Fifteen Questions to Expect During Job Interviews
Posted August 5, 2013 & filed under Uncategorized
Though no two job interviewers will be working from the same mental script, there are definitely certain questions to expect during job interviews. The wording may be different but the core of these questions will always be the same. So in no particular order, here are the fifteen questions that you will need to know how to answer for your next job interview.
1.) Can you tell me a little about yourself?
This question isn’t a platform for you to retell your entire life story. It’s meant to provide you with an opportunity to guide the conversation about your professional career. Have a few major talking points in mind, especially ones that help your interviewer visualize you performing the duties laid out in the original job advertisement.
2.) What attracted you to our company?
Use this question to show off your knowledge about the company. Do your homework by gathering information and statistics on the company’s solutions, achievements, and culture. That way, you can inextricably link your career goals with company objectives in your response.
3.) What were you responsible for at your previous job?
Don’t just respond with a cut and dry synopsis. Explain how your actions positively affected the company in a way no other employee would be able to achieve. If you have statistics, march them on out to show the interviewer your work has a real impact.
4.) What are your greatest strengths?
Make sure that what you highlight relates directly back to the soft-skills the company wants. Plus, you should prepare anecdotes that demonstrate these skills in action.
5.) What are your greatest weaknesses?
Talk about weaknesses that you are proactively working to fix. Everybody has weaknesses but if you are taking actions to beat them, you’ll have an eminent advantage over the competition. Also, never reply with a strength veiled as a weakness (it’s tacky) or a skill that the company values above all else (it’s the death knell of your chances at employment).
6.) What separates you from other applicants?
Basically, what skills separate you from the herd? Know which skills make you an atypical candidate and have an explanation ready that shows why you will be indispensable in the position. Your best bet is to look at skills you’ve acquired outside of the industry (through interdisciplinary study, volunteer work, etc.) and make those major talking points.
7.) What motivates you on the job?
Be it your dreams, your pride in your work, your desire to be successful, or one of a hundred other examples, you need to show that your motivation is enduring, like the Great Wall of China, and isn’t going away any time soon. Never cite money or any other fleeting motivation that can erode quickly with time.
8.) What are your future goals?
Sometimes, this is phrased as “where do you expect to be in the next five years?” but it really means, “What do you expect to achieve with our company?” So, even if you imagine your career might go in a completely different direction, talk about what you will achieve for this company and where that might take you both.
9.) What is your greatest accomplishment?
This question is meant to do two things: call attention to your significant achievements and identify your professional values. So, pick an example that both highlights your accomplishments and is aligned with the company’s principles. You’ll knock out two targets with one shot.
10.) Do you work better alone or on a team?
Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Give examples of how you’re good at both types of work. No manager will pass up a proven, flexible employee.
11.) How do you handle stress on the job?
Give examples that demonstrate how you kept your cool during high stress situations (pounding your head against the wall and stress eating do not count).
12.) How did you handle a difficult situation at work?
This is a big one. It tests your problem solving, stress management, and interpersonal skills all with one verbal puzzle box. There is rarely a good answer that you can rattle off on the fly, so make sure you prepare something that demonstrates your mastery of all three.
13.) Why are you leaving your previous job?
Always put a positive spin on your answer. You should never disparage former bosses, companies, or coworkers when giving this answer. If you do, your interviewer might think that your previous negativity will carry over into your new job.
14.) What are your salary expectations?
Hold off on answering this question until after the first interview. Deflect it in a positive way saying, “right now, I don’t want to lock us into a specific number,” or “before we start quoting numbers, let’s make sure I’m right for the job.” That way, after you’ve built up rapport with the interviewer, you can discuss figures with a more receptive audience.
15.) Do you have any questions for me?
You definitely need to make a list of questions beforehand. As the interview goes along, some of your questions will inevitably be answered, so keep tabs on other questions as they arise. If you need helpful tips, here is a list of ten questions to ask.
by James Walsh
