The Worst Job Interview Answers You Could Ever Give

The Worst Job Interview Answers You Could Ever GiveThe Worst Job Interview Answers You Could Ever GiveThere are many different ways to blow a job interview and turn off an employer. Subpar responses to interview questions reveal flaws in your attitude, preparation, interest in the job, or qualifications to get the work done well. They may also reflect negatively on your work ethic or your ability to work well with others. Here are a few examples of the worst types of answers to interview questions, along with tips on what you can say instead to impress the interviewer. Why Should We Hire You? schwimmbad answers I dont know. It sounds like a good job. Saying you dont know or giving a vague answer is never a good way to respond to any interview question. If you need to, take a little time to think about an answer before you respond. Instead, respond to the question Why should we hire you? with an answer that illustrates how your qualifications and strengths fit the job, along with some anecdotes to illustrate your qualifications. Tell Me About Your Last Job Bad answer Didnt you look at my resume? A snide Didnt you look at my resume? is bedrngnis the way to answer questions about your employment history. Be prepared to discuss your previous jobs with the interviewer, and review your resume ahead of time so you know where you worked when. What Did You Like Least About Your Previous Position? Bad answer I hated the job and the company. They were awful to work for. Its important not to badmouth the companies or people you worked for because you dont know what relationships they may have with the company youre interviewing with. I once had an applicant who told me that her employer was the worst place to work ever. That employer happened to be our biggest and most important customer. Its always a good strategy to focus on the positives when discussing your previous job, including how you grew from your experiences. What Are Your Strengths? Bad answers I do good work. Im the best. Im not sure, but Im a good learner. Vague answers dont go over well. The interviewer wants to know what strengths you have that specifically relate to the job you are being considered for. When answering questions about your strengths, talk about the skills you have as they relate to the job, rather than giving general answers. Can You Share a Weakness? Bad answers I cant think of any right now. I tend to lose my patience with incompetent people. You always need to be prepared to share a weakness so you can demonstrate that you are committed to professional growth and have some self-insight. Make sure any weakness does not create serious doubt about your willingness or ability to carry out the central functions of the job at hand. When asked about weaknesses, its a good idea to frame your answer around skills youve improved upon. Why Were You Fired? Bad answers I failed that drug test. I missed too much work. Be very careful when you answer que stions about being fired. Keep what you say about being fired as brief as possible. You could talk about how being cut loose was a blessing, or how you and your employer came to a mutual understanding. Why Have You Decided to Apply for This Position? Bad answers I was looking through the job ads and it seemed interesting. I was getting bored with my current job. Rather than such vague answers, a better approach would be to cite specific reasons why the job is appealing and fits in with your overall career aspirations. When asked why you want a job, you should show that you have researched the company and prove that you are a good fit for the job. Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years From Now? Bad answers In your job. I hate that question. Most of us do hate this question, but a better answer to where you see yourself in five years is to speak about what you would like to learn and accomplish during that time, with an emphasis on excelling in the job for which you are intervie wing. Try to research a career path flowing from the job for which you are interviewing and reference a realistic goal for your progress. It is also acceptable to ask the interviewer for some common positions to which one might progress if one is successful in the initial position and then use that information to help frame your answer. Do You Work Well With Others? Bad answers My co-workers didnt like me, but I think it was because they were intimidated by me. I get along with most people, but others really aggravate me. Rather than bad mouthing your co-workers, its important to let the interviewer know that you get along well with everyone at work. Companies dont want to hire difficult employees, and if you let them know during the interview that you arent easy to get along with, you probably wont get the job. Why Should We Hire You? Bad answers Im the best one for the job. I am great with people and a hard worker. Rather than being so vague, when faced with the question of why you should be hired, be ready to mention six assets that will help you to succeed in the job. Be ready to reference examples of how you have applied those strengths to add value in various work, school or volunteer scenarios. Tell Me About Yourself Bad answer Im a huge fan of the Yankees and avid softball player with the gift of gab Im usually the life of the party. Generally, you will be better off by using this opening to mention some of your professionally oriented attributes that will help you get the job done. You can add one or two personal items at the end to round things out. For example, if you were applying for a job as a recruiter you might say something like, I am a good listener and a skilled interviewer who can usually read people well. Or At ABC company, the retention rate of my hires was 20 percent above the department average. I have taken up golf and love it but am struggling to shoot less than 100. Tell Me How You Were Able to Expand Sales by 25 Per cent? Bad answer Its hard to say, but Im a great salesman. Make sure you can back up any assertions on your resume with some concrete details. In this example, you might cite your traits as a successful salesperson and/or specific techniques/strategies that you employed to generate sales. Do You Have Any Questions for Me? Bad answers Do I have to work overtime? I dont have any questions. How much vacation will I get? How much is the employee discount? When the tables are turned, always prepare some questions that relate to the job itself and the role you will play, training you will receive, career paths, or other professional concerns. Questions about vacation time and benefits can wait until after you have been offered a position.