8 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
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8 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
You’re in the second phase of the job hunt: the interview.
You've successfully applied and now your potential employer requests to interview you to learn more about you and see if you’re the right candidate for the job.
Although you're excited about the interview, you may be feeling a little nervous or anxious about what to say or the questions that the interviewer may ask.
Preparing for a job interview can be a tedious task, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re prepared.
No matter what job you are applying for, certain questions will come up in every interview that almost all employers ask.
Read more to learn about the eight most common job interview questions and how to respond to them to ensure that you ace your interview and get the job.
The 8 Most Common Job Interview Questions
1.) Tell Me About Yourself
Perhaps the most common question in an interview, most hiring managers often lead with this question.
Although this question is rather short and simple, many interviewees often struggle trying to answer it. Ironically, most people find it harder to talk about themselves, but how you answer this question sets the tone for the rest of the interview.
When asked this question, you should not opt to talk about where you grew up or to tell your life story, but rather give them a summary of your professional journey or career thus far.
Be sure to mention things like your education, the different types of jobs you had, and your overall experiences in those jobs or any other relevant experiences that have prepared you for this open position.
The best way to prepare for this question is to write down a short paragraph that summarizes who you are as a professional and what makes you the best candidate for this position.
2.) What Are Some of Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This question can often be intimidating at first regarding the thought of sharing your weaknesses with the hiring manager.
You may be fearful that he or she may even judge you for your weaknesses, but this is all a part of the process. The key to answering this question successfully is letting the interviewer know that you are aware of your limitations and the areas that you can improve on.
Being self-aware is an essential trait to have, and employers want to know that you are self-aware of both your capabilities and limits.
Be sure not to try to impress the hiring manager by responding with an answer such as “I work way too hard” or “I’m so passionate about my job that I never take anytime off.” Answers like those will not impress the interviewer and may even hurt your chances of getting the job.
When it comes to answering the question of “What are your greatest strengths?” this is the perfect time to show how your strengths align with the job that you are seeking.
For example, if you are applying for a sales position, mention how you can turn people who are not interested in your product or service into leads.
It’s even a great idea to use an example if applicable from a previous job or work-related experience where you excelled to give the interviewer a better understanding of your strengths and how you can be an asset to their company.
3.) Tell Me About a Time You Failed
We are all human and we all make mistakes.
This question should always be answered truthfully, so never try to make the hiring manager think you are incapable of failing or have never failed. Answer this question by thinking of a time in your previous job or another work-related experience where things didn’t necessarily go as planned.
What the employer is looking for here is to see that you are not only self-aware, but also able to take responsibility for your actions.
It is also a good idea to talk about what you learned from that situation and how that failure made you grow professionally.
4.) Why Do You Think We Should Hire You for This Position?
This is your chance to sell yourself and give the interviewer your highlight reel.
Your answer should consist of your top five best reasons why the employer should hire you. This is the perfect opportunity to highlight your greatest strengths along with examples that prove to the employer that you’re the right candidate.
Your answer to this question should include the following:
- Industry experience
- Soft skills
- Technical skills
- Education and training
- Key accomplishments
- Awards and accolades
5.) Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
This question may seem a bit tricky, but it’s a common question that hiring managers ask to learn more about your career goals and how they align with the company’s goals.
Your answer to this question should always be honest and you should keep it relevant to the job you’re applying for. Having a great answer to this question is extremely important so that interviewers can see how invested you are in growing professionally in your career.
To prepare for this question, do some research on a career path for your field starting with the position that you’re applying for.
For example, how long does an individual usually spend working in that position? What is the next level up from the position that you are applying for?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you formulate your answer as you’ll be able to outline a career path and have a five-year plan.
6.) What Do You Consider to Be Your Biggest Professional Achievement?
This question allows you to share a relevant accomplishment that you are most proud of.
By sharing this accomplishment, it shows how valuable you are and what you can bring to your potential employer in terms of work ethic and success. Interviewers ask this question because they want to know about your proven work ethic and the success that you have had at your previous workplaces.
Your answer to this question can range from projects that you have completed to any ideas, strategies, or initiatives that you have started or incorporated at your previous workplace that proved to be successful and bring great results.
To prepare for this question, make a list of your greatest accomplishments that also highlight your greatest strength as an employee. Prepare a summary or story that you feel demonstrates and showcases your best work concerning the position that you are applying for.
If you have received any awards or accolades as well this is a great time to include those as a part of your story.
7.) Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job?
A question that many interviewees rarely prepare for during a job interview is “Why do you want to leave your current job?”
This question may also seem a bit tricky because it automatically puts you, the interviewee, on the defense. It may feel uncomfortable to answer at first, but if you prepare your answer ahead of time, you’ll know exactly how to tailor your answer to make a great impression on the hiring manager.
The main mistake job seekers make when answering this question is talking, venting, or ranting on about how much they disliked their previous job, boss, or working conditions.
One thing a hiring manager knows for certain is if you are willing to speak badly about your previous employer, then you are most likely to speak ill of them. Never do this as this gives the hiring manager a negative vibe and this may taint their view of you as a potential employee.
Instead, make your response positive and choose to discuss how the position you’re applying for provides you with the opportunity to learn a new skill, gives you more responsibility, challenges you, or how it will help you grow professionally in your career.
8.) What Are Your Salary Expectations?
It can be stressful talking about money with a potential employer.
That’s why it’s important to prepare your answer ahead of time by researching how much most people make in your position and their experience level. Keep in mind that hiring managers will ask this question because they have a budget and want to make sure that the amount you’re asking for aligns with the company’s budget.
Another reason a hiring manager may ask this question is to see how well you know what your skillset is worth in your industry or field. A good candidate can negotiate their salary with confidence.
Your answer to this question should provide a range instead of a single number. For example, “I am seeking a position that pays between $45,000 and $50,000 a year.” Always let the hiring manager know that you are open to negotiate a salary. Being unwilling to negotiate your salary can significantly hurt your chances of being consider for that position.
For example, some positions may offer a lower salary, but provide key benefits or bonuses such as a 401k, health insurance, commission, etc. Regardless, you must conduct thorough research to provide a well-crafted response when employers ask you this question.
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Now that you know the most common job interview questions, you can successfully prepare for your interview and begin your next steps to find your perfect job.
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