Do you know what are the top interview questions asked by hiring managers? Stammering in front of the job interviewer while thinking of an answer may not make a good impression.
During the hiring process, your hiring managers want to make sure your skills and experience to be a great fit for the job. Thus, one of the best tips for your next job interview is to always be prepared to answer different types of interview questions with guidance of the job description in order to land a job.
10 Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers
Having interviewed hundreds of candidates throughout my career and business, interview questions are often separated into these categories:
- Basic interview questions
- Behavioral interview questions
- Situational interview questions
Together with sample answers and advice on how to answer each commonly asked interview questions, you can start thinking how to answer every interview question ahead of time, so you’ll be ready to answer them with confidence in your next interview.
1. “What Are Your Weaknesses?”
“What are your weaknesses” is one of the most asked questions that interviewers love to ask. This is one of the most feared questions of all.
So how should you handle such a question?
To answer this question correctly, you’ll need to minimize your weaknesses and emphasize your strengths, or how you overcome your weakness.
Everyone has weaknesses.
Having a weakness is ok, it is how you overcome your weaknesses that counts. Always stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on traits that are work-related.
Bad Answer
“I am a perfectionist.”
It makes you sound unreal and sounds arrogant. Definitely not a trait any interviewer will like to see.
Good Answer
“I am always working on improving my communication skills in order to be a more effective presenter. In order for me to improve on that, I have recently joined Toastmasters class, which I find very helpful.”
2. “What are your Strengths?”
“What is your strength” is one of the most asked questions that interviewers love to ask. Here you are given an opportunity to tell your interviewer what you can do, a time when you can actually shine!
So how should you handle such a question?
Here are a few pointers when answering this question:
- How your strengths align with the company’s needs
- How your strength help you in the job
- How your strength makes you the best person for the job
- How do your skills, and/or experience set you apart from the competition
- How your strength makes you an excellent addition to the team
Bad Answer
“My strength is that I’m a hard worker.”
No one will admit that they are lazy or do not work hard at the interview. Just saying you are a hard worker doesn’t make you shine and differentiate you from the many other candidates.
Good Answer
“My strength is my flexibility to handle change. As a customer service manager at my last job, I was able to turn around a negative working environment and develop a very supportive team. One example is…”
3. “Why should we hire you?”
“Why should we hire you” gives you an opportunity to tell your employer what makes you different from others and why you are the right person for the job.
So how should you handle such a question?
Answer “Why should we hire you?” by summarizing your experiences and what unique traits you have that others don’t.
Bad Answer
“Because I am good.”
You may be surprised at how many interviewees actually says that when being asked why should they be hired. Saying you are good, does not makes you good, you have to prove it to the interviewer. It is a red flag when any interviewer hears that.
Good Answer
“With five years of experience working in the sales industry and my proven track record of acquiring sales and managing key clients of the company. I’m confident I would be a great addition to your team.”
4. “Why do you want to work here?”
By far, why you want to work here is one of the easiest questions to answer, but also the trickiest of all. If you answer this well, it may just land you the job, if you don’t, it will just break any chances you have of getting it.
So how should you handle such a question?
By asking you, “Why do you want to work here?” the interviewer is actually looking for the answer that tells that, you have given this job some thought when you are applying. This job should align with you career goals and is a career path that you want to choose.
It is to see if are you just blindly sending out resumes just because there is an opening, or something more. Are you really in line with the company’s vision or just the money?
Bad Answer
“Because the pay is good.”
Everyone knows most job seekers are attracted to the pay, but just talking about the pay makes you just money minded and definitely not a trait any interviewer will like to see.
Companies take lots of time and resources to train an employee, and if the employee is not loyal but only motivated by the money. That employee is not a good candidate to consider.
Good Answer
“What excites me and makes me passionate to work in this company is its mission statement.
These values of the company are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and to be a part of the team of this company is an honor.”
5. Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job?
It is OK to leave your job and find a new position. It is OK to find a job that you like. Asking why you leave your current job is one of the most common questions an interviewer asks. And thus, it is important that you will know how to answer it.
So how should you handle such a question?
Here the interviewer is listening for any hint that you will leave their company after they hire you. The interviewer wants to know what is the most important reason that motivates you to leave.
Bad Answer
“My boss is a jerk, and I really don’t like him, thus I fire my boss.”
Remember, the person interviewing you will soon be your boss. And no one like anyone who talks badly about others. We always have to treat others with respect and kindness.
Even if your previous boss is a jerk, you should just keep that to yourself, or just take it as training to be a better you.
Good Answer
“My company was undergoing corporate downsizing. A 50% cut in the workforce is required.
It was a choice between me and my other colleague who had just given birth to her 3rd child, thus I volunteer to be let go. Though I love what I do, sometimes tough choices have to be made.”
6. “What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?”
This is one of the hardest question to answer, but this is the best opportunity to showcase yourself. You can talk about your good time management skills, interpersonal skills, and even unique experience that fit for the role.
“What can you do for us that other candidates can’t” is probably my favorite question to ask a potential candidate.
The interviewer is asking,
- Why you are better than other candidates?
- Why should they stop interviewing and hiring you now?
To answer, this question, simply emphasize what makes you unique.
Talk about your experiences, skills, and traits.
Summarize concisely: “I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly.”
So how should you handle such a question?
Simply emphasize what makes you so unique. What do you have that others don’t? Simply tell your interviewer about how your experiences, skills, and traits can benefit the company.
Bad Answer
“I don’t know.”
You are here to convince the interviewer to hire you. And if you don’t know why should they hire you, your interviewer also won’t see the reason why they should hire you.
Good Answer
“With 5 years of experience as the lead of the team, I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams. This allows me to think critically and break down information to be understood by personnel with different educational backgrounds.”
7. “What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?”
Yes! This is where you will tell your employer everything nice about yourself!
You may want to blow your own horn a bit but never too much.
Of course, back them up with some real-world examples and have to be true. Your potential employer will definitely call your referral to see if what you say is true.
So how should you handle such a question?
With this question, it is time to pull out your old performance appraisals. Scan down to the comments section and read what your boss says about you.
If you are a fresh graduate, simply find the remarks that your lecturer says about you. There you should see things such as, “leadership skills, positive mindset, responsible, etc.”
Bad Answer
“I am the best.”
If you are the best, you need to give example to say why are you the best. Never say something without a supporting statement. The best is to illustrate an attribute that the company you are interviewing wants.
Good Answer
“My boss has told me that I am one of the most creative designers she has ever had. She knows she can rely on me to get things done. Thus, I am entrusted with a small team of new designers to complete some of the biggest projects of our company.”
8. “What salary are you seeking?”
Money, money, money!
Yup, your hiring company knows you are here for the money. But they are not sure how much are you willing to accept, or rather how much lower can they pay you!
When your hiring manager ask you, “what salary are you seeking?”, you are already a high potential candidate.
So how should you handle such a question?
When asked, “What salary are you seeking?” it is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. But that may not always be the case. You as a candidate may want to prepare by knowing the going rate in your area.
For salary, you need to understand the following:
- The salary rate in the area.
- Your bottom line.
- Your walk-away point.
Bad Answer
“What is the highest amount you can pay me.”
Yes, we know you want a high salary, everyone does. But saying that you want a high salary does not mean you will get one. The salary you will be getting depends on your ability and your experience. It tells your potential employer that, you are here just for the money. Definitely not a trait any interviewer will like to see.
Good Answer
“I am sure we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?”
9. “What are your goals?”
Here your interviewer is not asking about your life goals such as, buying a car or living in a bungalow. They want to know what are your goals when you join the company.
So how should you handle such a question?
When asked, “What are your goals?” you can talk about short-term and intermediate goals with an approx. time frame in mind. It is about your goals when you are here in the company. As the company grows throughout the years, how do you want to progress and grow with the company you are working in?
Bad Answer
“I aim to be where you are right now.”
People are insecure creatures. Though they know you will take years before you have enough experience to take their place. Some employers who are closed-minded will feel that you might threaten their position, and thus will not hire you.
Good Answer
“My immediate goal is to be able to use what I know to contribute to the growth of the company. Eventually, my long-term goal will be to grow into a position of responsibility and help to drive the future of the company.”
10. “If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?”
This question may seems weird to some as there is as there’s no wrong answer. But this question does have a lot of basis in it, and what animal you choose will give a rough idea of what kind of personality you have.
So how should you handle such a question?
Answer carefully but try to be honest. Interviewers especially in newer companies use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. Each animal represents certain characteristics.
Answer the questions below:
- What animals have what kind of personality?
- What type of personality would it take to get the job done?
- What impression do you want to make?
How each animal may mean?
- If you answer “a bunny,” you will be seen as soft and passive.
- If you answer “a dog,” you will be seen as loyal.
- If you answer “a cat,” you will be seen as independent.
- If you answer “a lion,” you will be seen as aggressive.
- If you answer “a snake,” you will be seen as agile.
Unlike the previous few questions, there is no absolutely right or wrong answer. Each answer depends on what position you are applying for and your role in the company.
So…
“If you are an animal, what animal are you?”
STAR Method: Answer to Common Interview Questions
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with a strategic approach like the STAR method, you can confidently showcase your skills and experiences.
So, let have a quick look at how to use the STAR method to help you answer your interview questions.
Situation: Set the Scene
Begin by outlining the situation or context of your example. Clearly describe the challenge or scenario you faced.
- Keep it concise and no fluff.
- Aim to paint a vivid picture for the interviewer.
Example: “In my previous role, we encountered a sudden increase in project deadlines due to an unexpected client request.”
Task: Define Your Role
Next, go into your specific role and responsibilities within the given situation.
- Highlight what was expected of you
- What is the unique challenges you were tasked with addressing.
- What is your role in the “story”.
Example: “As the project lead, my task was to reorganize the team’s workflow to accommodate the new deadlines without compromising quality.”
Action: Describe Your Actions
Actions always speaks louder than words.
When you are describing the action, this is where you shine by detailing the actions you took to address the challenge.
- Be specific about your contributions.
- Emphasizing your skills.
- Talk about your decision-making process.
Example: “I implemented a streamlined project management system, delegated tasks based on team strengths, and initiated daily check-ins to monitor progress.”
Result: Showcase the Outcome
Wrap up your STAR story by discussing the positive outcomes of your actions.
- Focus on measurable results and be specific.
- Highlighting the impact of your efforts on the project or team.
Example: “Thanks to these changes, we not only met the client’s deadline but also increased overall team efficiency by 20%, earning recognition from senior management.”
Read Also:
- How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Inspired Your Team” Job Interview Question (Tips and Examples)
- How to Answer “Tell me about a time you overcome a setback” Job Interview Question (Tips and Examples)
- How to Answer “Tell me about a time you built something from scratch” Job Interview Question (Tips and Examples)
- How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Handled an Ethical Dilemma” Job Interview Question (Tips and Examples)
- How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Dealt With a Difficult Team Member” Job Interview Question (Tips and Examples)
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