Have a job interview coming up? Interview preparation is key. Before going, review the most common interview questions, plan your responses, and research the company so you can walk into that room prepared.
When you land an interview, you鈥檙e probably excited and wondering about the most common interview questions. To prepare for your interview and make a great first impression, you can explore this list of 10 common interview questions and plan your responses to them.聽
This warm-up question is your chance to make an impactful first impression. Be prepared to describe yourself in a few sentences. You can mention:聽
Your past experiences and how they relate to the current job
How your most recent job is tied to this new opportunity
Two of your strengths
One personal attribute, like a hobby or an interest
The majority of this response leans on your past work experience, with a small dash of your personal life added at the end of the response. Keep your answer to two to four minutes.
The answer to this interview question should include specifics about the company, so you鈥檒l need to do some pre-interview research. If, for example, the company is known for its collaborative culture, you could point out successes you鈥檝e had while collaborating with a team.聽
Look for company-specific information on their website and social channels. Pay attention to the company鈥檚 mission statement, values, and the "About us" section. Explore employee-specific posts on social media to learn about the company鈥檚 culture or outreach programs. Combine this information with relatable skills to show your preparedness and enthusiasm for the company.聽
When asked about leaving a previous job, be honest but positive. Even if you left a job under trying circumstances, keep your response short and upbeat. Here are some suggestions:
I鈥檓 looking for a company that better aligns with my values.聽
I鈥檓 excited to find a company where I can grow my career.聽
I鈥檝e decided to go down a different career path.
My position was downsized, but I鈥檓 looking forward to a new opportunity.聽
I鈥檓 excited to explore a culture in line with my personality.聽
I鈥檓 ready to take on a new challenge with an innovative company.聽
I鈥檝e aspired to work for this company and seized the chance to apply.
When it comes to identifying weaknesses, think about some conflicts you鈥檝e had to overcome. Maybe it鈥檚 difficult for you to take criticism, collaborate, or make public presentations. Take these challenges and frame them with a solution. For instance, you learned to take feedback to better a project, collaborate to elevate a product鈥檚 offerings, or use presentations as a way to build your confidence.聽
Your greatest achievement should be something specific, like bringing a new video game to a saturated market despite a lack of resources. Discuss a work-related triumph as a way to humbly mention your achievements rather than listing awards or accolades. This achievement should also align with the company鈥檚 mission, goals, or the position鈥檚 objectives.
This question is really asking about your character during moments of stress. Think of a time when you faced an impossible deadline, had to choose sides, or navigated interoffice turmoil. Explain the problem, how you stayed calm, and focus on the solution that produced a resolution.聽
While you might be tempted to mention the extra hours you put in or the additional tasks you take on, it鈥檚 best to showcase your skills with a story. Talk about the innovative methods you deployed to revive a stalled project or roles you filled when your team was downsized.聽聽聽
Salary talks can be sensitive, but they鈥檙e necessary. Research a competitive salary before you go into your interview so you don鈥檛 aim too high or low. You can use tools like a or to get baseline compensation. Remember to mention years of experience or specific certifications that enhance your value.聽聽聽
Another common interview question looks at your five-year plan. You should promote your commitment to the company while looking toward growth opportunities.聽聽
More specifically, you can craft a response that explores your:
Position-related goals
Potential experiences within the company over the next five years
Possible certifications, skills, or achievements you might obtain
Aspirations for growth within the role聽
Typically, this is the last question of the interview, and it might be tempting to say, 鈥淣o. I鈥檓 all set.鈥 However, this question allows you to show your interest in the position. Some questions you could ask include:
What are the day-to-day tasks involved in this role?
How do you evaluate the progress of this role?聽
What ongoing educational or training opportunities could I pursue in this role?
Where do you see the company in five years?
How would you describe the company culture?
Before your interview, you should do a few things in preparation. To make a great first impression, you should research the company, practice your responses to common interview questions, and run through a practice interview. For more specific tips, take a look at this pre-interview checklist:聽聽
Start your research on the company website. Look over their mission statement, values, and history. Next, check Google News for any articles that include the company. Comb through the company鈥檚 social accounts, paying particular attention to the product- or employee-related posts. Also, read the LinkedIn profiles of the company鈥檚 key players and, if possible, the profile of your hiring manager.聽
Take some time to learn about the company culture by looking at employee photos on social media and checking out the company's news coverage. You might see team-building events on its Facebook Page or news coverage of a recent fundraiser, which can help you understand the culture. You can also check for employee testimonials on business rating platforms like Glassdoor.
Take some time to review the most common interview questions and practice your answers. You don鈥檛 want to sound rehearsed, so write down a few bullet points for each question and talk through them a little differently each time.聽
Ask a friend or family member to role-play with you. Go through the standard interview questions, and practice your greeting and exit. Wear the outfit and shoes you plan to wear during the practice to ensure you鈥檙e comfortable.
Ask your mock interviewer to give you feedback. Maybe you slouched in the chair, nervously bounced your knees, or got stuck on a particular interview question. The person helping you can give you some tips to improve your interview skills.聽聽
In addition to role-playing, you might consider taking an online class or two to improve your interview skills. Prepare for a successful job search with the Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialization from the University of Maryland. Learn at your own pace and practice your interviewing skills with other job seekers from around the globe.聽
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