Six simple rules of answering interview questions are:
- Keep it brief and stop talking when you’ve said enough.
- Listen carefully.
- Do not be too modest but do not exaggerate.
- Talk in practical terms.
- Make things obvious for the interviewer.
- Never defend or argue a view too vigorously during an interview.
Prepare the questions you want to ask, and anticipate the questions you expect to be asked. You can usually anticipate up to 80% of the likely questions.
Prepare in advance answers to these common questions:
- What can you tell me about yourself?
- Why did you leave your last job?
- What were your major achievements in your last job or in your career?
- What are your major strengths and weaknesses and how would you correct the latter?
- What are your career goals and where do you want to be in five years time?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- How did you get along with your last manager?
- How would your peers, subordinates, last manager, describe you?
- Why should we hire you?