How to Ace Common Interview Questions

You’ve spent hours perfecting your CV and resume and you’ve finally locked down the interview. Congratulations! At this point, your potential employer has seen that you have the necessary qualifications; now it’s just a matter of seeing how well you would fit in with the team. In every interview, there are some common but essential questions that are bound to come up. Here’s how to tackle them like a pro:

Q: Why do you want to work at _____?
This question is a staple in almost every interview. Its purpose is to gauge whether you have a genuine interest in working for the company. If they are going to invest in you as an employee, they need to know that you are equally committed to investing in them. To answer this question effectively, do your research on the company. Have specific reasons why you want to work for them that you can refer to and genuinely appreciate. Make the connection between the company’s focus or values with your own interests. Avoid general statements and really impress your interviewer with how much you know about the company. If you are an experienced professional, you can also mention what you want to accomplish at the organization and identify areas where you can make improvements.

Q: Tell me about a time you displayed _____?
Usually, this question will fill in the blank with qualities such as leadership or time management. These questions stem from the traits that the employer is looking for in their future employees. Most people expect this question and can recall a specific story to answer it. But to stand out, take it one step further. After sharing your story, make sure to link it back to how you can apply that experience to the job you are applying for. For example, if you worked at a summer camp and you are currently applying for an HR position, talk about how your organizational skills from the camp allowed you to keep track of 20 kids and plan activities for them. Then mention that from what you understand about the position, you will need to manage a team of 15. State that you believe you can use the skills you learned from your camp experience to effectively keep track of each team member’s progress and tasks. By building the bridge for the employer, you are telling them that you are not just a good candidate, but you are the perfect fit for the job.

Q: What’s your biggest weakness?
The “weakness” question is always a tricky one to answer, but there are ways to tackle it that can make you more attractive to a potential employer. First and foremost, never mention a weakness that would be detrimental to the job you are applying for. Also, avoid turning something positive into a weakness, such as saying that you are a perfectionist or that you work too hard. Everyone has weaknesses; the key is to identify one that would not impede your success in the position and emphasize the steps you have taken to mitigate it. Employers know that no one is perfect, and they can appreciate if you recognize this as well. Stating a genuine weakness may actually prove that you are self-aware and understand how to overcome barriers that may exist.

Q: Do you have any questions?
When an employer asks if you have any questions, always say yes. Here’s why: There is no way you know everything about the company purely from their website or job description. Asking intelligent questions shows that you did your research and are genuinely interested in the company. Some good follow-up questions could be about specific details of the job or the company’s upcoming goals and visions. It’s also important to ask questions that give you a better understanding of the company and help you determine if it’s a place where you would want to work. No matter what questions they throw at you, remember that you are interviewing for something specific. Stay in the context of the organization and make sure your answers relate to the job.

But most importantly, smile, be friendly, and practice beforehand. Remember, they already know that you have the necessary qualifications. They just want to see if you would be a good fit for the team – someone they wouldn’t mind spending most of their workday with. So have fun and try to make a connection with your interviewer. Good luck!

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