Common Interview Questions
Are you preparing for your next job interview? It can be nerve-wracking to go into an interview without knowing what to expect. On the other hand, if you are prepared for your interview, nailing your job interview can be a piece of cake. To make your preparation process easier, here is a list of the 10 most common job interview questions and how to answer them.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is one of the most common (and most dreaded) questions asked in job interviews. Its open-ended nature makes it particularly difficult to answer.
On the other hand, It is also an opportunity for you to share your professional story and explain why you are the best candidate for the job. When answering this question, focus on your strengths and qualifications that are relevant to the position. It’s also important to keep your answer concise and to the point.
2. What are your biggest strengths?
The interviewers ask this question to test your self-awareness. Self-awareness is highly correlated with leadership abilities and self-aware candidates are more likely to be selected.
When answering this question, it’s important to showcase the skills and qualifications that make you the best candidate for the job. Choose a few skills that you possess that are most relevant to the position and explain why they make you a great candidate.
3. What are your biggest weaknesses?
Again, this question focuses on your self-awareness. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. However, prepare well so you do not go blank when this question comes up.
When answering this question, it is important to be honest and focus on areas that you are actively working to improve. Acknowledge the areas you are weak in but also emphasize the steps you are taking to improve.
4. Why do you want this job?
This is a great opportunity for you to explain why the job is a perfect fit for you. Show your enthusiasm for the job and explain how you can contribute to the company’s success. Be sure to emphasize the skills and qualifications that make you the best fit for the job.
While the question focuses on why you want the job, ensure that you also clearly communicate what you bring to the table. A successful answer would create a win-win situation for the company and yourself.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
It is a classic goals question. When answering this question, show the interviewer your ambition and long-term goals.
Explain how this job fits into your career plan and where you see yourself in the next five years.
You will increase your chances of selection if your goals are aligned with the company vision. Interviewers know that if they select a candidate with such an alignment, he/she will always be motivated to deliver results.
6. What motivates you?
This is your opportunity to show the interviewer what drives you to be successful. Explain why you are motivated to work hard and achieve your goals.
This is also an opportunity to showcase your value system to the interviewers. You can project yourself as a great cultural fit if you do some pre-research into the company’s core values and pick out those that interest you.
Always remember to keep some stories or parables of how you practice these values at work ready to back up your claims.
7. How do you handle stress and pressure?
When answering this question, emphasize the steps you take to stay organized and focused when under pressure. Demonstrate how you are able to stay calm under pressure and maintain your focus on the task at hand.
You can also describe here particular frameworks that you use to stay focused under stressful situations.
Rember to keep stories ready to add credibility to your answer. You can structure these stories using the STAR (Situation- Task- Actions – Results) framework.
8. What do you know about our company?
In order to answer this question, it’s important to do your research. Show the interviewer that you have a good understanding of the company’s mission, products, and services.
You can make a great impression by highlighting important and specific information and your analysis of the same rather than telling them specific information.
For example, rather than telling what revenues the company earned in the last fiscal, you can analyze the last five years’ revenues and their distribution amongst various products and services. Making an informed statement in this question will speak volumes about your detail orientation.
9. How would your colleagues describe you?
When answering this question, choose a few adjectives that your colleagues would use to describe you. Be sure to focus on the positive qualities that make you a great colleague.
Though this is another version of the strengths question, here you can also project your relations with your teammates and make a positive impression by underlining your team skills.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
This is the perfect opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are prepared for the interview. Ask questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the position.
Though if you have had a very interactive interview, it is okay to not ask any more questions. Do not ask just for asking sake. Asking generic questions may indicate a lack of basic research and creates an awkward situation.
Prepare for these 10 most common job interview questions to make a great impression on the interviewer. Make sure to do your research and practice your answers before the interview.
With the right preparation, you will be able to confidently and successfully answer any interview question. Good luck!
