A job interview is often the thing that makes or breaks your chances of getting the job. There are many guides on how to prepare for an interview, but the most important aspect of the interview is the variety of questions you will be asked and how well you can answer them. Wonderig what are the 10 most common interview questions and answers? Here they are!
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1. “Tell us about yourself”
Out of all interview questions and answers, this is possibly the trickiest one. In many cases, you will be asked to describe yourself at the early stages of the interview, before you discuss anything else. Keep in mind that here the potential employers want to know about who you are as an employee, not who you are as a person.
The answer to one of the most frequently asked interview questions should be brief but effective. Start by outlining your current position and duties, then briefly describe your past job experiences, and then tell them what makes you a good fit for the position.
2. “What is your biggest strength?”
The possible interview questions and answers will definitely include a query about your strengths. Your answer will largely depend on the position you’re applying to. For example, if you are an accountant, your biggest strength should be attention to detail, while for a nurse, the biggest strength should be compassion.
3. “What is your biggest weakness?”
Whenever you’re researching how to answer interview questions, this question will always come up and it’s one of the most difficult ones to answer correctly. The trick here is to either turn the weakness into a strength for the specifics of your job – for example, you can say that you are too meticulous, or to explain that you used to have a particular weakness but managed to overcome it – for example, you used to procrastinate a lot but no longer have this problem.
4. “Why are you quitting your current job?”
With this sample interview question and answer, the employer will evaluate your work ethic. Even if the real reason why you’re leaving the job is a conflict at work, bad management, or other aspects, you need to be as polite and neutral when discussing your decision. You can say that the reason for quitting is that you are too ambitious or that the pay was too low, but without any negative details.
5. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
So how to answer job interview questions about your future plans? The goal is to be specific yet realistic. Your image of your future should be closely connected to your skills and the job you’re aiming for. For example, if you are a teacher, your 5-year plan can include becoming a school vice-principal and a mentor to your students.
6. “What are your salary expectations?”
If the question of salary was never mentioned in the job ad or earlier stages of the interview, it will likely come up sooner or later. The best way to answer it is through research. Aim for the average salary for your position and experience. If you feel like your expectations may be too high, mention that you are willing to negotiate if you get more vacation days or a more flexible schedule.
7. “What do you know about our company?”
With this question, which is actually one of the most common interview questions, the prospective employer wants to make sure you are interested in the company. Simply research the company on their official website and mention their mission and goals during the interview – the employer will definitely be impressed!
8. “Why do you want this job?”
This question is closely connected to the previous one. You need to connect your career goals to the specifics of the company. For example, you could work as a chef anywhere, but you are particularly interested in this restaurant because it is well-known for its innovative approach and training programmes for employees.
9. “Tell us about a conflict you had at your previous job”
The goal of this question is for your potential employer to see how you handle problematic situations. Don’t just tell them that you had a series of misunderstandings with your supervisor – tell them how you handled the conflict and prevented the situation from happening again.
10. “Do you have any questions?”
The prospective employee may ask this question spontaneously, but you should be well-prepared for it. This is a great time to get more personal and ask the interviewer about their own experience and thoughts about the company. Find more great questions to ask during an interview here!
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