So you’ve put yourself out there. Set up a LinkedIn profile, brushed up your resume and you’ve networked and applied for a few jobs. What happens next when the interviews start rolling in? From phone screenings to in-person, the interview process can be an arduous one. So how do you get through those first conversations? It seems in nearly every interview, you’re faced with similar questions over and over – and sometimes those basics can be a real challenge. Wish you had some stock answers to head in with? Here’s a look at a few common interview questions and some ideas for great answers to come back with.
5 Job Interview Questions to Perfect
#1. Tell me a bit about yourself. This one is tough because you definitely don’t want to leave anything out! But guaranteed, the interviewer wants you to be short and sweet. It’s time to perfect your two-minute elevator speech. Squeeze in all the highlights and give a brief, but well-rounded look at who you are.
#2. Why are you right for this job? When it comes to this question, specifics just might be the name of the game. If you have had similar positions cite some great examples of when you have accomplished something or met a goal that has similar parameters to the position you’re interviewing for. If you’re branching out into new territory here, that’s OK too, but don’t be afraid to share some specific experiences that make you a good candidate. Perhaps you’ve had experience managing a large team or scaling back a budget. Whatever it is, find a way to relate your previous experience to the success of this position.
#3. How did you hear about the position? Be honest! This may be your chance to put those networking skills to the test and do a bit of name dropping. If someone you know connected you to this position or company, use that connect to help deepen the trust you are building with the interviewer. If not, be sure to be clear about where you learned about the role – LinkedIn, job board, etc.
#4. Are you a team player? Here’s another one where sharing an example is a great way of getting your point(s) across. Anyone can say, “yes, I’m a team player.” But not everyone is able to give a relatable answer. Before your interview think about a few times where you really had to step up and be part of the team – keep those in your back pocket.
#5. What’s your greatest weakness? This is one of those questions that seems so easy, but in the moment it’s so tough to find the best answer! Rather than flipping it around – which, let’s be honest, is what we often do – don’t say you’re too hard of a worker or you’re too detail oriented. Be open and truthful about something you’re working on. Perhaps you’re disorganized and you’ve had to take steps to get that under control or maybe you aren’t the best at responding to inquiries in a timely manner, but you’ve worked out a schedule to help manage that. Whatever it is – you’re human! And, they want to know you’re able to recognize when you need to do the work to improve yourself.
Have you been on the job hunt recently? What have you noticed as the common denominator of interview questions?
