Interview Cheat Sheet for Champions

Job interviews can be daunting, especially when you're not sure what to expect. Champions don't leave their success to chance. Instead, they prepare for every possible question that might come their way. This cheat sheet will help you become a champion at interviews, by focusing on the 10 most commonly asked interview questions and providing you with the best strategies to respond to each of them.

Q1 - "What is your biggest failure?"

? Choose a work-related failure.

? Explain what went wrong.

? Discuss the lessons learned and how you grew from the experience.

When answering this question, be honest and choose a real-life example. However, make sure to end on a positive note, showing that you have a growth mindset.

Q2 - "Why do you want to work here?"

? Express your admiration for the company's mission and vision.

? Explain how the role aligns with your career goals and experience.

? Share positive interactions with the company's employees and emphasize the company's values.

Tailor your answer to the specific company, role, and people you've met. Make sure you appear genuinely excited about the opportunity.

Q3 - "Tell me about yourself."

? Provide a brief 2-3 sentence summary of your professional background.

? Share 2-3 recent accomplishments relevant to the role.

? End by explaining why the role is an excellent fit for your goals.

Keep your response concise and focus on information relevant to the role.

Q4 - "What work accomplishment are you most proud of?"

? Describe a challenging problem you faced.

? Explain the specific actions you took to address it

? Share the positive impact on the business.

Engage your interviewer with a captivating story, be specific about your contributions, and use numbers to highlight the impact.

Q5 - "What is your greatest weakness?"

? Emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement.

? Share feedback from a recent performance review.

? Discuss how you're addressing the issue.

Be honest but respectful when discussing your weaknesses, and focus on your growth.

Q6 - "How do you handle competing priorities?"

? Explain your prioritization framework based on ROI.

? Discuss communication with the affected parties.

? Share an example of when you adjusted priorities.

Demonstrate your ability to handle competing priorities effectively and calmly.

Q7 - "What are your compensation expectations?"

? Request the high end of the compensation range for the role.

? Express concern for the overall package.

? Show eagerness to see how the interviews progress in terms of fit

Avoid providing a specific number and maintain a balanced attitude towards compensation.

Q8 - "Tell me about a conflict at work."

? Explain the root cause of the conflict.

? Describe your actions to resolve the issue.

? Share the lessons learned and how you're applying them going forward.

Use this question to showcase your teamwork and emotional intelligence while avoiding blame.

Q9 - "What are your career goals?"

? Discuss your desire to progress within the job function of the role.

? Share your interest in the company's domain

? Mention your preference for companies of a similar size.

Align your goals with the role, company, and size, and connect them to your genuine interests.

Q10 - "What are your career goals?"

? Discuss your desire to progress within the job function of the role.

? Share your interest in the company's domain

? Mention your preference for companies of a similar size.

Align your goals with the role, company, and size, and connect them to your genuine interests.

BONUS: For questions that surprise you,

? Ask for time to think

? Structure a thoughtful response

? Redirect to topics you are comfortable with.

If a question catches you off guard, don't feel obligated to immediately respond. Take a moment to gather your thoughts, and if needed, steer the conversation towards a strong story or point you want to convey.

Conclusion:

Champions are made, not born. With this gold standard cheat sheet in hand, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the 10 most commonly asked interview questions and make a lasting impression on your interviewers.

Remember, the key to success lies in preparation, authenticity, and the ability to showcase your growth mindset. So, go forth and conquer your interviews with confidence, knowing that you have the tools and strategies to stand out and get the offer you deserve.