Prepare Yourself to Answer Job Interview Questions

Whether it's your first job or you're making a change, you will need to properly answer job interview questions to win the position.  For just about everyone, the interview can cause a bit of anxiety.  You might be competing against hundreds of other applicants.  It might be your dream job that you really, really want.  Or maybe you were fired from your last job and nervous about passing the interview.  Some job interviewers are sophisticated and approach the interview quite scientifically, based on various techniques, psychological profiling and other measurements that they know and you don't. 

Be Honest When You Answer Job Interview Questions - Your Career May Depend On It

A job interview is something of an art in which you tell people what you think they want to hear. You need to be honest in your presentation, however. In the long run, exaggerating your experiences and skills may get  you in trouble after you have landed the job because you have created false expectations. For example, if you claim that you have a nine-year track record of writing software, you will need to back it up later on by writing software for the company.

Be Prepared for Conflicting Interview Questions

The balance in saying what the interviewer wants to hear and being realistic about what you can bring to the table when you answer job interview questions is like walking on a thin tightrope. The questions tend to be designed to find out answers to conflicting questions. An example:  "Are you a good team player?" and then later on, "Do you enjoy working alone?"  Another example is the often asked, "Are you a leader?" followed by "Are you good at following instructions?"

Even if the questions seem to be conflicting, listening to the questions properly may be your strongest weapon when you answer job interview questions.  If you tune out to a portion of what your potential employer is saying due to nervousness, you might have to wing it and you'll end up saying the wrong thing.  The questions are not to trip you up, but to find out about you.  Most people love to talk about themselves!

Relax and Be Yourself

The interviewer will know that you're nervous.  Try to be yourself when you answer job interview questions.  If you have some entertaining personal perspectives or an experience that you believe the interviewer will find interesting, mention it.   

When you answer job interview questions, try to be calm. Some people have had success with meditation techniques or listening to relaxing music before the interview.  Others find success with the much-recommended technique of imagining the interviewer in his or her underwear. 

The main thing is to try to think of the experience as a conversation between equals, rather than a job interview.

If You Don't Really Want The Job But Need It

The worst situation in which to answer job interview questions is when you really don't want the job but need it to make ends meet. In this situation, you might be asked why you choose the particular company to work with. You have to quickly come up with an answer. Sometimes a little research before hand can help.  Maybe out of all of the convenience stores in America, this particular company has the best softball team.  Look around and check it out before the interview.

The No Experience Conundrum 

You might be fresh out of college and challenged to answer job interview questions about your experience.  This is a tough area.  Many jobs require experience; yet, you need a job to glean experience.  Use your summer internships, volunteer activities and other activities you engaged in during college or as hobbies to support your position that you have experience. 

Practice Might Help

If you're really nervous about having to answer job interview questions, see if you can get someone to pretend to be the employer and practice with you.  Many people have had the experience of a job interview, so they can probably fill the shoes of your pretend interviewer.  If you have a friend who works in human resources, that would be even better.  Have him or her coach you.

"Prepare Yourself to Answer Job Interview Questions" contributed by Cathy Johnson