Interviews

Most Common Job Interview Questions

1. Tell me something about yourself.

Your answer to this seemingly simple question should be strategic. Recruiters are looking for a pitch.  Your answer should be relevant to the position you are applying for and present you as the perfect candidate for the job. A good rule of thumb is to structure your answer as follows:

• Briefly introduce yourself.

• What you are currently doing and why you love it.

• 2-3 of your top achievements and how they are relevent to the position you are applying for.

2. How did you hear about this position?

This is your chance to show interest in the company. Even if you haven't been continuously refreshing the companyt's website for job listings, we want them to think that you have (in a professional way). Show curiosity and excitement. And if someone from inside the company told you about the position definitely make sure to mention that as well. you are much more likely to get a job if someone credible can vouch for your skills and talents.

3. Why do you want to work here?

A great way to think of the question "Why do you want to work here?" is to think of the question flipped around: "Why would this company want to hire me?" Use these talking points to help you phrase your answer to this question in this way.

• How can you help the company succeed?

• What past successes could you potentially repeat at this company?

• How will you complement the current company culture?

4. Why did you decide to apply for this position?

With this question, the interviewer is looking to see how passionate you are about the job or the company. It will be evident in the way you answer the question. When a person is passionate about what they are talking about, they almsot give off a sort of glow, which if you're an interviewer who has already interviewed a dozen people today, this is really going to stand out to them.

5. What is your greatest strength?

For this question, you would want to narrow your answer down to at most three strengths. Pick 1 or 2 skills that would help you really excel at the job, and 1 or 2 personal (more or less unrelated) skills.  

After picking your strengths, back it up with a situation or story that shows how you have used it to benefit you on the job. 

6. What is your biggest weaknesses?

The trick in answering this question is realizing that the interviewer doesn't expect you to be perfect as nobody is. Everybody has something they can improve on. When the interviewer is asking you this they are actually trying to find out:

•  Whether or not you have the right skillset for the job you're applying for

• If you're self aware

The key here is to use a real weakness of yours, but not one that gets in the way of the job. Another good tip is to mention how you are working toward overcoming said weakness.

7. What do you know about this company/organization?

The more you know about the company you are aplying for the better. Some good things to know about the company before an interview are:

• What their product or service does

• what impact the product or service has

• company culture

• how is the company currently performing

• any other relevent info you can find.

8. Why should we hire you?

This is your chance to brag a little, but don't overdo it. You don't want to look arrogant or desperate. 3 points you can mention are:

• your passion for working at said company

• how your skills fit the requirements of the job

• how your skills are going to help the company overall

9. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Use the STAR method to explain an accomplishment is a way that relates to the job you are interviewing for.

S: Situation - Set the scene and context.

T: Task - Describe what your challenge or responsibility was.

A: Action - List and dwell on all the actions you took towards addressing the challenge or responsibility.

R: Result - Explain what the outcomes were and how they fit with the overall goal of the project or company.

10. Do you have any questions for us?

This is were you want to show your interest in the compnay. If you had already been hired and this was your first day, what would you like to know about them right now. Don't make these questions too easy either. 

Not only does your answer here show how enthusiastic you are about being hired, this is your opportunity to get some more information about what goes on here. 

Here are some potential questions for you to ask your interviewer:

• What does a regular day in this company look like?

• What’s the best thing about working for the company?

• What’s the worst thing about working for the company?

• What would you say are the biggest challenges a person in this position might face?

• What are the most important skills and qualities one must have to succeed in this position?

• What do you like best about working in this company?

• What are the most pressing issues and projects that need to be addressed?

• Do you have training programs available to employees?

• What sort of budget is there for my department?

• What kind of opportunities do you have for future development?

• What are the performance expectations for someone in this position?

• Do departments usually collaborate with one another?

• Do you celebrate birthdays or retirements in the office?

• Do employees usually hang out with each other outside of work?

• Is there anything else I can help you with at this stage?

• What is the next step in the hiring process?

11. What is the professional achievement you’re most proud of?

Use the STAR method to explain an accomplishment is a way that relates to the job you are interviewing for.

S: Situation - Set the scene and context.

T: Task - Describe what your challenge or responsibility was.

A: Action - List and dwell on all the actions you took towards addressing the challenge or responsibility.

R: Result - Explain what the outcomes were and how they fit with the overall goal of the project or company.

12. What kind of working environment do you work best in?

Before your interview it is a good idea to go online onto a company's social media or website to assess the overall vibe and environment. Not only so you can answer this question in a way that lends itself to getting the job, but to know if you are a good fit for the job in the first place. If your ideal work environment doesn't align with the work environment you are interviewing to work, it's not usually going to be a very good fit for anyone.

13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Generally with this question, the interviewer is trying to assess if you are ambitious and if you have realistic expectations for your career. When answering this question, think realistically about what your next step is after this position and if it is something that is achievable within this company.

Situational Job Interview Questions

1. Why have you switched jobs so many times?

2. Why did you change your career path?

3. Why did you decide to leave your previous/current job?

4. Why is there a gap in your work experience?

5. Why were you fired?

6. How do you feel about working weekends or late hours?

7. How would your boss describe you?

8. Do you have any serious medical conditions?

9. What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?

10. Are you a team player?

11. Are you a risk-taker?

12. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situation?

13. Do you think there is a difference between hard work and smart work?

14. How quickly do you adapt to new technology?

15. Do you have any interests outside of work?

16. What do you think our company/organization could do better?

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