Interviews are one of the most dreaded activities. The fear and nerve are more pronounced, especially when there is little information on what questions will be asked. Nonetheless, it is important to note that preparing for frequently asked interview questions should increase your confidence and raise your likelihood of passing the interview. In this article, we will review the 10 most common interview questions and provide simple, yet effective ways in which the candidate could respond to the questions.
- Tell me about yourself.
It is one of the most commonly asked questions and typically serves as a great warm up. The point here is to give an overview and NOT THE ECONOMY OF YOUR LIFE but the economic standpoint of your life and factors contributing to that particular case of your life.
How to Answer:
- Offer major highlights in your career, what has been the most important in your number of years of experience, and how you fit the job that you are looking to take on.
- State where you started your profession in short, summarize your last 2-3 positions and your ordinated responsibilities, and finish with reasons for pursuing this given opportunity.
Example:
This is also my strength, as I studied social media strategy for five years and have worked in digital marketing for three years. After one year in my last position, I achieved a 40% rise in the level of user engagement. I am looking forward to this position since I believe the company will benefit a great deal from what I can do.
- What makes you interested in working here?
Employers ask this because they want to check your level of commitment to the company and also determine if you have done any background work on the company.
How to Answer:
- Appreciate specific aspects of the company in question, whether it is their culture, beliefs, products, or work ethic.
- Ensure that your ambition and career objectives with respect to the company are the same.
Example:
In your company, there is an impressive quality of striving for improvement and being environment-friendly. I believe that the most profound motivation for people is to work for a company whose principles they believe in, therefore, I am looking onward to joining a company that is at the forefront of green technology.
3. In which areas do you have an edge over others?
This is also a competency question, and it is intended to find out your competencies. Ensure that you answer this question truthfully and use your relevant area of prospering.
How to Answer:
- Mention 2-3 skills presented at the job that you feel would find their application in your conduct. Think of instances when you were involved in fully actualizing these benefits.
Example
Equalizer mode has proven to be one of my strongest points, which is solving any kind of trouble. I do not naturally possess this skill, but in my last position, I undertook the responsibility of restructuring the flow of the customer service system and decreased the average reply time by 20%. Also, communication is another one of my strengths that I used to harness the management of different teams.
4. What are your weaknesses?
This is a problematic question designed to assess your self-reflected abilities and fraudulence. Steer clear of a weakness that is of prime importance to the position and instead cover a weakness that is being improved upon.
How to Answer
- Pick an actual weakness but one that can easily be fixed.
- State the measures you are taking to address it.
Example:
In the past I had difficulty giving other people parts of the work because I want everything to be done right. I have been trying to do this by helping out junior staff and allowing them to take more responsibility which has helped our team be more productive.
5. Why are you leaving your current job?
This question is always asked for a reason: to establish the individual’s motives and way of thinking and to check if this person is actually suitable for that position.
How to Answer:
- Be optimistic and speak on your targets in future.
- Do not speak ill about your recent or former employer.
Although it has been fun working at my present company, I now would like to take on a challenge that will allow me to diversify my skills further. I am especially interested in the position with your company because it involves project management which is the next phase in my occupational development.
6. How have you been spending the socially acceptable five years? Where do you see yourself in five years?
Employers ask this question to assess whether one’s career aspirations fit within the company’s growth plans and objectives.
How to Answer:
- Highlight your ambition, but indicate that the ambition is achievable.
- Take the opportunity to indicate how your career ambitions align with the job at hand and the strategic position in the organization.
Example:
In five years’ time, I would like to have moved up to a position in which I will be deeply involved in marketing strategic decisions. I believe this role has room for growth and will position me well to take that step in my career.
7. Could you provide an impression for a difficult situation and the way you dealt with it?
This is an inquiry to evaluate how you are capable of making decisions and resolving issues even under duress.
How to Answer:
- Apply the STAR way to respond to sit by methodically stating the Situation, Task, Action and Result.
- Highlight only one case where you solved a particular issue.
Example:
During my last deadline-driven job, there was a period when a product was pending and a large customer was irate. I instantly assumed ownership of this situation, I was honest with our client, and I engaged the manufacturing division to sweep everything that stood in the way. Consequently, the client was retained, and they were satisfied with our quick action.
8. How do you cope with stress and pressure?
This can help potential employers the extent to which you are likely to be productive under stress.
How to Answer
- Give your healthy techniques or practices to icky things stimulated, whichever would help you stay calm.
- Tell us a stressful situation which you were able to come out of unscathed.
Example
I try to break the work down and stay focused while also maintaining a task list and take a breather if necessary. In my last job, several deadlines were due concurrently and I had to use a comprehensive task list, and copiously communicate with the people in my team. This approach enabled me to concentrate on hitting targets without feeling stressed.
9. Why should we hire you?
This is your opportunity not only to convince them but also to buy yourself and say that you are the one they are looking for.
How to Answer:
- Outline your skills, your experience, and your extra value among all other candidates.
- Spell out how you’ll add value and thus help the company be great.
Example:
Given my expertise in content writing and SEO, I have no doubt that I will meet my objectives of improving the reach of your organization. I have effectively brought in and retained users and this will help the aspiration of the team as I would wish to assist these targets.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
This is typically the last question asked in an interview and an opportunity for the candidate to indicate and demonstrate his interest and enthusiasm towards the company.
How to Answer:
- Inquire into the company workplace, its future engagements or the position in particular.
- Refrain from inquiring about salary and other remuneration until that is broached by the employer.
Example
According to you, which would be the most difficult part for an employee occupying this position? What are the prospects for some change and promotion in the organization?
Conclusion
Anticipating basic interview questions allows you to build confidence and accordingly answer questions during the interview. These employer questions are common and, when well prepared or rehearsed, they can make the employer favorable towards you. Stay relaxed, always tell the truth, and answer every question with a combination that explains how you fit in the company.
