Top 8 Interview Questions

It is undeniable that a lot of interview questions are to be expected. In this blog, Muovo has shared with you a number of articles that can help you with your interview preparation. The list below is a list that summarizes the most important interview questions.

1. What Are Your Weaknesses?
Don't you just hate this question? Rather than what you say, it is the way you answer this question that really matters. From this question the interview will get an overall impression of what your character is like.

Try to 'minimise' your weaknesses and emphasise instead your strengths. Concentrate on professional traits, such as 'I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more an effective consultant' and so on.

2. Why Should We Hire You?
Summarise your experiences: 'With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team'.

3. Why Do You Want to Work Here?
Make sure you read the mission statement and/or vision of the company and try to combine your won career aims with those listed by the company. Do research the company history before you go in for the interview.

4. What Are Your Goals?
Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. Your immediate might be to get a position at a growth-oriented company. Your long-term goal might be to move further in your job and grow within the company.

5. Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: 'I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me'.

If you are employed, focus instead on what you would like to pursue in your next job: 'After 2 years, I decided to look for a company that cherishes team-work and is involved in projects that include a lot of team-work, where I can add my experience'.

6. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?
What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarise concisely: 'I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly'.

7. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?
It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: 'My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour'.

8. What Salary Are You Seeking?
It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: 'I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?'

If you have any questions, Muovo would like to help! Good luck!

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Negotiating Your Salary

 Negotiating your salary may be one of the best things you can do in your career...and your life. Most of us however are more than reluctant to approach our bosses and ask for that raise. Muovo has found the following article from Brazen Life insightful as it deals with 5 things that we should be are probably not very aware of when we're trying to negotiate our salaries.

1. Ask.
It's obvious, right? Negotiation is, first and foremost, a conversation. Your manager or boss however is probably perfectly happy with things as they are, so to start that conversation, YOU have to ask.

2. Not asking? You're leaving real money on the table.
We often don’t appreciate or be aware of, perhaps, of how much we might be leaving on the table over time by not asking or not asking for enough.

3. The process if often negotiated too.
Some workers don’t realize that getting to the negotiation may itself be a negotiation. Learn to recognize when higher-ups are negotiating the process. These are actually negotiation tactics—one of delay, the other of hurrying you. It’s important to remember that you can negotiate when you’ll negotiate. You can also respond to this tactic by asking for a more appropriate time for you. Similarly, for the brush-off, ask for a fixed date when you can meet.

4. Your boss hates negotiating too!
Approaching the conversation as a persuasion exercise and highlighting a win-win option—or at least showing it won’t hurt your manager—will make the process easier for your boss, which means it’s easier for you, too.

5. It doesn't have to be only about money.
We tend to focus on asking for a higher salary or a bonus and may miss asking for other perks that can be helpful in our career and life. Would additional (paid for) training or courses help you on to greater opportunities? Would flex time or telecommuting allow you to spend more time on non-work interests or obligations? How about more vacation? What about taking on a different role or getting to do something you’ve always wanted to try?

Good luck! Let us know of your experiences!

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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Take The Stress Out Of Your Job Interviews

If some of you have an interview coming up in the following days, don't fret! Muovo has found some key steps that will make your interviewing experience and preparation stress free and useful for future interviews!

1. Use your online network to your advantage.
Social networks nowadays have much to offer...not only to employers but also to candidates. On preparing for your job interview, don't simply look through the company profile, vision and history, but also carry out a quick search on your interviewers or if you're not sure, on general managers and directors of the company.

You might wish to look at LinkedIn profiles of staff members and of your interviewers (or potential interviewers). This information will help you see how, if applicable, employees can make progress within the organisation, which you can then use as a basis to your questions about career advancements during the interview.

2. CV and online checks.
It is no news that employers are constantly looking at social networks to get an idea about their employees or future employees. They also look at LinkedIn profiles and Twitter, wherever applicable. Check that your CV conforms to the information presented on these sites.

3. Outfit check.
You will be making your first impression during the first interview so make sure that it will be a good one! Get your hair or nails done the day (or few days) before and prepare your outfit way before the time for the interview.

4. Reference gathering.
Take along with you any references that would be suitable for the position for which you have applied. It is important that your referees are happy to be contacted by your potential employers and that their contact details are accurate.

5. Make notes.
You can take some paper and pen with you and write down some points that you would like to discuss with your interviewer(s) at the end of the interview. Also write down a couple of pre-prepared questions along with these two questions/notes: (a) get the business card of your interviewers, and (b) ask about the timeframe for a hiring decision.

If you have any questions Muovo would be very happy to help you. Good luck!

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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Building Your Career Path: 3 Quick Tips to Success

Nowadays you need to be well aware of how to plot your own career path appropriately. But how should you chart your own career plan successfully?

1. Self-Assess.
What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror? Are you aware of your strengths and your weaknesses, and what you're actually interested in? A lot of people engage themselves in careers which they think are interesting and well-suited for them, only to learn that they weren't what they really wanted to do or that somehow, they are not fulfilling enough. This is a common feeling shared by many people...worldwide. Evaluate your time and position, consider all available position and don't be afraid to make changes, if necessary.

2. Research. Research. Research.
Do you really want to find the career of your dreams? Do a lot of research. Meet people from different networks and socialize as much as you can. Learn about different jobs. Ask questions. Take career assessment or aptitude tests and if necessary, go to a career counsellour. Most importantly however, never give up hope - with the right perseverance and stamina, you will land the job of your dreams.

3. Yes. Make That Move!
You've done all the research and got all the experience that you needed. Now it's time to leave whatever you're doing, perhaps a position that you've been thinking of changing for so long, and move towards your preferred career. You've been dreaming about it, you've worked hard for it...and now it's time to get it!
Do keep in mind however that no job is perfect, and like anything else in life, there will always be the ups and the downs.

Best wishes!

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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8 Questions You Should Never Ask During An Interview

The success or failure of an interview depends on a lot things. Hence, it is not just the result of how well you answer the questions, but also on the type of questions that you ask during the interview.

On reading this article, Muovo has realized the extent to which candidates need to be informed about what to ask, and what not to ask their interviewers during the interview. Some of the questions that have been, surprisingly, asked by real interviewees to their interviewers were the following:

(a) 'Do I have to be at work every day?'
(b) 'Would you consider going out with me?'
(c) 'Is the boss single?'
(d) 'Can my husband finish off this test for me?'
(e) 'Can you help search for an apartment?'
(f) 'What job is this for?'
(g) 'Can I have three weeks off every three months to pursue my music career?'

Apart from being bizarre and most peculiar, these questions are likely to ruin your chances of ever getting a good job based on an otherwise solid interview performance. Meanwhile, posing intelligent questions would show the interviewer that you are a serious candidate whilst helping you determine whether this role is really for you.

Here are some smart questions worth asking:

(1) While researching your company, I learned that [fill in the blank]. Can you tell me more about that?
Impress interviewers by making it clear you've done your homework. Learn as much as you can about the organization before your meeting

(2) What types of training and development programs do you offer?
Generally speaking, it is unwise to ask an employer what the company plans to do for you once hired; at least until the interviewer has sent signals that a job offer is likely. But bringing up training and development opportunities in an initial interview isn't the same as jumping the gun about salary, benefits or vacation time.

(3) What are some potential career paths within your company for a person starting in this position?
This question shows you're goal-oriented and career-minded. It also emphasizes your desire to grow with a company. Considering the significant amount of time, money and resources that companies invest in hiring and training new staff, it's beneficial to indicate that you're looking to stay onboard long term.

(4) Why is this job open? Some questions are less about strategically pitching yourself and more about eliciting details that shed greater light on the job and the company.

(5) What do you enjoy most about working here?
Job seekers don't always think of it this way, but an employment interview is a two-way street, and the efforts to impress should go both ways. Good interviewers will play up the advantages of working at the company, because they want to win you over.

Pay attention to how the interviewer responds to this question. Was the answer delivered quickly, with detail and enthusiasm? Or was there an awkward pause followed by a vague, tepid endorsement? Remember: Happy, satisfied employees won't have any difficulty describing what they like about their job and the overall organization.

Good luck!

Adapted from AOL Jobs

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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