Going for a job interview can be quite nerve wrecking.It can cause quite a lot of anxiety and most interviewees feel nervous and inadequate right before meeting the interviewer.It is a good idea to review some common job interview questions and answers and read up on some tips on how to answer interview questions. A good way to ease this anxiety and to boost confidence is to rehearse with some interview questions and answers. Here are 25 sample interview questions that are most frequently asked at interviews.
1. Describe Yourself. Tell me about yourself?
This is a common question asked and often candidates end up describing their personality or personal life. Since this is usually the very first question, it sets the mood for the rest of the interview and questions. Do not tell the interviewer things like I am married or fun loving or like traveling, instead answer this question by focusing on strengths and past experience. Practice a scripted answer that begins with your work experience, “I have been in the sales and marketing industry for the last 2 years and I really enjoy my work because I am great with people and like meeting new challenges.” This gives the employer positive information and allows him or her to ask questions based on what you know.
2. Why should we hire you?
This is generally a hard question to answer and should be a combination of what you can do for the company and research you have conducted on the position applied for. An ideal answer would explain how you fit into the company and how well you can handle the position, “I have what it takes for this job, and customer service is my strength, having 2 years of experience and training in the same. Since this company is built on customer service I can really use my experience and education to achieve company targets and goals and since I have excellent spoken skills and love taking on new challenges, I would be very comfortable in the position of customer service representative.”
3. What makes you right for this job?
Answer this one with the skills or experience that make you right for the job. If it is a counselor’s position for example, list your skills for that “I am right for this job because I have training in education and have exceeded the enrollment quota by 20 % at the last institution I worked with.” Giving an example of your achievements is a good idea as that proves you know what you are talking about.
4. Why did you choose to apply to our company?
It is very important to give a clear answer, some people apply to certain companies simply to gain some ground and to others because it is their dream job. No matter what the reason, it is unprofessional telling a company they are your second or third choice or just a backup. Answer this question using the information you get by reading up on the company’s mission statement. “I choose to apply to your company because it is a firm committed to quality and I know I can learn and grow with your team.”
5. Describe your ideal job and/or boss.
This is a slightly tricky question and such questions are best answered sensibly. Try to use terms that are more general than specific and as least categorical as possible. Stick to traits in a boss that would help you with your job just in case you are asked to explain. Answer with, “The ideal boss is definitely someone who can be a good mentor, someone who can keeps communication open.”
6. Why are you looking for a job? Why are leaving your current position?
Even if you hate your last job and boss, never mention this at your interviews. Companies want employees who can work well with a variety of people so come up with a neutral and professional reason for leaving which can range from “I am looking for growth or I am looking to work in investment instead of marketing or I am looking to work in a challenging environment that allows me exposure in customer service.”
7. What unique experience or qualifications separate you from other candidates?
I am different because I am a go getter; I do not wait around for things to happen I really believe in being proactive and going the extra mile. Give an example of this, preferably a time you did something for the company even though it was not your place to.
8. Do you think attitude is an important part of the job?
Yes, always answer yes to this one. A possible answer can be “A good attitude is infectious, it brings out positivity and it can change everything, even when things are not working out a good attitude can make a huge difference.”
9. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Do not delve into long descriptions; pick two things that show you are a good choice. My greatest strength is the ability to work well under pressure and to always meet deadlines. One of my weaknesses was definitely my inability to deal with failure until I realized how important it is to learn from your mistakes.
10. What has been your happiest and most successful time at your last job and why?
Answer this one with one of your professional achievements. My happiest moment was when the brand I was managing was awarded brand of the year or when I surpassed the previous year’s sales by 20%.
11. Describe some of your most important career accomplishments.
I hit record sales last month or a campaign I designed got global recognition or I designed a training program that helped our staff meet deadlines more effectively. Answer this month or year wise to stay on track.
12. What are some of your short-term/long-term goals and how do they blend in with the company’s mission?
My short term goals are to integrate into the company by completely understanding its methodology and work ethic. My long term goals are to help achieve new heights in sales and to form a team can meet challenges effectively and creatively.
13. Describe a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and how you handled it.
Do not answer with a very long story, keep it brief and preferably it should be work related. “I had a graphic designer who was always late with her work, because of her delayed deadline our team was lagging behind on delivering quality work on time. I decided to talk to her about it only to find out she was quitting! Instead of panicking I outsourced the work to a freelancer I had worked with before who actually finished the job on time and then took on a permanent position on our team!”
14. Where do you see yourself fitting in?
Name a department here but be open to working in other departments as well, close to your skill set and career aims.
15. What are your salary requirements?
Answer this one keeping in mind your qualifications and experience. Check the internet for salary range for your particular field and answer with an approximate amount. “I am expecting at least $3000 but it is negotiable as long as my package will be revised based on my performance.”
16. Why our company?
Wherever you go for an interview, research the company. Answer this question with that research, “Because your company is the best at making amazing products and ties excellent customer service with that.”
17. What would your former boss/colleagues say about you?
“He was hard working and dedicated.” Any positive response is a good answer to this, just keep it brief.
18. What are the best and worst aspects of your previous job?
The best aspect was that I got to meet a lot of people and I learnt a lot about marketing. There were no worst aspects, except that growth was limited.
19. What is your work philosophy?
Work hard and remember to laugh or prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Employers like a work philosophy that somewhat matches their own so do the research and tailor your philosophy a bit around the company’s.
20. What motivates you? How do you motivate others?
Drawing inspiration from others and reminding myself that success comes with hard work. I motivate others by reminding them of their strengths and abilities and by letting them lead projects to show my trust in them and their work.
21. Are you willing to relocate?
Answer this question honestly; do not just agree under pressure. Ask for time to think or ask if the company will be providing relocation benefits.
22. Have you ever done something weird or funny? Describe it to me.
Try to keep a few funny incidents in mind, if you do not have any make one up just make sure its contents are not controversial, keep sexual and religious jokes out of the interview.
23. How much do you want the job?
Every company wants to hire employees that are motivated and want the job. With your answer show you want the job. “I really want this job because it will bring with it new challenges or it is a great career move for me and a chance to work with a reputable company.”
24. If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender how would you get out?
Mind twisters are commonly asked at interviews. This one was asked by a company called Goldman Sachs at an interview. Generally a problem solving approach is preferred, “I would negotiate with the blender or I would write my way out.” When companies ask these questions they do not have a right answer they just want someone who uses a creative problem solving approach.
25. Can you go above and beyond the call of duty? Give me an example.
Yes. It is very important to employers that the people they hire invest themselves into the company. All good employees know that if they want a company to invest in them, they must prove themselves by going out of their way sometimes. “ I had to manage an event for my last company, we had a tight budget so could not spare much for marketing. I contacted my friends from college and got them to spread the word and contact everyone they knew through face book and advertise the event.”
Practice with these and other sample interview questions to feel more comfortable with frequently asked interview questions and answers.There is no need to read a book on how to answer interview questions, just try to be confident and honest and remember that job interview questions and answers are nothing to fear if you are prepared.