The 10 Most Common Questions In A Job Interview (and How To Deal With Them)
The selection processes They are characterized by establishing a framework of dialogue in which the organization obtains all the relevant information about the candidates in just a few minutes
As time is scarce and the consequences of choosing the wrong people in charge of performing a function can be very costly, the professional who tries to find out things about us in a job interview will dedicate all his efforts to asking the key questions so that we appear as such. and how we are without hardly being aware of it.
If you are reading this article because you are interested in finding a job as soon as possible, we recommend that you Take a look at these three practical texts with tips for this purpose:
“Job interviews: The 10 most frequent mistakes”
“The 7 most valued attitudes in a job interview”
“How to face a competency-based interview: 4 keys to getting the job”
The 10 most common questions in a job interview (and how to deal with them)
Beyond the specific characteristics of each organization, some of these key questions are common in a large number of companies and It is normal for them to appear in any selection interview This means that, although the popularity of these questions is due to their usefulness and effectiveness in providing information about candidates, people interested in a job also have an advantage: the possibility of being prepared when the questions arise. listen.
In this article we will focus precisely on these common questions in a job interview and the strategies to offer a good answer, providing all the information that we are expected to give in each case.
1. Could you tell me about yourself?
It’s time to offer four brush strokes on oneself The person in charge of interviewing you will not only be analyzing the content of what you say, but will also evaluate your ability to express yourself and communicate relevant aspects about yourself when faced with a broad question. That’s why it’s a good idea not to get nervous and do everything possible to offer a well-crafted answer.
2. Have you held jobs similar to this before?
The conversation that will begin from this question will be interspersed with comments about your CV, so try to be clear Which of your previous work experiences required skills or attitudes of you? that you think will also be tested in the job you are applying for.
3. Do you know this organization?
Certainly, if the truth is that you know nothing about the company or organization you want to join, there is little you can do to come out on top of this question. However, if you have spent some time learning about the basic features of the site you want to start working on, Remember that it is not enough to answer yes and list the things you remember about the site The ideal is to take the opportunity to express the interest you feel in the organization. For example, you can briefly comment on what reasons led you to search for information or what things you knew about the site before considering entering the selection process.
4. What are you looking for in this job?
This is one of those questions where there is no good answer, so the best thing you can do is anticipate the appearance of this topic in the job interview and rehearse the answer a little, which should be as clear as possible. Most companies seek to know, among other things, To what degree are you interested in monetary remuneration and the achievement of objectives to know if you adapt well to the position you are applying for? Whether or not you are a source of conflict at work or whether you experience burnout will depend on the latter.
By the way, remember that emphasizing the importance of salary does not have to be poorly valued in all job interviews, regardless of the vacant position. For low-skilled jobs, for example, it is not unusual to employ people whose main motivation is salary.
5. What can you give us that other candidates don’t?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions and also one of the most important. You must face it as if you were going to contribute a short headline about your experience or skills The correct answer is the one that talks about you in a practical sense, rather than a personal or philosophical one.
6. What are your salary expectations?
When the time comes when this question is asked (something that will happen unless the price is already set a priori), It is best to limit yourself to answering in a plain and unambiguous manner since the opposite can be interpreted as a way of hiding your intentions.
7. Where do you see yourself in the future?
When asking this question, the person in charge of conducting the interview aims to inquire about your motivations and expectations for promotion or job change Be careful: it will be much better if you are ambitious but within certain reasonable limits. Ideally, you should stay in a middle ground between conformism and excess self-confidence when evaluating your professional future.
8. What is your main strength?
The appropriate thing is to respond with a strength that is very clearly related to the job and, if you can, you should give an example to illustrate it. If you are applying for an accounting position, it is logical that you emphasize your efficiency or your reliability. If it is the case that you are being interviewed to occupy a creative advertising position, innovation, dynamism and creativity should be your main assets.
9. What are your main weaknesses?
It is common for the person who is interviewing you to ask you to list three or four characteristics of yours that can be seen as weaknesses The best thing you can do is talk about these “weaknesses” by also discussing measures you can take to make them not a problem, or you can even say why you think there is a positive aspect to that weakness. For example:
10. Do you have any questions?
At the end of an interview it is common to leave a space for candidates to ask their questions. At this time you can (in fact, you should) demonstrate your interest in the organization and the position , while you obtain relevant information to determine if you are interested in the job. At the same time, the recruiting staff will know more about you through the questions you ask and the areas in which you are interested.
