Common Interview Questions
WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK AT THIS COMPANY?
This is an excellent opportunity to show the company that you have done your homework on them. We suggest you AVOID generic answers that usually apply to any random company. Ensure that you have researched what makes the company appealing to you. Be specific with your answers.?
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.
This is a simple question that throws a lot of people off. Do not give the interviewer your whole life story. Instead, provide a pitch that concisely shows why you are the best candidate for the role. Start by telling the interviewer a bit about your current position (if possible, include one of your most significant accomplishments), then give them some background on how you got to that position and the experience you have gained. Lastly, explain why you would be perfect for the job.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS?
Talk about things that make you an excellent fit for the company. People often mistake listing a hundred good adjectives, but we suggest you pick a few specific strengths relevant to the role and expand on them with examples. Since storytelling is usually more memorable, we recommend you format your criteria in the form of a short story.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS POSITION?
This might seem like a simple question, but this is an excellent opportunity to help you stand out from the crowd and show your passion for the firm. For instance, if a friend who works for the company referred, name-drop them and tell the interviewer why you are excited about this opportunity. Maybe you found out about the vacancy through an event, article, or job board; share what caught your interest and why you are eager about the role.?
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Avoid the below answers:?
This question is usually asked to measure your level of self-awareness. Usually, from your answer, the interviewer can identify any significant issues. The best way to answer this question is to present something you struggled with and have worked to improve. For instance, I had a hard time talking in front of a crowd, but I offered to run my small team meeting to gain confidence in front of people. I can confidently say I have improved my public speaking.?
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WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT?
This is an excellent opportunity to run through your track record. The interviewer wants to know if you have a history of success with this question, so have a list of examples you can bring up. We suggest that you start by laying out the scenario describing the role and your outcomes.?
For instance, I am responsible for providing excellent customer service in my current role as a brokerage agent. I managed to streamline the communication process, which increased efficiency and reduced errors by 15%.?
TELL ME ABOUT A CHALLENGE OR CONFLICT YOU'VE FACED AT WORK AND HOW YOU DEALT WITH IT.
If you are asked this question, be honest about a difficult situation you had to overcome. Remember, you are not venting to your friend, so avoid too much detail. The hiring manager is looking to see if you can face a difficult situation and try to resolve it. We recommend you spend more time on the resolution than the actual conflict. Answer any follow-up questions from the hiring manager and tell them that you are always willing to learn from difficult situations.?
WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR CURRENT JOB?
If you leave your current job, you can be sure that this question will come up for you. Keep things positive, though, because you lose more when you are pessimistic about your current employer. We recommend that you show the hiring manager how eager you are for the opportunity and explain to them why the job you are interviewing for brings the best out of you. Keep it very honest and straightforward.
WHY WAS THERE A GAP IN YOUR EMPLOYMENT?
Again honesty is the best policy. If there is a gap in your employment, be prepared to discuss it with your interviewer. We recommend that you practice your answers beforehand. Find the positive skills and qualities you gained while away from the workforce. When there is a gap between jobs, we suggest you find volunteer work to help you gain skills and experience that you can mention in your interview.??
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US?
Even though you will cover a lot during the interview, always have a list of questions written down for the discussion. This is an opportunity to ask questions that will help determine if the company is right for you.?
Good questions to ask:?