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TOP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
It’s important to be prepared to respond effectively to the interview questions that employers typically ask at job interviews. Since these questions are so common, hiring managers will expect you to be able to answer them smoothly and without hesitation. You don’t need to memorize an answer, but do think about what you’re going to say so you’re not put on the spot during the job interview. Your responses will be stronger if you prepare in advance, know what to expect during the interview, and have a sense of what you want to play up during your interview.
What is your greatest strength? – This is one of the questions that employers almost always ask. When you are asked about your greatest strengths, it’s important to discuss the attributes that will qualify you for the specific job and set you apart from the other candidates.
What is your greatest weakness? – Another typical question interviewers will ask is about your weaknesses. Do your best to frame your answers around positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee.
Tell me about yourself – Here’s how to answer questions about you without giving out too much or too little personal information. Start by sharing some of your personal interests which don’t relate directly to work.
Why should we hire you? – Are you the best candidate for the job? Be prepared to say why. Make your response a concise sales pitch that explains what you have to offer the employer, and why you should get the job.
What are your salary expectations? – What are you looking for in terms of salary? It seems like a simple question, but your answer can knock you out of content for the job if you overprice yourself. Here’s the best way to answer questions about salary.
Why are you leaving or have left your job? – When asked about why you are moving on, stick with the facts, be direct and focus your interview answer on the future, especially if your leaving wasn’t under the best of circumstances.
Why do you want this job? – This question gives you an opportunity to show the interviewer what you know about the job and the company. Be specific about what makes you a good fit for this role, and mention aspects of the company and position that appeal to you.
How do you handle stress and pressure? – What do you do when things don’t go smoothly at work? The best way to respond to this question is to give an example of how you have handled stress in a previous job.
Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it – The interviewer wants to know what you do when you face a difficult decision. As with the question about stress, be prepared to share an example of what you did in a tough situation.
What are your goals for the future? – This question is designed to find out if you’re going to stick around or move on as soon as you find a better opportunity. Keep your answer focused on the job and the company you’re interviewing with.
Do You Have Any Questions? – At the close of the interview, most interviewers ask whether you have any questions about the job or company. It’s always a good idea to have a list ready and to be prepared to respond.
What was the biggest accomplishment or failure in this position? – What are you proudest of? Was there a time something didn’t work out, but you were able to learn from it. Let the hiring manager know what you achieved, again sharing examples from your most recent job.
What’s your management style? – The best managers are strong but flexible, and that’s exactly what you want to show off in your answer. Think something like, While every situation and every team member requires a bit of a different strategy, I tend to approach my employee relationships as a coach. Then, share a couple of your best managerial moments, like when you grew your team from five to 15 or coached an under performing employee to become the company’s top salesperson.
What’s a time you exercised leadership? – Depending on what’s more important for the the role, you’ll want to choose an example that showcases your project management skills, spearheading a project from end to end, juggling multiple moving parts or one that shows your ability to confidently and effectively rally a team. And remember: The best stories include enough detail to be believable and memorable. Show how you were a leader in this situation and how it represents your overall leadership experience and potential.
Have you disagreed with a decision that was made at work? – Everyone disagrees with the boss from time to time, but in asking this interview question, hiring managers want to know that you can do so in a productive, professional way. You don’t want to tell the story about the time when you disagreed but your boss was being a jerk and you just gave in to keep the peace. And you don’t want to tell the one where you realized you were wrong, Tell the one where your actions made a positive difference on the outcome of the situation, whether it was a work-related outcome or a more effective and productive working relationship.
How would your boss and co-workers describe you? – First of all, be honest, remember, if you get this job, the hiring manager will be calling your former bosses and co-workers! Then, try to pull out strengths and traits you haven’t discussed in other aspects of the interview, such as your strong work ethic or your willingness to pitch in on other projects when needed.
Why was there a gap in your employment?
If you were unemployed for a period of time, be direct and to the point about what you’ve been up to (and hopefully, that’s a litany of impressive volunteer and other mind-enriching activities, like blogging or taking classes). Then, steer the conversation toward how you will do the job and contribute to the organization: “I decided to take a break at the time, but today I’m ready to contribute to this organization in the following ways.”
Bonus Questions – Here are some related questions that you may be asked during a job interview that will require some thought to answer. Consider how you’d respond so you’re as prepared as possible to answer the hiring manager’s questions – 1. How do you handle success? 2. How do you handle failure? 3. Do you work well with other people? 4. What can you do better for us than the other applicants?
