7 Commonly Asked Interview Questions and How to REALLY Answer Them
by Anne Ueberbach
Assistant Director/Counsellor
7 Commonly Asked Interview Questions and How to REALLY Answer Them
Job interviews are often seen as the most daunting, intimidating and stressful part of the job-seeking process. However, with the right mindset and preparation, they can be transformed into opportunities to showcase your skills, experience, and personality.
Interview Tips and Tricks
Dress the Part
It goes without saying that we not only want to do our best in a job interview, but also to look our best. Appearance is a crucial key factor when it comes to leaving a good first impression, especially during the first round of interviews. Ensure you are dressed the part – whatever that may look like. The days where suit and tie are required for every interview are over, as company cultures have changed and become more laid back. The goal is to dress as if you were already working there, plus a little extra effort. If unsure, always dress up rather than down.
Manage Your Nerves
Being put on the spot – being in a job interview – can make the best of us nervous. Sweaty palms, changes in breathing and rapid heartbeat are only a few common symptoms of feeling stressed when entering the interview room. But in order to demonstrate our skills and abilities successfully, we need to learn to manage your nerves. Simple breathing exercises like box breathing or taking 10 deep breaths can already make a huge difference, as it slows down our heartbeat and breathing. This allows for clearer thought processes. You can also engage in various mindfulness / grounding techniques, such as using your 5 senses to name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can hear. Again, this will slow down your breathing and heart rate while allowing your mind to focus on the here and now rather than the racing thoughts inside of your head.
Communication Skills
In order to demonstrate that you are the best fit for the role, you need to have strong communication skills. It is simply not enough to just answer interview questions with pre-rehearsed answers. We also want to show our personality and a glimpse of who we are outside of work by using our charms, sense of humor and personability. To do that successfully, we need to know how to read the room, to get a gauge of what we should and should not talk about and to identify how personable we should be. If the interviewer mentions they have a cat and maybe so do you, that would make for a great personable experience to share to help you bond and to potentially stand out.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Like with all things in life, preparation is key! The more you practice commonly asked interview questions, the easier it will be to answer them without hesitation and with relevancy to the role.
Commonly Asked Interview Questions
1. "Tell me about yourself."
Purpose: This open-ended question is often used as an icebreaker to gauge your communication skills and provide the interviewer with an overview of your background.
Answer: When answering this question, it is important to strike a balance between professionalism and personality. Start by giving a brief summary of your professional experience, highlighting key accomplishments and skills relevant to the position. Then, share a bit about your personal interests or hobbies to showcase your personality and cultural fit with the company.
Tip: A great way to get started is by creating an elevator pitch. Simply put, you want to create a 60 second self-introduction that answers (a) who you are (b) what you do, (c) what your goals are, and end with a call to action (which is not needed if you already have an interview). what your unique selling point is. By creating an elevator pitch you can create a solid base for telling people about yourself without babbling or drifting off point. If done correctly, it should create interest and draw the interviewers into the conversation.
2. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Purpose: This question is designed to assess your self-awareness and ability to reflect on your own abilities.
Answer: When discussing your strengths, focus on qualities that are relevant to the job and supported by specific examples or achievements. For weaknesses, choose a genuine area for improvement but frame it in a positive light by discussing steps you have taken to overcome it or how you have turned it into a learning opportunity.
3. "Why do you want to work for this company?"
Purpose: Employers ask this question to assess your level of interest and alignment with their organization's values, mission, and culture.
Answer: Research the company thoroughly beforehand and identify specific aspects that appeal to you, such as their innovative projects, company culture, or opportunities for growth. Tailor your response to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and how you can contribute to their success.
4. "Describe a challenging situation you faced at work and how you handled it."
Purpose: Behavioral questions like this are designed to assess your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to handle adversity.
Answer: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Start by briefly describing the situation and the specific challenges you encountered, then explain the actions you took to address the problem and the positive outcome or lessons learned as a result.
5. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Purpose: This question assesses your career aspirations and long-term goals.
Answer: While it's important to demonstrate ambition and drive, avoid coming across as overly ambitious or unrealistic. Focus on expressing your commitment to professional growth and development within the company, emphasizing how the role aligns with your career trajectory and aspirations.
6. "How do you handle stress and pressure?"
Purpose: Employers ask this question to assess your resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
Answer: Provide concrete examples of times when you successfully managed stress in the workplace, highlighting specific strategies or coping mechanisms you used (you can use the STAR method for this, too!). Emphasize your ability to stay organized, prioritize tasks, and maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations.
7. "Why did you leave your previous job?"
Purpose: This question aims to understand your motivations for seeking new employment and assess your professionalism and integrity.
Answer: Be honest but diplomatic in your response, focusing on positive reasons for leaving such as seeking new challenges, career advancement opportunities, or a better cultural fit. Avoid speaking negatively about your previous employer or colleagues, as this can reflect poorly on your professionalism.
Preparing for job interviews involves more than just rehearsing answers to common questions; it requires a deep understanding of the psychological factors at play and how to leverage them to your advantage. Remember to showcase your skills, highlight your achievements, and demonstrate your passion for the role and company.
