So you have managed to successfully stand out from dozens of applicants and you have been called for an interview. As much as writing your cover letter and resume were difficult, a job interview can easily make even the most composed of individuals nervous. For many, job interviews feel like they’re “do or die”, and feeling as if you’ve screwed up a job interview can be devastating.
The good thing about job interviews is that for the most part, they’re all fairly similar. While there will be a couple of questions that will be specific to the job and the company, many of the most basic job interview questions remain the same. Here are five of the most common interview questions and how to answer them.
1. Why are you the best person for this job?
By asking you this question, the interviewer wants to know what skills you have that other job applicants do not have. This is your opportunity to list all of your strengths. Be sure to relate these strengths directly to the position you are interviewing for. When responding, remember – this is less of a brag session and more of a pitch to convince the employer that you are the best person for the job.
2. What is your biggest accomplishment professionally?
Now that you’ve already discussed your strengths, it’s time for you to give the interviewer an example of how you’ve used these skills. Give an example that is relevant to the position you’re interviewing for, even if it is not necessarily your biggest professional accomplishment. The point is to convince your employer that you can do the job and prove that you have done it well in the past.
3. Tell me about your last job.
This is your opportunity to emphasize the skills that you have successfully used in your previous job. Highlight how you were able to contribute to your previous company and the ways in which you added value to the team you were in. You can also give examples of your success stories and your relationship with your boss and colleagues.
4. What are your weaknesses?
It is understandable that people do not want to talk about their weaknesses. However, being able to answer this question with poise will demonstrate that you are self-aware and are able to acknowledge your weak points. Nobody is perfect, and accepting that means that you are open to learning and collaborating with people who are good in the things that you aren’t.
5. How would your past colleagues and/or manager describe you?
No matter where you work, it’s important to have a good company culture where everyone gets along and there are no communication gaps. By asking this question, the employer wants to know how good your communication and interpersonal skills are. Highlight instances where you were able to display these skills successfully. Be honest when you are answering this question, as your employer will be calling your previous employer for reference.