1. Tell Me About Yourself.
Don’t get it confused, this isn’t an open invitation to start talking about how you like your coffee in the morning or that you enjoy sunset walks by the beach. This question allows your interviewer to get a better understanding of your background and is the perfect opportunity for you to share key points of your experience right away.
Avoid wasting your time on reciting your resume, instead summarize your important wins (think elevator pitch) and qualities that you could bring along with you.
2. Why Do You Want to Work Here?
It’s no hidden secret that more than likely, there will be hundreds of applicants and at least a few candidates that pass through for an interview. Each hiring manager’s job is to weed out candidates that may not be suited per the company’s requirements. This question will give you the opportunity to sell yourself and convince your interviewer why you would be the best person for the position.
Answer this question by explaining how you could deliver the notable results or how you could become a great cultural fit for the team. Talk about your skills and experiences and how those skills and experiences could become a great asset to the team.
3. What Are Your Strengths?
This question is pretty straight forward and yet, still another great opportunity for you to stand out amongst the crowd. Prepare yourself by identifying and analyzing your strengths beforehand and ensure that your strengths are commendable ones. Avoid stating strengths such as the ability to make a great pot of coffee.
Answer by aligning your strengths with the what the company currently needs and use samples that will outline your experience, talents, soft skills, or education. Feel free to supplement the answer by explaining how your strengths allow you to make an excellent addition.
4. What Would You Say Is Your Biggest Weakness?
We all hate this question. No one likes to admit where they are coming up short. Interviewers like to ask this question to understand what kind of person you are and what you would be to work with. Even if you don’t share honestly, your answer will be able to alert the interviewer of any possible red flags.
Avoid using answers that would hinder a proactive outcome during your hiring process. Use “fixable” weaknesses followed up by your plans to counteract those weaknesses. Avoid using examples such as “ I am too much of a perfectionist” or “I work too hard”. Not only are they out dated and over used, this approach might prompt the interviewer to dig for more weaknesses that you are unprepared for.
5. Why Should We Hire you?
Though you probably want to roll your eyes and answer sardonically, this question is asked by hiring managers to find out if you would be a cultural fit to the company. Furthermore, this is usually the most missed question due to the lack of preparation.
Take time to look into the company background, career goals, and industry. Use the company website, articles, or social media profiles to see if you like what you see. Answer by stating a specific reasons why you would want to work with them. Is it the products/services? Do you appreciate how they executed their marketing campaign? Or is it just the simplicity of the culture the company upholds? Let your hiring manager know!
6. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
This one is pretty easy to decipher. Your interviewer wants to be sure they are hiring someone who is proactive and has plans to stick around if hired. Avoid answers that give you the image of being unreliable or being too over specific.
Keep your answer truthful but keep it general. It’s hard to be sure exactly where you want to be in 5 years, so it is completely acceptable to keep your answer somewhat vague. In addition to whatever answer you give, make it clear to your interviewer that you are motivated to take on this opportunity and that you’re ready to settle into a position and grow with the company.
If you find that you are still missing the mark on landing these jobs, look into interview coaching to identify areas you can strengthen.