CAREERCOLLEGE

Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Most people don’t enjoy preparing for and attending job interviews, but if you’re on the hunt for a new career or a new position in the same field, interviews are often inevitable. Luckily, an interview usually means your resume and cover letter passed applicant tracking software and now it’s your time to shine. Let’s talk through some common questions asked during an interview, so you can be prepared to knock it out of the park.

Tell me about yourself.

Use your reply to share your career journey, show how your passions align with the role, and highlight any key experiences that would make you the best fit for the position.

Why do you want to work here?

Here's where you can showcase that you’ve taken time to research the company. In your response, share how your personal goals align with the company’s strategic mission and values. When interviewers see that you genuinely have an interest in working with their company, it makes you stand out as a candidate.

Has there been a time when you missed a deadline?

Allow yourself to show some vulnerability when explaining why the deadline was missed. Use this as an opportunity to show how you took accountability to ensure it will not happen again. Employers want to see that you can be honest, own your mistakes, and bounce back from setbacks.

How do you handle pressure at work?

This question often gets asked during an interview, so it’s best to think of an example ahead of time. Interviewers aren’t necessarily focused on the situation you share. Instead, they want to hear about the steps you took to stay calm and focused or how you helped others around you remain calm. Be sure to share what you learned and how you could apply it in the role you are hoping to get.

What sets you apart from other applicants?

Another question to let yourself shine — identify your strengths and how you have built them, even consider sharing a story or a time where your expertise was essential. Be sure to talk about how your strengths could be applied in the position you are applying for.

Do you have any questions?

It’s important to have at least three to five questions prepared for any interview. It shows you’ve done your research about the company and the position and you have a sincere desire to be hired. These questions could be geared toward the company’s culture or growth such as how they support their employees or how they foster innovation. Asking thoughtful questions throughout or at the end of the interview can also show you’re thinking about the long-term impact beyond just landing the position and you truly want to be a meaningful contributor to the organization.

Having thoughtful responses to these questions or similar interview questions can be what sets you apart from other candidates. Be sure to take the time to prepare so you can be successful. Remember that an interview is a time for you to showcase the strengths and qualities you can bring to an organization. Best of luck to you on your career journey!

Sources:

https://hbr.org/2021/11/10-common-job-interview-questions-and-how-to-answer-them