04-12-2012, 12:30 PM
Job Interview Questions and Answers
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Tell me three things about you, which are not found in your resume
When an interviewer asks this open-ended question, you have to structure your answer carefully. Although it seems quite simple enough and you may be inclined to give out just any information about yourself that you can think of, such as your favorite dish, music, and color, it really is not as simple as you think. If you want to impress the interviewer with your answer, you need to know exactly what to say when asked this rather tricky question.
Show Your Best Qualities
You probably do not realize it but the question, "Tell me three things about you, which are not found in your resume" is a question that an interviewer would ask to really get to know you. Of course, it is important that their impression of you would be something that would help them decide that you are suitable for the job. This being said, you should focus your answer on the good qualities that you have; qualities that would prove to be valuable to the job position you are applying for.
As an example, if you are applying for the job of an assistant manager in a department store and you happen to be the kind of person who likes to work with people and possess good people skills then you should mention that in your answer. Make sure to support your answer with examples too because this will prove that you are telling the truth and that you know what you are talking about.
Be Clear and Concise
It goes without saying that if you are not clear in your answers; the interviewer might not be able to understand what you are trying to say. Or worse, you would be completely misunderstood and instead of making a positive impression, your answers could impact you negatively. While answering the above question, use words that are simple and easy to understand. You are not trying to impress anyone with your flair for words so do not even attempt to go in that direction. And since the question requires "three things" about you, then
Keep It Short
Nothing can bore an interview more than a very lengthy answer. This person would prefer listening to brief answers rather than to hear you talk about yourself for a long period of time, so make sure to keep your answer short. A 2-minute answer is sufficient and should be able to give your interviewer a good idea of whether or not you are the perfect candidate for the job, based on the qualities you possess.
One tip to help you achieve this goal is to practice answering this question at home. Time yourself so that you would know if you could stick with 2 minutes and be conscious about not over-explaining or giving out unnecessary information to the interviewer.
What do you do when things do not go as planned? Cite an example
This question will gauge your ability to adapt to certain situations. Interviewers ask this question because they want to know how well you can manage problems and changes at work. A lot of people might be tempted to simply say, "I have never had problems when things do not go as planned" or worse, "I have never experienced that before". The first answer is fine as long as you are able to provide a supporting answer to it and be able to really show that you are, in fact, someone who can easily adjust yourself when changes occur.
On the other hand, saying you have never had any experience on the matter would only make the interviewer think of how naive you are, which is not really going to help you land the job.
What the Interviewer Wants to Hear
Employers want their people to be adaptable and flexible. This is necessary because changes happen in the workplace and those who show adaptability and flexibility are the ones who are still able to perform well in spite of the change. The interviewer, therefore, will give plus points to candidates who are able to prove that they possess these qualities. They are looking for people who are able to respond quickly and positively to changes and unexpected demands. Moreover, they also want people who can adapt their style and mindset positively in the event that problems and challenges take place.
Begin with a Single Sentence that Answers the Question
Many first time applicants (and even those who have applied for jobs several times before) tend to stammer and not be able to give a direct answer to this question especially if they did not bother to prepare. It is recommended that you summarize your answer in one sentence and then expound further later on.