Guaranteeing a successful job interview requires preparation. And that entails how to conduct yourself during the interview process, dress code, interview questions and more.
Here, the blog focuses on interview questions. Most common interview questions, to be specific. While there are common questions that help you know what to expect, it is also necessary to know that there are more than 25 most common job interview questions.
Also, not all interviews have similar question patterns or even similar questions at all. The questions vary depending on the nature of the job and the company you are applying for. At times, they are phrased differently so it can be a little tricky as well.
So intending to provide helpful information to job seekers such as yourself, here is a list of additional 25 most common job interview questions and important steps to consider while answering them.
1. Are you a leader or a follower?
While companies seem to prefer both qualities, it also largely depends on the position you are applying for.
It’s best to say that you are open to adapting your styles according to the requirement.
Provide an answer that suits the expectations of the job you are interviewing for.
Don’t emphasize being a leader or a follower only.
Since they have their strengths and weaknesses, it’s wise to amalgamate the good traits of both roles with a relevant explanation.
2. What relevant experience do you have?
Respond by saying that your past job experiences and achievements align with the job description you are interviewing.
Give an example of how a specific skill you have learned from previous jobs matches the requirement for the job for which you are interviewing.
Share instances of how your abilities have helped the companies in the past.
Shed some lights on your work ethic, loyalty and hard work as well.
Do mention the transferable skills you have learned and how you can positively impact the company.
3. How would you adapt to working for a new company?
Convince your potential employer that you will be able to make a smooth transition to a new company.
Share your work experiences of having different colleagues and managers over the years.
Add more on how you have adapted to different leadership styles and changes in the same workplace in the past.
Emphasize the actions you took in the past in response to changes followed by positive results you achieved.
Highlight your interpersonal skills and friendly approach and how it will help you adjust to working for a new company.
4. What do you know about this company?
Do your research before to show the interviewer that you have taken your time to learn about the company.
Prepare a list of points so that you can remember them during the interview.
Talk about the company’s goals and visions and how they have influenced your decision.
Take points from the company’s social sites, media coverage and incorporate them in your answer.
Emphasize on company’s accomplishments over the years and how you can further contribute to the company’s success.
5. What won’t you miss about your last job?
Do not badmouth your previous managers and the company you worked for.
Don’t negatively answer the question.
Avoid saying things that are going to be a significant part of the job you are interviewing for.
Talk about how you were professional and managed to complete the task despite not liking it.
Focus on stating how the job you are applying for perhaps allows you to hone your particular set of skills.
6. What are some of your hobbies?
Interviewers pose this question to understand your ability to balance work and life.
Say something that conveys that you have a life outside of work.
Be careful that your hobbies aren’t something that gets in the way of your work.
Say, you are into football and the company you are applying for has a football club then you can build an answer suggesting that you are interested.
Keep your answer brief, appropriate and relevant to the job or the company you are applying to.
7. Are you willing to relocate?
If you have the flexibility to relocate then you will have an advantage over other candidates.
If you arent open to relocating due to circumstances then be honest upfront.
If you are on the fence about it then the company might be willing to help you get onboard to consider it.
If you are genuinely enthused about it then show your enthusiasm while answering the question because it means that you are passionate and interested.
While it is important, to be honest, never say never, because relocating could be a possibility for you shortly.
8. How do you think one can achieve an excellent work-life balance?
Firstly state your definition of work-life balance and how you have acquired it.
Then talk about how employees’ work-life balance also benefits the company.
Provide instances of achieving work-life balance through dedication, honesty and patience.
Explain the importance of prioritizing matters according to their urgency.
Say that one should learn to say no and manage peoples’ expectations.
9. Describe a time you had a disagreement with your boss and how you handled it.
Don't bring up any non-work-related issues.
Always stick to work-related professional issues.
Talk about times when you and your boss reached a beneficial decision mutually.
Provide reasons for the disagreements and highlight how disagreements are normal things.
Focus on stating your problem solving and effective communication skills.
10. What would your first month at this place look like?
Do your research before to find out what sort of impacts you can create on the company.
Respond enthusiastically suggesting the things you’d like to try that you are aware of.
Talk about how you aim to focus on building effective work relationships.
Add more to your plans to learn the inner workings of the company.
You could also pitch in some ideas or little projects that align with the business’s goals.
11. How would you describe the pace at which you usually work?
Whether the company is deadline-driven or slow-paced, prepare to answer accordingly.
Importantly, state your flexibility and adaptability skills.
Give examples of how you were able to complete projects in time.
Talk about your organisational, multitasking abilities as well.
Always mention that you aren’t prone to procrastination.
12. Talk about your one failure in your professional life and what you learned from it.
Answer with honesty but don't make the hiring managers doubt your potential entirely.
Make sure you opt for something minor to share that didn't cause any big harm.
Provide instances of how you learned from your failures and moved on to do better.
Talk about the strategies you developed to reduce the possibilities of failure.
Avoid blaming others and making excuses for your failures and do not give out too much information.
13. What challenges are you hoping for in this job position?
First of all, say that you are motivated by challenges in general.
Talk about how your skills and experiences can be an effective investment in the company.
Mention that you are up for any challenges that help in your professional growth.
Highlight your abilities and experiences that match the requirements of the job.
Provide examples of the challenges that you have accomplished in the past.
14. Are you willing to travel?
Be honest if you have any travel limitations due to family or other sorts of obligations
If travelling is not an option for you then you should consider applying for jobs that don't require travel.
You can answer with follow up question to understand how much travelling the job demands.
Highlight your travelling experiences from your previous job/s.
Try accentuating your willingness to travel and how it can benefit the company.
15. Tell us more about your educational background.
Do not lie saying things that are not on your resume.
Focus on correlating your education background with the demand of the job
Talk about how your education has prepared you for your career in jobs you are interviewing for.
Emphasize how your academic skills and experiences are relevant to the job.
Do mention transferable skills you learned and extracurricular activities you participated in.
16. What are some of the traits you look for in your manager?
This is where you describe your ideal manager without criticizing your past managers.
Make sure the traits you answer fits the management style of the company.
Highlight your adaptability skills and how you are open to having different managers
Don't state any unrealistic and irrelevant characteristics.
Mention qualities such as interpersonal skills, professionalism and also other valuable soft skills.
17. Describe a time when you showcased your leadership skills.
Provide your definition of leadership to prove that you are aware of what it means.
Give examples of times you took on leadership roles while working in teams.
Also, mention the quantifiable results of your leadership skills induced actions.
You do not necessarily have to be in managerial roles to demonstrate leadership skills.
Talk about the times you led some projects or tasks and completed them in time with no complications.
18. How did you hear about this job position?
Talk about how your job search was intentional since you were actively looking for a job.
Make sure you highlight without being obvious that you fit the targeted candidate for the job
Maybe you came across the job opening on the company’s website.
It can be possible that you heard from a colleague or someone who works in the company.
Do not lie and make sure you remember how you heard about the job position.
19. How would you describe your work style?
This question is often asked to know if you would fit the company culture and requirements of the job you are interviewing for.
Go through the skills mentioned in the job description to see whether you'd be a suitable match for the job.
Focus on stating your skills and other qualities that match the company culture and requirement of the job.
Talk about how you are adaptive, flexible and open to possibilities.
Emphasize your dedication towards achieving a positive result and provide some examples as well.
20. Have you ever struggled with making decisions at work? Tell us about it.
Employers ask this question to see if you have decision-making abilities.
Be direct and specific with your answer.
Also, talk about how your decision benefitted the company.
Let them know that despite the struggle you were professional and calm.
Do mention how making tough decisions helped you grow professionally.
21. What made you decide that you are ready for a change?
Avoid stating negative things about your past job experiences.
Focus on casting yourself and your need for change in a positive light.
Talk about how the new job position aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Do mention that it’s not the commitment issues for you.
Emphasize how you would be a suitable candidate for the new position and keep it brief.
22. Would you rather be liked or respected?
This question is asked to know what drives you as an employee; being liked or being respected.
If you are applying for managerial roles then you should emphasise being respected.
Whereas if you will be working in teams, you are perhaps more interested in being liked.
Do state that you understand the importance of reciprocating respect.
You can also give examples of how both of them are valuable to you.
23. Do you take your work home with you?
It can be a tricky question so it’s better to prepare ahead researching on the company culture.
Say that you are open to taking work home with you if it’s not a problem for you.
Focus on stating your organizational and time management skills.
Make sure you get across your willingness to take your work home with you.
If you are certain about not taking work home then consider looking for jobs at other companies.
24. If you could go back five years ago what would you do differently?
You can get personal here and share something like you wish you had spent more time with your family.
Perhaps you turned down some opportunities due to some circumstances.
It can be something non-personal and related to your career that doesn't show you in a negative light.
Talk about how you would expose yourself to areas that aligned with your career goals.
Maybe you wouldn't do things differently because all things that you did has led you up to this moment.
25. Tell me something that is not on your resume.
Highlight some of the untouchable qualities such as dedication and integrity.
Talk about your hobbies and personal interests that help you stand out from the rest of the candidates.
Here you can also share your thoughts on why you want this job.
Emphasize your passion and work ethic for this particular job position.
Don't mention things that are already in your resume.
The way to crack these common interview questions is no longer uncommon. With practice, patience and passion you can get through any job interview. You simply just need to follow the steps aforementioned while answering the most common job interview questions.
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