Are you preparing for an interview and quite stuck on what kind of questions your employer would ask?
There’s no way to know for sure what topics will be asked but there are several types of popular interview questions you can expect to be asked and, therefore, be ready to discuss.
In this post, we have some of the most commonly asked interview questions with different tips on what interviewers are looking for in your response and sample answers.
Thank you for reading!
- Tell me about yourself
Interviewers usually start off with this question to know your background and also get to know you. So start out by giving them an overview of your current position or activities, then provide the most important and relevant highlights from your background that make you most qualified for the role.
Answer: *full name*
I have worked as an assistant at (company’s name). From my 5 years of experience I’ve developed the ability to anticipate roadblocks and create effective alternative plans. My greatest value to any executive is my ability to work independently, freeing up their time to focus on the needs of the business.
2. How do you describe yourself?
When an interviewer asks you to talk about yourself, they are looking for information about how your qualities and characteristics are in line with the skills they believe are required to succeed in the role. If possible, include results to demonstrate how you use your best attributes to drive success.
Answer: I am passionate about my work. Because I love what I do, I have a steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best. In my last job, this passion led me to challenge myself daily and learn new skills that helped me to do better work. For example, I taught myself how to use Photoshop to improve the quality of our photos and graphics. I soon became the go-to person for any design needs.
3. Why do you want to work here?
Most interviewers often ask this question as a way to know whether or not you took the time to research the company and to learn why you see yourself as a perfect candidate. The best way to prepare for this question is to do your findings and learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of this workplace. In your answer, talk about the aspects of the company that appeal to you and align with your career goals. Talk about why you are looking for these things in an employer.
Answer: I saw an article in Business Week about your new CEO John Jacobs and the firm’s renewed focus on technology innovation. I consider myself an innovator and I would love to work for an organization that’s leading the future of the industry. I consider myself an innovator and I would love to work for an organization that’s leading the future of the industry.
4. What interests you about this role?
Hiring managers often include this question to make sure you understand the role and gives you an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills. In addition to thoroughly reading the job description, it can also be helpful to compare requirements of the role against your skills and experience. Choose a few things you mostly enjoy or do well at and focus on these things in your answer.
Answer: While I highly valued my time at my previous company, there are no longer opportunities for growth that align with my career goals. This position fits perfectly with my skill set and how I’m looking to grow in my career. I’m also looking for a position at a company like yours that supports underserved communities, which is a personal passion of mine. Can you tell me more about how the company creates growth opportunities for people who work here?
5. What motivates you?
Most employers ask this question to test your level of self-awareness and ensure your sources of motivation align with the role. To answer, be as specific as possible, give real-life instances and tie your answer back to the job role.
Answer: I’m motivated by the fact that, when I leave work at the end of a shift, I know I’ve helped make a difference in the lives of my patients and their families. Seeing the smiles on their faces and watching them improve makes me look forward to work. That’s why I became a nurse, and why I’m pursuing a position in pediatrics.
With this few tips, get your resume or CV and study it properly and use these questions as a guide to prepare you for that interview. Then you are good to go! We’d post more tips soon, so watch this space…..