| Index »Common Job Interview Question |
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| Common Job Interview Question |
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| While it is impossible to guess exactly what you will be asked during an interview, you can prepare yourself by developing answers to the most common job interview questions. This kind of preparation will not only help you remain calm during the interview, it will help you control the results. |
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| 1.Can You Tell Me About Yourself? |
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| This is almost a guaranteed question in every interview so your response can stay the same. Write a script; rehearse it so it sounds impromptu. Spend a maximum of 4 times to describe your qualifications, career history and your range of skills-emphasising those skills relevant to the job on offer.
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| This is the most hated and most common question in interview history. Typically asked at the beginning of the job interview, this question gives the interviewer an opportunity to gain knowledge about you and your capabilities. When you answer, offer a summary of your personality, skills, experience, and work history. Do not mention your knitting hobby or your pet iguana. Try to stick with facts that will demonstrate why you are the person for the job.
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| 2.Why do you want to Work Here? |
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| Even if it is true, do not answer with: Because I really need a job and you were hiring. If you did any research prior to the interview, you can answer this question. Utilize what you know about the company. Tell the interviewer why you admire the company, their practices, or their product. If all else fails, make a connection between the job description and your abilities. Tell the interviewer why you are compatible with their company.
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| 3. What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses? |
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| (The interviewer wants a straightforward answer as to what you are good at and how it is going to help)This is one question that you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four explanations of how they could benefit the employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency; ability to learn quickly; determination to succeed, positive attitude; your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal.
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| Complete honesty is not advisable (admitting you have a drink problem or a roving eye won't win you any points). Say you have no weaknesses and you'll appear arrogant and devoid of self-awareness. And reciting a long, obviously prepared list of your admirable qualities won't do you any favours either.
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| The interviewer is looking for someone who is realistic about their strengths and candid about their weaknesses. You need to come up with examples to back up your claims of strengths and be able to describe the actions you take to prevent your weaknesses from manifesting themselves. So, if for example, being disorganised is your problem, explain how you've learnt to make lists and prioritise.
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| They should already know your strengths from your Application Form/CV or they would not be interviewing you, but if they ask about any weaknesses: Start by describing parts of your last job that you found testing but explain how you overcame these problems.Be fairly brief but honest, e.g. "I can sometimes be a little too enthusiastic".Note: Employers value people who can admit their mistakes rather than blaming their failings on others.
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| 4.What Achievement Are You Most Proud Of? |
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| Think of something you achieved using skills you can transfer to the workplace. Have you ever worked under pressure to meet a deadline or organise an event? Or have you managed a budget, however tiny, either at university or during a summer job? Again this is a common question so be prepared. Select an achievement that is work-related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used and the achievement and quantify the benefit, for example, " my greatest achievement has been to design and implement a new sales ledger computer system-bring it in ahead of time and improve our debtors' position significantly saving the company £20,000 per month in interest charges".
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| 5. What Do You Like Doing outside of work? |
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| Research the employer to discover the sort of people they're looking for. If, for example, their website says they possess a 'work hard, play hard' culture, you might say, "quite a few of my colleagues at work are also my friends outside of work. So we like to have the occasional drink/meal out together." Mentioning that you play a team sport is also a good idea. Some interviewers believe candidates who play team sports are also more likely to be good team players.
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| 6. The Trick Question: "Sell Me The Pencil/Notebook I'm Holding:" |
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| Don't look shocked or disdainful and don't start laughing. This is a poor question which aims to see how you deal with a question you can't have prepared for and how you react under stress. It doesn't actually test anything because, unless you're going to become a pencil salesman, it's irrelevant to the job. It may be a rubbish question, but you have to deal with it. Try to work out what's going on in the interviewer's head by asking questions e.g. "Do you mean I'm a salesman for a pencil company and you're a potential customer or do you just want me to talk about the qualities of the pencil?" There's no right or wrong answer.
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| 7.Would You Ever Break The Rules To Get A Job Done? |
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| Only automatons are saintly. Be careful. There's a critical difference between breaking a rule once to benefit your organisation and breaking rules repeatedly because you find them restrictive. Explain that you'd break a rule only in response to an opportunity or challenge needing a quick reaction to save the company from losing out. Finish by saying that you'd go straight to your boss and tell them about the incident.
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| 8.Have You Ever Been Fired? |
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| Don't lie. Don't slag off your previous employer. Give good reasons why it happened. There are two good ways of getting round this question. The first is to blame your underperformance on personal circumstances such as ill health, and stress that they are now completely resolved. The second is to admit you made a wrong career decision. You thought the job would involve x and y, when it actually involved a, b and c. So you lost your motivation and deserved to be fired. But you've learned your lesson: you're doing lots of research into this job and understand its demands, so you'll never lose enthusiasm for it.
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| 9. Why Should We Hire You? |
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| This is one of the most important questions that you will be asked, and you need to make sure that you have a very good answer. Try to be as specific as possible. Explain in detail: why you would make a good employee, why you are the right fit for the job, and what sets you apart from other applicants. Point out your achievements, accomplishments, and applicable experience.
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| 10. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? |
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| This is actually more of a test than a question. The interviewer wants to see what pushes your buttons. Your answer should be as honest as possible, but whatever you do, try not to sound bitter, angry, or violent. And most importantly, do not badmouth your former company, boss, or co-workers.
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| 11. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years? |
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| Why do interviewers continue to ask this question? Because- it shows them how motivated you are and it offers insight into your professional intentions. Instead of telling the interviewer that you would like to be sailing in the Bahamas, try offering information about your professional goals as the relate to your job or industry.Your potential employer will want to know what you accomplished, and what you didn't, in your current or last position.
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| 12.Your Potential Employer Will Want To Know What You Accomplished, And What You Didn't, In Your Current Or Last Position? |
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| The best way to respond is to give an example of something you accomplished that is directly related to the job you are interviewing for. Review your resume and review the job posting. Find the best match and use that to show how what you accomplished will be beneficial to the company you are interviewing with.
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| 13. Why Do You Want To Work Here? |
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| May be you want to answer: Good reputation of the firm.Any other positive information you have about the firm, e.g. their training record .It will give you a chance to do work which interests you.
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| 14. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? |
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| Explaining briefly and honestly the reasons why your last job ended. If there is anything positive to say, say it, e.g.: If you left for health reasons point out that you are now fit and reassure the employer that you can do the duties required, or, if you were dismissed, that you take responsibility for your actions and have learnt from the experience.
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| 15. Have You Done This Kind Of Work Before? |
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| Yes - tell them the skills you have and how you can use them. No - quickly describe other work experience which will help you learn the job quickly. Emphasise your interest and enthusiasm to learn.
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| 16. What Did You Do In Your Last Job? |
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| Describe:
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Skills and duties relevant to new job |
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Machines/equipment used |
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Your responsibilities |
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People you dealt with |
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How long you were there |
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If you were promoted |
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| 17. Are You Happy With Your Career Or Date? |
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| The interviewer is really asking about your self-esteem and self confidence, your career aspirations and whether you are a happy, positive person. The answer must be 'yes' but if you have hit a career plateau or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify the answer.
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| 18. How Long Have You Been Out Of Work - How Do You Spend Your Time? |
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| Describe: Jobsearch activity, Voluntary work ,Further education or study Hobbies
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| 19. Why Have You Had a) So Many Jobs? b) Only One Job? |
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| Mention:
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| a) So Many Jobs? |
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| You wanted to widen your experience in different types of work/firms. Many of the jobs were temporary. You would rather be in work than out of work.
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| b) Only One Job? |
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| You had several different jobs within your last employment. The opportunity to develop. Their good record in training and development.
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| 20. Why Should I Take You On? |
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Be ready for this question and answer confidently and positively. |
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Describe your skills and experience and how they relate to this job |
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Reassure the employer that you are hard-working, reliable and capable |
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| 21. Aren't You Over-Qualified? |
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| Emphasise:
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You are looking for something fresh/new/different |
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You can take as well as give instructions |
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| 22. How Do You Get On With People? |
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Describe how you have previously worked as part of a team |
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Mention your ability to get on with people at all levels |
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Give examples |
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| 23. What Makes A Good Team Member? |
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| Describe the skills required e.g.:
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Good communication |
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Flexibility |
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Adaptability |
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Co-operation |
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Sense of humour |
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| 24. How Do You Cope With Pressure? |
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| Describe the pressures in previous jobs using a recent example, e.g. how you coped with a changed deadline, completed a rush order or dealt with staff shortages.
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| 25. What Do You Dislike About Your Present Job? |
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| The interviewer is trying to find out whether the job on offer has responsibilities you will dislike or which will make you unsuitable.) Be careful with this one! Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses which will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company such as its size-its slow decision - making etc. give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job. |
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| 26. What Would You Like To Be Doing In Five Years Time? |
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| Explain that you would ideally like to be working for the same company but to have developed within it.
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| 27. How Often Were You Absent From Your Last Job? |
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| If rarely - say so
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| If absence has been a problem - explain why
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| 28. When Would You Be Available To Start? |
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| As soon as possible! Do not put any barriers in the way.
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| 29. The Illegal Question: Do You Have/Want Kids? |
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| Under European Union legislation interviewers may only ask questions that can be directly related to the job at hand. Questions about personal circumstances that have no impact on your ability to do your job are illegal. If an employer asks, they're probably ignorant about the law. It depends how much you want the job. You could say "I'm not answering that as it's discriminatory", but you're likely to blow your chances. If you really want the job it's best just to answer the question honestly and then explain why it's not a problem/won't affect your performance.
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| 30. Do You Have Any Questions? |
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| You may like to prepare for this - it is almost always asked at the interview. You could ask the following questions:
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Why is the job vacant? |
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Why did the last person leave? |
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Who would I report to? |
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What training will I do, if any? |
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What would my first job be? |
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How soon will I hear about the result of my application? |
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How would I be paid? |
| Here are some further set of common interview questions you may be asked.
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Why do you want to leave your current job? |
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Why are you seeking a new job? |
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What motivates you? |
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How have you managed to make this interview during normal work hours? |
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What appeals to you least about this job? |
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What challenges and problems do you think you'll face? |
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What was your biggest success? How did you achieve this? |
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What do you think of your current boss? What was it like working for him/her? |
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How long will you expect to work for the company? |
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What do you like to do outside of work ? |
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How well do you handle criticism? |
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Do you consider yourself successful ? |
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Are you attending any other interviews? |
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