Popular Job Interview Questions You May Be Asked
If you are aware of the popular job interview questions you may be asked at a job interview, you are more likely to feel at ease and perform well.
Nowadays interviews can be conducted in a variety of forms. Some organisations use Psychometric questionnaires and tests to evaluate potential employees. Others prefer to interview on a 1-2-1 basis while many organisation adopt a panel interview format.
It is important to remember that the purpose of an interview is to assess your suitability for the job on offer and the organisation offering it. During the course of an interview there are many ways this can be done.
You may find that you are asked to deliver a job related presentation or to prepare and present a written report. If you know that you will be required to complete such a task, it is wise to find out how long you have and ensure you allow yourself enough time.
Popular Interview Questions
Below we have listed some of the popular interview questions you should expect at an interview.
1. Tell Me About Yourself?
This is one of the most popular interview questions. We have covered this in depth here.
2. What Do You Like Most About Your Current Job?
The best way to answer this question is to relate to the job for which you are applying. For example if you are currently working as a hairdresser and applying for a salon manager role; you could highlight the creativity, the ability to interact with your clients and colleagues. But also include the fact that you train junior members of staff, are responsible for rotas etc.
3.Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
The interviewer probably understands that you are going to give a restricted answer; after all you are applying for this job. You might reply to this by saying “I feel that opportunities where I can join a successful company such as this one doesn’t often arise.” Try not to be negative about the job you are leaving, it doesn’t look good to reflect badly on another organisation.
4.What Do You Think This Job Entails?
When you are applying for a new job, it is very important that you do your research; i.e. find out what your new job will entail. For example, if the job is a secretarial role and you are a secretary you will know what sort of work you are going to be involved with. You will have been given a job description and the responsibilities you will be required to undertake, so you should be able to give a clear-cut answer to this popular interview question. If this is a role you have not previously performed, find out before the interview.
5. What Made You Apply For This Job?
Although this may be a popular interview question your interviewer isn’t necessarily looking for an answer here that is clear-cut. What the interviewer wants to see if there are any particular parts of the role that really attract you to it. So dependent upon what the role is you should tailor this answer to whatever role you are applying for and highlight your best skills and qualities relative to the role. Remember to give examples.
6. What Qualities Do You Think You Can Bring To This Job?
You know that you can do this job and that is why you have applied for it. Not only do you know that you can do the job, you will do it better than any one else so you will be aware of the qualities you are going to bring to the role. Review the job description and the key responsibilities and select several areas where you feel your qualities will stand out.
7. What Is Your Greatest Strength?
Only you can answer this question, but it is a question that will more than likely be asked, after all, the interviewer wants to know what you are good at. This question gives you pretty much an open mandate to really show off, or so to speak. When answering this popular interview question try and provide strengths that relate to the role that you are applying for, so if the job requires the need to be organised and a good team leader provide these as strengths within your answer.
8. What Is Your Biggest Weakness?
A question that leaves many uncomfortable; after all no one wants to show their weaknesses even though we all have them. Probably the best way of dealing with this question is to try and turn a ‘positive’ from a ‘negative’. A good answer to this popular interview question could be to offer a weakness you used to have, but you can demonstrate you have addressed, e.g. “I am not a natural with computers; however I enrolled on an IT course and am now waiting to take my advanced exams.”
9. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years Time?
Try and answer this popular job interview question positively but not too arrogantly – perhaps you could say offer an answer such as “I have always been very career minded and I would like to keep progressing up the career ladder and believe that your organisation will be able to offer me that opportunity if I prove that I merit promotion.” Don’t say “doing your job!” Although you might mean it in a humorous manner the interviewer might not see it that way and you don’t want your interviewer thinking you are potentially a threat to his or her job in the future.
10. What Would Your Work Colleagues Say About You?
This popular interview question provides another opportunity for you to demonstrate that you are easy to get on with, a team player and a generally pleasant person who works well with other people. You could answer this question with a quote such as “I am an organised, approachable, dependable, easy to get on with team member who is always willing to offer my advice or assistance to colleagues where needed”. Don’t go over board with your answer making out you are something you are not – you may get away with stretching the truth but if you are not a “natural team leader” don’t say you are!
11. What Would Your Friends Say About You?
Obviously this question is similar to the one above. If you are a popular, kind, caring person who can be counted on and would help a friend out at the drop of a hat then let your interviewer know.
12. What Interests Do You Have Outside Of Work?
This popular job interview question is obviously asked to try and ascertain what you are like outside of your working environment. If you don’t like football or snooker don’t say that you do, just provide honest answers. There is nothing worse than saying you follow a sport and then it turning out that the interviewer is mad about the subject and starts asking you questions you can’t answer you will look a fool and your honesty will be under scrutiny!
Many people under-estimate the importance hobbies and interests outside of work can have to a future employer. Remember this question can give clues as to how you might fit in with other work colleagues and an insight into your personality.
By familiarising yourself with these popular job interview questions you are likely to be asked, your interview skills presentation will seem more natural and your confidence will increase. You can also find some difficult interview questions and interview questions you may be asked here at The Personal Development Cafe.
Using the services of an interview coach to prepare for a job interview
Do you suffer from interview nerves or need help with an important promotion? Or are you preparing for your first job interview? If you need advice to help with an interview, why not consider using a professional interview coach?
The popular interview questions we have highlighted are very likely to be asked at interview. However, the interviewer is not going to be impressed if the reply appears fake. Working with an interview coach, you can agree on specific answers that are unique to you AND sincere before your interview.
If you have any interview tips, a topic you wish to raise or questions you would like answered, you can post by using our comments form below. All comments will be reviewed and then posted as soon as possible.
