For our single mom community, especially those who have been out of the workforce for a while, interviews can be a significant source of stress. Let’s try to tackle a few of our favourite answers to questions like:

• What are your salary expectations?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about a time you failed.

Remember that you’re auditioning for a role. You need to prepare. You need to research the company, their values and how your own talents and experience compliment the role. You want to put your best foot forward. This isn’t the same foot you use when you’re having coffee with your girlfriends. It’s the polished, professional version of you.

Something to keep in mind is that your intention is not to act like someone who is trying really hard to get a job, but as someone whose intention is to have a great conversation with the person sitting across from you.

Let’s tackle some of the basic questions you should have an answer prepared for.

WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY EXPECTATIONS?

Do a bit or research and figure out the role’s market rate and what people in similar roles are making. Then quote a range that’s appropriate given your experience and potential. Focus on the value you’ll bring to the company. “I’ve done some research and the average employee in this kind of role makes [salary range]. Based on my background, I think [this range] would be fair.” You can add something like “I’m really excited about this opportunity and open to further discussion on the topic.”

WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE?

A few options here. You could discuss how you believe in the employer’s mission, you can explain how the job role aligns with your passions and talents, or you could describe what success in this role looks like for you.

How do your hobbies and passions overlap with the company’s mission? For example, “X is important to me both personally and professionally because I strongly believe that…” Aligning your passions to the role could look like: “I’ve always loved writing, so I’m glad that it’s a big part of the role.”

Don’t forget that the employer is investing in you, so your future success is also very important. “I look forward to using my skills to… and I can see myself contributing by…”

WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?

Don’t fall into the unoriginality trap of “My strengths are collaboration and problem solving while my weaknesses are perfectionism and working too hard.”

First, try to focus on a strength listed in the job description and reframe it to be more specific. Instead of “communication”, think “presenting and public speaking.” Then instead of just saying the word, tell a real-life example of using that strength and its impact. “I enjoy public speaking, especially when it involves communicating ideas for the first time. Just last week, I presented a new concept to the board and felt like I was contributing to the vision of the company in a meaningful way.”

Now for the weakness, ahem… challenge. You want to choose “correctable” skills, ideally that are not one of the highlighted job skills. Don’t say perfectionist or workaholic – ever. Once you choose a weakness, describe a minor consequence of it and your enthusiasm to address it. For example, “I can take a little bit longer to learn new software but once I do, I enjoy using it. Any resources to help employees become more proficient, I find useful.”

Remember, they don’t really care about your strengths and weaknesses, they want to know what kind of person you are. Are you honest? Are you committed to improvement?

TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU FAILED

A favourite of many, I’m sure. When you pick a story, reflect what you learned from the failure, not the failure itself. Follow the failure up with the “fix.”

For example “[this action] could have led to a considerable loss for the company, but we regrouped and were able to reimagine the scenario to better match what the situation needed.” Most importantly, don’t defend a failure. You want to deliver your story in a way where the failure does not leave a lasting impression.

STORY TIME

Remember that everything you listed in your resume could have a powerful personal story attached to it. Prepare several values or achievements that you want to convey to the interviewer and craft a story around them so that you have them in your back pocket should you get an opportunity to use them. Stories make you relatable and interesting.

Lastly, don’t forget to practice. Practice the questions above, practice your opening, practice in front of a mirror or a trusted friend. You want to be able to tell your stories enthusiastically.