Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Preparing for job interviews is crucial. The interview is your chance to convince an employer that you’re exactly what they’re looking for, and it’s hard to do that if you’re stammering over your answers to their questions. Highlight your verbal communication skills by preparing answers to these common interview questions, and sell yourself at the same time.

Tell Me about Yourself

This is perhaps the most common interview question - you’re almost guaranteed to be asked this one. This is where you really need to sell yourself, but it’s also important to be both relevant and concise—this is not the time for your autobiography.

What are your Weaknesses?

The key to this question is answering it honestly and positively. Don’t spin that old yarn about being a workaholic or a perfectionist - instead, mention a genuine professional weakness that you have, but emphasize that you’re continually working on improving yourself.

Why should I hire you?

When answering this question, it’s not enough to say that you have the ability to do the job. To answer this question you have to think beyond the job description and convince an employer that you have a unique combination of skills and experience that makes you the best candidate.

Where do you see yourself in Five Years?

This question requires that you balance ambition with honesty, and should reflect your desire to work with the company long-term. Avoid any response that suggests you’re not planning to stay long term, such as that you want to run your own business. Personal goals should also be avoided - concentrate purely on the professional. It’s fine to mention your hopes for promotion, but that should not be the focus of your response.

Wild Card Questions

Many interviewers like to see how quickly you can think in stressful situations. To do this they’ll often ask questions that are completely irrelevant to the job - questions such as “if you could be a superhero, which one would you be, and why?”, or “If you could meet a famous historical figure, who would it be, and what question would you ask them?” When faced with a wild card question, the best approach is to take a moment or two to think about your answer, and reply with confidence. The important thing to remember is that there is no right answer - you’re being tested on your ability to think on your feet.

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