The 5 most common questions in a job interview and how to answer them

In general, not many people enjoy having a job interview, but it is a necessary step to develop you’re a professional career. One of the main reasons why job interviews are so uncomfortable is that you have to answer so many questions. Often, one doesn’t know why is been asked that question and what would be a correct or incorrect answer. 

Since we are a talent recruitment agency, we have a wide experience when it comes to job interviews and how to deal with them. We want to share some of that knowledge with you. That’s why in this article we will give you a list with some of the most common questions in a job interview, their purpose and the correct way to answer them. 

Despite some of the questions might seem a little random, each one aims to measure a specific aspect of the candidates. So, knowing the specific purpose of each question will help you offer a better answer. Are you ready to begin?

1. “Tell me about yourself”

Purpose of the question 

This is one of the very first questions you will be asked in an interview and it has 2 objectives. The first is pretty obvious and aims to get to know the professional life of each candidate a little better. 

However, the second objective of this question is more subtle: Knowing the personality of the candidate through the way she or he speaks and express herself or himself. 

How to answer 

For this question, it is better to have prepared an answer beforehand. Don’t worry, you won’t have to memorize anything. You just need a clear idea of what you’ll include in your answer. You can divide your answer in 3 sections: your experience, your technical knowledge and your personal qualities. 

Start by giving a brief summary of your professional path so far. Here you will expand on the knowledge you have gained with time in each position and how you have reached the current point in your career. 

You don’t have a wide experience? Don’t worry! Internships, volunteer work and other unpaid jobs also count as experience if those can be applied in your career. 

Next is your technical knowledge. Those are the famous soft skills and it has to do with your knowledge in your particular professional area. Here you must highlight just the skills that are most relevant for the position being offered. 

Finally, you need to focus on your personal qualities. Just like with the soft skills, here you also must highlight the skills only the qualities that relate directly with the position.  

The way in which you answer is also very important, especially with this question. You must show optimism and confidence, but avoid sounding arrogant. That characteristic is usually a red flag for interviewers since it can cause problems with the rest of the team. 

2. “What are your weaknesses?”

Purpose of the question 

This is another classic question of job interviews. In this case, the interviewer is not asking you to showcase all your weak spots. Actually, what the interviewer wants is to know how much do you know yourself and if you are really aware of your own possible weaknesses. 

How to answer 

Answering this question is easier than you think. First, you have to select a weakness you have, but it should not be related directly to the position or your professional career. That is a key detail because otherwise you might harm your chances of getting the position. 

For example, a correct answer would be selecting a general weakness such as being too detailed-focused at work. Then, try to express positivity while speaking of the weakness and make clear that you are taking measures to deal with it.

3. “What are your strengths” 

Purpose of the question 

This question is easier than the previous one, but you have to be careful while answering. In this case, the interviewer not only want to know your strengths, but also if those fit the responsibilities of the position. 

How to answer 

In order to answer correctly, you have to be selective with the strengths you choose. Perhaps, you have a diverse set of strengths, but naming too many can make it seem like you are bragging. Focus only in the ones that satisfy the needs of the position available. 

How to know what are the most relevant strengths? You can review closely the job add and the responsibilities specified there. That gives you a clear insight of the strengths the interviewer might be looking for. 

You might also like: How to you answer the question about your salary expectations

4. “Why should we hire you?”

Purpose of the question 

This is one of those questions interviewers tend to make by the end of the interview and it has a very specific goal: Knowing what sets you apart from the rest for the candidates. So, far from being a challenge for you, this might be a great opportunity. 

How to answer 

Here, you can elaborate on your skills and knowledge. It is possible that other questions in the interview have already touched on your skills, but this is your chance to speak freely. Don’t be afraid of speaking about your skills and knowledge. 

Remember that while speaking about yourself and what sets you apart from the rest, you have to do it with confidence, but without sounding arrogant. This is something we have already seen in paragraphs above. 

Additionally, it will be useful to make a little research on the company to know their values, goals and the way they operate. That will show you what is that they value the most and what you can offer for the company. All that information can be easily accessed from the website of the company.

5. “Why do you want to work with us?”

Purpose of the question 

This is a similar question to the previous one. Nevertheless, the purpose of the interviewer usually is a little different. In general, the objective is to know whether you have taken the time to get to know the company or not. 

How to answer 

First, just like in the previous case, you have to research the company, but also its history and its achievements. Then, use that information to express your admiration for what the organization has achieved through the years and the quality of its product and/or services. 

Go in details about how the businesses objectives align with your professional goals and that you would like to help them achieve great things. That would turn into success for the company as well as for your career. 

Great! Now you know some of the most frequent questions in an interview and how to answer them. Remember that when it comes to job interviews, being prepared and showing a little confidence can make a big difference. 

At Talent2Win, we strive to align your company’s business objectives with the best Talent Acquisition strategies available. If you want to learn more about the services we offer, do not hesitate to contact us.