The 5 Most Common Interview Questions and Their Answers

Going to an interview for the first time is nerve-wracking. You might feel anxious and unprepared. Applying for a job is a huge deal, and you’ve made it so far! You have a lot to congratulate yourself for.

The best way to calm down those nerves and make sure you’re fully prepared for your new interview is to study and practice some common questions. After you’re a veteran interviewee, you will find that recruiters ask the same questions over and over. Here are 5 of them, as well as some ways to provide good answers.

Study this and you’re on track to passing your interview with flying colors!

1. Tell me a little about yourself.

This isn’t technically a question, but it is a common inquiry that most interviewers use to start off an interview. You don’t need to dig deep into your personal life - it isn’t a therapy session. However, it is merely a test to show the interviewer how you see yourself. Talk a little bit about your educational background, work history, and skills you’ve developed over the years. Try to transform it into a conversation about how you’d make a great addition to their team.

2. Why is this company a good fit for you?

This is another test. You should research the company beforehand to understand what its values are and how you would fit in with the culture. And, of course, you need to be familiar with the job description you’re applying for. Talk about how this job would grant you the opportunities you’ve been looking for to boost your career. Make it as specific to that company as possible.

3. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

This is possibly one of the questions that people dread the most. It’s hard to talk about your strengths, and even harder to mention your weaknesses. Especially because you don’t want to come across as someone who is unfit for the role. Just be sure to maintain confidence and don’t be hard on yourself. Talk about strengths that are relative to the job role. And when it comes to weaknesses, just talk about certain skills you would love the opportunity to improve upon.

4. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

This question translates to: what are your career goals? Don’t say you hope to be on a yacht or cashing million-dollar checks. Try to talk about the bigger picture. Do you hope to move up the corporate ladder? Do you want to get a promotion into a different job role? Perhaps you can say that your goal is to be in management within five years. Or, perhaps you are building up to an opportunity where you can have your very own office. Above all, show them that you are dedicated to the company and the position and that you won’t be abandoning them a couple of years down the line. Check out WallStreet Mastermind for some of the most common interview questions and some of the best interview tips given by real people who got real jobs in some of the most competitive sectors out there.

5. Do you have any questions for me?

This is usually the last question they will ask during an interview. This is your final chance to make a good impression. You really want this job, and you want to show them that you are proactive in your pursuit of this position. Come up with some intelligent questions to ask. Some examples could be:

l  What can you expect of me before joining the team?          
           

l  Are there any specific tools or resources you use that I should familiarize myself with?     
           

l  Does your company have further plans for expansion?       
           

l  Can you tell me more about yourselves?

Just like they are looking to see if you are a good fit for them, you want to be sure that they are a good fit for you too. It’s important to make this lasting impression a positive one.