So you’ve landed an interview for your dream job. Congrats! Now it’s time to get ready for the big day. Experts say the best way to prepare is to practice how to answer the most common interview questions that could potentially come your way. This will only add to your confidence, and who knows, you may even nail that all-important job offer!
Here are some tips on answering five of the most common interview questions during interviews. Good luck!
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
This is a classic interview “icebreaker” question designed to give both you and the interviewer some insight into who you are as a person.
Some things to keep in mind when answering this question: Try not to ramble – instead, prepare a brief answer that highlights your key accomplishments, awards, skills, and experiences that are relevant to the position. Also, be careful not to focus only on your career aspirations – interviewers want to get to know you as a person, so try to work in some personal details too.
Here’s an example of how you might answer this question:
“I’m an experienced marketing professional with strong problem-solving skills. I’m known for identifying opportunities and acting quickly to develop creative solutions that drive business growth. My main areas of expertise are new market development, brand awareness, social media marketing, and demand generation.”
2. “What are your greatest strengths?”
As you might imagine, interviewers aren’t expecting a laundry list of every single thing you’ve ever done well. However, you must talk about your strengths – if only to highlight why you’re a strong candidate for the job. Some things to keep in mind when preparing your answer:
Be specific – focus on skills and traits relevant to this particular position (e.g., communication, analytical thinking).
Be relevant – don’t mention skills or experiences that have nothing to do with the job itself.
Be confident – avoid using a negative tone (e.g., “I’m a perfectionist”).
Here’s an example of how you might answer this question:
“I think one of my greatest strengths is my empathy and understanding for people. Whether at work or outside of the office, I’m always looking for ways to help others and make their lives better. This drive has led me to win awards for my innovative marketing campaigns and spearheading new initiatives.”
3. “What do you consider to be your biggest weakness?”
This is a tricky question – because everyone knows that interviewers are looking for you to say something along the lines of “I’m a perfectionist.” A lot of candidates will come up with a cliché, but it usually falls flat. Plus, interviewers know it is false anyway. So how should you answer the question? Some things to keep in mind when answering this question:
Be honest – but try to spin your answer positively.
Don’t be negative – focus on what you’ve improved or how you’ll use this weakness to work even more challenging once you’re hired. Here’s an example of how you might answer this question:
“Sometimes I get frustrated when things aren’t working out – and rather than continue to work at it, I’ll throw in the towel early. So I’ve been working hard on staying focused and putting in the extra effort.”
4. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
This is one of the most common interview questions – so be ready to answer it! Interviewers want to hire people committed to their future, so you must share this vision with them. Some things to keep in mind when preparing your answer:
Be honest – if you don’t see yourself working for the interviewer’s company, then say so!
Keep it simple – try not to get too specific (e.g., “I hope I’m the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Company XYZ”).
Be positive – use words that depict growth and success. Here’s an example of how you might answer this question:
“In five years, I hope to have made a significant impact in my field. My goal is to lead a team of talented marketers who are committed to producing quality work that will increase sales and revenue.”
Are you ready to make a big change in your career?
Contact the recruiters at ProSource Staffing to see how we can help you!
