Job interviews are often stressful, and it doesn't help that the questions you're asked in an interview can feel so unwelcoming. While you can't know for certain which questions your interviewer might ask you, you can prepare for the most common ones.
Here's a list of the nine most common job interview questions and how to answer them.
1. Tell Us About Yourself
This is probably the first question the interviewer is going to ask you. Make sure your answer is relevant to the position you're applying for. Don't bring up things like your parents, religion, marital status, or such. Instead, talk about your experience, skills, education, achievements, goals, hobbies, etc.
Example:
I've been a digital marketer for over five years now, currently working at XYZ Ltd handling some of our biggest clients such as A, B, and C. I'm skilled at SEO, SEM, SMM, etc. With my academic background in business management and marketing, I've learned how to manage people, time, events, and money which I used as a means to help land our company a $120,000 project last year.
2. Why Do You Want to Work for Us?
With this question, the interviewer wants to see if you took the time to learn a few things about the company, or are you here just to get a job. The latter is an innocent reason, but saying it out loud isn't going to help. They want to know why you thought this company is a good fit for you.
Example:
There are multiple reasons, but the strongest one is definitely your values. I recently came across a Linkedin post about how your team did some amazing social work last September to help the locals after the floods. That really inspired me and I felt inclined to work with people who share the same virtues as mine.
3. Why Should We Hire You?
This question is a test to see how well you can sell yourself. What is it about you that makes you a better fit for this position than other applicants? What's your selling point? You can answer this question by highlighting your achievements, personality traits, qualities, or vision.
Example:
I think I'm a great fit for this position because of its nature. Being a marketing manager takes a complex mix of technical and social skills to balance analytics and human emotions. It's a tough challenge that I feel I'm capable of overcoming. In fact, last Christmas, I was recognized as Employee of the Month for directing one of the most successful marketing campaigns our company has ever launched.
4. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
This question is meant to check whether you have a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit; it has nothing to do with your actual career plan. The interviewer is trying to access if your performance as an employee will stagnate over time, or will you be able to take on additional responsibility later on.
Example:
I see myself in a senior management position overlooking key business activities. I feel I can do a lot more if given the necessary resources and power. I want to create and deliver more value, something that makes people's lives better. And that is only possible if I can contribute to making company-wide decisions and strategies.
5. How Do You Handle Conflict at Work?
Before you answer this question, ask your interviewer what kind of conflict are they talking about. Is it a conflict of interest? Task-based conflict? Leadership conflict? Creative conflict? Discrimination? Ask them to clarify their question. Different conflicts need different responses. Let's assume it's a creative conflict.
Example:
If my coworker and I don't agree on a specific strategy, I don't see that as a bad thing. After all, you need different perspectives to create new ideas. I'd just talk to them and try to come up with a solution. I may even ask a senior to help us make a decision. Either way, my way of handling conflicts is through patience and understanding.
6. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?
This question is a bit tricky because what's appropriate might not always be honest. Don't say things like your boss made you work overtime for free, your coworker didn't listen to you, or your manager took all the credit for your work. It might be true, but this is not the place to complain and blame.
Example:
I love working at my current job, but I feel there aren't enough opportunities available for me to grow within the company. I've reached my performance cap. I'm looking for a company that can offer me those opportunities and can harness my growth by giving me additional responsibilities.
7. What Is Your Current Salary?
This question is where the salary negotiation begins. Just revealing your current salary out loud is rarely the right way to answer this question. Instead, it might be better to delay this question for later when you have more info about the company and what's expected of you.
Example:
As I said, I'm looking for more responsibility, so I don't think it would be fair to weigh up my current position as a reference for this one. I would need to look at the entire package you're offering for this role to be sure that we're comparing apples to apples.
8. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Before answering this question, make sure you know your market value and have a clear range in mind. You can try to delay this question just like the last one, but if they insist, have a number ready. Either way, do ask about their salary structure and the benefits they offer.
Example:
We'll come to that, but for now, I'm more interested in getting a full picture of my relationship with the company. I need to know how you weigh your salary structure, the benefits you offer, and how my work will contribute to the company's success. Could you help me with these things?
9. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
This is usually the last question the interviewer will ask you. Never answer this question with a no. It might feel like you've covered everything, but there are still plenty of things to ask about. Plus, you responding with a no to this answer can come across as if you're not that interested in this position.
Example:
I do. Given our conversation so far, do you have any concerns about my eligibility for this role? What problems is the company currently facing? What metrics are used to measure performance? What are some of the biggest challenges the company has overcome and the biggest milestones you're aiming for in the long term?
Be Clear on What You Offer
It's expected to be a little nervous at an interview, but don't let it distract you. Remember, in an interview, it's not about you but about what the company you're applying for wants in you.
Know your worth and be clear on what you can offer. Use the above examples to practice your communication and negotiation skills.