What to Expect During an Interview? Screening interviews with human resources professionals is a crucial step to getting the job. A good or bad interview with HR will determine how far you go in the interview process, so it’s best to know what to expect and go in prepared.
Let’s take a look at the five most common questions asked by HR during screening interviews and how you should approach them.
- Why are you interested in this position?
HR professionals love this question so use it as your chance to reiterate your strengths and highlight your applicable skill set and passion for the company and the role. Speak about how your past experiences match the qualifications for the job using keywords from the job description to make the connection stronger.
- Tell me about yourself.
I recommend doing a strength, weakness, opportunities and threats analysis (SWOT analysis) within the context of a professional interview. Analyze the sector, the company, and the job function using SWOT and look for opportunities to market yourself.
- Why are you leaving your current job?
HR managers ask this question to determine if there are any red flags related to your departure. Are you leaving on good terms or bad? Are you looking to escape from your current job or grow within a new one? These are a few of the questions running through the interviewer’s mind.
Take this opportunity to speak positively of your current employer but communicate that you’re looking at this new position as the next step in your career. By framing your answer positively, you’re making the interviewer focus on your potential contributions rather than any red flags.
- What do you know about the company?
This is a test and one you should be able to pass easily. Doing research on a company prior to an interview is a necessity. You need to know the history and make-up of the company, who the key players are, recent accomplishments and mentions in the press, and any other relevant information.
- What questions do you have for me?
ALWAYS have questions for the interviewer. The strongest candidates show their enthusiasm and position themselves as potentially valuable team members by asking smart, strategic questions that benefit both the interviewer and the interviewee. Like questions about “what will be my career path?”
At the end you will find a lot of other questions and all you want, is to be prepared and always answer the questions with enthusiasm.
Finally Good luck all 🙂
By: Maryam Osama Elgaby
Photography: Mahmoud Mansi & Hassan Ragab
EDITOR: Nada Adel Sobhi