How would you describe yourself?
This is not about your personal life – it’s about your work experience and career. This is your chance to highlight your qualifications, good work habits, attributes, and achievements that make you a valuable employee.
What are your strengths?
These are attributes that help qualify you for the job. Identify five strengths that you feel are most in line with the job that you’re interviewing for and give a brief example of how you successfully applied each particular strength in a work situation. Example: My time management skills are excellent, which allows me to successfully juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines ahead of schedule.
What are your weaknesses?
Everybody has weaknesses, but keep your answer work-related. When pointing out weaknesses stay away from personal behaviors and instead focus on professional attributes. Point out a few that the interviewer might see as strengths, such as sometimes being too meticulous about the quality of your work. For every weakness, offer a strength that compensates for it. Example: I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage – I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail I know my work is correct.
4. How do you handle pressure and stress?
Everyone feels stress; the only difference is in the degree. Give examples of how you have effectively handled stress at work. Example: I start by prioritizing my responsibilities, so I get a clear idea of what needs to be done and when, which helps me manage pressure on the job.