Here are the 5 most common questions candidates hear during an interview.
1. What can you tell us about yourself?
This question is the most common one and usually it is meant as an icebreaker. Basically, you should describe relevant experiences, responsibilities and key accomplishments. You should not just recite your CV. Explain why you are looking for a job and why you are the right candidate for the role. You should aim to come across modest but confident.
2. What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
Read the job posting carefully, and make sure to list your main strengths that are most relevant for the position you are applying for and how they have described it in the job post. Weaknesses can be a bit trickier. It is tempting to present a strength as a weakness but then you will come across as insincere. It is better to list 1 or 2 weaknesses (that aren’t an essential requirement for the job) and how you intend to improve them.
3. Why are you looking for a new job?
Don’t focus on the negatives of your current or previous employer but instead focus on what you find interesting in this new opportunity. They want to see that you’ve done your research and that you know about the company and the position. Avoid the salary topic.
4. What are your plans for the next X years?
It is important that you communicate that you are looking for a long-term commitment. You can mention that you don’t know for sure what the future holds but that you expect to be working in this field in the future.
5. Do you have any questions?
Whatever you do, don’t answer ‘No’. You will come across as uninterested. Better prepare a few questions beforehand and below some ideas:
- What do the day-to-day responsibilities of the role look like?
- What challenges should I expect from this position?
- What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it?
- What are the next steps in your recruitment process?
