Preparing for a job interview: The most common questions and tips for successful responses
A job interview is always exciting but can also feel a bit intimidating. However, with the right preparation, you can approach it with greater confidence. Make sure to consider the following questions before attending an interview. These questions mustn't catch you off guard, allowing you to respond easily and confidently. Gather examples and real-life situations to support your answers.
Tell me about yourself!
This is one of the most common interview questions. Avoid going too far back into your history—don't start with your childhood. Instead, briefly highlight your education, work experience, skills, and hobbies. Structure your answer chronologically, speaking clearly and focusing on elements relevant to the job you're applying for.
Why do you want to work for this company? What do you know about us?
This question aims to gauge how much you know about the company and what motivates you. You can highlight the company's products, services, leadership, culture, programs, or benefits. It’s a good idea to research the company before the interview. Look up some information online and check out their website to gather useful insights.
Why should we hire you? What makes you suitable for this job?
The interviewer wants to know whether your previous tasks make you a good fit for the role. Before the interview, carefully review the job description or advertisement. Think of instances where you demonstrated your skills. Highlight your relevant experience and skills and explain how you can apply them to this position.
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Strengths:
From the job posting, you can get an idea of the strengths required for the role. Carefully think about your strengths, back them up with examples, and highlight them during the interview.
Weaknesses:
Talking about weaknesses is often a tough task and can feel like a "nightmare" for many job seekers. It’s important to mention weaknesses that aren't critical for the job. Show how you're working to improve these areas and provide examples of steps you've taken.
Why did you leave your previous job?
You likely have a good reason for leaving or planning to leave your job. Regardless of the reason, avoid criticizing your boss or company during the conversation. Speaking negatively about your previous employer reflects poorly on you. Whatever the reason for the change, show that you are excited about new opportunities.
What are your salary expectations?
What kind of salary are you thinking about? It’s essential to know what would be acceptable to you, but also stay flexible. Use online salary calculators to help guide your expectations. If you are under 25, you may have lower tax deductions, which is also worth considering. Don't forget to account for additional benefits many companies offer. Be realistic, flexible, and prepared to negotiate.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
This question is designed to assess how you deal with challenges and tough situations. Provide examples of the methods you use to handle stress and explain how you successfully resolved stressful situations in the past. This helps the employer understand how well you can manage workplace pressure.
Tell me about a difficult work situation and how you solved it.
This question allows you to showcase your problem-solving skills. It’s useful to have a specific story ready for the interview. Talk about the challenges you faced in previous jobs and how you solved them. Emphasize the process you followed and the results you achieved.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Try to align your goals with what the company offers. Be honest but flexible and show how you want to grow and advance in your career.
What do you like most and least about your current job?
This question helps the employer understand what motivates you and the type of work environment you thrive in. Honestly explain why you’re looking for a change but stay positive—show that you're looking forward to new challenges. If there are things you don’t like, explain how you’ve managed them.
How do you work in a team?
Teamwork is crucial in many workplaces, so it’s important to emphasize this in the interview. Provide examples of how you’ve worked in teams before and how you contributed to the team’s success. Highlight skills that enable you to collaborate effectively with others.
Why are you interested in this position?
Why do you specifically want this job? If you can answer this well, you’ll be much more convincing during the interview. Highlight the aspects of the job that attract you, such as the company’s reputation, the role’s challenges, or the growth opportunities it offers.
Conclusion
Preparing for a job interview is crucial for a successful job search. Thinking through common interview questions and practicing your responses in advance can help you appear confident and convincing during the interview. Remember, a job interview isn’t just an opportunity for the employer to get to know you, but also for you to showcase your skills and motivations. Prepare thoroughly and be honest and positive in your answers.
Szabó-Péntek Anita
Business Unit Manager