Posted on October 5, 2016
Most common interview questions (and ideal answers)
Job interviews can be a very daunting and nervous experience, especially when not knowing the type of questions there’ll ask questions you and how you would answer it. The best way to handle this problem is to do your home work and find common interview question are usually asked and to prepare for it. I’ve taken the top common questions and will work on how to answer them. Hope this would help you!
Question about why did apply for this job and company?
1.Why did you decide to apply to this company?
Make sure you google about the company. It’s a great chance to butter them up! i.e. “I’ve saw your advertisment and thought it was interesting, I looked into what your company does and I was impressed with etc… “
2. Why do yo want this job?
Express your interest for the job role, why and how you feel it suits/reflects you: “I love customer service. I enjoy human interaction. I feel emotionally satisfied when I am able to help customers. I feel this role really fits me well”… or “I love working as an admin in the financial department, I have worked in the department before and enjoy how diverse skill sets is required from bookkeeping, dealing with customers and making sure things runs smoothly. I really feel the nature of the job reflects me”
Relate your skills and experience with the job role: “I feel my experience and skills makes me capable of taking up the role. I’ve done plenty of admin, bookkeeping and being a customer advisor, so the skills are transferable”
Mention a few job roles the position has to help you improve: “Furthermore, there are skills I would love to gain from this role. I am interested working with payroll and data analysis. I feel I would definitely developed myself better here.
Talk about how this job has opportunity to move up, what action you’ve taken and how excited you are about the future prospect and how you want to contribute to the firm (Career trajectory): I’ve been interested in working in the financial department for a while now. I’ve been learning how to use sage 50 database and other skill sets. I am really excited to learn more and see how I’ll contribute to the firm”
Question about your general yourself
1.Tell me about yourself?
This should focus on your related work skills (great chance to show them), summarised the infirmation and be concise. Talk about the past, present and future.
Begin talking about your past work, skills gained and why you left: I’ve been work in (company name) as a (job role) for (x) years. There, I was able to improve my skills in (___) and was able to achieve (___).
Talk about the present: “Although I enjoyed my work there, I feel the need to move in a job that has a role more focused on finance.”
Talk about the future: “I hope top find a job in the financial sector”
2. How would your boss and colleague describe you?
A good opportunity to talk about something you have not mentioned. Be honest about it and make it a quality they also want. i.e. work ethics, willing work, i’m the ‘go to guy’ since I have am usually well read, I bring a good atmosphere or vibe etc…
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
This is where you show you have ‘realistic expectation’, ‘ambition’ and ‘how the job aligned with your goals’. If you are not sure, explain that the role you are applying for is a role you feel would open you knew doors.
For example, I would like to get into finance department working as a purchase/sales ledger clerk. I feel this data admin role would help develop transferable skills to that role because….
4. What is your interest outside of work?
…
5. Why did you quit your previous job?
Best not to mention negative things about your previous job. Here are some examples:
- I finished my contract.
- I had a great time working in my previous job, however I feel that I cannot move toward the career role I want or develop new skills and it was time for me to move on.
6. What were you doing since you left your job? Why is their an unemployment gap?
During your unemployment stage, it is good to show you have done something meaning such as volunteering or take a break doing something interesting such as travelling, blogging, website developing. Then move it to, how you feel you are ready to get back on track on your career path.
6. Why change your career? (if you decided to change)
Be honest and explain why. What you like about the new role you are applying to. Perhaps explain that from you previous jobs you like certain task which you want to specialise or focus more on, such as how your previous job as an admin you liaison with the finance team with invoices and data, and that made you interested in financial side. You did some research and discovered it was something you would like to pursue.
7. Why should we hire you (and not other candidates)?
First, express how you really want the job. Why? Is there something about the company or role of job that makes you really want it?
Then list skills and experience you have related to the job your are applying to. Be more specifics, so this gives them confidence taking you in. However, don’t be arrogant or overly confident about it.
Keen, interested and always learn and adapt to new knowledge and changes.
Question about your skill sets
1. What are your strengths?
Be honest with your true strength. It needs to be:
- Related to the strength needed for the job you are applying for.
- Give specific skills sets (i.e. relationship building skills instead of people’s skills) and examples
2. What are your weaknesses? And how do you deal with it?
- A weakness that can be considered good and bad at the same time & how you dealt or is trying to deal with it. Such as being a perfectionist, impatient when work is not running efficiently or over worrying. Make sure the weakness is problematic to the job role or company : “My weakness is that sometimes I can be a slightly impatient if work is not running efficiently and perfectly, but I’ve definitely worked on it accepting that everyone works in different pace”. “I tend to over worry and be too cautious, that sometimes I overwork and take too much precaution that necessary.A weakness that has both isn’t too terrible but also has it’s advantages. After stating your weakness, make sure you tell you have you deal with it.
- For instance: 1) Being a perfectionist and spending too long on a task. Learning to prioritised, working within time frame without compromising the quality level of standard. 2) Impatient when there is no progress in results. Despite the fact that I care, I learnt to accept how every team member has their own pace and experience and just to be patient. 3) I tend to over worry. It may be good in the sense I don’t underestimate the work, but it can be emotionally consuming. I’ve learnt to trust myself through good preparation and in time learn to be more confident as my skills improved.
3. Give an example of when you showed leadership?
Here are some examples:
- Managing a project
- Rally a team
4. Give an example of how you dealt with conflicts?
Give examples that is handled with professional maturity, resolve misunderstandings, bring new insight(s), compromise and close with a happy ending.
5. How well do you handle pressure/stress? and how?
You basically want to show you are composed, positive and productive in getting your task done. State that you are used to pressure or stress from your previous job. Explain the type of pressure or stress you have at work, such as deadlines, workload and dealing with queries or customer complaints. And how you deal with it? Perhaps you are good at being organised and prioritised and plan well to managed workload. Perhaps counting your breath up to ten, being mindful and letting it go and focus on your task again.
Bonus questions
1.Do you have any question?
What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team?
Here is a great site that has common interview questions and how to answer them. This is definitely a life hack page!
The Muse: Definitely a must read! This has ideal answers!