Answering Common Interview Questions
Posted in Interview Questions
Job recruiters tend to ask a set of common questions during a job interview. You may probably have heard of it a lot of times and perhaps answered it in completely different ways. But what is the right way to answer these questions? Let our guide provide you with these great tips.
"Tell me about yourself."
Start with a quick overview of your career and your academics, focusing on your job-related and industry-specific accomplishments. Your interviewers doesn't want to hear anything about your family, pets, hobbies, and other aspects that will never involve in your work performance. End your answer with an explanation why you are look for a new job without bad-mouthing your current job or your boss.
"Why do you want to work in this company?"
You should have researched about the company before the interview. When asked about this, relate something you have learned in your research and explain why this attracted you to them. Was it their commitment to the community? Their competitive performance? After which, include something about yourself that shows that they should want to hire you.
"What did you like or dislike about your last job?"
Remember not to bad-mouth when answering questions that would tempt you into saying something critical about your current or last job. Keep your answer positive by mentioning something you disliked about the former job and pairing it with something you liked.
"What is your biggest accomplishment?"
Tell one thing that you did really well, like something that was recognized and rewarded by your boss. It does not have to be some form of award, but you can say an achievement that you have done on your work performance.
"What is your greatest strength?"
Even if your greatest strength has nothing to do with work, find a way to incorporate it. It may be that you are great in playing computer games without looking at cheats, then talk about your quick analytical thinking and your being able to work under pressure.
"What is your greatest weakness?"
Be honest, as with everyone else who have weaknesses as well. One good way to deal with this question is to mention your weakness and telling them what you have done to overcome that weakness.
"Do you prefer to work with others or on your own?"
If you are going to be part of a team, then you should enjoy working with others. On the other hand, if you're applying for doing data entry, it might be a good idea if you enjoy working alone.
However, try telling the recruiter that you prefer work on both conditions, that you coordinate with your team member during a project, but at the same time has produced a majority of the work on your own.
"Where do you see yourself in five years?"
This question is asking how dedicated you will be to the job and the company. Ideally, the job you are applying for is a step on your career ladder, so try talking about the career ladder you have envisioned for yourself, all while staying and growing with their company.
"How were you able to manage a highly-pressured situation that you have been in the past?"
The interviewer is looking for strategies that you use to manage pressure situations. Say something about prioritizing your work, cooperating with others, making to-do lists, breaking large projects into small batches, and taking care of your health so you could maintain your concentration.
"How did you handle a situation wherein you have to work closely with a person you didn't get along with?"
The job recruiter wants to hear that you were able to put aside your differences and get the work done. Mention also that you are flexible and can be sensitive to the needs and feeling of others. If you don't a have a work-related example, talk about a school project, or being about a club.
