Written by: Arthur Gluzman, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
No matter how hard employers try to tailor the interview to the candidate and the role, some questions keep coming up. These basic interview questions are always relevant and eye-opening, no matter what job is at stake.
Below are nine common interview questions and an approach to answer each one. You may have undoubtedly seen some of these questions in your career. If they’ve caused you career opportunities in the past, then with the insights from this article, your story will most likely change on your next chance to a successful outcome. These strategies will help you prepare your answers to the most challenging interview questions you may be asked.
1. Tell Me a Little About Yourself?
Recruiters often ask this question to begin an interview. Rather than dive straight into the heart of the matter, your interviewer is merely asking you to introduce yourself. Since this is such a general question, what he wants to know is, “how well are you able to express yourself?”
While there are many possible ways to answer this question, we recommend you provide a brief career overview covering skills, certifications, and recent jobs. In addition, you can end your answer by giving your interviewer a summary of your hobbies without it becoming the main focus of your response.
To prepare for this question, we recommend you write a short professional biography (1 minute or less). You will be amazed at how practical it will be for you. When you have finished reading it, one of the points you mentioned will likely end up in the next question your interviewer will ask you.
2. What Are Your Main Strengths?
You will likely lose this question if you gauge your interviewer to tell them what they want to hear. Your best option is to be honest. You cannot construct a response for your interviewer without repercussions. Plus, you risk failure if you don’t keep your word once you’ve been hired. While choosing specific skills that match the job is ideal, your strengths can quickly be straightforward and suitable for any situation.
The common strengths encompass working productively despite deadlines, strong communication skills, and promptness to work. These abilities are often worth having, no matter your desired career.
3. What Are Your Major Weaknesses?
Contrary to the previous question, this one can be technical since you cannot divulge anything too detrimental that will prompt the employer to revoke their offer. In a situation like this, you must be strategic with your response. For instance, you might land yourself in an unfavorable outcome if you say you tend to procrastinate, which may lead to the undue prolonging of the task. So instead, discuss the positive critiques you have received in the past and the corrections they have prompted you to make.
Always be sure to emphasize how you are trying to correct a problem.
4. Why Should We Hire You?
This question is the perfect opportunity to highlight your highly relevant skills to the job you are looking for. It’s even better if you manage to emphasize a point that sets you apart from others in your field. Avoid self-centered responses such as “I’ve always wanted to work for you” or “this job will help me advance my career.” Instead, focus on the value you have to offer.
5. What Sets You Apart from Other Candidates?
Most of the interviewed candidates likely have comparable skills, so this question is only a variation of the previous question. Your approach to answering them should be the same: highlight your skills and explain the value you will bring to the business. An effective strategy here is to highlight your certifications and interdisciplinary skills, which are not the industry’s norm. Be sure to explain the reasons they make you a better fit for the job, though.
6. Describe a Conflict You Have Been Involved in and How it Was Resolved?
This is one of the most dreaded and tricky interview questions on this list. It is difficult for two reasons. First, it forces you to relate the facts on the spot. Second, it might reveal a weakness that you’d rather avoid. It might sound logical, but the best manner to respond to this kind of question is to describe a conflict with a cheerful ending, specifically the one you took responsibility for.
For instance, you and your boss disagreed about how to approach a new customer. In the end, you present a revised strategy representing a compromise based on aspects of both visions. In this story, you highlight your positive traits, such as your ability to collaborate and your team spirit. Remember, however, not to disparage and choose a conflict that presents your previous work in a negative light. You will never leave a good impression if you try to destroy others to look good!
7. Where Do You See Yourself in Five or Ten Years?
This question determines if the job you are applying for matches your long-term career plan. Will you be gone within a few months? Do you have unrealistic expectations about the future of the role? To answer this question, like many other interview questions, be honest. If you’re hoping to move up to a higher or managerial position, say so, but be realistic. Most interviewers will appreciate your ambition. After all, five years is a long time.
8. Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?
If you are leaving for some trivial reason, for example, to try to get a higher job or to get closer to home, be honest, and say so.
This question may be riskier if you have been fired or laid off. Even in such a case, honesty is the best policy since your interviewer may contact your previous employer's management. However, remember to end positively and explain what you learned from your mistakes.
Never speak badly about your previous or current employers. No matter how much you hate the job and even though your boss might be toxic, always be professional. You will be amazed at how small the world is when looking for a job. A negative attitude can make you seem like a difficult person and suddenly lead to an offer being withdrawn.
9. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
You don’t want to get stuck on a specific salary at this stage. Therefore, give a comfortable range, representing a starting point for your employer while leaving you the necessary leeway to negotiate before signing a possible contract. In doing so, you also send the ball back to the court of your prospective employer. It is he who will have to present you with a convincing offer that meets your expectations. Remember that you are only in the first stage of negotiations.
It is also essential to find out about salaries before your interview. For example, compare the wages of a few companies before arriving at an amount. Also, remember that salaries vary depending on where you live and your years of experience.
Conclusively, there is no doubt that these are just a few of the tough interview questions you will need to answer throughout your career. The best way to solve any interview question (whether or not on this list) is to prepare yourself, especially by undergoing a mock interview test. Then, if you are ready to answer questions on this list, you will be better positioned to answer any questions you will be asked.
Remember that the purpose of interviews is to find the right mix between employer and employee. Interviewers want your success as much as you do. They are not there to trip you up or to trick you. They want to convince themselves that they are hiring the right person! Be honest, and you will already be on the right track.
Arthur Gluzman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Arthur Gluzman, the founder is the CEO of a million-dollar recruitment company and a career coach. For more than 20 years, Arthur has coached and helped various individuals to get their dream jobs within 30 days. He has also helped top reputable companies recruit the best talent in their organizations. Using his 20 years of recruiting experience, he has helped CEO’s, CFO’s, VP’s, and Talent Acquisition Pros who are looking to hire and retain the best professionals and executives in the known Universe. "I encourage you to take your career to the next level. I believe it’s time for you to receive expert assistance in pinpointing your hidden strengths and passions while building unshakable confidence. Build your brand as an expert in your industry, just like any other leading expert. You will never feel stuck, undervalued, unappreciated, unrecognized, or underpaid ‒ Ever again in your lifetime. So…"
