Are You A Risk
This ones pretty tricky, as the answer here depends on your profession and field.
Ask yourself – is risk-taking a valuable skill for the job?
If youre a pilot, for example, the answer should be a strict No!
If, on the other hand, youre a day trader, then risk is an essential part of your job.
So, depending on how valuable risk is for your job, answer accordingly.
You could also give a more strategic answer. Lets say, for example, you work in investment banking. You need to be a risk taker to an extent, but being too risk-friendly might make the entire company go bankrupt.
The strategy in such a case would be to show that youre all about calculated risk. Youre willing to take chances, but only when the odds are in your favor.
As with most interview questions, you should give examples of situations where you had to take risks, and what the end-results were.
Possible answers:
- Sample Answer 1:
Yes, Im a risk-taker. I believe that to achieve real results, you always need to be willing to take a certain level of risk.
Pretty much any marketing initiative you launch is tied to risk. You can plan everything from beginning till the end, but no matter how well you plan it out, things might just not work out.
Its just part of the job – in order to succeed, you need to take launch risky campaigns on a regular basis, and hopefully, one in every 5 is going to bring you massive results.
- Sample Answer 2:
How To Answer The Most Common Interview Questions
Are you ready to ace your upcoming job interview? One of the most important parts of interview preparation is being ready to respond effectively to the questions that employers typically ask.
Since these interview questions are so common, hiring managers will expect you to be able to answer them smoothly and without hesitation.
You don’t need to memorize your answers, but you should think about what you’re going to say so you’re not put on the spot.
Your responses will be stronger if you know what to expect during the interview and have a sense of what you want to focus on. Knowing that you are prepared will boost your confidence and help you minimize interview stress and feel more at ease.
Here are the top 10 interview questions employers are likely to ask, plus 100+ more common job interview questions, example responses, tips for giving the best answer, and advice on how to ace the interview.
Top 10 Interview Questions And How To Answer Them
There are some common interview questions and you should prepare your answers before-hand. The key thing to remember when responding to interview questions is to keep your answers brief and to the point. If you are faced with a difficult question, make sure you stay calm, don’t get defensive, and take a moment to think about your response before you answer.
Remember, the responses below are only suggestions. Try to personalise your response as much as possible.
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Tips For Answering Case Interview Questions
Your case interview may be less stressful if you have an idea of whats going to happen. Here are some tips for handling case interview questions:
Understand the question. Paraphrase the question before answering to make sure you understand the problem. If youre not clear on the question be sure to ask for more information.
Be prepared to take notes. Most companies allow interviewees to take notes during the interview if so, you should be prepared. Bring lined paper to the interview for notes and bring some graph paper as well, in case you need to draw any charts.
Theres no need to rush. Take your time answering each question logically think through the problem before arriving at a solution.
Ask questions. Case interviews are interactive feel comfortable asking your interviewer clarifying questions to gain more information. In fact, your interviewer will expect you to ask questions.
Always explain how you arrived at a solution, even if you are simply estimating a number. Remember that how you arrived at your answer is generally more important than the answer itself.
Stay professional. Although this is different from a traditional interview, its not the time to act too casually. Remain as professional as you would during a regular interview. Sit up straight, speak clearly, and make eye contact with the interviewer.
What Was The Most Difficult Period In Your Life And How Did You Deal With It
Everyone has gone through difficulties at some point in their life. This question provides insight into the candidate’s personality, experience with stress, and coping mechanisms. There are no wrong answers, but the question does invite the candidate to tell a story and reveal how they overcame adversity.
Red flags: The candidate cannot answer the question or provides a single-sentence answer.
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What Do You Know About This Industry
This is a popular question for candidates applying for junior positions or those who are changing careers. Top candidates will have a good idea of what the industry is about, the most common issues facing companies, and the type of working environment they will be coming into.
Red flags: The candidate doesn’t know much about the industry or how the company works.
+ Interview Questions And Answers
The time has come!
After creating a killer resume and cover letter and passing the first round, it is time to face the final challenge:
Your job interview.
And that scares even to the best of us.
Being judged and evaluated by people who have your future in their hands is more anxiety-inducing than meeting the in-laws.
Youve heard the interviewers and hiring managers say there are no right or wrong answers to calm you down before an interview.
But heres the thing:
They are almost always looking for a specific way of answering.
Which brings us to this guide. Were going to cover the most common interview questions and answers, turning you into a bona fide interview expert by the time youre done reading.
So, lets get started!
To make this guide as practical as possible, we covered just about every interview question out there.
Dont let that put you off, though. You dont have to read the whole thing end-to-end. To get the most out of the guide, wed recommend:
Most Common Interview Questions:
Behavioral Questions in an Interview:
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Why Did You Leave Your Job
One of the most critical job interview tips: Don’t badmouth a former employer. So if an interviewer asks, “Why did you leave your job?” and you’re unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: “I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20% reduction in the workforce, which included me.”
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: “After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience.”
What Do You Know About This Company/organization
A quick search in the About page of the company/organization you are applying for should be enough, right? Well, yes and no.
Think of this as an open-ended question. Theres no real wrong answer here, other than:
Incorrect Example
I dont know anything about this organization. In fact, how did I end up here? Can you guys call me a cab real quick?
However, the more you actually know about the company, the better your chances of getting hired.
Imagine 2 equally competent candidates:
Which one would you pick? Exactly, the second one!
So, with this job interview question, you want to convince the recruiter that youre the candidate #2.
Now, how do you do that? Well, a rule of thumb here is to do some Googling before the interview and learn the following about the company:
- What does their product or service do?
- What impact does the product / service have?
- Whats the company culture like?
- What are the latest news about the company? How are they performing?
- …And pretty much whatever other type of info you can dig up.
Possible answers:
- Sample Answer 1:
I hadnt heard about you until recently, actually. I found out about through your job ad on RandomJobBoard.
- Sample Answer 2:
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Use Facts And Figures To Demonstrate Your Achievements
When you’re answering questions about what you have achieved in previous roles, use data to back up your statements. For example, if you have experience in sales, explain that you were responsible for increasing sales by 20% in that role. If you have had success with previous customers, give details of your positive feedback and how your customer satisfaction rating has been consistently higher than average.
Use These Tips For How To Pass An Interview And Get More Job Offers
If youve followed these job interview tips, youre in great shape to pass your next interview and get the job offer.
Dont forget: Motivation, interest, and how you explain yourself and the reason youre interviewing are just as important as your actual resume/skillset. I cant stress this enough in terms of important job interview tips to remember!
Reading this article wont change your professional skills. But it can change something far more powerful how you come across in the interview room.
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Can You Tell Me A Bit About Yourself
This question, usually the opener, tops the list of typical interview questions. It’s incredibly important, as you can provide the interviewer with a great first impression. Preparation is important, but your answer shouldn’t sound rehearsed. Focus on your skills, characteristics and successes, and how they make you a strong candidate in terms of the job description.
Keep your answer to less than five minutes. Generally, begin with an overview of your highest qualification and greatest achievements, before running through your work experience and giving examples of the skills that you’ve developed. If your work history is limited, focus on the areas of academia that youve most enjoyed and how this relates to the job.
Q: Are You Happy With Your Career
A: This question is really about your self-esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be ‘yes’, followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that’s made you happy. If you have hit a career plateau, or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify your answer.
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When Were You Most Satisfied In Your Job
The interviewer who asks, “When were you most satisfied in your job?” wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. “I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems that is an important part of the job for me.”
Is A Second Interview A Good Sign Will I Get The Job
First of all, getting a second interview is always a good sign. Obviously not all candidates get a second interview so clearly the company is showing interest in you. Having said that, it depends on what exact stage of the interview process youre in and what kind of position youre interviewing for. For example, getting a second in person interview is more impactful than getting an in person interview after a phone interview Whether youll get the job after the second interview really depends on the position and company youre interviewing with. For important roles in large companies you could have a series of interviews.
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What Are Your Main Goals In Life
Do a quick rundown of your short-term goals and briefly discuss your long-term plans. Show that youâre someone with ambition and how that drive to succeed will translate to great performance on the work floor. Provide as many details as possible without making your answer way longer than necessary.
Sample answer: âMy short-term goal is to be a part of this wonderful company for as long as possible. A couple of years after achieving financial stability, Iâm thinking of opening my own bar. Some of my long-term plans include getting promoted several times and eventually becoming a supervisor.â
Great Answers To Tough Interview Questions
Pass YOUR interview at the first attempt!
Heres the FULL LIST of 21 GREAT ANSWERS TO TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
I am loyal, hard-working, professional and conscientious and, having studied the job description for this role in detail, I feel the attributes I possess are a strong match. Whilst at work, I am someone who takes pride in delivering each task to a high standard and I achieve this by working closely with other people within the team. I also make sure I obtain a clear brief from my manager or supervisor as to what they want to me to achieve whilst working in the role I am employed. If successful, I am looking forward to learning the role quickly and getting to know as much about your products and services, so I can start contributing and making a positive impact within the organization.
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Having researched your company you are clearly a leader within the industry and I feel I would be able to excel within the role and put all of my skills, qualities and experience to good use. Whilst studying your company online, it is clear to see you have strong and exciting plans for the future and I would like to be a part of your journey through the role I am being interviewed for today. Finally, it is also clear that you support your employees, so they can excel within their roles. Theres lots of positive comments online about your company and, if I am successful at interview, I would feel quite proud to have your name on my CV/resume.
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Tell Me About Yourself
Begin with an overview of your current position, then focus on relevant highlights from your background. If you have any unique hobbies or interests, you can share them here.
Example:I serve as the assistant to three of my company’s five executive team members, including a CEO. By anticipating roadblocks, I’ve created effective alternate plans.I thrive on making sure every day has a clear, well-communicated structure.’
How Do You Feel About Working Weekends Or Late Hours
Youre gonna get asked this question in one of the following 2 cases:
1) Youre applying for a job that requires working odd hours.
In this case, your answer is pretty straightforward – since youre applying for such a job, you probably dont have any problems working odd hours.
Sample answer:
Sure! Im OK with working late hours or weekends, as long as you let me know about it at least a few days in advance.
2) Youre applying for just about any other type of job.
Now, you should look at this as a red flag. Is the employer just checking your dedication, or are they looking for someone thats going to work 24/7 with no overtime pay?
In this case, ask them to clarify what they mean.
Sample answer:
Given enough warning, sure. Is that something Ill be required to do often? Do you offer overtime pay for this kind of situation?
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What Will Your Previous Manager Or Supervisor Say When I Ask Where You Needed To Improve
A good answer goes in-depth and reflects positively on both their manager and the work they did, and lines up with other information you’ve been able to gather. This is one of the top 10 interview questions we recommend for all hiring managers. Candidates will often reveal information here they would not reveal if you asked them “What do you need to improve?”
Red flags: Candidates that speak badly of their previous manager, provide vague answers or seem unprepared for this common question.
Why Is There A Gap In Your Work Experience
In most cases, a gap in your work experience doesnt really mean anything. You probably have a very good reason for it.
The interviewer, however, will definitely ask about it, and you should answer adequately.
Theres no secret sauce to answering this question, just let the recruiter know about your situation, whatever that may be:
- Maternity leave
- Caring for a sick family member
- Time off to pursue further education
- Relocating to a different city
- Working on a personal project
Whichever the case may be, just explain the situation in brief and move on.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that if you were laid off at work, or you quit and had trouble getting a new job, you should be very subtle about it.
If the interviewer knows that youre struggling to find a job, youre going to give them the upper hand in salary negotiations.
Possible answers:
I had a baby and had to take maternity leave.
- Sample Answer 2:
My father was sick, so I had to be the one to take care of him full-time over a few months.
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