30 days to the job you love - Day 21

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 21

Preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can feel confident and ready to impress. Here are the top 5 most commonly asked interview questions and the best ways to answer them:

1. Can you tell me about yourself? Start with your recent experience and work your way backwards, emphasizing skills and past experiences that are relevant to the job you are seeking.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Focus on a few key strengths that are applicable to the position and offer examples of how they have benefited you in previous roles. For weaknesses, choose one that you have actively worked on improving and explain the steps you have taken to overcome it.

3. Why are you interested in working for this company? Research the company and mention specific aspects that appeal to you, such as their values, products, or work culture. Connect your own career goals with how the company aligns with them.

4. Can you share an example of a work challenge you have overcome? Utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response and select a specific example that showcases your problem-solving and resilience skills.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Express your ambition and desire for growth within the company, and align your long-term goals with the potential career paths offered within the organization.

Remember to practice your answers beforehand and tailor them to the specific job you are applying for. Best of luck on your interview and believe in yourself. As quoted by Norman Vincent Peale, "Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.”