Interviewing for a new job can be nerve wracking. With so much riding on making a great impression, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, it’s no surprise that two-thirds (67%) of millennials feel uneasy about job interviews. Almost 40% would rather spend an entire weekend cleaning out their garage than meeting with a hiring manager, 15% of millennials feel so nervous they could throw up before every interview, and 80% admit to being stumped by interview questions, facts by LinkedIn.
Here’s a sneak peak of the expert advice featured in the tool on how to crush some of the most commonly asked interview questions:
Question #1: Tell me about yourself.
Resist the urge to go line by line through your experience, and instead, talk about what’s not on paper. Career Coach Jenny Foss suggests sticking to the SHE formula — Succinct, Honest and Engaging — to give the interviewer enough info to interest them without going on and on. And as always, preparation is key, so be sure to check out the job description in advance so you can describe your strengths as they map back to the position’s desired skills.
Question #2: What is your greatest weakness?
Employers are looking for self-awareness and personal accountability with this question, and Hiring Manager Gene Finley IV says it’s good to be honest, humble and authentic about what you’re not great at. Don’t choose a weakness that could disqualify you from the role — like lack of attention to detail if you’re applying for a copy editor position. Share something authentic, and be sure to explain what you’re doing to actively improve on this weakness — have a plan going in!
Question #3: Why should we hire you?
Lead with your qualifications, advises Hiring Manager Joey Zumaya, starting with the three or four best reasons that show you’re qualified for the job. Paint a picture — cite results, credentials and other people’s praise — so that it’s easy for the interviewer to imagine what you’d bring to the role and the company.
Question #4: What would your coworkers say about you?
While your coworkers might love your ‘mad skills’ on the company kickball team, Foss recommends share something that relates to the job description and back it with an example, like that time you were a team player by helping a colleague get to the finish line with a big project they were working on. To get ideas, look at your recommendations and reviews on LinkedIn, and mention it to the interviewer so they can read the whole review. Be confident and succinct — this is your chance to #humblebrag and it’s okay to shine.
Question #5: Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake.
Career Strategist and Coach Linda Raynier says to use a compelling and honest story, explaining why it was a mistake, what you’ve learned and any steps you’ve taken to show that you’re ‘working on it.’ To help ground your story and keep from going off the rails, use the SAR framework — Situation, Action, Result.
So if you start to get nervous at the thought of an upcoming interview for one of the millions of jobs on LinkedIn, head to it’s new tool and spend some time getting ready for the big day. The more you practice, the more prepared you’ll feel — and the more confident you will be. @itp.live via @LinkedIn.Â