The 20 Most Common Interview Questions

The Most Common Interview Questions:

1. Why did you apply for this job?

You should actually browse their website prior to the interview, study the job description carefully, and try to find points of interest and reasons for your application. It is perfectly all right, and actually good for you, since you can convince them that it makes sense to talk to you. Interviewers try to understand your motives. Try to speak about their company, not about your personal goals.

Example:

“I decided to apply because I really like the vision of your company and the career growth possibilities you offer. I hope to use my full potential at this position, and help your company grow and prosper.”

2. Why did you leave your last job?

It is crucial to stay positive, and not talk negatively about your past employers and colleagues. Try to focus on the future, not on the past. Let me show you some good answers. However, employers want to understand the reasons behind your (planned) career/job move. Life’s a change.

Example:

This role would be new to me, and with all the new challenges and responsibilities, I hope to get my motivation back and deliver my best every day. “I didn’t feel challenged in my last job and I wasn’t motivated to wake up to work anymore. I got along with my colleagues and boss, but I simply couldn’t keep myself motivated anymore.”

3. Tell me about your Education & grades that you got in college?

Maybe it took them a little while to find the right major, or maybe they were doing excellent work at a job, internship, or extracurricular activity while going to school. If they got excellent grades, this will be easy to answer. If not, look for a legitimate reason.

Example :

My practical experience and internship prepared me for a job of a project manager, at least I believe so. I was active during my studies, always seeking opportunities to put the lessons to practice, taking part in projects and competitions. I acquired knowledge of statistics, project management and process management. “I have studied at ABC University.

4. What Do You Know about Our Company?

If you were really interested in the job, you’d have a look at website of the company before the interview and would prepare something. Most job seekers won’t do so, but take it as your opportunity to stand out. It is good to ask one or two questions, or possibly even more, as it shows that you care, that you still want the job at the end of the interview. You will get a chance to ask some questions. Just think about it for a while.

Example:

Your company specializes in export-import and is active primarily in CIS marketplace. Since I have experience with these markets, and speak Russian fluently, I see it as a good place for work.

Hopefully I will get an opportunity to help you achieve these goals. I really like the way you approach your customers and the long term goals you try to achieve with your activity. What caught my eye on your website was your vision.

5. Why should we hire you?

This is one of the most difficult interview questions. However, if your answer is good, it can actually convince the employer to hire you!

Example :

i) This helps, especially nowadays, when many people are negative about their lives and jobs. “I am a nice guy and always try to build good atmosphere on the workplace." ii) My experience can come handy, as I can show you what they did better, and what you do better. “I had the very same job with one of your main competitors.”

6. What are your strengths?

Whilst this is one of the most common interview questions it is also one of the best interview questions to ask early in the interview process. Also, they should explain how these strengths will be useful in the job they're applying for, and use this question to say something interesting about themselves. Candidates should give a short list of strengths, and back each one up with examples that illustrate the strength. The consensus is to go for quality, not quantity here.

Examples:

“I have good communication skills, and people generally enjoy talking to me.”

“I am pretty organized, and I’ve probably never been late in my life.”

“I am very responsible and always complete my work on time.”

7. What are your weaknesses?

They feel that they're easily distracted when working online but have installed software that helps them stay on task. This questions and the question above are two standard interview questions candidates should always be prepared for. Candidates should talk about a real weakness they've been working on improving. For instance, they're not good at public speaking, but they've been taking a course to help them improve. Answers like these show a desire for improvement, self-awareness, and discipline.

Example :

“I often trust people way too much. It is nice to live with such and attitude, but it caused me some troubles in the past. Getting older, however, I’m learning to recognize whom I can trust.

“I am not very patient. That’s obviously bad. But I am working on it, trying to control myself, and stay tolerant to the others. It’s not easy, but I have definitely made some improvements in the recent years.”

8. What are your goals in five years time?

When recruiters ask you about your goals and dreams, they simply want to hear that you have some. Every responsible person has some goals. Therefore you should talk either about personal goals, or you should try connecting your career goals with their business. Let’s have a look at some good answers.

Example:

I believe that your company is a right place to start realizing my dreams. “I want to start a family and have a good job, the one where I will deliver an actual value. That’s all I want.”.

“My goal is to become a better manager, and to help my employer to achieve exceptional results.”

9. What have been your biggest achievements so far?

I learned to listen to the others, and to see the good things in people. “I became a better person over the years. I consider it my biggest achievement so far. ”.

10. Why do you want to work here?

This not only shows enthusiasm for the work and basic preparation skills but gives you clues about the cultural fit. Look for an answer that shows they've done research on the company, and are truly excited about specific things they can do on the job. This is one of the most asked interview questions.

11. How many people were on your team at your last job?

This is a good interview question for screening people with management positions on their resume. The number of people on their team should match what you would expect for the position.

12. Where do you see yourself in five years?

General interview questions like this are still valuable and should always be included in your interview sheet. The candidate should show that they've thought about this question, have plans, and that those plans align with the job and a career path that is possible at the company.

13. What can you offer us that someone else can not?

The candidate should focus on the positives about why the job they're applying for offers them better learning or career opportunities, chances for advancement, aligns more closely with their long term goals, or is a better fit for them. This is in most hiring managers' top ten interview questions and is also one of the standard interview questions in any solid interview process.

14. What is your desired salary? (or) Salary Expectations?

Look for a number or range that falls within the market rate and matches their level of mastery of skills required to do the job. This is one of the best job interview questions for screening.

Example:

“It’s not about salary. I really like the job description and want to get this job. I’m sure you’ll make a decent offer.”

15. Tell me about yourself.

Look for an answer that gives the interviewer a glimpse of the candidate's personality, without veering away from providing information that relates to the job. Answers should be positive, and not generic.

16. Why do you want this job?

A good candidate has clear reasons for wanting the job that shows enthusiasm for the work and the position and knowledge of the company and job.

17. What’s the most difficult problem you have had to solve?

Look for answers that name a real problem, talk about specific steps taken to resolve it, and any processes developed to ensure that it would be solved more quickly next time, or would not arise again.

18. What motivates you? (or) How do you motivate the others?

You need to convince the employer that your motivation comes from inside, and that you do not need special incentives to work hard. If you show it, every answer will be good enough. The best way to do this is showing enthusiasm.

Example :

“I simply love to work with people. If I was not strongly motivated to do this job, I would never apply for it. I could not work only for money.”

19. When can you start?

Right Now! But if you cannot avoid abiding the notice period, or have another reason to postpone your start, you can still come up with a good answer that will show right attitude to work. Let’s have a look at some answers. Companies have their plans and ideas, and in most cases, they will be happy to see you on board as soon as possible.