Common Interview Questions and Sample Answers

Common Interview Questions and Sample Answers

1. Tell me about yourself
This is a common question—and sometimes the hardest. It is a broad, general question, and the worst thing you can do is giving a broad, general answer.

So how do you make the most of this question? Use it as a springboard to introduce the topics you want to discuss. Decide in advance what you want the interviewer to know: your favorite job experience, your most valuable activities in college, your goals and dreams. Focus your answer by picking one or two things and then use specific details to bring the topic alive.

Make a short, organized statement of your education end professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.

You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Limit it to work related items. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. 

Example:
I am a hard worker and I think I generally have good organizational skills. In college, I led a team of designers to create the web site for each of the university’s volunteer organizations.
 

2. Why did you decide to pursue this career?
Questions like this one do double duty. On the one hand, they allow you to foreground your most relevant and impressive achievements, such as honors coursework or special research projects. On the other hand, this kind of question also allows you to talk more generally about “what makes you tick”—what motivates you and how you make decisions. The key, as always, is to focus your answer by picking a few specific events and providing details so your answer does not become too vague. 

Example:
I have always been interested in math, but I also wanted a secure career that had a strong practical bent. I did a little research and decided to look into accounting. By the time I applied to college, I was sure accounting was what I wanted. I attended State University because they have a really strong accounting program. I also had a great opportunity to serve as President of the Accounting Club.

3. What have you gained from your work experiences?
Since the employer has already read your resume, avoid simply listing your past jobs. Instead, pick one or two work experiences and think about them in detail. What were your duties? What particular activities, events or crises stick out in your memory? Use these specific details to think about what you learned while doing that job. 

Example:
My work at the community pool really helped me develop my interpersonal skills and learn how to lead people. When I was teaching swimming, it was up to me to give my students a sense of confidence and motivation—and to keep them safe while doing it.
 

4. What difficulties have you faced on the job?
Even if you have had bad work experiences, you should never use the interview as a chance to lay blame or complain about a past job or employer. Instead, turn a negative into a positive. Describe problems as challenges, and focus on solutions rather than the difficulties. 

Example:
While working at the daycare center, I had to balance a lot of competing demands—from the parents, the children, the teachers and the administration. It really taught me how to view all sides of any situation, and how to prioritize my time. I found that differences of opinion usually occur because two people cannot see both sides of the situation. I learned to see the other person’s side and explain my position.


5. What is your greatest weakness?
The key to answering this question is the same as the last: turn a negative into a positive. Do not try to come up with a character flaw or personal weakness. Instead, rephrase the question for yourself: “How do I want to improve to become better in my career?” Identify areas in which you want more training or guidance. 

Example:
I would like to get more experience as a manager. In the past, I have really enjoyed supervisory roles, but I know there is so much more I could learn to make me a better manager. I would like to build on that foundation and develop more skills.
 

6. Why do you want to work here or What about our company interests you?
Few questions are more important than these; so it is important to answer them. Answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company.


7. Why did you leave your last job?
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off, temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills.
If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don’t describe the employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.
 

8. What are your best skills?
If you have sufficiently researched the organization you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, and then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.

9. What is your major weakness?
Be positive; turn a weakness into strength. For example, you might say: “I often worry too much over my work, sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well”.


10. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.

11. What are your career goals? Or what are your future plans?
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company’s goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.

12. What salary are you expecting?
This is a question you should not answer directly. Instead simply state where you are currently giving your base salary and bonus. Tell the interviewer you are looking for a strong opportunity where you can grow.
You should always keep in mind that it is a nasty game that you will probably lose if you answer first. Try to avoid the answer and instead try to ask questions like “Can you tell me the range for this position?” If not say that it can depend on details of the job and then give a wide range.

13. What is your greatest Strength?
You should highlight your communication skill, problem solving skills, your ability to work better under pressure, your ability to focus on projects and your leadership skills.


14. What is your Dream Job?
Never talk of more than one job. Always be sure of the job, which you are being interviewed. If you talk and show interest in other jobs, you would plant the suspicion that you would be dissatisfied if hired.

Use these questions as a guide as you prepare. But do not assume every question will show up, and do not try to memorize answers. Instead, use them to help you review your experiences and plan some possible answers. When you get to your interview, relax and draw upon your preparation as you respond to your interviewer. Hopefully, the last question you will have to answer is “When can you start?”