#1 – This is a pretty open question. Try not to spend a lot of time talking about your personal life. Focus on your education and skills that would be relevant to the job for which you are applying: “In 2009, I graduated with a BS in computer science with a focus on Networking from XYZ University. I enjoy learning about new technologies and spend time reading about the latest trends and security alerts relevant to this field.”
#2 – If you answered #1 correctly, you won’t have to answer this again. Most interviewers don’t really want to know much about your personal life, so stay focused on what they need to know about your skills and ability to fit in with the work environment.
#3 – Same as #2 – this should all be answered in the 3 minutes you talk about yourself.
#4 – Strengths should be described in simple terms such as “diligence” or “determination” then back that up with a short example of how you research or work to find solutions to problems that aren’t readily apparent at the beginning of the project.
Weakness is an easy one, let them know you are working to improve your conversational English skills. If they want another, tell them Spelling or something that is not related to the job you need to accomplish. Try to avoid personality traits as weaknesses since those are harder to overcome than skills that can be improved.
#5 – Tell them something you have learned about the company and how this fits in with what you like to do. Let them know that you are a hard worker and want to help the company succeed. They will know that you have little to bring to the table in terms of experience so this is where you should focus on your personality traits such as positive attitude and willingness to learn and grow.
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Also, don’t be afraid to pause and think about an answer, this shows thoughtfulness. It is better to formulate your words first and then respond. The last thing you want to do in an interview is to talk too much. The interview process is more about finding reasons to disqualify you for the job, so don’t offer up much more than what they are asking.