Good preparation is key when you have an upcoming job interview. Knowing that you are well-prepared boosts your self-confidence, making you feel invincible as you sit across the table, facing recruiters who could possibly make or break your dream of landing that coveted job.
HiCounselor has put together 50 common interview questions and a few answers that will help you ace the next grueling job interview. These questions may be asked of candidates applying for jobs from entry-level to senior-level depending on their experience and other factors. Although it’s not possible to predict what questions you will be asked during an interview, most interviewers tend to follow a consistent pattern, posing similar questions.
Opening Questions
1. Please tell me about yourself.
2. Why would you like to work for this company?
3. What is it that you are most interested in about this job?
4. How did you find out about this job?
5. What do you know about our company?
Questions about Career History
6. How has your career journey prepared you for this job?
7. Why would you like to switch roles?
8. What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
9. Please tell me about your worst boss, if you have had one.
10. Please describe a conflict that you experienced at work and the way you resolved it.
11. What are your strengths in times of crisis?
12. What are your leadership qualities?
13. Please describe a time you took the initiative at work.
14. What was your most innovative moment at work?
Questions about Skills/Attributes
15. Why should we hire you?
16. What are your most powerful strengths?
17. What makes you different from the other candidates?
Role-specific Questions
18. What do you hope to get from this job?
19. If you are hired, how would you spend the first 30 days of your time at this company?
20. How could you help us do things differently or better?
21. What are your salary requirements?
Questions for Self-Analysis
22. What have you done wrong at any point of time in your career?
23. Please tell me about a time when you made a serious mistake and how you resolved it.
24. What would you do if someone disagrees with your decision?
25. Please describe a time you faced an ethical dilemma.
26. What are your weaknesses?
27. What type of criticism do you frequently receive?
Questions about Work Style
28. What are some things that you find annoying at work?
29. What can you do to deal with the difficulties that arise?
30. Which type of work environment would you prefer?
31. Which management style do you prefer?
32. What would your former boss and co-workers say about you?
33. How do you manage the pressure involved in the job?
34. What are your priorities?
35. What do you prefer the most about the job responsibilities mentioned?
Questions based on goals
36. In five years, where do you see yourself?
37. What is your dream job?
38. What motivates and inspires you?
Questions for the individual
39. What are you most interested in doing outside of work?
40. How do you plan to maintain a balanced work-life?
41. Are you open to relocating?
Quirky Questions
42. How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?
43. Which animal would you choose to be, if you could?
44. What would your superpower be, if you were a superhero?
45. Which five people would you invite to your dream dinner party?
46. Is this pen yours? Convince us to purchase this pen from you.
Closing Questions
47. Do you have any other suggestions?
48. Which other companies are you interested in landing an interview with?
49. How would you begin the first day at work?
50. Have you got any questions for us?
Answers to a few Questions
The answers to these questions will give you ample opportunity to make a positive first impression on the recruiter.
1. Please tell me about yourself.
Make a concise, clear and compelling description of who and what you are. Let your interviewer know what aspects of you are interesting and what they should be concerned about. Believe you are the right person for the job. Avoid getting too bogged down. Do not go into too many details at this stage. Instead, be focused on the skills and experience that are most important. It is also a good idea to talk about your present, past and future career plans. Include as many specific achievements as possible.
2. Why would you like to work for this company?
Demonstrate your knowledge about the company's history and where it is heading in the future. Make sure you are clear about your career goals. Your key strengths can help your company move forward. Explain how you work. Please be as specific as possible about the reasons you chose this company. Mention where you can make a difference and the reason that you are so excited to apply.
3. What is it that you are most interested in regarding this job?
Demonstrate what is your understanding of the job, what it entails and why you would enjoy it. Tie the role to your career goals, outlining why they are right for you at this stage of your career. Let it be known that you are aware of the difficulties involved and that you are excited about facing them. Focus on what you have to give and not just on how you want to be perceived.
4. How did you find out about this job?
It doesn't matter how you heard about the job opening. Just make sure to emphasize the fact that the job responsibilities excited you when you came to know about it from your professional network. Show how much you are aware of the industry and how organized you are in your approach.
5. What do you know about our company?
Demonstrate that you are able to foresee the company’s future, understand its past and play a role in its present goals. It's also important to understand key facts such as its history, location and how long it has been in business. Describe the market the company operates in and make a fleeting mention of its current financial position.
6. What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
You can only give the best example by relating to the job you have applied for. Consider an accomplishment that you are proud of. Mention your passion for the job and your high professional standards.
7. Please tell me about your worst boss, if you have had one.
This is a difficult question. Answer it with honesty, diplomacy and positivity. Choose a real example but be discreet about the identity of the person. Use one aspect of their behavior to focus on and then explain why it was so difficult. Discuss how you handled it, what lessons you gained, and how you strived hard to do your best. Mention how it has influenced your leadership style since.
HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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