Common Interview Questions

One of the best ways of preparing for a job interview is to familiarize yourself ahead of time with common job interview questions. Having a basic idea about the kinds of questions being asked will put you one step ahead of the competition and will help to keep you calm and confident. When responding to the questions, be enthusiastic and avoid common unnecessary words such as: "like", "um", and "you know".

At the end of the interview most job interviewers will ask if you have any questions of your own. It is important to ask three or four questions, as this shows a special interest in the job position or the company. I have included several questions that should be used as guides. Keep your questions brief and don't push too hard for a great answer because it is quite possible they have never been asked these questions before. Above all else, don't put your interviewer on the spot as this will definitely work against you.

Consider the following common job interviewing questions as some of the "standards" that are asked no matter what the job position being offered. When preparing for a job interview it is important to remember to answer in your own way and only use these job interviewing tips as guides to formulating your own thoughts. Be sure to be enthusiastic, positive and friendly. Never give the impression that you are desperate for a job.

Common Job Interview Questions:

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

This is probably the most asked of all job interview questions. The interviewer wants to gain general knowledge about you and your capabilities and how they relate to the job you are applying for. Often a summary of your education, personality, skills, experience and work history. Keep this summary to two or three minutes and talk about your best traits only. Emphasize things that you have done in the past that will help demonstrate why you are the best person for the job.

2. Why Should We Hire You?

This is an important question and you should formulate a good answer. You need to show in detail what makes you different from the other applicants (without mentioning any other applicant personally) and how your skills and experience meet the job requirements. Emphasize how enthusiastic you are to help the company meet its goals and how you are a person who takes pride in their work. Explain to them how you are committed to your career and how you are always willing to go that "extra mile" to ensure a successful outcome.

3. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Keep your answer positive no matter what happened at you previous job. Never say "I hate my job" or "I hate work". Talk about leaving for a better opportunity or career advancement. You can say that "I want a new job because my skills and abilities were not being utilized in my last position and I needed more of a challenge to keep sharp". Never speak badly about former management, bosses, or co-workers as this will work against you!

4. Why Do You Want This Position?

You will need to impress upon the interviewer how your skills, abilities, and background are compatible with this job. Be sincere and explain how this job fits into your long term career future goals. Base your answers on the company research that you need to do ahead of time (see my article, "Preparing For a Job Interview"). Being familiar with the company's products, mission, and the industry they are involved in will make you stand out compared to the other candidates. Relate how your goals, abilities and interests complement that of the company in general and that of the job position specifically.

5. What Experience Do You Have In This Field?

Essentially you will be going into more detail about what is written in your resumé. Give some specific information that relates to the job position. Always be honest and if you do not have specific experience try to express that you are a fast learner who thrives on adapting to new situations.

6. Are You A Team Player?

This is an important consideration for the company. They want to make sure that you will work well with their already established team of players. If you are not a team player, then this job might not be for you. If you are truly a team player, you will need to give an example or two of how well a team effort that you were part of worked in the past. Talk about how the strength of the team and its coordinated effort worked to accomplish the goal.

7. What Is Your Greatest Strength?

Use this question as a good time to elaborate on your best abilities. Choose about three of your best skills (not just one) and demonstrate how they would fit into the job position you are pursuing. Some good examples of your strengths would be your ability to focus on tasks, a vision of what could be done in the future, team building, meeting deadlines, problem solving, ability to work under pressure, ability to work with clients, always doing more that what is required, etc.

8. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

Only talk about one weakness and make sure it does not have anything to do with the job position you are after! You should talk about an actual weakness but it is important to show what you have done or are currently doing to overcome it. We all have weaknesses, but it is the strong person who faces up to them and takes action to correct the problem.

9. Describe Your Work Ethic.

There's an old saying that goes, "If you love what you do, then you'll never work a day in your life". Explain that you enjoy what you do so that working hard is not only a benefit to the company, but it is a source of great personal satisfaction and accomplishment for you. Let it be known that you will do whatever is necessary (as long as it is legal and morally correct) to get the job done and it is common for you to do more than what is required.

10. What Kind Of Salary Do You Require?

This is a tough question. It is best not to give any exact number. Do your homework and try to find out ahead of time what this kind of job normally pays in your region or city. Give the interviewer a fairly wide range and explain that it depends upon on the specifics of the job.

Memorize Your Best Skills and Abilities

The reality is, it is impossible to predict and prepare answers to every job interview question. One of the best things you can do in preparing for a job interview is to memorize your best skills and abilities. In this way when an unexpected question comes up, you can use this opportunity to mention some of your best attributes and how they apply to the job position. Be careful how you do this because you don't want to be too obvious.

Questions You Should Ask Interviewers

As mentioned earlier, towards the end of the interview it is common for the interviewer to ask if you have any questions for them. It is a good idea to ask three or four questions because this will show you have initiative and a genuine interest in the position. Never ask questions about money or about yourself in particular, such as "When will I be considered for my first raise?"

Sample Questions:

1. What are the basic responsibilities of this position?

2. What would be considered short and long term goals for this position?

3. What things do you like the best about working for this company?

4. Do you feel I have the qualifications to be successful in this position?

5. It is possible to describe an average day or week working in this position at this company?

6. Is there any specific reason why this position is being offered now?

7. At what point do you expect to make your final decision?

8. What are the next steps in the hiring process?

As stated before, limit your questions to three or four and always go to the interview fully prepared. Have someone help you, if possible, to ask the questions and put you through a mock interview ahead of time. In this way you will feel more comfortable during the real interview.