Confidence during an interview can be achieved by knowing what you will be asked and how to respond to questions in a way that leaves a good impression. The key to a successful interview is preparation.
Hiring managers aim to assess candidates to understand their skills, experience, suitability for the position, and potential contribution to the role, ensuring alignment with specific job requirements.
Keep in mind what the hiring manager cares about and prepare for these common questions.
10 Common question
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What motivates you?
- How do you overcome stressful work situations?
- Why should we hire you?
- What is the most difficult situation you have faced at work?
- Why do you want to leave your current employer?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Can you tell me about yourself?
This question often kicks things off. The key is not to explain your entire life story but to provide a professional overview. You need to highlight your skills, experiences, and why you are a good fit for the position.
What are your strengths?
Focus on strengths related to the position. Provide examples of how these strengths have positively impacted your work in the past. Many companies outline their expectations for new employees on the hiring page of their website. Make sure to check it before the interview.
What are your weaknesses?
The key to this question is explaining how you handle your weaknesses. The hiring manager aims to gauge your self-awareness and commitment to personal and professional development.
What motivates you?
Managers want to know if you fit with the position and company. Ensure your motivation aligns with the company’s values and goals. Be honest, but it’s essential to research the company and understand its vision and mission.
How do you overcome stressful work situations?
Hiring managers want to know if you can handle stress. Share specific strategies and experiences, such as time management or seeking support when needed.
Why should we hire you?
Summarize your skills and experiences, explaining how you uniquely fit the position. Tailor your response to align with specific details about the position. The key to this question is highlighting what sets you apart from other candidates.
What is the most difficult situation you have faced at work?
Provide an experience relevant to the position or the skills expected. Focus on how you navigated through it and the positive outcomes or lessons learned. It demonstrates your ability to improve your skills through challenges.
Why do you want to leave your current employer?
If currently employed, explain that you are a responsible person and provide a good reason for wanting to change jobs. For example, talk about seeking new challenges, improving your career, or aligning with the company’s values.
Do you have any questions for me?
Show your grateful interest by preparing questions. Inquire about company culture, team dynamics, or the next steps in the hiring process. It demonstrates your enthusiasm and engagement.
Conclusion | Preparing in advance for the interview is crucial
Start by researching the company and understanding its values, goals, and what the hiring manager expects of you. Practice common interview questions and formulate thoughtful responses. For international students, taking job interviews in English can be challenging. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become, increasing your chances of success in interviews.
