How to Stand Out in Interviews by Answering Common Questions
Job interviews can be nerve-racking, especially if one goes in expecting an unfamiliar answer. Like snowflakes, no two job interviews are ever quite the same. However, some of those questions invariably do show up. Knowing those questions well and rehearsing your answers wisely could be your secret weapon. Here is a guide of sorts to assist you with answers to a few of the most common questions one is likely to encounter.
“Tell Me About Yourself”
This question might seem straightforward, but it is often one of the hardest questions to answer well. It is a fairly open question that somehow sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Hiring managers want to know about your background, your key skills, and why you are interested in this role.
How to Answer
Provide a short targeted summary of your career history, starting with your most recent experience, briefly mentioning your previous ones, and highlighting a few key transferable skills relevant to the role in question, finishing by expressing your excitement about this opportunity.
Example Answer:
“I have spent the past five years working in digital marketing, primarily in content strategy and SEO. With my most recent position, I was in charge of a team at XYZ Company that managed to raise organic traffic by 40%. I am passionate about marketing that is driven by data, and I am really excited about this role because it will be an opportunity to apply my skills within a more collaborative and creative environment.”
“Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
Hig managers want to see if you have done research on the company and genuinely wish to be considered. This is also an opportunity to explain how your values align class=”mt-lg-4″ with the company mission.
How to Answer
Research the company before the time of the interview. Bring up particular things about the company that interest you, be they culture, value, or product/service. Then, speak about yourself and how you could apply your skills towards achieving their mission.
Example Answer:
“Actually, I have been following your company’s growth in sustainable fashion, and I admire how committed it is to ethical production. I am truly passionate about environmental sustainability, and I believe my background in supply chain management may be helpful to make some of your processes leaner towards further reduction of your carbon footprint.”
“What Are Your Strengths?”
This question is designed to serve as an opportunity to demonstrate your character and how that fits with the requirements of the job. Practically, you cannot simply name off skills without linking strengths to what you could potentially offer an organization.
How to Answer
Select two or three strengths that fit with the job and give examples of how you have demonstrated them in your former jobs. Don’t sound arrogant when talking about strengths; instead, focus on real strengths.
Example Answer:
“Some of my strengths are analyzing data and extracting actionable insights from it. In my previous job, I applied customer data to optimize our e-mail marketing campaigns, which brought about a 25%, increase in open rates. I also consider myself a cooperative person, being a team player; I think teamwork is what gets good results.”
“What Are Your Weaknesses?”
This is a typical trap question, though very graceful responses are always possible if you are honest and sincere in your reply. Interviewers really aren’t looking for the perfect answer. They just want to see if you can recognize your own flaws and are willing to work on them.
How to Answer
Pick any weakness that less likely will hinder your capacity to do the job and highlight the steps you are taking to mitigate its effect. You ought not to name anything that is vital for the job itself.
Example Answer:
“The other kind of thing I have been working on is delegation. I tended to be hesitant to delegate tasks mainly because I wanted to make sure everything was done correctly. But I now acknowledge that delegation makes an effective leader, and I have been making a conscious effort to trust more and let my teamwd secure ownership of their own projects.”
“Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?”
This question helps interviewers assess your potential long-term fit within the company and whether your goals align with the direction of the company.
How to Answer
Be truthful but flexible at the same time. You do not have to have a plan all laid out, but it will help to say something about how you see yourself growing in the future and contributing to the company.
Example Answer
“Five years from now, I see myself as either in a leadership position or working with the company in some capacity to help oversee and guide the strategic direction of the company. I am really excited about developing myself and taking on new challenges that will help in implementation, and I feel that this position from which I am applying will afford me the best opportunity to grow.”
“How Do You Handle Stress or Pressure?”
There will always be some degree of stress in every job. Employers want to know that you can deliver your best under pressure and still remain optimistic.
How to Answer
Share techniques that help you to alleviate pressure-from time management to keeping everything in order up to mindfulness. Give an example of a time when you managed to surmount the barrier of stress.
Example Answer:
“When I handle stress, I tend to keep things organized and focus on prioritization. For instance, during an extremely demanding quarter in my last position, I was managing multiple projects all with extremely tight deadlines. I worked out a very detailed set of plans, staying in close communication with the team to ensure that everyone was on track. Even though the pressure was intense, we still managed to complete all projects on time while maintaining high standards of quality.”
“Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?”
This can be a rather tricky question, especially within the scenario when the person had his/her last job under not-so-ideal conditions. Interviewers want to hear a reason that is honest, professional, and not overly negative.
The Way to Answer
The most positive approach to take in answering the question is to frame the reasons for leaving as “wanting to seek new challenges” or “presence of growth in the career field.” Refrain from putting down former employers or colleagues.
Example Answer:
“I really enjoyed my time at ABC Company, but I felt that I had reached a plateau in terms of career growth. I’m now looking for a position where I can take on more responsibility and continue to develop my skills. When I saw this opportunity, it felt like the perfect next step for me.”
“Tell Me About a Time You Faced a Challenge at Work”
These types of behavioral questions are designed to uncover how you are approached with any given real-life situation. The STAR method applies for providing a good answer.
How to Answer
Being able to provide a specific situation, your Task in the situation, what Action you took, and, finally, what Result came from it, all with an emphasis on what you learned from it would work well using STAR.
Example Answer:
“We faced an unforeseen delay in the manufacturing process while launching a product in my last company. I was the project manager, and I went and told all the parties involved in this crisis. Then I worked with the production team and came up with a solution. We then bought time and rescheduled the launch without losing all momentum, and the product went on to be one of our best sellers.”
Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
This is one of the important questions, yet it is often overlooked. Not asking questions can be a sign that you are uninterested or unprepared. It is your opportunity to learn more about the company and show that you have done your homework.
How to respond
Prepare several insightful questions about the company’s culture, the team you would be working with, or the company’s vision. Keep your questions related to your interest in the position and your commitment toward the role in the long term.
Example Questions:
- How would you describe the company culture here?
- What does success look like in this role?
- Could you describe the other members of the team I would interact with?
Nail Your Next Interview
The key to acing any interview is preparation. By anticipating common interview questions and practicing your responses, you can approach the interview with confidence. Remember to stay calm, be authentic, and focus on how your experiences and skills can benefit the employer. The better you prepare, the better you’ll perform.
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