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A great resume and business attire will only get you so far in this interview process. If you made it this far using a resume that was full of untruths will ensure upon being asked questions, that you will be caught in your web of lies. Employers will find out during your interview that you knowingly lied. Any questions you may attempt to answer will not be taken serious and the interview abruptly ends. Do not be surprised if they have done a cursory background investigation before your job interview. There is nothing worse than having to answer an interview question with another lie.
Perspective employers want to see your interview question/answering skills, your interview technique and how you adapt in a difficult situation. But most of all the interviewers want to establish a baseline of your knowledge about this particular job opening.
Ready for some interview questions? Take a deep breath and relax. It isn’t as bad as you think.
Let’s begin with the top 10 common interview questions and perhaps the sample answers may help you land that job!
1. Tell About Yourself…
This is not an interview question asked in order to provide you an invitation to tell your perspective employer how much you weighed at birth or what you did over the weekend. This question is to find out about why you are right for this job. Your answer to this question should be a quick summary of your best qualities and why they are relevant for this position in their organization. Once you have determined your answer, write it down and practice saying it ahead of time. This will make your answer come out more relaxed and natural.
2. What Do You Know About Our Company?
You hopefully have done your interview research homework regarding this particular company, because now it is too late. You cannot go into an interview not knowing about the company expecting them to hire you. The Internet is a wonderful tool for research as well as your local library. Take advantage of all the information and make sure you are up to date on recent events of this company, good and bad. This way you may have one leg up on the next interviewee regarding this question.
3. What Did You Dislike About Your Previous Job?
This is not a trick interview question. It is a chance to highlight the positive aspects of your past job in proportion to what you disliked. Respond with the good points from your former job that corresponds with the position you are seeking with this new company. You should give one quick answer to the “dislike” question. Do not say there wasn’t anything you disliked about your previous job. If you respond with this answer you will be seen as being untruthful, after all, you are interviewing for a new job!
An example response would be..”My former company was a smaller company still establishing their business presence and I am looking to be a part of a larger established and growing organization to achieve your future goals.”
4. Why Should We Hire You For This Position?
Don’t just say, “Because I am the best person suited for this job.” You need to explain your skills and experience, along with proven examples of how you have used those goals. Describe what makes you unique and how you can bring those traits to the position. By doing this you are showing the interviewer you are quite qualified to become a valuable employee.
5. Where Do You See Yourself In 5 to 10 Years?
Interview questions like this are used to find out if you have career goals and if you plan on staying with the company. Sometimes a perspective employer will not want to take the time and money to incorporate you if you will not be staying with the company for long. You should think carefully before answering this question because it could make or break the interview. Describe your goals to become more involved in the organization as you enjoy your work as a new employee. State that you are always open to trying things outside of your job description.
6. Do You Prefer to Work Alone or With A Team?
This is to see how well you can work together in the workplace with existing employees. You should state that you definitely are confident enough to take on assignments alone but prefer to fit right in working as a team member as they have knowledge and experience from which you could learn.
7. What Do You Consider A Weakness?
This interview question should be dealt with briefly enough to state your weakness but more to highlight what you are doing to improve on your weakness. Some might consider being demanding or aggressive to be a weakness, but that could be turned around to highlight the fact that you are a go-getter and like to push forward to make sure tasks are completed on time.
8. What Are Your Strengths?
Pick 2 or 3 of your best strengths and expand upon them in your interview question answer. Examples of your strengths could be your ability to comprehend new programs and ideas to your positive attitude and how you enjoy working with others. Give some examples that showcase these qualities.
9. Why Did You Apply For This Job?
The wrong interview answer to this question is: “Because I need the money” or I am applying because I hated my last job”. Your research will give you all the information you need to answer this question. State you are looking to advance in this industry and your goals match well with the company. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow in your field.
10. How Do You Feel About Working Long Hours/ Weekends?
This is almost bordering on an illegal question relating to your marriage or religious status. The correct way to approach this question is to say that you would be open to working longer hours to achieve a specific goal or important project. Occasional weekends could be arranged if the need should arise. Stress that you strive to get your work done during regular business hours, but understand the occasional need to sacrifice some of your personal time for the betterment of the company
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