11 Most Important Interview Questions and Answers

Keep reading if you're looking for the often-asked questions during job interviews.

What you will learn:

●Notes on the rationale behind the recruiters' and hiring managers' query

●Dos and don'ts, together with the worst errors to avoid

● Completely accurate sample responses that will impress any employer

Starting now...now…

1Tell me about yourself

Due to its open-ended nature, this is one of the most typical interview questions and it causes confusion for many job candidates.

Here are some of the best responses and how you can dazzle when the interviewer asks this question:

First, while responding to the question "Tell me about yourself,", keep it professional. Even while they officially allowed you room for personal information, the average interviewer isn't looking for it.

Tell your narrative in chronological order to keep your response concise and simple to understand.

Walk them through your background, beginning with how you got started in your profession or the field you're in now.

You can talk about your academic achievements if you're an entry-level candidate or a recent graduate. Why did you decide to study this subject? What work have you done and on what projects?

If you have prior work experience, be sure to discuss your most significant achievements and career decisions with the interviewer. Finish by describing your future professional goals and the reasons you are seeking employment.

Do:

●Share solely your professional story with the audience.

●- Keep your response under two minutes.

●- Explain to them how your career began, the significant decisions you've made, and then update them on your current situation.

DON'T

●- Give personal information

●- Talk for more than two minutes.

For instance:

“I began working in marketing in 2015, after earning a business degree in 2014. I have worked at Microsoft my entire career, where I have earned three awards for superior performance and two promotions. Currently, I want to join a smaller company and take on additional project management and leadership responsibilities.”

2What do you know about our business?

One of the most frequent interview questions to prepare for is this one. It is highly likely to come up in an initial interview, especially one conducted over the phone.

You can see from the sample responses below that the objective is to demonstrate to them that you have done your homework and did not apply to their company without knowing anything about them.

You'll come across as desperate if you don't seem to know anything about them; someone who will accept any position they can get. And that will make you undesirable to any potential employers.

Therefore, your main objective is to demonstrate that you did your study or were familiar with their organization before applying, when they ask, "What do you know about our company?" You'll be okay if you follow these instructions.

DO:

●- Before the interview, do some research on the business (on their website, their LinkedIn page, Google News, and more).

The better your research, the more original you can be. If you want to provide the finest response possible, try to go above and beyond a cursory review of the company website.

●- Know the business's sector, its products, and its revenue sources. Try to get a feel of how big their company is. Are there 100 workers? 10,000 or more employees? Etc.

●- Explain why their company excited you or drew your attention in your response and demonstrate your enthusiasm for it by citing specific reasons. Even if they don't ask you explicitly, the interviewer wants to know why you are interested in the position.

DON’T:

●- Say that you have no knowledge.

●- Say inaccurate or uncertain information (it is preferable to know one or two facts that you can accurately state than five facts that you are unsure of).

●- Research as little as possible, and only reference a few fundamental details from the company's website.

Example response:

"I am aware that you are a pioneer in pharmaceutical contract manufacturing. I noticed that you just finalized plans to construct a new facility that will increase your manufacturing capacity after reading two recent news pieces. I was eager to have this interview and find out more about the specific work and challenges you need help with from the person you hire for this role because one of my goals in my current job search is to find a rapidly expanding organization that could fully utilize my prior experience in scaling up manufacturing operations”

3How did you find out about the job?

It's always better to give an honest, clear response when they question "how did you hear about the position?"

The interviewer merely wants to know how you heard about them and what your motivation was for applying. They want to know how you generally locate jobs to apply for.

Simply tell them the truth if you discovered the position through a co-worker, online employer research, a job board or posting, or any other typical manner.

DO:

●- Be straightforward, lucid, and clear.

●- Tell the truth unless it's extremely embarrassing (my mother got me a job to apply for when I was much younger, for instance).

●- If necessary, a white lie is acceptable.

●- If at all feasible, state your interest in the position (e.g., "I was pleased to apply because ")

DON’T:

●- Say you can't remember or are unsure.

●- Do you seem insecure?

Good sample of answers:

●- "I found the job while browsing online job boards."

●- "A co-worker or acquaintance told me about it."

●- "Someone I worked with in a previous position suggested your company

to me and had heard excellent things about your corporation."

●- "I spotted the job posting on LinkedIn, and it sounded like a promising opportunity, so I was interested in learning more."

4What motivated you to apply for this job?

Select a special interest when they ask "why did you apply for this position?"

If you tell them you love their products, explain why. That is the secret to providing a strong response to this interview question.

Avoid coming out as desperate or as wanting any work at all.

Yes, you are allowed to mention that you were laid off.

However, you should immediately refocus the conversation on what you are specifically looking for in your next job and why you believe their organization might provide it.

You must convey that you are selective and that you are looking for the RIGHT job. If you don't show that you really want to work for an employer, they most probably won’t hire you.

So, when you're looking for a job, it's best to come across as fussy and selective. To do that, you must be certain of the position you wish to fill.

The best responses will also steer clear of complaints and negative points.

Keep your existing employer or boss's reputation intact. Concentrate on the benefits and positive points of the position you are applying for.

Do

●- Make them feel as though you have a special reason to be interested in them.

●- Do your study and demonstrate that you are aware of the requirements of the position.

●- Think positively about everything. Don't complain about your existing circumstances; instead, focus on the benefits of joining their team of employees (experiences, challenges, opportunities).

Don’t:

●- Say you are simply looking for a job.

●- Tell them that you're looking for work because you're unemployed.

●- Say you simply need money or employment to pay your bills.

●- Sound desperate or as if you don't care about the outcome and will accept any position you can find

Example response:

"A handful of my co-workers have spoken about the work environment here. And when I saw this job opening, it seemed like a perfect fit for my skill set. For instance, I noticed from the job description that you want a Java programming specialist. In all of my prior roles, I concentrated on this, and it was also the subject of my academic work prior to graduating from college. I consider Java to be my area of expertise, and I intend to stick with it.

5What motivates your desire to leave your current employer?

This is one of the most crucial interview questions and responses to be familiar with if you're looking for a job while working.

(And if you're looking for work while unemployed, be ready to respond to the question, "Why did you leave your last position?")

Otherwise, the most crucial thing to do when they inquire about your intentions to leave your current position is to remain upbeat and avoid disparaging your existing company, manager, or even co-workers.

DO:

●- Say that you're hoping for more of something positive rather than whining or talking negatively about your circumstances. What do you hope to gain from changing jobs?

●- Is the boss you have now a jerk? Say that you're searching for a setting where there is more leadership that you can observe.

●- Speak positively and concentrate on the benefits of taking action.

●- Express your appreciation for your current position by using phrases like "This job has been fantastic and I've learned a lot in the two years I've been here, but I feel I'm ready for __ now."

●- You came across as ambitious, driven, and eager to take on the next professional challenge.

Don’t:

●- Any negative remarks about your current workplace

●- Sound like you're attempting to get out of a poor circumstance, or that your current employment isn't working out for you, or that you're struggling to fit in, or that you're struggling to do the work because it's too challenging or hard.

●- Say that you're unsure.

Good sample answer:

I'm searching for more leadership positions, for example. I've worked at my current company for three years and have really enjoyed the experience, but I think it would be beneficial to join a larger organization and apply what I've learned in the past to manage more projects if I want to advance in my career. That's why I was excited about this project manager position.

6Describe a difficulty you've encountered and how you overcame it.

Focus on a particular work-related problem and describe how you conquered it, learned from it, utilized the resources available to you (including people/co-workers if appropriate), and how you came out on top! How to respond to this interview question is as follows. Don't get personal; keep it work-related.

DO

●- Describe the circumstances, the task you had to do, and the strategy you used (and why)

●- Share the results. What came out of it?

●- Share the lessons you took away from the event. Did you acquire knowledge that benefited your career?

Don’t:

●- Share any experiences you've had with personal disputes, fights, or disputes at work.

●- Describe a dispute you had.

●- Talk about a problem you couldn't solve or a hurdle you couldn't conquer.

Example of a response:

"At my last employment, we were up against a strict deadline, and my boss was away for the day. Our client's deadline for a project delivery was 5:00 PM, but we were well behind. I assumed leadership of the project and assigned work to the other four team members in a way that I believed would best play to each person's abilities.

I subsequently rearranged my own tasks so that I could spend the full day working on this project. The project was successful, and we completed the assignment on schedule. After that, I went on to manage more projects and applied what I had learned to do so.”

7How much money do you hope to earn?

Although it's incredibly crucial and the incorrect response could cost you thousands of dollars, this topic is frequently left off lists of typical job interview questions.

The greatest responses to this question follow one simple guideline:

DON'T :

●- Provide a particular amount or even the restricted salary range you're aiming for.

Why? In the job interview and job search process, you currently have the least amount of leverage.

This employer hasn't even concluded the interview process with you, and they don't even know if you're a good fit for the job.

Therefore, you currently cannot demand a big pay. Answering salary questions so early could cost you a lot of money.

Even if they would have offered you more, if you set your desired wage range too low, it may limit the offer you eventually receive. Alternatively, you could express concern that you fall short of their expectations.

Before people get to know you and see your value, you risk scaring them away if when you ask for a salary that is too high.

They might have been ready to stretch their budget to hire you after speaking with you after a few interviews, though! Recruiters constantly witness this.

Therefore, it would be counterproductive to disclose your pay goal before learning whether they are considering hiring you. Salary targets shouldn't be included in your preparation for a job interview, especially a first-round interview.

However, you can discuss some of your basic research into the general salary ranges for this kind of employment in your city.

Inform them that you're focused on locating the most suitable position and that you don't yet have a goal wage in mind.

If necessary, say this several times (if they press you or "push back" after your initial response).

Describe any study you've done into general salary ranges for your type of role, but only give a general range (for instance, a range of $50K to $75K).

Don’t:

●- Tell them the exact pay you're aiming for.

●- Give them the narrow salary range you are aiming for.

Example response:

"At the moment, my main priority is locating a position that will advance my career. I don't have a certain amount in mind just yet, but after I've done that, I'm happy to entertain any offer you believe is reasonable. Finding a career that fits me well and will enable me to advance my education and skills is my top objective. Having said that, I do have some initial research into compensation for this type of position here in Seattle and discovered that the average seems to fall in the $50K to $75K range, so if your job is within that range, I believe it makes sense to continue speaking”.

8Why should we really hire you?

When an employer asks "Why should we hire you," they're checking to see how well you understand the position and want to know how you think your skills may benefit them.

Consider their role, their requirements, and how you may assist them when you hear questions like this in an interview. How will hiring you assist them? What are you going to change for them? What will be simpler, more effective, or more successful?

And demonstrate that you did your homework. Make it obvious that you are aware of the responsibilities of the position and that you are prepared to carry out these duties in your next position.

Do:

●- Have faith in your talents and abilities.

●- Describe what you can do or accomplish for them specifically if they hire you.

●- Do your research before the interview and become familiar with their requirements so you can "tailor" your responses and focus on the particular items they'll require if they hire you for the position.

Don’t:

●- Say, "I'm not sure."

●- "You should hire anybody you want," you say.

●- Give a response that would work for any company. You must "tailor" this to the particular responsibilities you will be carrying out in THIS particular position. Otherwise, they won't be impressed with your response.

Typical interview response:

"I noticed from the job description that you are seeking someone with experience in ... I've been doing that for three years and can assist you right away.

9. Why did you quit your previous position?

There are numerous excellent responses to this interview query. There isn't a single "correct" response. Here are some recommendations:

If you decide to leave on your own terms, keep a good attitude and concentrate on the benefits you hoped to derive from your choice rather than criticizing yourself or drawing attention to the drawbacks you hoped to avoid.

Additionally, be honest and open if you were fired or laid off. Being evasive or attempting to conceal something won't make companies want to hire you.

If you were fired, explain what you took away from the situation and what you did to prevent it from happening again.

That is how you can make it look favorable.

Do:

●- Be direct, concise, and answer the question directly.

●- If you were dismissed, accept responsibility for it and explain what you did to prevent it from happening again. Instead of discussing the drawbacks of your previous position

Don’t:

●- Don't criticize or whine.

●- Never claim that you left your job due to a conflict or altercation with a co-worker.

●- Make no mention that making money is your first priority.

●- Avoid lying or trying to dodge the subject; doing so will just make the interviewer more curious and ask more questions.

Example response

I was initially employed for a project management position, but as time went on, that changed and I was no longer able to do the work I was interested in. I departed to explore a chance I thought was more consistent with the direction my career is taking.

10Do you wish to share any further information with us?

The employer might ask: Do you want to tell us anything else as we conclude the job is job interview?. the employer might inquire.

You have a choice when you hear this.

First, it's perfectly acceptable to say: "I thought the interview went well, and I have nothing more to say."

"No, I think we spoke about all the essential points here. If you're satisfied, then I am. However, I'm interested in your opinions, and I find the position intriguing”.

If you think the interview went well and you don't feel pressured to say more, this is natural and appropriate. This is not a ruse for a question in an interview.

However, feel free to mention anything you would like to have been asked about or something special about you that makes you stand out from the competition.

They genuinely want to know, so they're offering you the chance.

Even if they don't ask, you can still offer give yourself a chance to make a final point.

Simply inquire, "Is it okay if I provide one more detail? Something came to mind that I believe is pertinent. Most interviewers (99%) will respond "Yes, definitely!"

11Do you have any other questions for us?

Ineffective question-asking during interviews could result in you losing out on job offers.

Asking relevant questions demonstrates interest in the role and convinces hiring managers that you're seeking the ideal position rather than simply any job.

They will have greater faith in you and desire you as a result.

You might inquire about the job, the training, the difficulties you'd confront, and the company's general orientation.

Avoid asking questions unrelated to the job, such as those on pay, perks, vacation, or time off. Wait till they bring it up or until you are certain they want to make the you an offer.

Example response

"Yes, I actually have a few questions. I wanted to know if this was a newly created position or if someone had previously filled it. If so, what did that person do after leaving that job?

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