Knowing how to respond to typical interview questions might mean the difference between getting a job offer or not. Even while it’s not necessary to memorize every conceivable question and prepare the best response for each one, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the interview process and the most common interview questions.
Being prepared can reduce your anxiety and give you the ability to respond even if you are asked an unexpected question. Whether they apply to a traditional HR role or any IT-related career, we cover the most common interview questions here.
Contents
- 1. Introduce yourself
- 2. What is your most vital asset?
- 3. What is your most serious flaw?
- 4. Why should we consider hiring you?
- 5. What nice things would your supervisor say about you?
- 6. What Do You Expect to Get Paid?
- 7. Why did you leave your prior position?
- 8. What draws you to this job, and why?
- 9. What long-term goals do you have?
- 10. Describe a challenging work situation and how you dealt with it
1. Introduce yourself
The majority of interview questions are open-ended, and the interviewer is more interested in the overall tone of your response than in the specifics. They are seeking to determine your past experience and expertise in the case of this often-requested question, particularly in connection to the position you are applying for. They are not interested in hearing about your entire life story.
How to Respond:
Give a brief explanation of how you came to be in your present position. Connect those experiences to the skills you already have that are required for the position. Keep it brief, but be prepared to add more information if the interviewer asks you to do so
Example Responses:
“During my time at SocialZex, I moved away from copywriting and became more interested in social media.” It is all about your growth and how well you have improved.
2. What is your most vital asset?
Although it has lost some of its novelty, this question could still be asked to you during the interview. Your confidence is put to the test throughout the interview when the interviewer evaluates your suitability for the job.
How to Respond:
It is vital to discuss your suitability for the job and what sets you apart from other applicants.
Before your interview, carefully read the job description to make sure you can discuss this strength in relation to the “Must Have” or “Required” abilities.
Example Responses:
“Employee care has been my strongest suit in my three years as an HR specialist, in my opinion. My enthusiasm for the field has helped me effectively manage staff challenges and better comprehend them.”
Using your prior experiences and the skills you have; you describe your strengths and abilities.
3. What is your most serious flaw?
A typical follow-up question to “what is your greatest strength?” is “what is your worst weakness?” With this question, the interviewer gauges your openness to criticism and wants to learn.
How to Respond:
Focus on professional qualities rather than personal qualities. Consider some of the talents you’ve been striving to develop or with which you’ve lately achieved progress.
Tell the interviewer that you’re currently working on transforming it into a strength regardless of your flaw. Everyone has flaws, and pretending that you don’t will always result in rejection.
Example Responses:
My worst failing is that I might be too outspoken and opinionated in the office. “I get easily sidetracked and can react without considering the situation first. I’ve been practicing this by carefully examining each element of a discussion before I speak.”
You will be describing specific weaknesses that you have, either personally or professionally.
4. Why should we consider hiring you?
You might be tempted to say, “Because I need a job,” but it’s usually a good idea to wait. Anything about you that makes you stand out from the competitors will be looked for by the interviewer. They expect you to stand out and promote yourself.
How to respond:
Make a succinct, thorough sales pitch outlining your qualifications for the role. Accentuate your distinctive qualities to help the interviewer feel more confident in his or her decision to hire you.
Example Responses:
“Because your organization provides similar services to mine, I’ll have a good knowledge of the function right away.” With that said, I believe my experience with the sector and enthusiasm for this type of work qualifies me for this role…”
You need to explain to the interviewer how suitable you are for the position and how you will benefit the company.
Most of the important things is that the interviewer tests your confidence and presence of mind. They may or may not ask you questions related to your field or the position you are applying for. It is important to use your presence of mind and be calm. Read more to understand what kind of questions can be asked and how you can respond to them.
5. What nice things would your supervisor say about you?
This is one of those behavioral interview questions where it could be challenging to know precisely what they’re looking for.
It is inadequate to merely state that your supervisor likes the work you do. Your interactions with the management team and how well you would get along with them are of interest to the interviewer.
How to Respond:
This is an excellent opportunity to brag about yourself using the words of others. Begin with “My supervisor informed me…” to demonstrate that you comprehend the question.
Maintain a humble demeanor and avoid sounding haughty.
Example Responses:
“She mentioned the last campaign we did together had excellent results because of my commitment and skill to run it thoroughly from beginning to end.”
Here you need to give actual references from your previous company if you are not a fresher.
6. What Do You Expect to Get Paid?
These could be the interview questions that cause individuals the greatest anxiety. If it is within their budget, the interviewer wants to know how much money you are currently making.
How to Respond:
It’s in your best interest if the employer starts with a salary range. Prepare for this by conducting salary research. Understand the area’s prices and bottom line. What is the lowest salary rate?
Example Responses:
“What’s your budget range for someone with my background?”
Tell them right away if you have any expectations for the work.
7. Why did you leave your prior position?
One more behavioral interview question is this one. The interviewer will typically pay more attention to how you explain your reasons for leaving than the actual reasons themselves.
The interviewer typically checks to discover if you had any negative things to say about your prior employer or had an amicable split.
How to Respond:
When asked why you’re leaving, instead of being critical or accusatory, present your reasons in a positive light.
Concentrate on what you’ll gain from the new job. If you are presently working, explain that your career ambitions do not align with the company’s strategy. If you were recently laid off, give them a brief description of why you were laid off without criticizing your previous employer.
Example answer
Over the last few years, my current employer’s mission has shifted and no longer aligns with mine.”
You need to explain why you have resigned from your previous designation and answer honestly here.
8. What draws you to this job, and why?
Defeat the urge to reply, “As I need a job!” If you will be a good match for the company and if you have any specific career goals, the interviewer wants to know your skills and talent for the position.
How to Respond:
You must explain to the interviewer why you are the best applicant for the position and refer to your previous experiences and skills.
Mention the aspects of the company that attract you as well as your immediate and long-term goals. Be sure to remind the hiring manager of your commitment before you leave the interview.
Answer Example:
“I’m confident that the company’s mission and growth-oriented mindset align with my own. Both excite me about my job and the possibilities for the future, so I’d like to join the team.
Convince the interviewer how you can be a good fit for the company.
9. What long-term goals do you have?
Like the interview question before it, this one determines if you’ll be a good long-term match for the business. The interviewer is seeking a dedicated, motivated applicant.
How to respond:
Concentrate on goals for your career that the organization will approve of. Display your understanding of the company’s goal and how you can help it. Feel free to highlight any particular career route that interests you if there is one.
Example Responses:
In the future, I’d like to advance to project management.” Many aspects of the work are things I’m already accustomed to. I thus want to brush up on my abilities in the areas of project management where I am less experienced. ” Talk about your aspirations for the future and where you envision yourself in the next several years.
10. Describe a challenging work situation and how you dealt with it
This is another standard interview query. The interviewer is curious to find out more about your problem-solving and challenge-handling skills.
How to Respond:
Describe how you handled a difficult situation that had repercussions across several areas.
A thorough discussion of the problem’s solution, including your part in it, should be included throughout sections of the essay. Make sure you give the interviewer tangible measurements and results.
Answer Example:
We had lost five employees before a philanthropic event we had scheduled for a client that accounts for over 75% of our annual revenue. They anticipate a flawless evening every time we stage the event. Five essential workers who performed significant roles were required to be absent. As soon as I received the news, I immediately considered my choices and set to work developing a new strategy. (Explain what you did and your strategy.) The evening went off without a hitch, and the consumer came back to us the following year to complete the transaction.
Explain yourself based on your previous experiences and how you dealt with them.
Conclusion:
The most important aspect for any candidate is to be honest and confident. Confidence matters as it shows your belief in yourself. The interviewer tests your presence of mind and your overall body language and the way you present yourself. Being calm and humble can help if you feel confused.