I have applied for many jobs in my SEO career to date, received interview calls from a few out of those, failed miserably in most cases, so I know (to great extent) - how it feels when you are so eager to join an organization but unable to do so due to some reason.
I am telling you one thing about me today that, I never stopped searching for suitable SEO jobs (as per my thoughts) and applied. In fact, I regularly check the job sites in search of not only for jobs but also for information related to the latest SEO trends. Believe me, if you are serious about the digital marketing profession you are in, keep checking the jobs posted by recruiters on the job sites, to come to know about, what the actual SEO skills are on-demand, accordingly you may portray yourself through your personalized resume and most importantly, keep yourself up-to-date to remain competitive and updated.
How do I prepare myself for an SEO interview?
In today’s post, I have accumulated a couple of questions from my previous experience that a candidate often faces in an interview (maybe in the first round or during the final round of interviews), but since the answer was not up-to-the-mark, they missed the opportunity. Please read through these non-technical questions and answers below, ready yourself properly for the upcoming interview, and overcome the challenges elegantly.
Q 1. Tell me about yourself:
The most regularly asked question in interviews. You need to have a short testimonial ready in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound prepared. Limit it not to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you believed that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the point farthest back and work up to the present concisely.
Q 2. Why did you leave your last job?
Stay constructive regardless of the circumstances. Unless absolutely necessary, never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of managers, co-workers, or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Rather talk about leaving for an optimistic reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special, or other forward-thinking reasons.
Q 3. What experience do you have in this field?
Speak about essentials that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have a particular skill, get as close as you can.
Q 4. Do you consider yourself successful?
You should always answer yes and concisely describe why. A good reason is that you have set realistic goals, and you have met some on time and are on track to achieve the others.
Q 5. What do co-workers say about you?
Be ready with a quote or two (for example, refer to LinkedIn recommendations) from co-workers. Either an exact testimonial or a summary will work. For example, Ryan Dutta, a co-worker at Tenet Company, always said I was the smartest worker he had ever known. It is as powerful as Ryan had said it at the interview himself.
Q 6. What do you know about this organization?
This question is one reason to do some study on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major stakeholders?
Q 7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Try to include development activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of accomplishments can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones within reach to refer.
Q 8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and elucidate what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.
Q 9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
This may take some thought and definitely, should be based on the study you have done on the organization. Authenticity is very important here and will easily be recognized. Relate it to your long-term professional goals.
Q 10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Be aware of the policies on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your selection even though they questioned about friends, not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.
Q 11. What kind of salary do you need?
A tricky question. So, do not answer it hurriedly. Instead, say something like, Can you tell me the range for this position? Or, how much you are willing to offer? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job responsibility. Then give a wide range.
Q 12. Are you a team player?
You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your attitude towards work in a team. Do not brag, just say it in a down-to-earth tone. This is a key point.
Q 13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Specifics here are not worthy. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a decent job.
Q 14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is thoughtful. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do for the best interest of the organization. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.
Q 15. What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery thesis here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and confident, showing values to the organization.
Q 16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer yes if you would. But since you are alive, need to work to stay active physically and mentally, so this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
Q 17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
If you have not, say no. If you have, be straight, brief, and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.
Q 18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization
You should not feel nervous here. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points (your X factor) as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.
Q 19. Why should we hire you?
Point out how your skills, knowledge, and experience meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.
Q 20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made
Have a worthy one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered fruitful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
Q 21. What irritates you about co-workers?
This is a trick question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A gentle declaration that you seem to get along with people is great.
Q 22. What is your greatest strength?
Numerous answers are fine, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your interpersonal skills, Your positive attitude.
Q 23. Tell me about your dream job.
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be discontented with this position if hired. The best is to stay generic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the folks, can contribute meaningfully, and can't wait to get to work.
Q 24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Give several whys and wherefores in addition to skills, experience, and interest.
Q 25. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Money is always important, but work is the most important. There is no better answer.
Q 26. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities: Professional, Diligent, Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Smart, Creativity, Problem solver.
Q 27. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor
Another trick question and possibly the main. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. So stay alert and positive.
Q 28. What has disappointed you about a job?
Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction. The company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.
Q 29. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.
Q 30. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Definitely this one; that’s why you appeared for the interview. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.
Q 31. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are - Challenge, Achievement, and Recognition.
Q 32. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally straightforward.
Q 33. How would you know you were successful in this job?
Several ways are good measures: You set KPIs for yourself and meet them. Your productivity was high and the outcomes are a success. Your boss tells you that you are successful.
Q 34. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
You should be clear on this with your family before the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career as well as in your personal life. Be candid at this point and save yourself future grief.
Q 35. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical consequences. Just say yes.
Q 36. Describe your management style.
Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like a liberal, salesman, or harmony, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.
Q 37. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it a small, well-intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be experimenting too far ahead of the industry trends on a project and thus throwing synchronization off.
Q 38. Do you have any blind spots?
Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them unless absolutely necessary.
Q 39. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Be careful to maintain parity between traits that are needed and that you have.
Q 40. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, clarify that you are very well qualified for the position.
Q 41. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
First, if you have an experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up; then, point out (if true) that you are a smart yet hard-working quick learner.
Q 42. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates, and holder of high standards. The catch is all bosses think they have these traits.
Q 43. Tell me about an incident when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Pick a specific event. Concentrate on your problem-solving technique and not the dispute you settled.
Q 44. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
Q 45. Describe your work ethic.
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.
Q 46. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no ill feelings.
Q 47. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something meaningful for the organization.
Q 48. Do you have any questions for me?
Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive and what type of projects I will be able to assist on are a few common yet good examples.
Hope this helps you all a lot. Let me know if I am overlooking anything obvious.
This is my last contribution to this blog for this year - you may consider this as my two cents to the digital marketing community.
Wish you all happy holidays. See you all next year!
