Confusing questions, it has always been and will always be a challenge for new job seekers who just graduated from college. No one knows what the job interview awaits them but most graduates think that what they have learned from college is basically what they will be interviewed in their job seeking process only to be surprised.
However, most employers usually do not adore theoretical skills learned in class but those fundamental know-hows that a person possesses about a certain phenomenon. A student can be bright in class, scoring incredibly good grades, but when asked to display the latter in the practical world, a totally different person is portrayed. This raises the question as to whether the curriculum prepares a bunch of useful professionals or just educated fools.
Anyway, our concern is not to criticize the education system but to help fresh graduates understand what is required of them in their first interview and therefore prepare well for the latter. Outlined below are some of the most confusing questions on the first interview for students.
- Who is so and so?
Basically, here the interviewer wants you to tell him/her more about yourself apart from the academic credentials you have already presented to him. This is a mandatory question that you are guaranteed to face in any interview you attend. It is also one of the trickiest questions that come unexpectedly sending you to a wave of untamed confusion. This is the most appropriate time to talk about yourself and tell the interviewer what he/she doesn’t know about you. The question is open ended and you have the golden chance to express yourself to make the interviewer feel that you are really the best candidate for their job.
When asked who is so and so, take this as an example. “Thomas Johnson is one of the few individuals who is founded on a common belief that success is a function of three fundamental principles of discipline, diligence, and teamwork. I believe that apart from my academic qualifications, the interaction of those three disciplines will scale the heights of this company’s success to new levels and will ultimately realize your set objectives. As an individual, am a person of high integrity, hardworking and has an outstanding ability in research, accounts and related areas.” confidence in answering this question also matters a lot for the interviewer to believe that what you are saying is true.
- Why are you interested in this job?
This is a question where honesty is being tested and most interviewers ask it to see whether your interests oscillates around personal gains or rather if you will bring any benefits after securing the job. When you focus on what the job will give you, you are simply jeopardizing yourself, chances of getting the job as that is not what the interviewer wants to hear. The question tests your suitability for the job you are seeking to see whether you are the perfect fit in the organization’s culture.
For instance, you can respond to this question as follows: “it is always normal for a person to enjoy being linked to successful businesses. This is one of the most successful companies in the region and I feel that my role will even scale the heights of your success to greater levels. I possess the skills that you basically require and also feel that this is the best place to execute them” you have started by appreciating the firm’s success which also gives the interviewer a good picture about you and then you have narrowed down to what you possess that makes you the best fit in the organization.
- What weaknesses do you have?
This is one of the most unexpected questions that you may expect during your first interview. It is common for interviewers to ask you about the skills and expertise that you possess, but asking you about your weaknesses may send you off trying to figure them out. In this case, the interviewer wants you to be honest about your weaknesses for him or her to be able to gauge your abilities. However, you should be cautious when outlining your weaknesses because you might be too straightforward, making the employer skeptical about your importance in his company. You should also end your feeling about your weaknesses on a positive note to assure the interviewer that they will not affect your performance.
For example, “frankly, am not used to communicate to masses of people which usually give me cold chills down my spine every time is on stage. However, I usually overcome this by cracking a joke which raises my confidence in such a way that nobody will even notice that I was initially in fear. How you handle your weakness is usually what the interviewer is interested in. Being positive and appreciating your weaknesses covers them anyway.
- How will you benefit us if we decide to employ you?
This seems to be a straightforward question; it is, however, confusing as well, especially if you do not understand your career well. If for instance you never had the passion for what you trained in school or you were forced to take a course you never wanted, you might get a headache in answering this question. You should take this opportunity to demonstrate your expertise and assure the interviewer that your role in his company will be of paramount importance to bridge a certain gap. This is where you talk about your skills and experience you have gained in your field to show that you deserve that particular post you are being interviewed for.
For example, “my economics expertise will help with budgeting all your transactions as well as trace all cash flows within this organization for a comprehensive financial report. Profit maximization is basically what I adore most and my skills in cost minimization and revenue maximization will be felt in this organization.” Here, you have given the interviewer an insight of what you do as a professional and you have assured him that your marginal productivity will be realized in his organization.
- How much do you expect us to pay you?
This is a very tricky question that needs a creative answer. The interviewer might be asking this to see whether you are just there to get a good salary or whether you are ready to work for that salary. It is also tricky in that you can understate your expected salary or overstate it as well. It is advisable you hear what the interviewer is willing to offer you and then you can decide to negotiate the latter. You can also leave the challenge to the employer by letting him determine your pay until your productivity in the organization is seen. This raises the interviewer’s confidence in you that you are willing to work and not just get paid for nothing. In most cases, after being employed the salary you never stated will be in your favor.
For example, “I must say that determining my salary at this preliminary stage is quite difficult since you have not gauged my productivity. I believe that you typically have the range of payments to somebody with my background. As a financial officer, I also believe that my salary should be determined by the value of my marginal productivity which is not yet evident in your firm. Meanwhile, I give you the courtesy to determine my pay slip”
