questions."

Realistically, I would say I really cannot offer recommendations because I'm not employed at the company and don't know its problems.

i am interested

For the negative questions on interviews like "What's your worst trait?" you'll need to answer it with a positive benefit.

I do not work in all day in an office building jobs so my 'worst trait' is "I don't sit in one place well."

Interviews in Frisco, Texas said: For the negative questions on interviews like "What's your worst trait?" you'll need to answer it with a positive benefit.

I do not work in all day in an office building jobs so my 'worst trait' is "I don't sit in one place well."

That's good. But this question has been so over-asked that interviewers expect that response.

Another way to do it, is to take a PAST negative trait and tell how you corrected it: "When I was first starting my career, I was very impatient, but I learned to work with people and find out how I could help them work more efficiently, so that we could both benefit from the experience."

I have been looking for a Clerical-Customer Service position for about 8 months and have had about 6 interviews. Haven't landed one yet. Boy it is soooo frustrating. I go in with a positive confident attitude, well groomed, and practice the questions. Research the company and know there info. And still can't land one. Than I turn around and hear of others getting nice jobs who are less qualified. When you ask how did you get it they say I just applied. It's like what the heck. I must be doing something wrong. I am landing the interviews but not the job. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How old are the people being hired compared to you? How much more experience do you have compared to them?

You don't have to answer either question, but I'm sure you know where I'm headed. I've been there and done that.

I do feel that they are probably mush younger than myself. I have 15 years experience. And Some I know have have hardly the qualifications but are younger. But damn, that shouldn't make any difference.

No, it should not make any difference whatsoever, but it happens and is a fact of life for older people. You were probably deemed as "overqualified." Overqualified can mean many things, but, MHO, only, it's secret code for being too old.

Further, a great many employers feel that "overqualified" people stay only long enough to get better-paying jobs. They never consider that these "overqualified" people would have taken such jobs in the first place if they could have obtained them. They also don't consider that these "overqualified" people will stay and hold on to their jobs because they can't go elsewhere.

Moreover, employers always think that only because you're older you want more money. Not necessarily. I am fifty-six years old with eleven years of legal experience. Yes, I want to be paid commensurate with my experience, but what difference should it make that I am older? In other words, I expect the same pay as an under-35 person with similar quals, not someone my age who's probably been in the profession longer.

Congress and the Republican in the White House haven't considered that not enforcing ADEA laws is creating a vast underclass of older people who will become increasingly dependent on the government if they can't get jobs. To ease this situation, government simply needs to enforce these existing laws to force employers to do the right thing by giving FAIR consideration to older, capable people.

That's my political speech for the day. :-) Best of luck with your job search. All you can do is keep trying.

Diamonds in Sumter, South Carolina said: How would I answer these questions without sounding dumb!...lol

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why should we hire you?ca

This gave me real help i appreicate at it all the way. THANK YOU!

Thanks DLP.

You bet! Once more, best of luck with your job search.

Hello Help,

Ok, you do not need someone's tears, correct.and neither would I want same. I would stay positive and keep trucking. I honestly do not know what some company's want. If you have this, they want' that. Those same individuals who really focus on age, not too long from now, they will be there, that's if they live long enough. It's a fact, what's goes around, comes around double.

Do not give up no matter what your trial's are.

Pray and keep pushing.

I promise you something positive will happen.

Just wait, be patient and keep going on the interview. Eight interviews is not that many. Honestly. Keep going and stay focus, Ms. Positive.

Ann in Leasburg, North Carolina: "Those same individuals who really focus on age, not too long from now, they will be there, that's if they live long enough. It's a fact, what's goes around, comes around double."

Good comment. I dunno if it comes around double, but I hope to live long enough to see some of these callow, green Gen X types get their share of age discrimination. For that matter, cavalier older types who wouldn't know a capable person if they saw one deserve their just desserts. In a word: humility.

Help, you will be fine. Just keep trucking and do not waste your time on why, why because there are so many why's. Just continue to focus in find your job. Something will break soon. I am seeking also and we both need to keep the faith.

Also, try Career Builder's, Monster's, and the State in which you reside. Information can be obtain over the internet. Just ask the question. Ex: Seeking (blank) job. Just put the question to the internet.

There are jobs out there and I will continue to work with you while I am seeking, ok.

Keep the faith.

Hey all, thanks so much for all the great support. I will hang in there. I have to. I don't have any choice but to walk tall with my head held high. I am worth it! It just gets sooo frustrating sometimes. I think the younger ones in an authority position feel if you are older than they are you will automatically try to out power them in some way. We are all taught to respect our elders. It’s hard to have power over someone you are supposed to respect. If that makes any sense.

Thanks again and good luck to you all.
Grams :-)

grams in Wausau, Wisconsin: "I think the younger ones in an authority position feel if you are older than they are you will automatically try to out power them in some way. We are all taught to respect our elders. It'€™s hard to have power over someone you are supposed to respect. If that makes any sense."

It makes perfect sense. You are absolutely right. Moreover, I don't think many younger people were taught to respect their elders, or they forgot what their parents tried to teach them.

A radio news director for whom I worked for several years had lost his job. He had won awards, worked in major markets and was known in the industry. He only wanted a job. He didn't want another news director position. He was no threat to anyone. One would think his services would be in demand, right? Wrong. He never, ever found another job as good as the one he lost. He theorized, and I agreed, that news directors who saw his resume were fearful he would eventually take their jobs. I recall that these news directors were less experienced than him.

this was very helpful!

LoL, DLP you are also right.

"I don't think many younger people were taught to respect their elders, or they forgot what their parents tried to teach them".

I have come to realize a lot here. Full steam ahead!

I always try to anticipate any objections that an employer might have and then address those when talking about my weaknesses.

It's not that their parents haven't taught them to be respectful but this is a choice of their own. Many children's today do not take heed to what they are taught at home and I am sure that you are aware of this. Many seems to be pretty slow with thinking. So much for that. You continue to do what is right, keep moving on and do not look back. Put those things behind you and look forward to those things which are before you.

Hope all work out through prayer.

Never start to feel sorry for yourself. Bad news. We all shall get older one day regardless on how many face lift's we get. You can dress a car up outside but the engine is still old. Do not focus on how old you are. Just live life and continue to focus on what is before you and not looking back. Put those things behind you and look forward to those things that is which before you.

Continue to pray.

It works.

Anyone can tell me where can I get go to udate my skills in powertpoint and spreadsheet. Cannot afford to pay for it. I went to the library but they only had books.

Don't sell books short. Some of them are helpful. Try the "For Dummies" books in your subject areas. I learned Word and Excel through these books.

Absolutely, books are great but I am a hand on hand person with the book.

Thanks,

Forgot to mention, I do have two books and they are OOPS Excel, What to do when things go wrong and Excel for Windows for Dummies. S, I do have the book.

Thanks, Hand on Hand Person

I'm not sure what you mean by being "hand-on-hand," Ann. I just started at the beginning with my "For Dummies" books and worked through their ideas.

What is mnc mean though?

Hello Help:

Have you done sales before?

I would just like to say, I am totally overwhelmed at all the support I have gotten from this board. Thank you all so very much and I am so glad to have found all of you. I just want you to know I have another job interview on Thrusday of this week, so please wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed. I am going to need all I can get
Grams :-)

QUESTION: Are those jobs on Monsters and CareerBuilders for real or just a ? It seems to me that everyone is selling your e mail because soon after, I receive all this junk mail, etc., virus this virus that to sell.

Another question, are there jobs that you can go in person and complete an application anymore? If so, what companies?

Feedback requested,

Did you actually list your e-mail or check the "Confidential" box? There are confidentially options on both sites. You will get droves of spam if you actually list your e-mail address. In any event, not long after you post resumes on Monster and Careerbuilder the bogus, irrelevant sales jobs spam soon arrives.

I, too, have wondered how many Careerbuilder and Monster jobs are legit. In my situation, I have seen Monster job ads from legitimate law firms. Most job board legal job ads are by headhunters, though, with their legitimacy being questionable IMHO.

Actually, it was through Monsters and Career. I truly feel that these or not ligit jobs. I think I will start the old fashion way and going through the newspapers. Much safer. These sites has taken over my computer trying to sell things to me. Anti-Virus blockers jumping up all over the place. I guess you live and learn.

This space thing is not so great because even when you fill out applications for example, State Jobs over the internet, they demands that you provie them with your SS# or you cannot nagivate through the system to complete.

What a sad world we are living in.

Try going to the company's website after you see a job on Monster or Careerbuilder. Chances are the company will have a "careers" section. Apply for the job through the company website. Don't go through Monster or Careerbuilder.

I think at least a few jobs on job boards are legit. Last year I had spotted an opening on a board. I applied for it via the company's website. Several days later, the company called me and I had a phone interview.

Try typing in zeros in the SSN space when completing your state apps. Sometimes, all these online forms want is something typed in the blanks.

That's a great idea. I will go for it. I will also start pounding on doors also. Oh! I had this particular job and was terminated for the first time in my life to being defiant. Water underneath the bridge but I know the State has openings and I do qualify. The job I was terminated from was with the State. My question is what would I say to the reason I was terminated. Any suggestions. Response requested.

Diamonds in Sumter, South Carolina said: How would I answer these questions without sounding dumb!...lol

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses?
3. Why should we hire you?ca

If you need interview help, look up "10 steps to interviewing with conficence" on the web. Its a self help video that covers this type of stuff.

Good luck

Ann in Leasburg, North Carolina: "I had this particular job and was terminated for the first time in my life to being defiant....[W]hat would I say to the reason I was terminated...."

How long ago were you terminated? If it was more than ten years ago and you have worked steadily since that time it may not come up. It could come up if you are interviewed for a state job.

Of course you must tell the truth when asked about a job separation. Every expert I've read or spoken with has recommended to keep explanations short and to the point. Don't volunteer information, although you must answer any followup questions. Once again, keep your answers to the point, but don't be evasive. If appropriate, explain what you learned from the experience.

Hope this helped some more. Once again, good luck with your efforts.