Getting an interview callback is a milestone in the interview process. However, preparation should not be overlooked to ensure one achieves the desired impact on the society. The interview is your first and often your only opportunity to make a positive first impression on the employer.
Your answers do not only show your strengths and skills, but also your understanding of the organization’s goals as well as the team spirit. For interview preparation, one needs to know the most asked questions in an interview and make sure to have brief relevant responses to those questions.
By doing so, you will be fully prepared to answer any specific questions that may be posed to you during the interview. Luckily, most of these questions are manageable since they can be anticipated in advance. Thus, consider paying more attention to the quality of the answers and try playing with someone who will be able to critique your performance.
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Here Are Some Common Questions And Suggested Answers
Common interview questions cover all sorts of aspects of an individual’s qualifications, background, experience, and interests. Thus, the questions may depend on the company and the position to which the candidate is applying but there are some typical questions frequently used.
1. Tell me about yourself
Do not give an emotional story and give more information about your achievements in your career other than what is necessary. It is important to briefly describe previous career history, stressing that the experience is relevant to the position being applied for.
This is not simply narrating your resume but is all about branding. It is always a question, of whether to condense the experiences, so try to focus on the industry trends and key terms. It is advised to reiterate talking about the recent industry news and sharing your opinion about them as that shows your passion and interest in the position.
Keep in mind that this question not only checks your knowledge of the subject matter but also your ability to present the information, as well as cultural compatibility in the organization.
Sample answer for “Tell me about yourself,” question
When asked the question, “Tell me about yourself,” one can mention that they are organized individuals with great interpersonal skills, adaptable, and a good team player.
“Currently working as a marketer and throughout my work experience with different companies for the past six years in the marketing industry, I started as a content producer because I realized the important role that a good story plays in building a brand. ”
“I later moved to a digital marketing specialist position in which I coordinated campaigns that resulted in 30% improvement in the website traffic and also in the qualification of leads that improved by 25%.”
“It was very inspiring to be working in a team, arranging and implementing the product’s campaign with the team of professionals successfully meeting KPIs and won an industry award.”
“I am highly enthusiastic when it comes to making marketing decisions via data analysis, and to my utmost concern, I ensure I keep updated with emerging trends and technologies in our works.”
“Besides my job, I am fascinated with attending marketing seminars and workshops. In addition, learning and networking form my strengths to the next level as a marketer. I would love to apply my skills and passion to your distinguished team and be a part of the creativity in formulating new strategies in marketing. ”
2. Why do you want to work here?
The hiring managers ask this question in order to identify your passion and empathy with the company and the position. In response to this, stress the company aspects and the specific job that interests you.
Next, match what you have to do with the role and the targets you have achieved in the past. To get a proper answer, simply do research and review the overall company profile and the previous projects.
Possible answer for “Why do you want to work here?”
“I have always been a fan of your company’s unique strategies within the market as it showcased lately with [particular product or promotion].”
“Your company’s strong focus on sustainability and participation in social causes as we can see in the corporate social responsibility activities of the company remains suitable with my values.”
“Moreover, I have gone through certain published data regarding company policy and culture, and as per my understanding, the company is very much concerned about its employees’ development and always encourages its people to learn something new.
“I think with the experience and the knowledge that I possess I will be able to contribute something to the company and with the kind of environment that is here, I am confident that I will be able to grow alongside the company.”
3. What do you know about our company?
Make sure you did proper research to answer this question effectively. This is an excellent question to showcase your appreciation of the company and its business to ensure that you fit in with its organizational culture.
First, set aside time to look for the latest news, new products or services, activities, and awards that the company has received. Visit their LinkedIn page to get more information from the posts they have shared or get the information from the employees. Using the company’s website is a good start, but deviation from other resources shows greater concern.
Sample answer for “What do you know about our company?”
“When gathering information about your company, they were all quite positive in terms of feedback for your company, both consumers and former staff members.”
“Your products are new and unique, and people are already recognizing your creations in different media outlets. Also, social media has great feedback from previous employees who attest to the supportive and employee-friendly culture here at this facility.
“I especially paid attention to the information regarding the sustainability policy of your company as well as the number of charitable programs in the recent past. More accolades and awards that you have received in this past have strengthened your position in the market even more.”
“It is obvious that your company embraces quality in its products and services as well as providing a conducive environment that would enable the employees to grow. ”
4. In your opinion, what do you think we should do differently?
This is a typical interview question, especially for start-ups. The interviewers will often want to know that you’re not completely aware of the way the company runs and that you also can think and innovate.
For instance, it could refresh the brand’s social media profiles, the shift to digitalized customer support, or a practice you are ready to introduce to your coworkers. Still, it is crucial to share opinions and demonstrate interest in the topic in question.
Example response for “How do you think the approach could be changed or modified?”
“During my research about this company, I have been quite impressed with several products and programs that you have developed. Therefore, one possible area that could be strengthened might be the use of digital technology.”
“Even when you are quite active in the online space, there can always be an improvement in the aesthetics or a more engaging process for the users or the discovery of new platforms. For instance, last week I realized that the company’s mobile application requires some basic user-friendly solutions and additional options for interaction.”
“Incorporating such components might offer the current shift to interactive and augmented reality features to your brand and possibly offer your target audiences something different from what they expect.”
“Although I understand that such decisions can involve a lot of attributes, I would be interested in knowing more about the current strategies of the company and what role I could play in the continuous progression of the company.”
5. What are your strengths?
As with this interview question, the interviewer wants to look into your suitability through professional values and applicability in the work setting. Mention several strengths with the corresponding job responsibilities and support them with examples.
This is how the interviewer can identify your potential in the company or organization. Several potential areas of strength could include the ability to manage stress, delegation, and planning. Be humble when you respond to avoid getting the wrong perception.
You can share a problem you faced in the past and how you solved the problem by using your skills as a good example without bragging about your accomplishments.
Example answer for “What are your strengths?”
“One of my most valuable personal strengths is that in every organization I have shown my teamwork effectively. During my career, I have frequently had positions where cross-functional cooperation was essential”
“I consider myself to be a good communicator who can listen to every aspect of the conflict, and coordinate to make sure that people and projects are in harmony towards the various goals or objectives in the project. It has not only enabled me to contribute towards projects that are managed and delivered well but also created a healthy culture at the workplace.”
“Something else that can be considered as my strength is that I have an analytical way of thinking. I always ensure my decisions are guided by data and facts that can be helpful in making the correct decision and producing the main outcomes.”
“I believe that my practical experience of collaboration alongside analytical thinking that I used in prior positions will be useful for this position. ”
6. What are your weakness?
This may not be easy to answer because it is a test of self-reflection. Since no one is perfect, if there is a skill they are weak in, they should acknowledge and try to improve that area.
For example, if delegation or presentation skills are not your strong points, it is advisable to be truthful and describe how you have been working on it. You can show that you are aware of your weakness and you have been trying to improve it by being a willing learner.
Example Answer of “What are your weaknesses?”
“I usually spend a lot of time on the task and focus too much on the details which is one of the areas I have been working on. Even though it has brought some benefits such as increased quality work, this trait has also brought a negative aspect of spending too much time on some tasks compared to others.”
“To overcome this, I have been engaging in deliberate efforts to prioritize and time-limits each phase of a project. It also assists me only to allocate my time as per the formulated plan while also helping me balance between the extent of detail and the efficiency of my time.”
“I am always on the lookout for suggestions and trying out methods to be better in this aspect because having strong self-awareness is an important factor as I progress through my positions. ”
7. What are the worst and best parts of your last role?
This interview question will help the interviewer understand the applicant’s passions and how they match the expected position. When you mention your previous job, it is recommended that you depict the activities that you loved most, the things you have learned about while serving there, and the progress that you made.
When discussing some positive experiences, it is necessary to try not to speak negatively about the former employers or coworkers. Emphasize neutral arguments, such as the company, neutral organizational structure, or decision-making processes, rather than concentrating on interpersonal conflicts.
The aim is to frame negatives in a manner that shows that you can adapt and look on the brighter side of things.
Example answer for “What are the worst and best parts of your last role?”
“As a customer service representative in my previous company, I appreciate the constructive teamwork that characterized the working environment besides the versatility of projects I handled. I was also able to work closely with the many departments in the company and this gave me an all-round understanding of how the company ran.”
“It resulted in an efficient and highly successful working collaboration in the team. On the other hand, one of the challenges I encountered was limited utilization of analytical tools since the tools employed in the course of analysis were slightly advanced and this made analysis take much more time than it should.”
“However, this was also a challenge as it restricted my ability to obtain necessary analytical insights that could be deduced from the data collected at the same time it was considered a learning experience for me since it improved my adaptability and problem-solving skills when working on any position.”
8. Why are you seeking a change in employment?
This often can be a challenge to answer and it is very important to say positive about your current employer in a positive way. Focus on what you have to gain from looking for a new job besides avoiding viewing your current position as negative.
Example answer for “Why are you seeking the change in employment?”
“I would like to transition from my current company because I believe there is greater opportunity for career growth and job satisfaction within the organization that is offering the new position.”
“Although I have enjoyed much of my work at my current company, I feel it is time for me to advance in another direction. I have always been practically interested in [specific area or skill] despite the fact that [you have done some work in this area at your current job] I would like to delve deeper into it.”
“I’ve researched your company and developed your [particular programs or plans], I want to work for a company like yours because this will help me position myself for the future I envision for my career.”
“This transition would facilitate this objective since it would enable me to impact that area and enrich myself with the various experiences and learning opportunities available in your esteemed company. ”
9. What is your future goal?
This is one of the most fundamental interview questions that will test your ambition and career goal. In your response, remember to focus on your motivation to grow, develop, and add value in a way relevant to the position you are applying for.
Avoid vague answers like “I picture myself in this company”, as this is already understood seeing that you are in the interview process. Any answer is acceptable because there is no right or wrong answer. Some might refer to the pandemic and use that to speak more about realistic, short-term goals.
Aside from these normal questions, there are unique and behavioral ones and you better be ready to answer them. Having knowledge of standard questions lays the groundwork for solving more complicated scenarios of the interview.
Example response for “What is your future goal?”
“In the short-term, I am looking for a company where I can work as a professional and utilize my expertise as well as from other experienced professionals.”
“I am particularly interested in working on [specific projects/initiatives the company is known for] as it’s something I would like to be involved in given my passion for [specific area of interest]. In my view, I envision myself advancing in the organization to accomplish greater responsibilities and become a team supervisor.”
“I also believe in lifelong learning and I intend to undertake more certifications or courses that will improve my knowledge in the [specific domain/field]. I have chosen to pursue my career because I want to be instrumental in the development of the specific domain/field, and remain relevant to the ever-evolving advancements within this field.”
10. What other positions in our organization would you be interested in applying for if this one wasn’t available?
This is a great interview question as it gives versatility that you can exhibit when answering it. Thus, be sure that you have focused on similar and realistic roles or positions.
Make sure you provide a strong answer that shows that you meet all the requirements and that you are a great candidate for this job. Make sure to highlight your strengths, competency, and interest in the company as well as in the job’s similar attributes.
Example answer “What other positions in our organization would you be interested in applying for if this one wasn’t available?”
“I want to mention that I am very enthusiastic about the position I’ve applied for, but I also have a keen interest in [another position or division] at your company – [Product Development or Customer Relationship Marketing].”
“Specifically, along with my general strengths, given my [specific skill or area, e.g., data analytics or human resources] experience, I think I could also provide valuable input there. I have always enjoyed [that specific job or task that is associated with the other role, for instance, your company’s marketing strategies and the innovative products developed by the development department].”
“To be able to work in this company would be important to me as I will have the opportunity to support this company’s mission and values.”
11. Why should we hire you?
When considering this as an interview question, they are in a way of requesting you to summarize your experience, the skills you possess, and your interest in the job and business.
It means that your interviewer simply invites you to sell yourself and, consequently, mention why the job and you should be together for doing the work, to deliver the outcomes (skills and accomplishments), to contribute to the priorities of the interviewer and the company as a whole; and why you will be a great fit in the company culture.
Sample answer for “Why should we hire you?”
“I believe that I am right for the position based on several qualities and experiences I will be bringing to the company such as my education, work experience, and personal traits. I have great enthusiasm towards [specific domain, e.g., digital advertising] that resulted in [specific achievement, e.g., a 30% increase in online sales for my previous employer].”
“Also, my experience in [applicable field of activity or study] enables me to solve issues more comprehensively and apply analytical thinking to the job. I also stand as a strong candidate with the following [particular soft skills that can be crucial in the position such as time management, coordination, interpersonal, etc].”
“Apart from looking forward to the given responsibilities, I am eager about the impact I can make on [specific company goal or project, e.g., your new product release or your mission of affordable clean energy]. Honestly, I am always dedicated to what I’ve learned in my experience, I am confident I can make a difference in the team. ”
12. What is your salary expectation?
Being asked about the expected salary is a common situation, one has to be prepared for it comprehensively. It is essential to find a middle ground: for example, you can speak confidently of your value without sounding so rehearsed.
Ensure you review the pay structure in this industry and also understand the size and operations of the company, the nature of the role, and your skills and experience.
Maintain your desire for the job but do not let the company think you are greedy with the remuneration. Scrolling your points backed by data and presenting them confidently not only helps you in handling the salary question of the interview effectively but also creates a way of opening for further discussion as the interview continues.
Finally, it is important to remember that you must always be careful to keep the balance between demonstrating your worth and not closing off the option for negotiation. Below are a few guidelines you can consider :
Set a high goal
You can begin the negotiation process with a number that is just slightly above the amount that you are willing to take. It means that you can still negotiate how your salary is calculated and this in turn leads to higher chances of being able to hit your target amount.
Avoid making early commitment
It is advisable to keep off any strong stands by the time the interview starts. This approach can offer you a better deal the next time you sit down to negotiate.
Be confident
When delivering your answers, always ensure that you are confident about yourself. Negotiate confidently and prove to the employer that you are worthy to be paid according to the expectations that you set for yourself.
Do a proper research
Make sure you learn more about industry trends, the company’s size, and your responsibilities. This way you will be able to give an accurate figure that can be explained to the decision makers.
Sample answer to “What are your salary expectations?”
“As per my research of the pay scale for this position in the industry, with my overall experience and skills and also the expense of living, my expected salary compensation range is between [specific lower number] to [specific higher number].”
“However, I’d also like to add that I am willing to make negotiations not only for the salary aspects of the offer but also for benefits that might be part of the offer I’m receiving from [Company Name]. I am quite interested in this position as well as in getting a chance to work for [Company Name], so I do believe that we can agree on a compensation package that will be suitable for both parties.”
13. Do you have any questions that you want to ask us?
It is important to remember that while the interviewer is asking you most questions, you also get an opportunity to ask some questions to help you decide whether or not you are right for the job.
This is a good chance to come up with questions that have not been discussed in the interview and gain more understanding of the part of the role that has not been very clear to you.
These could be regarding the KPIs, what a typical working day is made up of, the size of the team, chances to gain training programs, other benefits of joining the team, etc that would help in deciding whether or not the role would be suitable for you.
The questions you ask can give you important information about the role and the organizational culture. It is not about asking many questions but asking good questions that show that you have listened carefully to what the company has said and its likely expectations of you in that position.
Important Tips For Successful Job Interview Preparation
Learning how to answer some of the frequently asked job interview questions is indeed essential for every candidate. Nevertheless, you should also make necessary preparations for behavioral and cultural interview questions as well.
These questions focus on your interactions with other people, your communication skills, your problem-solving skills, and your compatibility with the organizational culture.
Learning and applying the given responses to these complex questions not only proves your competence and educational background but also shows your readiness to succeed in versatile settings.
Therefore, as you start your job search endeavor, ensure that you have a strong knowledge of interview questions from the various categories to be well-equipped when facing any type of interview situation.
Ready to land your dream job? Check out the FastLane website today and benefit from our expert guidance and personalized support throughout your job search journey. Let us help you prepare for interviews and connect you with top employers in your industry. Take the next step in your career with FastLane. Contact us now!