5 Most Common Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

Companies today spend an excessive amount of money to perfect their interview experience. This is because, in today’s market, finding the best and most suitable candidates is nothing less than winning a lottery. However, it is also a difficult situation for the candidate who has to go through a rigorous process to get the job.The interview is one of the most important parts of the recruitment process. However, with the right approach, candidates can excel in these interviews. According to a survey by CareerBuilder, nearly 60% of employers have identified poor interview preparation as a common reason for rejecting candidates. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of preparing for common interview questions, helping you approach them confidently and competently.

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Why is it important to prepare for common interview questions?

Before we dive into the 5 common interview questions, let’s first explore why preparing for them is of utmost importance:

Demonstrates genuine interest

One of the reasons why it is important to prepare for an interview is to show the company that you are interested in the job. Candidates must also realize that companies nowadays look for talent and whether they are suitable for the company. The importance of soft skills has also risen recently due to companies valuing traits such as leadership, teamwork, and managerial skills.

Aligns your skills and experiences

A survey by LinkedIn found that 52 percent of employees incorrectly identified the job description, a misconception that was only cleared either in the interview or when they received the job offer. This is why it is important for candidates to carefully go through the job description so as to ensure that they have the required skills for the job. 

After this, they should also understand the company’s goals and check whether they are suitable for the role. This helps candidates opt for only those companies where they enjoy working and at their maximum efficiency.

Boosts confidence and reduces stress

Another advantage of being well-prepared for the interview is that the candidate is confident and can go through the process efficiently. It also means that the candidate massively improves his chance of excelling in the interview, thus increasing his prospects of getting the job. According to a 2022 survey by Glassdoor, 88 percent of recruiters were impressed by the candidates who researched the company and were well-prepared for the interview.

Also Read: What is the Importance of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace?

5 common interview questions that you should be ready for 

The following is a list of 5 common interview questions to assist you in formulating thoughtful and comprehensive answers that showcase your qualifications:

Tell me a little about yourself?

The interviewer is looking for an insightful glimpse into your professional journey by asking this question. To address it effectively, begin by providing a summary of your work history. Emphasize ke­y accomplishments and highlight qualifications that align with the company’s requirements. This offers an opportunity to establish a strong foundation for the remainder of the interview.

Tip: When responding to this question, structure your answer using the “Present-Past-Future” framework. Start by briefly discussing your current role and key responsibilities, then highlight your past experiences that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

What are your long-term career plans?

Take into account a specific timeline, five or ten years down the road, and express your career aspirations. Elaborate on how the role and the company align with your career objectives, underscoring the advantages for both parties. Convey your unwavering commitment to your career trajectory and how this position seamlessly integrates into your professional journey.

What made you leave your previous job?

It’s best to be concise yet thorough when explaining why you left your previous job. Emphasize your quest for fresh challenges, your ambition for career advancement, and how it aligns with your broader professional goals. It’s essential to maintain a positive tone throughout and refrain from commenting negatively about your former employer or colleagues. Present your departure as a logical and progressive step in your career journey, demonstrating your commitment to growth and development.

Also Read: Candidate Funnel: Optimize Your Hiring Process for Better Results

Tip: Be honest yet strategic in your response. Don’t directly say negative about your previous company, give smart answers.

Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses?

When discussing your strengths, showcase three key attributes that underscore your value to the company. Support these with concrete examples from your work experience, demonstrating how your strengths have contributed to past successes. Regarding weaknesses, discuss two areas where you are actively engaged in self-improvement. This shows your self-awareness and commitment to personal and professional growth, enhancing your candidacy.

Why do you want to work here?

You should thoroughly research the company before your interview and express ge­nuine interest in the company’s mission, values, and culture. It is essential to explain how your skills and experiences align with the company’s specific nee­ds, providing examples of how your contribution can help the company achieve its objectives. This approach showcases your authe­ntic enthusiasm and deep understanding of the organization and its goals, thereby re­inforcing your suitability for the role.

Also Read: Troubleshooting Hiring Funnel: Boost Your Conversion Rates Effectively

All-in-one Strategies for Each Question

Research and Practice:

Prior to the interview, research the company’s values, mission, and recent developments. Use this information to tailor your answers. Practice your responses aloud, possibly with a friend or through mock interviews. This will help you refine your answers and become more comfortable speaking about your experiences.

Use the STAR Method:

For behavioral questions, employ the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Clearly outline a situation from your past, the task at hand, the actions you took, and the results achieved. This structured approach ensures your answers are concise and focused on your contributions.

What Are The Commonly Accepted Strengths and Weaknesses?

1. Strengths:

Problem-Solving:

You should describe a specific instance where your analytical skills helped resolve a challenging situation.

Team Collaboration:

Highlight a project where your ability to work with others led to a successful outcome.

Adaptability:

You must also share an example of a time when you successfully adjusted to changes in the workplace or took on new responsibilities.

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2. Weaknesses:

Perfectionism:

Acknowledge that your attention to detail can lead to longer project completion times. Discuss how you’re learning to balance quality with efficiency. Be smart here.

Public Speaking:

So, if this is a weakness, mention that you’re actively working on it by seeking opportunities to present in smaller group settings or taking a public speaking course. Don’t be nervous, majority of people in company are an expert orator.

Delegation:

Explain how you’re learning to trust team members with tasks to enhance productivity and collaboration. This is fine, as people builds trust very slow.

Also Read: How Interview Data Analysis Is Reducing Interview Bias?

Conclusion: Stand out in Your Interview

Mastering the art of answering common interview questions is crucial to securing your dream job. These questions serve as the gateway to a deeper conversation with your potential employer, providing an opportunity to showcase your qualifications and unique value. By understanding the importance of these queries, crafting thoughtful responses, and embracing the opportunity to connect with your interviewers, you can distinguish yourself from your competitors. Remember, effective preparation not only equips you with the right answers but also helps build the confidence needed to navigate interviews successfully.

By understanding the importance of these­ queries and formulating well-pre­pared answers, you can distinguish yourself from your competitors. The goal is not merely to provide the “correct” responses but to showcase­ one’s professionalism, ambition, and self-aware­ness.

While it is important for every candidate to prepare carefully for an interview, not everyone does so. This makes the job of interviewing tough as, more often than not, due to incorrect CV sorting, such candidates could get through the interview process. However, what if the recruiter had access to a tool that could take over the boring and monotonous tasks from the interviewer? A kind of digital assistant to the interviewer.

This is exactly what BarRaiser does. So, what is the first step of the interview process? It is the sorting of CVs. This is the first and also the most obvious part of the recruitment process, where bias can seep into the system. So, BarRaiser selects the best CVs by deploying an AI algorithm that filters for keywords to select the best and most suitable resumes for the job. 

Following this, it takes instructions from the interviewer and a Structured interview format questionnaire. An example of such instructions of this can be as follows:

• ‘Create a questionnaire for the role of a product manager with a minimum experience of five years. The interview should be one round and 60 minutes long and divided into five parts: introduction, career till now, skills testing, goals and objectives, and salary negotiation’.

With just this statement, the interviewer has done a task within seconds, which earlier used to take several hours. Also, during the interview, our AI bot always keeps giving key inputs to the recruiter, such as time left in the interview and questions to ask. It also raises an alert if it sees discriminatory behavior from the interviewer, as we at BarRaiser believe that there should be checks and balances in the interview process. Post-interview, the AI bot generates a report on the interviewer’s conduct. Thai includes uploading the entire interview with the transcripts in little video snippets on the dashboard where every stakeholder can view it.

Also Read: How BarRaiser eliminates the need for interview debriefs