Making a good impression on your interviewer is critical in your job interviews. Employers nowadays, especially in the BPO industry, want to hire not just a qualified person but also someone who has the right attitude for the job.

With the rise of so many BPO or Call Center companies in the Philippines, people are racing to recruitment hubs trying to get their luck on this high-paying job.

To really make a mark on your interviewer, here are the top 5 common interview questions and some tips on how to answer them:

1. Tell me something about yourself.

Before your mind dives right into where you live, what degree you have finished and how old you are, think that these information are already in your resume. What your interviewer really wants to know is what type of person you are. You can mention your work ethics— how you are in the workplace, how efficient you are in doing a task and so on.

Employers would also want to know about your interests. Bear in mind that you are selling yourself to the company so make sure that you mention the interesting things that you like to do and what makes you unique among all the other applicants.

2. Why did you leave your past job?

Maybe you had a dispute with a colleague? Maybe you didn’t like the management? Maybe you were not compensated enough? Whatever it is, your future employer, sure, doesn’t want an employee who seem to complain a lot. You might want to focus more on the company that you’re trying to get into and at the same time think about why you chose to apply in the first place.

3. What has been your most significant achievement so far?

Employers want to know more about your capabilities and your attitude towards your skills. Try not to give a vague answer. If you want to go with your achievement in your past job, be specific on what you did or what qualities you have in order to gain that success.

4. What do you think are your weaknesses?

This is kind of a trick question, really. Your employer wants to know the limits of your capabilities, what ticks you off in the workplace and your attitude towards your weaknesses as well. Honesty, as they say, is the best policy. However, you might want to let your employer know too that despite of your weaknesses, you are doing something to improve yourself. Try to be specific, as well, in mentioning what you have been exercising to make yourself better.

5. How do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Try not to dig a lot in how you are going to be 5 years from now in your personal life and get more into your employment and career goals. Your interviewer would want to see that you are planning to build a career with them.

 

Whether first impressions last or they do not, it’s important to wow your interviewer because he or she has a say on getting you on-board. Just remember that in every job application, you are trying to sell yourself to the company, so toss that slightly crumpled resume, print a new one, put on a suit (and maybe a little bit of make-up for the ladies) and strap in that professional attitude once you step into the recruitment office. Good luck!