With graduates left and right looking for jobs, it can be quite a challenge to stand out. How do you make sure that you make the cut? The answer lies in, well, how you answer the interview questions. If you’re a halfway decent applicant, you should already have an idea of what the standard interview questions are. "Tell me about yourself. Why do you want this job? What makes you qualified for this position?"

These questions are easy enough to answer, but what happens when you get asked the proverbial "What are your weaknesses?" or "Tell me about a time when old solutions didn’t work." Is there a right or wrong answer to these questions? According to Forbes.com, there is no cookie-cutter answer. However, there are some things that your hiring manager is looking to hear from you.

Below are a few tips that might help.

1. Don’t give a scripted response.
It’s important to prepare for an interview, but giving out answers that might as well have come from a robot is a turn-off. Tweak your answers to fit the situation. The more authentic you sound, the more your interviewer will appreciate your answer.

2. Don’t be conceited.
Telling the hiring manager that you have no weakness is a sign that you’re too full yourself. Likewise, admitting a weakness but still putting on airs may also deduct a few points from your overall score.

3. Focus on how you fixed the situation.
Every time you mention something negative about yourself, make sure you counter it by telling a story of how you overcame that obstacle or how you made changes to your attitude. Cite a specific event in your career to better highlight your positive qualities.

(Illustration by Sabrina Lajara)