Common Job Interview Questions

You can handle the interview confidently if you take the time to prepare. Reviewing common job interview questions and knowing how you will deal with them is part of that preparation.

As with every other aspect of the job getting process approach your responses to interview questions from the hiring authority's perspective.

Virtually every question that's asked in an interview is designed to uncover the answer to what employers want. That is: the hiring manager's four over-riding 'unknowns'. That's why there are so many common job interview questions. Formulate your answers to these questions with the unknowns in mind.

Common Job Interview Questions and Answers

• Tell me about yourself.
  This is the most common job interview question on the planet. (In my opinion it is also the poorest interview question. But that's another topic.) It's designed to either break the ice and/or to get at all of the unknowns at once.

  This question plays right into your hand because it opens the door for your career profile statement. Your well crafted profile statement should answer the interviewer's unknowns regarding ability and motivation.

• What are your strengths?
  This and the question about weaknesses are two more extremely common job interview questions. Be ready for them.

  Talk about the one or two strengths most relevant to the position for which you're applying. Illustrate your answer with short stories about your accomplishments.

  For example: "I've been characterized by former managers as being self motivated. In my last position I received a bonus for completing a project to automate a pricing process that had previously been done by hand. I saw the need for this and addressed it on my own initiative." (Addresses motivation and work style.)

• What are your weaknesses?
  The common wisdom on this one says to characterize a strength as a weakness. Others will say to admit to a former weakness and talk about how you've conquered the problem. My advice is to do both.

  For example: "My perfectionist tendencies would sometimes keep me from delegating as much as I should. I was able to overcome this once I realized that delegating gave the people who worked for me an opportunity to grow professionally."

• What are your salary requirements?
  How you should answer this question depends upon how far you've gotten into the interview. Remember: you must delay the compensation conversation as long as possible to maintain your negotiating leverage.

  My best advice for handling this question at the beginning of the interview as well as at the end of the interview is covered in negotiating pay.

• What is your ideal work environment?
  It's the environment this company offers. Right? Take your cue from the interviewer's communication style as well as what you learned about the company during your research.

  Talk about cultural aspects (team work, creative license, management style, etc.) rather than physical characteristics of the work place.

  For example: "I thrive in an environment that fosters an open exchange of ideas for improvement."
  
  
  
  

• Why do you want to work here?
  As tempting as it may be, don't say, "Because I need a job."

  Tie your answer to the company's mission or culture. Your response to this question could also answer the motivation unknown.

  For instance: "Because when you're as committed to excellence as I am you want to be associated with the best in the business."

• What do you look for in a manager?
  Be truthful here but be upbeat. Focus on the positive aspects of what's important to you rather than dwelling on negative things you don't want.

  Don't say, "I don't like a manager who is constantly looking over my shoulder."

  Do say, "My ideal manager is one that empowers her employees to deliver results."

• Why did you leave your last job?
  It's almost guaranteed that this common job interview question will be asked. Prepare to answer this question not only about your last job but any job you've had up until today.

  The question could address motivational or competency issues as well as cultural issues. Be truthful but again put a positive spin on things. Avoid bashing your former employer.

  For example: If you left because your former manager was holding you back, say something like, "I felt I had accomplished all I could in that role and needed new challenges."

• What is your most significant accomplishment?
  This question relates to your ability to do the job as well as your motivations. Choose accomplishments that fit with the position for which you're interviewing. Make sure you tie what you accomplished to the benefits the company enjoyed as a result of your having done so.

  For example: "I developed and implemented a multi-step recruiting process that within 3 months moved the agency from last place in the region to first place for recruiting and retention. We maintained that first place position until I left the company 2 years and 10 months later."

• How do you handle mistakes?
  This common job interview question can be a little tricky. You don't want to be viewed as someone who makes a lot of mistakes. But at the same time if you say you don't make mistakes your honesty will come into question.

  Strike a balance between the two by saying something like, "I don't often make a mistake but when I do I own it; learn from it; fix what's broken and move on."

• Tell me about a previous work situation in which you...?
  These are behavioral based questions. They are becoming more and more popular as common job interview questions.

  The thinking is that past behavior is a predictor of future behavior. The questions usually probe interactions with customers, co-workers, subordinates or former managers. (If you've recently graduated think in terms of interactions with teachers, parents or school administrators as well as friends or service providers.)

  The interviewer is looking for what happened to create the situation and what you personally did to resolve the issue. If she is experienced she will be looking for a specific example. So be specific, don't generalize.

  Specificity is saying, "Here's what happened, here's how I handled it and here was the outcome."

  Generalization is saying, "When this happens I usually do that."

A Word About Interview Nerves

Take the time to write out your answers to common job interview questions along with any other questions you anticipate. Then say them out loud.

Don't try to memorize the answers. Just by writing them down and then saying (and hearing) them you will be better able to remember key points when you're under pressure.

This may seem like a lot of unnecessary work but I promise you the time spent will pay off in a big way by boosting your confidence. Especially if you have a tendency to get nervous in interviews.

While in the interview be conversational but concise with your responses. Weave short stories about your achievements into your answers.

By following these tips along with How to Ace an Interview, Interviewing Do's and Don'ts and Questions to Ask in the Interview you'll be thoroughly prepared. This will further boost your confidence and help you relax so you can be yourself.