The Millennials Guide To Answering 8 Common Job Interview Questions

So your resume caught the attention of HR and they’re now inviting you for a job interview. That simply means your chance of getting into this new company has risen! You’re almost there!

But remember that job interviews can make or break you. No matter how elegant your suit or your make-up is for the day, your words and thoughts will still be the ultimate deciding point. So be prepared and rehearse as much as you can—there is no excuse for practicing on questions that will likely come out anyway. Benjamin Franklin says it best: failing to prepare means preparing to fail. Here are 8 common job interview questions you can work on before the big day.

Let’s get the ball rolling! Take note that these answers only serve as guide, not as your ‘script.’ Each company is different and so are you. You remain to be unique with your own personality and communication style. Use these guide answers therefore as your stimulant to create more suitable and fitting answers for any challenge asked during your job interview. And remember, always be true to who you are!

This is a question frequently asked to check if something went wrong between you and your current employer that led you to leave. It also gives the interviewer an idea about your personality and plans in life. Don’t fall into the trap of telling your “dramas” in life, regardless of what went wrong, stick to the positive reason behind leaving---you are looking for better opportunities.

Sample answer: “I’m at this stage in my life when I’m ready for more challenges. I’ve learned already from this company and I want to pursue a new opportunity.”

Fail in this question and expect a major demerit if you do. We join companies because believe in what they do and what we can contribute to it, on top of the paycheck. So make sure you research properly about the organization—its website, the news, its social media accounts. Align what you want to do in life TO WHAT the company does. This will help you demonstrate that your career aspirations match the company’s goals.

Sample Answer: “I aspire to become a successful Creative Director someday involved in big projects even outside the Philippines. Your organization is known for having a rich network of international clients and my experience in freelancing for clients abroad can contribute in your ambitious expansion.”

Talented employees are ambitious and they chart their own career path. Interviewers look for people who know what they want, because that means their actions today are shaped by their life visions. Make sure you demonstrate that you have thought about this many times (and besides, it’s great to have an answer to this question not because it’s part of the job interview---but simply because it matters to HAVE a plan in life).

Sample answer: “Professionally, I see myself in a senior role 3 years from now with a bigger scope involving X and Y. I also see myself managing a team that I can mentor and develop.”

This is the poison ivy of all questions. We all have weaknesses so interviewers aren't really putting you on a spotlight with this bit. Rather, what they want to know is how you handle moments of vulnerability, AND how you grow from it. Whatever your weakness is, the more important part of your answer is explaining 1) how did you overcome that weakness and 3) what are you currently doing to become better

Sample answer: "I've always been told that I take up tasks alone without my teammates. My colleagues say that I lack trust and I think it's because I get so passionate that I want to be in full control. Over time, I started appreciating the value of teamwork and diversity. I finally learned how to delegate and my peers noticed it too.

Last tip. Avoid the clichés that will make you sound scripted such as "I work too hard" or "I'm such perfectionist.” Besides—aren't all talented employees all about hard work and high standards?

This question is quite tricky as your goal is to hit the sweet spot by demonstrating high level of self-awareness without sounding like a douche.

To optimize your answer given that most interviews are short: 1) Focus on max of 2 strengths so that it's easy to remember for the interviewer. Remember, every person is a brand and too many strengths will only be a clutter in the memory (you're just one of the dozens of applicants—you need to stand out). 2) Choose the strength that best matches the job description. This is the most basic thing that interviewers want to validate now that they've read your resume.

Sample answer: "I am known for building networks fast in new environments. I am good with making connections with people which is a very important aspect of selling. This is why I'm excited with the position you’re offering because I know it's leveraging on my strength."

This one is easy because we all know what our BEST ACHIEVEMENT is in life (and if you can’t think of any, ask people around who know you well and they might just help you spot it). The challenge behind this question however is choosing an achievement that demonstrates skills or personalities that promises your success in the new position. Conversely, don’t choose an achievement that’s nice-to-brag-about, but is irrelevant for the new role. For example, it’s cool to say that you’ve successfully organized the biggest Christmas party for your company but if it’s not the most needed skill you need when applying for an Accountant position, skip it.

Sample answer: “In my last company, I was able to <state achievement>. In this task, I was able to ________ and __________. It’s a key strength which my peers and superiors have always mentioned which I believe is also very relevant to this new role I’m applying for.

This question is so classic that we hear it everywhere: in university applications, in beauty pageants, and job applications. While I personally think this is a redundant question that can be answered using the SAME answers you said about your strengths, it is your opportunity to sell yourself based on what the company is looking for.

Sample Answer: “I know that your company is recently moving towards digitization of your services. You therefore need employees who have experience in managing IT and social media services. While this finance role does not require the candidate to be tech-savvy, I believe it gives me the extra edge as I’m always up to date to new softwares and applications to make finance reporting faster.”

Never leave the interview without raising questions. Having questions sends the message to the interviewer that you are meticulous and have high standards for selecting jobs. Secondly, interviews are two-way streets: it is your avenue to discover if this job is the best for you and that you’re not being scammed. Here are some questions to ask:

1.     Why is this position vacant? (Did someone leave because she had a bad time? Too much work load? Is this an experimental position that you might dissolve in the future?)

2.     What are the expectations of the new employee in the next 90 days? (This gives you an idea on how urgent or important the role is to the company)

3.     How big is the department and who are you reporting to? (This tells a lot about the career opportunities for you---are you too far away from the highest ranking official that your role is too junior than what you thought it was, or is the organization too flat that it will be hard to get promoted unless you replace your boss?)

What is the company culture and what is the best thing you’re proud of in this company? (Being an employee means working with people and through people---if you don’t get along with people’s personalities in this company, it’s gonna be hard to go back).

JONATHAN YABUT is the winner of the hit Asian reality TV show, The Apprentice Asia, and directly reported to Tony Fernandes as Chief of Staff of AirAsia. He is based today in Kuala Lumpur as the Managing Director of his management consultancy firm, The JY Consultancy & Ventures, which offers digital marketing and talent optimization services to Asia's startups and corporations. Jonathan is Asia’s leading motivational speaker on topics involving leadership, talent development of Gen Y workers, and career management for Fortune 500 companies. In 2018, he launched his third book, "Single, Taken, or Building My Empire" after the success of his pan-Asian best-selling books, "From Grit To Great" (2014) and "Fast Forward" (2016). For speakership and media inquiries, contact [email protected] or visit his website www.jonathanyabut.com.