You Are Hired!

Job interviews can be nerve-racking, but Aurelia Fernandes has the right script to help you ace that round

- Aurelia Fernandes

No matter how many times you go over the process, interviews can be harrowing. They require you to think on your feet, be accurate, and stay calm through it all. While most interview questions remain pretty standard, interviewers do tend to throw in a curve ball ever so often. While quick thinking is essential for an interview, research is just as important. You can’t prepare for completely random questions (‘What animal do you identify with and why?’), but you should give the more frequently asked ones some deeper thought. We get you started.

‘Can you tell me a little about yourself?’ 

Try: “Hello, my name is ____. I've done my ___ in (year). I have worked at ____for ____ years. About my hobbies, I love to ____. Another thing that doesn’t show up on my resume is_____.”

Since this is generally the initial question, it offers an opportunity to establish a rapport with the interviewer. The above example is probably the best way to answer this question. Maheep Budhiraja, franchise owner of Corporate Ladder, says the response to this should offer more than your resume does while still being related to the job. Use this as an opportunity to highlight skills, values or positive traits that make you the ideal candidate. “While details about your education and work experience is essential, it’s still information that’s already available on your CV,” says Budhiraja. Mentioning your hobbies and interests will enable the interviewer to get to know you better as a person.

‘What are your strengths?’ Try: