Common Interview Questions

Whether you have been attending interviews regularly or trying after a long time, there are always questions that catch you off-guard. Whenever you attend an interview it is important to be totally honest with the interviewer.

Provide clear and concise answers without embellishing the truth especially about facts that can be verified from other sources. Listed below are a few common questions that you may face at your next interview and how to tackle them.

Tell me a little about yourself.

This is a common opening question so be well prepared for it. Your answer shouldn’t appear too rehearsed. Talk about the jobs you have held, highlighting key responsibilities held in the past.

Why do you want to leave your present job?

It is important to stay positive and avoid blaming management or co-workers. Provide a positive reason like searching for new opportunities.

What experience do you have in this field?

It is important to cover experiences that are related to the position you are applying for.

What do you know about this organisation?

It is critical to read up about what the organisation is into, current events and what the company’s competitors are doing.

What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Cover activities that are related to the work at hand. Activities that you are involved in for self-improvement can be brought up at this point.

Why do you want to work for this organisation?

Your answer will need to be based on your research regarding the organisation and connected to your long term career goals.

Do you know anyone who works for us?

Only answer if you have friends who you are on good terms with. Avoid mentioning relatives as the company may have a policy of relatives not working with each other.

What kind of salary do you expect?

A tricky question to answer, quoting a specific figure may go either way. You could tell the interviewer it depends on the details of the job and you expect to be remunerated adequately for the skills that you bring to the table.

How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Avoid a straightforward answer especially if you have plans to hop companies in the near future. An answer like ‘as long as we both feel we are doing a good job’ is ideal.

What irritates you about co-workers?

This is a question framed to trap unsuspecting candidates. Avoid a direct answer. Instead say you seem to get along fine with everyone and have no gripes that come to mind.

What is your greatest strength?

This is a relative easy question to answer. Focus on something you are genuinely good at like your ability to prioritize, problem solving skills, focus, diligence and leaderships skills.

Tell me about your dream job.

A generic answer will work in such a situation. Naming a specific job may raise worries about you jumping ship. Saying the job you are applying for comes across as fake.

Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.

This is another tricky question where the interviewer is trying to force you to bad-mouth your former boss. Don’t fall for the trap at any cost; answer that you can’t recollect any major problem.

What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Mention some small mistake and the value you have gained from learning from that mistake. Focus on a well-intentioned mistake like working far ahead of colleagues which leads to loss of co-ordination.

Do you have any questions for me?

In closing it is important to clear any queries you may have about the working conditions of the company. Questions that portray you as an asset to the company will help.

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