Scribd
Upload
2K views

Answers To 10 Most Common Job Interview Questions

Here are summaries of the top 10 most common job interview questions: 1. For the question "What are your weaknesses?", emphasize your strengths and focus on professional traits you are working to improve like communication skills. 2. When asked "Why should we hire you?", summarize your relevant experiences and how you could benefit the company. 3. For "Why do you want to work here?", indicate you've researched the company's mission and values and are excited about their work. 4. When asked about your "goals", discuss short and intermediate goals rather than distant future plans, and how you hope to grow with the company. 5. For leaving a previous job, state it positively like

Uploaded by

Corina Rotaru
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2K views

Answers To 10 Most Common Job Interview Questions

Here are summaries of the top 10 most common job interview questions: 1. For the question "What are your weaknesses?", emphasize your strengths and focus on professional traits you are working to improve like communication skills. 2. When asked "Why should we hire you?", summarize your relevant experiences and how you could benefit the company. 3. For "Why do you want to work here?", indicate you've researched the company's mission and values and are excited about their work. 4. When asked about your "goals", discuss short and intermediate goals rather than distant future plans, and how you hope to grow with the company. 5. For leaving a previous job, state it positively like

Uploaded by

Corina Rotaru
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Answers to 10 most common job interview

questions

Here are the most commonly asked interview questions


you can expect to be asked in your interview and advice
on how you can craft effective responses.

Be ready to answer these frequently asked interview questions.

Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions asked are coming out of
left field. But many​ ​interview questions​ are to be expected. Study this list of popular and
frequently asked interview questions and​ ​answers​ ahead of time so you'll be ready to answer
them with confidence.

1. What are your weaknesses?


"What are your weaknesses" is one of the most popular questions interviewers ask. It is also the
most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your​ ​weakness and emphasizing your
strengths​. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am
always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I
recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."

2. Why should we hire you?


Answer "​Why should we hire you​?" by summarizing your experiences: "With five years'
experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company
money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition
to your team."

3. Why do you want to work here?


By asking you, "​Why do you want to work here?​" the interviewer is listening for an answer that
indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is
an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are​ ​in line
with my values​, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this
company is very high on my list of desirable choices."

4. What are your goals?


When you're asked, "​What are your goals?​" sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and
intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My
immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on
where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

5. Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job?
If an interviewer asks, "​Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job?​" and you're
unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two
rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20% reduction in the workforce,
which included me."

If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the
decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."

6. When were you most satisfied in your job?


The interviewer who asks, "When were you most satisfied in your job?" wants to know​ ​what
motivates you​. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the
interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I
worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for
me."

7. What can you do for us that other candidates can't?


Emphasize what makes you unique when you're asked, "What can you do for us that other
candidates can't?". This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits.
Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to
build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down
information to be more user-friendly."

8. What are three positive things your last boss would


say about you?
It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes to answer the question,
"What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?". This is a great way to
brag about yourself through someone else's words​: "My boss has told me that I am the best
designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."

9. What salary are you seeking?


When you're asked, "What salary are you seeking?" it is to your advantage if the employer tells
you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or
walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can
agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my
background?"

10. If you were an animal, which one would you want to


be?
Don't be alarmed if you're asked, "If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?"
Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer
"a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as
aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you
want to make?

You might also like