The Wall Street director revealed the secret of how to answer the most insidious interview questions on 6

Carla Harris Photo: Facebook Carla Harris

What do interviewers want to hear when they ask: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Carla Harris, vice chairman of Morgan Stanley, revealed the secret.

More people struggle with questions like “tell us about yourself” and “what is your greatest weakness?” than with questions about skills and achievements. Carla Harris explains that behind such broad questions lies a subtext. “By asking general questions, the interviewer is really trying to find out whether you have the makings of a leader or whether you are a great team player. They already know you have the necessary qualifications; they've read your resume. These questions help you understand whether you will fit into the team,” notes the vice chairman of Morgan Stanley.

Harris has been training people for 30 for years to interview people, she shared some secrets with Business Insider.

1. Tell us about yourself

“This is the first question you will probably be asked in an interview. This is perhaps the most common question. You are not asked to retell your biography. The interviewer is trying to find out how well you are suited for the job, so talk about experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for. This question provides an opportunity to add some finishing touches to your resume,” says Harris.

Tip: “Try to talk about the experience of those items that are listed in the description of the vacancy. The interviewer wants information that is relevant to the position you are applying for. ”

2. Describe yourself in three words.

“This question is designed to understand whether you have paid attention to the specifics of the job, and whether you have the qualities that best suit the role. For example, if you're considering an internship on Wall Street, you might say "analytical minded, detail-oriented, and results-oriented." If this is a commercial job, then perhaps it is “communication skills, competitiveness, efficiency.” Keep in mind that your words should actually be about you,” she notes.

Tip: “Make sure that you have synonyms and definitions for each word, if the interlocutor suddenly asks you to expand the answer. Read what values ​​the company professes. ”

3. What is your biggest weakness?

“This question baffles many people and yet it is one of the most common interview questions. The answer should be carefully prepared. Select a weakness that is not a core competency for the position in question. Also demonstrate awareness, explain what you have done or are doing to overcome the weakness,” says the expert.

Advice: “Do not say that you are a perfectionist. This is a cliche and, most likely, they will not believe in it. You can tell about something that is useful in your new job, for example, that you are working on public speaking skills.

4. Why should we hire you?

“By asking this question, the interviewer wants an answer that explains why you think you are the best candidate for the job and how you are different from other applicants,” explains Harris.

Advice: “Think of yourself as a product, and of the interviewer as a customer. Your answer is about the same as what you wrote in the cover letter. Here you can talk about your exceptional skills, passion for the industry or profession. Recall everything that you feel can seduce a “client”.

5. Tell us about your failures

“Everyone makes mistakes or fails at some point in their life, so don’t be ashamed of it. This question helps you understand whether you have the awareness and maturity to recognize, accept failure and learn from it,” says the vice chairman of Morgan Stanley.

Advice: “It is important to talk about what lessons you have learned and what steps you have taken to cope with the situation. If, for example, you made a mistake because you did not quite understand the task, then you most likely learned how to ask people to repeat the task or how to make sure that you work with accurate information. ”

6. Why are you interested in us?

“Here, the interviewer wants to see what you know about the company and the industry as a whole, and whether you have done your research before coming to the interview. This question also gives insight into whether you came to the company because of competitors or whether you were interested in the reputation and values ​​of the company,” says Harris.

Tip: “Demonstrate that your strengths and individual traits coincide with the position and culture of the company. People who interview you are proud of the values ​​and cultural ethics of their company and will be happy to see that you are also interested in this issue and have conducted your research. ”

Read also on ForumDaily:

Personal experience: how to find work in an American advertising agency

31 question Apple employees heard at the interview

9 tips on how to get an interview for a US visa

Getting ready for an interview in English: teacher advice

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.