Sameer was thrilled to have received an interview call from a reputed company. But as thought about the interview preparation, his excitement slightly turned into nervousness. “What kind of questions the interviewer will ask?” he thought.
Well, no one can know the exact answer to this question. However, like Sameer, you can certainly prepare for the common questions that every interview includes – self-introduction, and why should we hire you.
Well, the list of common interview questions doesn’t end here. If you want to ace your interview and increase your chances of getting selected knowing these top interview questions is not enough. You should also know how to answer these questions to impress your interviewer.
Let’s start with this question-and-answer session right away.
Top interview questions and answers
1.Tell me about yourself
Self-introduction, often a part of the interview, although the question is simple most of the time, candidates fumble with answers. “Where to start and what to say?” They start thinking right in the middle of the interview. And such answers might show your nervousness to the interviewer.
So what you should say as an answer to this question? It’s simple, answer what your recruiting manager wants ti to know, which is ‘why you are the right fit for the job‘.
Start by sharing your interests and experiences that indirectly relate to the work. For example, if your hobby is traveling and your job requires you to travel often you can mention so along with some places you have traveled to and experiences and observations you have gathered. This will also show a part of your personality and a glimpse of your soft skills.
You can include aspects like your education, where you were born, and your hobbies and interests.
2.Why should we hire you?
Another googly question literally translates to “why you are the best candidate for this job?” Here, you are selling yourself based on your relevant qualifications and qualities.
So, you should mention those in your sales pitch. This is the time to review the job listing again and ensure you align your answer to what the company is looking for.
3.Why do you want this job?
“Because of the salary raise, comfortable commute, or big company brand” you might say these answers in your mind but not aloud in front of your interviewer.
Through this question your interviewer allows you to share what would you accomplish if you were hired for the company and yourself.
So to answer this question you should have searched thoroughly about the company, its products, and services as well as vision, mission, core values, and culture.
Mention how your career goals are aligned with the company’s mission or your work experience is in inline with the company’s offerings.
1.What are your career goals?
The interviewer may ask this question in line with your answer to the previous question. What they want to know is if you will be staying with the company for long or hop to the new opportunity as soon as you get a salary raise.
Here you should highlight how your long-term career goals are aligned with the position and your career plans match the career path led by the position you are being interviewed for.
2.How has your experience prepared you for this job?
You must have guessed from the question what the interviewer wants to know, which is if you have the relevant work experience and skills to perform this job.
To answer this question with confidence, prepare a list of your educational qualifications, accomplishments, and work experience which you think will you in the job you have applied for.
3.Why are you leaving your job?
Be prepared with an answer that shares your honest circumstances while saying positive words about your previous company.
In case you are quitting the job due to some challenging situation, sharing this with your interviewer could be considered too much information.
So, in this case, you should focus your answer on your future and reiterate how your career goals align with the job position at the company if you were hired.
4.How do you handle stress?
Whether your position requires you to work alone or manage a team, work pressure is common for every working corporate. And how do you perform under pressure is what the interviewer wants to know.
You can share some real-life situations where you have demonstrated how you manage to perform well under pressure. Choose work situations that your previous employer or manager can vouch for.
However, don’t be tempted to say that you rarely feel work stress or pressure. This might show you being overconfident which will deem your impression in front of the interviewer.
5.What is your greatest strength?
When answering this question focus on what makes you a better fit than other candidates for the job. “Show” your answer rather than telling. How? You can again recall your professional experience where you have demonstrated your greatest strengths to get the task done. Tell this experience in the form of a story to make a greater impact.
6.What is your greatest weakness?
Now don’t say you don’t have a weakness. Instead, analyze your weaknesses critically beforehand and mention weaknesses that can turn into strengths for your employer.
For example, you being a workaholic can be your weakness but it turns out to be a strength and a positive aspect for the company.
7.What are your salary expectations
Interviewers often conclude the interview with this question. And when it comes to your salary expectations the answer is always tricky.
You don’t want to price yourself short or high enough to lose the job offer. Do your research beforehand to decide and answer your salary or salary range when asked. You can use online calculators to decide your salary expectations based on your job title, experience, employer, and location.
Follow up after the interview
Although you have prepared all the answers beforehand and gave those answers with confidence in the interview, there is always something left to be said.
If you wish you had mentioned some other important points in the interview you can mention those in your email to the interviewer along with a thank you note for the time the interviewer spent for you.
This will show your politeness and attitude of gratitude while improving your chances of getting hired.
