The most critical mistake that many candidates make is thinking that interview and hiring process is about them and their skills and experience. They do not realise that it is equally important, if not most important, to be able to connect the dots for the employer HOW your skills and experience relate to the employer's business.
Many people also fail to understand that interview, no matter how a friendly and informal, it is still a business transaction. And as a business transaction it has its own rules and requires preparation. Even when you are speaking about yourself. This typically seen as the easy part of the interview, because what can be easier than talking about yourself. But the reality is that if you don't deliver the RIGHT information, in the RIGHT manner, you may get disqualified from the process right at that point. And you won't be able to redeem yourself later during the meeting, because the first impression has already mired your image.
Here I want to give you a quick tip how to answers questions about your biography, so that they set you up for success for the rest of the interview.
Your answers to introductory questions should consist of 7-10 sentences that include:
1. Information about your education, skills and experience;
2. Reason why you are interested in the position;
3. And how it fits in with the rest of your career plan; (Pay attention to this one in particular, because it gives the employer the assurance that you want to stick around for a while.)
4. As well as why you want to leave your current position or already left you last one.
Another big mistake is not having ready answers for all the questions. This causes you difficulty in coming up with an answer on the spot and diminishes your chances at getting the job, as you appear unprepared. And from the employer's prospective that shows lack initiative and care.
To be prepared to answer any question about your experience and skills you need to come up with only a few stories or situation from your past jobs that link your skills and experience to job requirements of the position your are applying for.
To make sure that you are ready to answer the questions and that they make sense, you need to not only know them in your head, but also rehearse those answers with friends or family. This will ensure that you are not missing anything and your story is clear and understandable.