為您的日常生活增添色彩。

Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Mark Roy 講師的專欄

Ace your job or university interview!! Part 13

2020年8月25日

Hi, over the next few weeks I will be publishing regular advice on how to ace your job / university / MBA, or PhD interview. If you would like to book a lesson with me, I will provide you with a 28 page document that I have written with some sample questions and advice on how to answer them. In these articles that I am publishing, you will find a group of questions and the appropriate advice on how to answer them, and in some cases you will even find some sample answers. During a lesson, I will go through the questions with you, let you answer as if you were in an interview environment and then I will check, and if necessary, correct the content of your answer. I hope you find the following information useful and I really look forward to seeing you online if you choose a class with me! I am also offering a 20% discount for any new students for ANY of my lessons. 

Lesson link:

https://cafetalk.com/lessons/detail/?id=11273&key=ec0e3f840eb8c5a75b04f6306f25dd66

 

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company

 

·       What interests you about this job and company / why do you want to work here?

 

First and foremost, you need to say that the job sounds interesting and challenging and it caught your eye when you saw the advertisement for it. Then, you need to state how your qualifications and experience match the requirements of this job, and that you have been looking for a position like this one to come up for a long time. Look at the job description for the post you are applying for and make a note of any achievements made in previous roles (they do not have to be achievements made in your very last or current job) that will fulfil the new role. Maybe you could mention that you know a person or some people that currently work there and that they recommended the company or job to you. Try to point out the positive aspects or challenges that you are looking for that the new position can offer you, for example; international experience, development of your XXX skills etc… Do not say the high salary that is on offer attracted you or that the fringe benefits sound attractive, this may be true, but do not say this to an interviewer.

 

·       What applicable attributes / experience do you have?

 

Try to be as explicit as you can about how your previous experience matches the requirements of the new post. Focus on achievements that you made in your previous/current role that will be of interest to the interviewer. If your experience does not exactly match their requirements, try to relate what experience you do have and how you can adapt that experience to the new role. You need to explain that you are an adaptable person and a quick learner to cover yourself for anything new that you may have to learn in the new role.

 

·       Are you overqualified for this job?

 

The interviewer may ask this question based on the qualifications or experience you listed on your CV. They will want to know that you are not using their company as a ‘stepping stone’ or a ‘gap-filler’ until a more suitable post comes up (even if it is an internal post in their company). In addition, they will want to be sure that you will not get easily bored in the post if you are not fulfilling your potential. You may want to apply for a job with less stress or responsibility, but do not actually say this in an interview situation as it may make them feel that you cannot handle too much stress or take on extra responsibility. Try to say something like; although you are ambitious, you understand what the new job entails and that maybe your life has recently changed, for example, you recently married, or you (or your partner) have just given birth and want to spend more time with your partner or child and that you now place a higher priority on your work-life balance than a high-flying position involving long hours and overtime.

 

·       What can you do for this company / why should we hire you / why are you the best person for the job?

 

Try to mention what you think you can add to the company that is unique and what makes you stand out from the ‘competition’. Do not make any over-ambitious or ridiculous claims that you can double the department’s revenue in under a year or completely revolutionise their product offering. Take several minutes to answer this question, incorporating your personality traits, strengths, and experience in to the job you are applying for. A good answer is to focus on how you can benefit the company. You can best do this by researching the company before the interview and be ready with examples of how your skills, talents, etc…, can benefit the problems and concerns of that particular company.

 

·       What do you know about this company?

 

If you answer this question with ‘not much’ you will most probably not be offered the job! You should always research a company before the interview through the Internet or news sources. Learn about their products / services, size, location of offices / manufacturing plants, future plans, number of employees worldwide, current events, and revenue (turnover / profits and performance over several financial years) etc…. If you cannot find information about the company, call their offices and ask the receptionist to send you information about the company in the form of a brochure or email. You should also research the industry in which the company operates so you are well-informed as to what is happening in that sector. 

專欄文章僅代表作者個人觀點,不代表咖啡滔客的立場。

線上客服諮詢