The Top Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

The interview process can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn't have to be. With the right preparation and a few tips, you'll be able to answer any question asked by an interviewer in a way that shows your potential employer that they should hire you over other candidates. Here are some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them:

Tell me about yourself

The first interview question is "Tell me about yourself." This question is designed to get to know you as a person, so be sure to give an honest answer that demonstrates your passion for the job and its mission. Don't be afraid to show your personality! If you're funny or quirky, don't hold back--share those qualities with the interviewer. However, don't ramble on too much about yourself; stick with the basics: where you grew up (if it's relevant), where/when/how much education was obtained, and why this position appeals so strongly to your interests.

You should also take time at this point in the interview process if possible (if not possible then definitely before accepting any offer) by asking questions like How does this organization function? What are its goals? Who are its customers? What makes them special compared with other companies in similar industries?

Why do you want to work for our company?

When it comes to the "why do you want to work for our company?" question, it's important to remember that this is not a trick question. The interviewer wants to know if you have researched the company and are genuinely interested in working there. They also want to see how well you can articulate why their organization stands out from others.

Here's how we would answer:

• I'm interested in [company]. I've been following [their products/services] for years and think they're doing great things! I love everything about what they do--from their customer service model down through their product development process--and I think my skill set would be a great addition because...

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is one of the most common interview questions, and it can be difficult to answer. You want to demonstrate that you're self-aware and have an improvement plan, but if you claim that your biggest weakness is perfectionism or being too hard on yourself, it could come across as insincere.

Instead of answering with a general statement like "I'm a perfectionist," give an example of something specific--like needing more training in Excel spreadsheets or learning how to better manage my time when working on projects. Then explain how this has impacted your work performance and what steps are being taken so that these issues don't affect future projects (for example: "As part of my training with this company, I've been learning Excel spreadsheets more thoroughly so that I can become more proficient at using them.").

Why should we hire you?

You should be able to answer this question with confidence and enthusiasm. The interviewer wants to know that you believe in yourself and your abilities, and are eager for the opportunity that this job would provide. When answering this question, try not to focus on what you can bring them (i.e., your skills), but rather on what they will get from hiring you (i.e., results).

Here are some examples of good answers:

• "I am confident that I am the best candidate for this position because I've worked hard my whole life and have achieved success in all aspects of my career."
• "I think we would make an excellent fit because I'm ambitious and hardworking like everyone else here at [company name]. Plus we both have similar values."

What are your salary expectations?

The question of salary can be tricky to navigate. In the past, it was common for employers to ask job candidates about their salary expectations up front--and then use those numbers as an excuse not to hire them if they were too high.

This practice has fallen out of favor in recent years, but it's still important for you to know how much money you're worth and what factors go into determining your compensation package. Here are some guidelines:

• Be honest about how much money you want from the get-go. If there's no way around sharing this information (for example, if a company asks), don't try hiding behind false modesty or false bravado; just be honest about what amount would make sense for both parties involved in the hiring process.*

What are your long-term career goals?

You should be able to explain how your goals align with the company's goals. Your interviewer will want to know that you are a good fit for their organization, and one way they can do this is by asking about your long-term career plans.

It's important that you have realistic expectations for yourself that are achievable but challenging enough so as not to be boring or uninspiring. If every job interview question was "What do you want?" then everyone would say they want a million dollars and an island somewhere exotic--but those things aren't realistic (or even possible). So when answering this question, think carefully about what's achievable but still interesting enough for others to believe in your ability as someone who knows how far her reach can extend over time!

Can you give an example of a time when you had to solve a difficult problem?

Can you give an example of a time when you had to solve a difficult problem?

This is one of the most common interview questions, and it's also one of the most difficult to answer. That's because there are so many different types of problems that can be asked in this way: "What was the biggest challenge at work last year?" or "Describe your least favorite project."

You should always prepare for this question by thinking about some examples that highlight your strengths as an employee--and then make sure they fit into the context of what they want to see from you (which could be teamwork, leadership, or anything else). If possible, try answering with something specific and tangible; vague answers like "I'm good at solving problems" will leave hiring managers feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed.

What are your greatest professional accomplishments?

Asking this question is a great way to get an idea of how the candidate thinks, what they value, and what their career goals are. It also gives you a chance to see if there's anything about your company that might be attractive to them.

There are no right or wrong answers here; the key is making sure your answer paints a picture of who you are as an employee and person.

How do you handle stress?

Stress is a normal part of life. It can be good or bad, depending on the situation and how you manage it. Stress can be managed by setting realistic goals, being proactive in problem-solving, and taking care of yourself physically and mentally.

• Setting realistic goals: If you want to lose weight by next week and haven't exercised in years, that's not going to happen! Be patient with yourself as you work towards your long-term goal.
• Being proactive: Don't wait until something happens or someone tells you what needs doing before taking action; if there's something wrong with your computer at work do something about it right away rather than waiting for someone else (who may never show up) or letting things get worse over time because there wasn't enough time available during busy days when everyone else had deadlines coming up too fast for them to deal with anything else."

Do you have any questions for us?

When you are asked this question, it is important to ask questions that show your interest in the company and position. Your interviewer will want to know that you have done some research on their business and can think critically about their needs.

• What are some of your goals for the next 12 months?
• How do those goals align with those of our clients?
• What do you see as being key factors in meeting those goals?

When asked a question, make sure it is answered fully, clearly, and concisely.

When asked a question, make sure it is answered fully, clearly, and concisely. This may sound like common sense but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of being interviewed that you forget to answer the original question.

Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you don't understand what the interviewer is asking or if any parts of their question were unclear. If they don't provide more information after asking them again or rephrasing their question (for example: "So what do I need to tell my manager about our department?"), then this might be an indication that they want another example rather than simply having you describe your current job duties (which would make sense if they were reviewing resumes). When answering these types of questions, always try using active voice instead of passive voice so as not to confuse anyone who has read what was written down!

Asking "What else do I need to know?" at an appropriate point during an interview will help ensure no details have been missed out while also giving potential employers insight into how well-prepared applicants are ahead before making final decisions."

Conclusion

When you're asked a question in an interview, it's important to give a thorough answer. Don't just say "yes" or "no"--that won't help your interviewer get to know you better and understand if you're the right fit for their company. Take time to think about what they are asking so that when you respond with something like "I always make sure to do my best work", there's more substance behind it than just words!