Bad answer: "I'm a huge fan of the Yankees and avid softball player with the gift of gab; I'm usually the life of the party." You may very well be a Yankees fan! But what interviewers are really interested in understanding is what you're like as a worker. You'll generally be better
off by using this opening to mention some of your professionally oriented attributes that will help you get the job done.
Bad answer: "Didn't you look at my resume?" Have patience with interviewers: Not only do they talk to a lot of people, but also this is a standard interview question that helps interviewers open up a conversation.
Bad answers: "I don't know" or "It sounds like a good job." If you need to, take a little time to think about an answer before you respond. Then, respond to the question "Why should we hire you?" with an answer that illustrates how your qualifications and strengths fit the job,
along with some anecdotes to illustrate your qualifications.
Bad answers: "I do good work" or "I'm the best" or "I'm not sure, but I'm a good learner." When answering questions about your strengths, talk about specific skills you have as they relate to the job, rather than giving general answers. Do your best to mention strengths that
would be in demand at the role at hand. And give examples.
Bad answers: "I failed that drug test" or "I missed too much work." Be very careful when you answer questions about being fired. Keep what you say about being fired as brief as possible. You could talk about how being cut loose was a blessing, or how you and your employer came to a mutual understanding.
And again, stay away from being negative about your former employer.
Bad answers: "I was looking through the job ads and it seemed interesting" or "I was getting bored with my current job." Rather than such vague answers, a better approach would be to cite specific reasons why the job is appealing and fits in with your overall career aspirations.
Bad answers: "In your job" or "I hate that question." Try to research a career path flowing from the job for which you are interviewing and reference a realistic goal for your progress. It is also acceptable to ask the interviewer for some common positions to which one might
progress if one is successful in the initial position and then use that information to help frame your answer.
Bad answers: "I'm the best one for the job" or "I am great with people and a hard worker." Rather than being so vague, when faced with the question of why you should be hired, be ready to mention the specific assets or qualifications you possess that will help you succeed in the job.
Be ready to reference examples of how you have applied those strengths to add value in various work, school, or volunteer scenarios.
Bad answers: "Do I have to work overtime?" or "I don't have any questions" or "How much vacation will I get?" or "How much is the employee discount?" If you don't have any questions, it can seem like you're not truly interested in the role, weren't engaged in the conversation, or
didn't prepare for the interview. Questions about vacation time and benefits can wait until after you have been offered a position.