Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions a company would be asking you in your next job interview?
We can’t read minds, unfortunately, but we’ll give you a start with the 10 the most commonly asked interview questions, along with advice for answering them all. Remember some questions are industry specific or depends on the type of job you are interviewing for.
- Tell me about yourself. Rather start by warmly introducing yourself, and give a very brief background of your educational background and if you have been employed before, focus briefly on what you did in at least in one of the previous company you worked for.
- Why did you apply to work with our company? Before the interview, it is wise to do some research about the company that invited you to the interview and point to something that makes the company unique that really appeals to you.
- Why did you choose to work in this field? Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about what motivated you to enter the field you are applying for and how that motivation could apply to your new position.
- How long have you worked in this field? What are skills and experience can you add to the team? This is also a good opportunity to mention specific experiences on your resume and discuss why the job and the company are a great fit for you.
- Why are you a good fit for our company or team? This question helps an interviewer see that you have an understanding of their company’s culture, values and mission
- What can you bring to the company or team? Remembering what is required to do the job or the role is important, it will help you understand what you’re being hired to solve. Describe how you intend to apply your skills or experience to solve or fulfill the jobs expectations
- Why are you leaving your current job? or Why were you fired from your previous job? This is a tricky one. In case you are asked this question, keep things positive—you have nothing to gain by being negative about your current or former employer. Keep the answer short and simple.
- What’s your work style? When an interviewer asks you about your work style, they’re probably trying to imagine you in the role. How will you approach your work? What will it be like to work with you? Will you fit well with the existing team? Talk about interpersonal skills that seems fitting for the job you are applying for. For example if you are applying for a job in the hospitality or gastronomy industry, being a team player, open-minded, reliable will fit the role.
- How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? This question may make you feel the the need to prove you’re the perfect candidate who can handle anything. Talk about your go-to strategies for dealing with stress (deep breathing, meditation, sports, walks, yoga, asking for support or assistance, looking for ways to improve the situation or solve the issues, communicating what you need in a calm and polite manner, powering through the day and using your personal free time to relax, unwind and recharge). Don’t say “I don’t get stressed out”, everyone gets stressed at some point.
- What are your salary expectations? Figure out your salary requirements ahead of time. Check if it was mentioned in the job description. If it was not mentioned, do your research on what similar roles pay and reaching out to our network here at DISQAVAD. Be sure to take your experience, education, skills, and personal needs into account, too when determining your salary expectation.
Remember to ask in the end a few questions about the company, so have some open questions ready to go. For example, “what’s your favorite part about working here?” This will help you get a glimpse of what working there feels like, what to expect and whether the job is the right fit from your perspective.