If you have a job interview coming up, there are some questions that you will need to have an answer ready in preparation for your interview. Because just like the annual Superbowl rager your buddies throw, you know they are coming. (Phoenixns/Getty Images)
So honestly who didn't love this song growing up? The recruiter will most likely already know your name but, introductions and the ever popular "Tell me about yourself" question will definitely come up. The company is not trying to learn what you post on Instagram but, wants to learn your past experience and why you would be a good fit You don't want to talk their ear off, so keep your answer short and to the point. Anything about your personal or social like that drinking competition you won, or your obsession with Game of Thrones, you want to keep to yourself. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
It is important NOT to bad mouth your last employer or service branch, even if your boss sucked and they may have. Interviewers ask this to learn your work values, if you left on your own terms and the reason. A good phrase is something to effect of "I wanted something new," it shows dependability and a desire for growth as you completed a task and are hoping to grow in a new opportunity. How you answer this will be remembered, so have something prepared beforehand.
Everyone loves to talk about themselves especially if its about something good they did. So, be ready to do so professionally when this question is asked: "What do you consider your most significant accomplishment? This is the question equivalent of scoring that winning touch down, a good answer on this can secure the job. Remember that time you killed your assignment or started something new for your team? Of course you do (you probably told everyone, and them posted your celebration drinks on Snapchat like him, I mean who wouldn't). Maybe you led a group in combat or taught a task to new soldiers, whatever your accomplishment was, have a prepared story in mind to tell the recruiter. Tell the story in detail expelling any obstacles you overcame and step by step.
You know you are qualified and why you would rock this job, the recruiter does not. Highlight two or three areas listed in the job description and give a detailed explanation of your experiences, such as a technical skill or a specific management skill, along with a success story explaining how you are qualified.
That time you didn't think you would finish the assignment or found a new way to finish the mission, this is the time to bring it up.Have an example that you can easily bring up to demonstrate what you have accomplished in the past. Showcase your strengths, the way you would talk about that high school football game you led the team to victory in, cause it may have been five years ago but you know you still tell everyone.
As a service member who has completed boot camp and possibly even been deployed overseas, it is safe to say you can work in high pressure situations. The interviewer wants to know how you handle stress,and if you can handle the stress of the job you are interviewing for. Try to provide a stressful situation and how you worked through it, which you should be able to easily do as you probably do it oh I don't know everyday.
The recruiter wants to know if you can take initiative. You just finished serving your country, so I'm pretty sure you can take initiative.Prove it to the recruiter by discussing one situation in depth, detailing how you took initiative in a situation.
Everyone changes. You probably aren't the same kid who enlisted five years ago, your a full fledged adult out there adulting! You need to explain how you have grown and changed in terms of maturation, technical skills and any other area where you have changed. Showing an increase in skills, knowledge and obstacles makes you an approachable and desirable employee recruiters are looking for.
The ability to discuss your biggest asset is important as it tells the company why they need to hire you! Be ready to discuss the strength you chose with a specific example. It is also a good idea to choose an attribute that will help you succeed in the position you are interviewing for.
This is NOT a trick question, and is one of the most important questions in the interview. The interviewer wants to know that you are aware of your shortcomings and are actively working to improve. When describing a weakness, make sure to balance it with how you are overcoming it. Saying something silly like "I'm always late" or " I cant finish what I start" will leave you looking as silly as Peter Griffin in literally every episode of Family Guy, only unlike him you won't have a job.
Information contributed by Marine Corps Community Service. Find more at http://www.usmc-mccs.org/. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)