Are you wondering what questions a hiring manager will ask during an interview? Or do you want tips on how to answer some general interview questions? In either case, we have got you covered.
Practice is the most significant aspect of interview preparation. There are some common interview questions that almost all hiring managers ask, regardless of your field. In this blog, we discussed how to answer the top five common interview questions with examples. So keep scrolling to learn how to successfully answer interview questions.
Five Most Common Interview Questions with Examples
Question One: Why do you want to work for our company?
This is one of the first and most common interview questions employers ask. To answer this question, conduct thorough research on the company before the interview. Look for the company’s website, social media pages, and other platforms to see the latest developments and events that you can use to answer this question.
Example Answer:“I want to work for your company due to the innovations it has introduced. It’s incredible how you’ve integrated automated methods of communicating with customers. Not only will this save you time, but it will also improve your customer relationships. I would be glad to work with an organization that welcomes new methods instead of relying on the traditional ones.”
Question Two: Tell us about yourself
It is also a frequently asked question by hiring managers. The question serves as a warm-up for the conversation and a primary introduction to your personality. Try including information other than your resume, such as your interests and hobbies. But don’t get caught up in the stories; your responses to all questions should be relevant to the position you’re applying for, the company’s culture, and your relevant skills.
Example Answer:“Since my childhood, I have had a craze for graphics and effects. I remember watching online videos that involved various visual effects. Growing up with all this, I knew I would someday be a graphic designer. Although, when I am free, I enjoy painting and reading. Some of my other hobbies include cycling, hiking, and creative photography.”
Question Three: What are your strengths?
Most employers will ask you this question to determine your strengths and how they can benefit their organization. To answer this question, thoroughly read the job description and consider what skills are required for the position you are applying for. Consider tailoring your answers to each question for a successful interview.
Example Answer:“I have always been good at communication. Not only can I effectively communicate my point, but I also value the importance of listening to others. Throughout my career, having good communication skills has helped me keep my customers happy. Other strengths I can rely on include organizational and leadership abilities.”
Question Four: What are your weaknesses?
If you intend to claim that you have no weaknesses, DON’T. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and hiring managers ask this question to assess your ability to accept and improve your weaknesses. You may, however, mention any weaknesses that are unrelated to the position. Also, don’t forget to mention how you plan to improve.
Example Answer:“My weakness is that I overburden myself. I take on so much work sometimes that I don’t have any personal time left. I am recently planning to create a work-life balance in my routine.”
Question Five: Tell us about any challenge you faced in your previous job.
Employers typically ask this question to assess your problem-solving and leadership abilities. Use the (Situation-Task-Action-Result) STAR technique to answer this question. This means that:
- Explain the situation you faced,
- The tasks you assigned to tackle the situation,
- The actions you took,
- And how it turned out.
Example Answer:“In my previous job, one of my team members accidentally removed some crucial data from the system. I immediately consulted the software expert and told him to recover the data before the presentation. Fortunately, we recovered it safely. However, I told my teammate to be careful next time.”
The Bottom Line
When it comes to answering job interview questions, we are all a little nervous. However, you can plan suitable answers to the questions discussed above according to the position you have applied for. And remember, confidence and self-belief are the keys to a successful interview process.