Almost every interview uses the same handful of questions. Once you can recognise what each one is really asking, you can prepare properly instead of hoping.
For story questions, use four steps: the situation, what you had to do, what you actually did, and how it turned out. Most people give only the first two and the answer goes nowhere.
"Tell me about yourself" is not asking for your life story. Give two minutes: what you have done, what you are good at, why you are here. Practise it aloud once, because it is the question people most often stumble on.
"What is your weakness?" wants honesty and self-awareness, not a hidden boast. Name something real and say what you do about it.
What is your biggest weakness?
What happens: Interviewers have heard it hundreds of times and read it as avoiding the question. It usually costs you more than an honest answer would.
What happens: Honest, specific, and shows you noticed a problem and fixed it. That is exactly what the question is testing.
They asked about experience I do not have
Do not pretend. Say what you have done that is closest, and that you learn quickly with an example of when you did. "I have not used that system, but I learned the till system at my last job in two days" is a strong answer. Interviewers can always tell when someone is bluffing.
What if they ask about salary?
For entry-level roles, it is fine to ask what range they have budgeted. If pushed for a number, give a range rather than one figure and say you are open to discussing it. Do some checking beforehand so your range is realistic for the role and your area.
Are they allowed to ask if I plan to have children?
No. Questions about pregnancy, children, marital status, religion and similar are not lawful grounds for a hiring decision in South Africa. You can answer briefly and move on, or say politely that you would rather focus on the role. An employer who presses is telling you something useful about themselves.
Before you move on
- Prepare three stories using the four steps
- Practise 'tell me about yourself' out loud once
- Prepare an honest answer about a weakness
Check what you know
3 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.
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