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Effective answers to tough interviewing questionsHere's a tough opener question: "So tell me something about yourself." Many interviewees struggle to come up with a good answer to this interview question. First off, remember you need to prepare a good answer in advance. In most cases, you'll do far better if you're ready with an answer for this interview question than otherwise. The interviewer is trying to find out about how you organize your thinking, what you focus on and how well you articulate your thoughts when you answer. Secondly, keep your answer concise. This open ended question is not an invitation to ramble on. You don't need to say everything there is to say about you. Just highlight a few key points in your answer. Talk more about professional accomplishments rather than personal topics. Don't start with "I was born in...", or "I'm single..." Unless you think such information may give you a distinct advantage in interviews, of course. Here's what you can mention in answering the question at interviews.
"Well, first of all, I'm pleased to be here meeting you because I've long been an admirer of your company and of the work you personally have done. I believe I have what you're looking for. I'm currently working with ABC Corporation where I head the accounts team. I have 8 years experience in accounts and internal audit with two Fortune 500 companies. In my performance appraisals, my bosses have remarked that I'm an effective manager and a good problem solver and that I have an excellent ability to create and implement office procedures and systems. I'd be happy to elaborate on any of these, if you'd like me to." Not such a tough interviewing question to answer after all, is it? Here's another tough question asked at job interviews: "What are your weaknesses?" It's another question interviewees cringe at. A few points about this question. First of all, don't try to mention a strength and present it as a weakness. Trying to say that you're a workaholic or that you're a stickler for detail and how that's a weakness will not work well. It will be seen as an attempt to dodge the question. The weakness you mention should not be critical to the job you'll be doing. If you're interviewing for the job of an insurance actuary, don't tell them you're weak at statistics! Talk about a weakness in content knowledge rather than a basic personal quality or skill. Because lack of content knowledge is much easier to remedy than a personality trait. For instance, say that your weakness is that you're not familiar with a particular software application. That's much better than saying you find it difficult to manage people. You should also mention what you are doing to remedy the weakness. If lack of knowledge of a computer application is your weakness, talk about how you're attending evening classes to learn more about it. As you see, it's not very difficult to come up with good answers even to tough questions asked at interviews. It just needs some preparation and forethought before the interviews. In fact, here is a terrific e-book that can help you do just that. Its what I would recommend to anyone who's serious about wanting to ace the interview and get the job they really want. Do check it out and see what you think.
Like to think a little out-of-the-box? Here's an idea -- consider doing work on a freelance basis, either part-time or full-time. There are actually large numbers of people who work from the comfort of their homes. And very profitably too. But you do face one big problem -- connecting with companies that have work to offer.
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