Preparing well before an interview will definitely help you get a step closer to securing your desired role. One of the things that you might need to get ready for is to know the common job interview questions you are likely to be asked. It’s worth spending time in advance to research sample questions and consider that as a guide that you can use to practice your responses.
Be aware that interview questions are asked for very important reasons and are mutually beneficial to both the job seeker and prospective employer. As a job seeker, you get a chance to highlight your skills, knowledge, abilities, accomplishments, and communicate your thought process and at the same time, the employer will get to know more of you beyond what you have written on your resume.
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“There are two elements to nailing a job interview: form and substance. ‘Form’ describes the outer layer of your character – your manners, your demeanour, your social skills. ‘Substance’ describes the inner core of your character – your intellect, your empathy, your creativity.”
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When you are given the cue that the interview is done, you may also ask questions because doing so actually demonstrates your eagerness in the role you’re applying for.
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“Get to know the job intimately that you’re applying for. Don’t just read the job description – study it and picture yourself performing every task required of you. When you interview, framing your responses so that you reveal your significant knowledge about the job gives you a massive advantage.“
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Also read the article: Job interview checklist
Here are some common interview questions and some tips on how to respond:
Tell me about yourself
You can provide a combination of personal and professional information about yourself that is aligned with the role you applied for, in order to show how you might be a strong candidate. As much as possible, try to share new information but make it strong and concise to gain the attention and interest of the interviewer.
Why do you want to work for the company?
Show your sincerity and your commitment to perform once you’re hired. Think more about what you can do for the company rather than what the company can do for you. This idea should help you provide a good answer to this question.
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“One of the most common mistakes for an entry-level job interview is to take the position: ‘What is this job going to do for me?’ You should be saying ‘Here’s what I can do and here’s what I want to do to help you.’“
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What motivates you?
Think of example scenarios when you know you know you have achieved something important to you and the things you did to overcome the obstacles you faced. Providing some concrete scenarios will show the interviewer how you were motivated to succeed. Another variation of this question is “What are you passionate about?”
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“The best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.“
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