Answers to typical job interview questions
Do you know how to answer the most common job interview questions? Or are you one of many who is unknowingly giving answers that hurt your chances of getting the job?
Most people see a job interview as an unpleasant experience, but often that discomfort comes from being unprepared. If you’re ready to answer the questions ahead of time, the actual interview will go more smoothly and be less stressful.
Read on to learn how to answer the most common job interview questions:
1. So, tell me a little bit about yourself. Almost every job interview starts out with this tough question. Your 60-second answer should be a borderline brag statement filled with enthusiasm and tailored for the position you’re interviewing for.
Short and sweet, your response should be powerful, memorable and give the interviewer some insight into your personality and skill set. Most importantly your answer should include numbers: years of experience, percentage of sales and number of supervised employees if applicable.
2. Why did you leave your last job? Although it might be tempting if you had a bad experience, now is not the time to vent about a bad boss. If you left due to a strained relationship with your manager or a general dislike for the job, explain that you’re seeking a more challenging position or are looking to take your career in a different direction. No matter how you answer, never badmouth your last job—nothing good can come from it.
3. Where do you see yourself in five years? Let the employer know that you’re stable and you want to be with this company for the long haul. Keep your aspirations to take over the firm with which you are interviewing, own your own company, retire at 40 or be married with five children to yourself.
4. Tell me about the worst boss you ever had. Never, ever talk badly about your past bosses. A potential boss will anticipate that you’ll talk about him or her in the same manner somewhere down the line.
5. Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?
This question is tricky because you don’t want to paint yourself as a lone wolf, but you also don’t want to come off as too reliant on a team. The best answer is a balance of both, where you illustrate that in certain situations you prefer to work alone, but in general you are always a team player at heart.
The Bottom Line
Keep in mind that we are all our worst critics. Even if you think you may have screwed up the job interview, your impression may not be the same as theirs. Stay calm, take time to formulate a good answer, practice beforehand and know your resume inside and out. You will feel less nervous, the more prepared you are and interviewers do understand that every job interview comes with a certain amount of nervousness and pressure.