How To Answer The 3 Most Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions

The 3 Most Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions

The job interview is easy!

I know, for most people a job interview is their worst nightmare…only because they haven’t predicted what will happen.

Most employers they don’t spend too much time creating a bespoke job interview process, instead, they ask commonly asked interview questions. Some even google “10 interview questions to ask at a job interview”

For the interviewee, this is gold. You can use this employer laziness to predict the questions and prepare killer answers.

Below you see 3 of the most commonly asked interview questions that you are sure to face in your next job interview.

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Common Asked Interview Question 1

“tell me about yourself”


Common Asked Interview Question 2

“what are your weaknesses?”

Common Asked Interview Question 3

“why did you leave your last job?”

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Why You Should Act As Though You Already Have The Job

There is a psychology to job interviews that many people are unaware of.

By accessing the interviewer’s subconscious mind you can influence the job interview outcome. One key psychology of persuasion that is always in play is the psychology of authority – people are more likely to be persuaded by someone they see as an authoritarian

 Why You Should Act As Though You Already Have The Job

In the job interview, the interviewer has the power. This is because you, the interviewee, want something from them – the job offer!

Actually this is untrue, it is you the interviewee with the power because the interviewer wants something from you – your skills and experience. Remember you have been asked to interview from, on average, 300 applicants. They like you, they want you.

You have the power and you can exploit this to increase the number of job offers you receive.

Act As An Authority 

In the job interview, you need to be the master of the industry or at least be seen as the master.

Quote industry regulations, industry policies, industry advancements and new technology and state industry declines and barriers.  

Build on what the employer states. As an example if they discuss a new piece of industry technology or a development idea, explain where this idea has come from or where the technology has advance from. Also give the pro’s and con’s to key statements.

This will help you create an identity as an industry expert. Once a powerful identity has been established, whatever you state next will be taken as the truth – because we believe what experts say. This includes when you explain how you will be best suited for the role.

Take Work Away From Them

Basically, we employ new staff members because there is too much work.

To build on your authority, explain how you will be able to complete the task, project, company objective without needing to create more work for the employer.

When the employer is discussing the role and/or job duties, reference how you have worked successfully on a similar task and what you will do to make this new task a success.

You can also reference previous mistakes, explaining the lessons learned (this creates the task objective to be harder than they may have previously believed which creates a subconscious desire to hire an expert – you!)

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Act as if you Already Have the Job

Throughout the job interview, you need to act as if you already have the job.

When giving an interview answer, the mind creates images of that answer – the interviewer will imagine you doing whatever it is you say you are doing.

By tweaking they way you word your answers you can create stronger emotional images of you working collaborative with the employer in a success manner.

Change “I would do…” to “I will” – this creates images of you working for the organisation.

Change “I” to “we” to create the thought of collaboration – this works great when talking about future successes  “…by doing X we will be successful”

Explain what you will add to the team “by using my knowledge of X I will achieve Y within 2-3 months”

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How To Choose Between Multiple Job Offers?

What to do when you have multiple job offers

Nothing feels better than receiving multiple job offers at once. This clearly indicates that you have worked hard and it is really paying off. It becomes quite confusing for an individual when there are multiple job offers and you have to choose the best one out of them.

Money is the foremost factor that everyone considers before comparing other aspects. But what is the guarantee that if an organization is paying you well?

Before choosing the best job offer you might want to weigh the positives and negatives of the job opportunity through the following ways.

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Research

Before applying you must have researched about the company, therefore you must know the values that the company holds, what they expect of the person they hire, etc. Once you are interviewed for the position, you might want to use your research to consider the job offer.

Consider Office Environment And People

It is necessary to consider office environment and people as that is where you would be spending most of the hours of the day. When you went for the job interview, you must have gotten a sense of the office culture. How people communicate with each other or how comforting the environment was. You might want to imagine yourself in that situation before saying yes or no.

What Are The Perks?

Money is of important perks, but different jobs have different strengths and weaknesses. Assess carefully which company is giving you more feasible perks than others. Are they paying you extra for the gas or they are offering free meals, any insurance or medical benefit?

Make A Chart

List down all the pros and cons you have in your mind about all the job offers, and then evaluate the chart on the basis of pros and their importance. Whichever position score better points that might be the job for you.

Advance Yourself

Assess whether you want to go with your passion and long-term career or you want perfect job satisfaction. When comparing the factors, keep in mind that money is not everything. Would you prefer a lower salary to build a better future or you need high salary offer at this time?

Follow Your Gut

Even if after all these steps of evaluation, you are having trouble choosing between two jobs, then go with your gut feeling. There are times when our gut feeling chooses better than anything else. The job your gut will choose will certainly make you happier in the long run.

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Wrapping Up…

These are some ways to choose between multiple jobs without consulting many people. It would be better that you don’t let the potential employer wait longer than the amount of time given for the final decision.

Take your time and evaluate every single detail of the job offers. If you are stuck somewhere and need clarity you might ask your potential employer to clear it for you.

Having multiple choices put you in a powerful position. Choose an opportunity by trusting your own judgment and take the next step carefully with a positive heart. Make sure you stand still to your decision rather than regretting the lost opportunity.

Author Bio

Jenna Burton is working as an HR Professional for DK. She is extremely passionate about helping students who search do my dissertation and provides guidance to them at every step. Furthermore, she is an important part of many academic forums. When not working, she likes to read novels, do yoga and volunteer at a daycare center.

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3 Out The Box Ways to Prepare for Your Job Interview

Think Out The Box to Prepare for a Job Interview

What career advisers don’t tell you when they coach you to pass a job interview, is that job interview success doesn’t just come from researching job interview questions and preparing killer answers.

Job Interview success comes from being in the right state.

Scientists long ago taught us that your emotional state changes your behavior. If you are stressed and nervous you will act differently, you will give different answers  and you will come across differently, than you would if you were focused, excited and in a flow state.

To get into a positive flow state you need to increase dopamine levels in your brain – dopamine is the happy chemical that is release for pleasure and reward.

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Increase Dopamine, Increase Interview Success #1

To increase dopamine levels you first need to write out a list of things you need to do to prepare for your interview (things you need to do on the interview day).

Include basic things that you know you need to do, iron your shirt. As you do each task, physically tick it off the list. Your mind likes to see things being achieved. As you achieve each task you release more dopamine.

Increase Dopamine, Increase Interview Success #2

Dance…or at least move about (this can include going for a run).

Exercise is key for high levels of dopamine while releasing stress. If you mix this with drinking an increase in water you have a positive formula.

Many failed interviewees, rather than exercise, will sit and worry about the forthcoming job interview – all this leads to is an increase in stress and anxiety. As Taylor Swift said “shake it out, shake it out”

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Increase Dopamine, Increase Interview Success #3

Relax, Remember and Re-enact.

You have had many successes. As you are preparing for a job interview, these successes which make up the back bone of your interview answers, should be at the forefront of your mind.

The secret hear is not just to remember each success, but to remember how the success felt. As you remember each success you will feel it inside yourself, releasing even more dopamine

Follow these 3 steps:

  1. Take ten long deep breaths with your eyes closed (while sitting in a comfortable chair in a room you won’t be disturbed in)
  2. Remember each success in turn; imagine being there – see what you can see, hear what you can hear and re-feel the positive emotion
  3. Focus in on this emotion and imagine that you can amply this feeling, keep turning up the feeling until you feel it at its peak

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3 Questions Never to Ask In a Job Interview

Never to Ask These Questions in a Job Interview

 The one question all interviewees are asked, no matter what the job sector or the position you are applying for is, “do you have any questions for me?” This is a crucial time for any interviewee, and you must ask at least 2 intelligent questions.

But people can be stupid. This stupidity comes out in the questions they ask their interviewer. Here are 3 questions you should never ask a potential employer.

Questions You Should Never Ask an Interviewer

“Do the team socialise after work?”

Questions relating to external work activities are a big no, no.

The interview is a workplace discussion, any questions relating to meeting up in a bar, going for weekends away or any social activities can leave a question in the employer’s mind about what you value.

Employers look for employees who value work over play, an employee who cares for the role, someone who puts the organisation first.

Ask questions instead on the company projection, new potential contracts or investments. Ask them about the future of the business not the business of socialising.

“How do I get your job?”

People wrongly believe that all employers want you to be ambitious.

The truth is, employers, want you to be dedicated not ambitious. Think about imagine interviewing a highly skilled worker who you know wants your job, would you recruit them, potentially putting your position in jeopardy.

Instead ask questions of personal development opportunistic, internal training and how you can showcase your innovative ideas.

“What package can you offer me?”

You do need to ask about the offer, as your salary is a key factor when deciding if you should take the offered position or not. But you need to wait for the job offer before negotiations.

Again, employers want an individual who thinks about the position, the company, the business.

They can be easily put off someone with all the required skills and experiences if they believe they only care about what they can get from the deal.

Interview Questions for a Retail Interview at Thorntons

Retail Interview at Thorntons

 For over 100 years Thorntons has been Britain’s leading premium chocolate manufacturer and retailer. To successfully pass a Thornton job interview you need to show that you are a passionate and talented retailer with a proven ability to be part of a team.

You will be confident to make your own decisions whilst your ambition and drive enables you to see new opportunities and to take pride in your achievements

10 Interview Questions for Thornton’s Retail Interview

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – Can you tell me about your retail experience and why you want a job at Thornton?

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – What is do you know about Thorntons as an organisation? 

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – What does customer service mean to you?

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – Give an example of when you have turned around an angry customer?

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – Give me an example when you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help a customer?

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – How would you have a positive effect on your colleagues and team? 

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – What would you do if you have seen a co-worker being rude to a customer?

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – If a customer brought a product and wanted a refund what would you do? 

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – Why do you believe in Thorntons products? 

Thornton’s Job Interview Question – Do you have any questions for me?

10 Job Interview Questions for a Customer Service Advisor at Barratt

Job Interview for a Customer Service Advisor at Barratt

Barratt Homes is a large organisation, when recruiting their administration team they seek a key set of skills.

Barratt’s customer service roles are often customer-facing with a range of administration and ITC skills. In the job interview, you will be asked questions on your experiences in this area.

To prepare for the game developer job interview you need to prepare answers to the following common asked interview questions

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10 Job Customer Service Advisor Interveiw Questions at Barratt

Customer Service Job Interview Question 1 Please start by telling me your experience in customer-facing and administration roles?

Customer Service  Job Interview Question  2 Do you have experience in a buying department?

Customer Service Job Interview Question 3 Give an example of communication with customer pre-post completion, explaining how you built a professional relationship?

Customer Service  Job Interview Question  4 How do you ensure a customer has a positive experience?

Customer Service Job Interview Question  5 What computer packages are you familiar with?

Customer Service Job Interview Question 6 Give me an example of the administrative task that you feel you are competent at completing?

Customer Service Job Interview Question  7 Give an example of how you successfully multi-task?

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Customer Service Job Interview Question 8 How do you evaluate your success?

Customer Service Job Interview Question 9 Give an example of working within a team to successfully achieve an objective?

Customer Service Job Interview Question 10 Do you have any questions for me?

10 Job Interview Questions for an Applications Developer

Job Interview Questions – Applications Developer

The applications sector is on the increase, there are more phones than people in the world!

With an increase in jobs in application developer roles, there is always an increase in competition.

An application developer translates software requirements into workable programming code and maintains and develops programs for use in business. In the job interview  you need to show how you get computers to perform specific tasks, based on the client’s specifications.

There is a range of key skills and experiences that you must discuss in the job interview.

To prepare for the game developer job interview you need to prepare answers to the following common asked interview questions

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Applications Developer Job Interview Question 1

Please start by giving me an overview of your experience as an applications developer, highlighting your key achievements.

Applications Developer Job Interview Question  2

How do you establish a detailed programme specification?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question 3 

Explain how you clarify what actions the programme is to perform?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question  4

How do you anticipate potential problems and find solutions?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question  5

What programming languages are you familiar with?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question 6

Give me an example of writing detailed documentation for the operation of the program by users and computer operators?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question  7 

Give an example of adopting the programme as the contractor demands?

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Applications  Developer  Job Interview Question 8 

How do you evaluate your progress?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question 9

Give an example of working within a team to successfully develop an app?

Applications Developer Job Interview Question 10

Do you have any questions for me?

10 Job Interview Questions for a Games Developer

Pass a Games Developer Job Interview

The gaming industry is a multi-billion pound industry with an expected 5% increase in gaming jobs in the UK over the next 5 years.

A games developer can work in different areas of the process from the designer to programming, from computer animation to art roles.

The game developer role is a creative team role and you need to highlight these skills in the game developer job interview. You will be asked questions on the job duties and responsibilities, as well as being asked to showcase your work.

To prepare for the game developer job interview you need to prepare answers to the following common asked interview questions

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Game Develop Job Interview Questions

Game Developer Job Interview Question 1

Please start by giving my an overview of your experience in game development and why you entered this industry?

Game Developer Job Interview Question  2

How do you interpret a customer design brief?

Game Developer Job Interview Question 3 

Explain the process you use for developing games from the initial concept?

Game Developer Job Interview Question  4

How do you create a storyboard using a clients brief?

 Game Developer Job Interview Question  5

What programming languages are you familiar with?

Game Developer Job Interview Question 6 

What do you do to ensure that their are no bugs in the game?

Game Developer Job Interview Question  7 

Give an example of solving a complex technical problem?

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Game Developer  Job Interview Question 8 

Give an example of game you developed that you are proud of tell me the reason for this?

 Game Developer Job Interview Question 9 

Give an example of working within a team to successfully develop a game?

Game Developer Job Interview Question 10

Do you have any questions for me?

10 Job Interview Questions for a Ceramics Designer

How to Prepare for a Ceramics Designer Job Interview

There are a number of different ceramic designer job roles from a ceramic sculpture to garden ceramics, from wall tiles to commercial tableware.

In all these roles, and of course in the job interview, you need to show that you have a flair for art and design.

Many ceramic designers are self-employed but to gain a commission you will still need to pass a job interview.

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Ceramic Designer Job Interview Questions

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question 1

Please start by giving me an overview of your experience in ceramic design, the type of work you have produced and if you made one of the products or commercial work.

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question  2

How do you interpret a customer design brief?

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question 3 

Do you have experience of using various materials; bone china, porcelain, earthware, stoneware?

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question  4

How do you decide on decorative techniques and glazes?

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question  5 

How do you select materials for one of the pieces?

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question 6 

What equipment are you skilled in using?

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question  7 

Do you have experience in direct selling to customers?

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Ceramic Designer  Job Interview Question 8 

Give an example of how you have developed your skills over the years?

Ceramic Designer  Job Interview Question 9 

What is your approach to planning a job from the design stage to the production of the pieces?

Ceramic Designer Job Interview Question 10

Do you have any questions for me?