Thursday, March 28, 2024

What Are Questions They Ask In An Interview

Don't Miss

Whats Something Positive Your Boss Would Say About You

Top 5 Interview Questions To Ask In A Job Interview

This is one of those behavioral interview questions which can be tricky to understand exactly what they’re looking for.

Just saying that your boss approves of your work isn’t enough. The interviewer is looking to see what kind of relationships youve built with the management team, and get an impression about how you may fit in with their team.

How to Answer:

This is a great time to brag about yourself with someone else’s words. Start with My boss has told me that… so that it’s clear you understand the question.

Stay humble and refrain from sounding arrogant.

Example Answers:

My boss has mentioned that my attention to detail and thoroughness cant be matched.

She said the last campaign we ran together produced amazing results because of my effort and ability to thoroughly run it from start to finish…

My boss mentioned that she’s gotten a lot of compliments about my customer service from customers.

Who Is The Smartest Person You Know Why

This is a great way to see what a candidate values and aspires to. By forcing them to think of someone that they know personally, you avoid a stream of people praising Steve Jobs and telling you how much they aspire to be like him.

Instead, you’ll see answers that praise specific traits that a candidate’s friends, family or former colleagues have exhibited.

There are no perfect answers here, but the best should focus on a specific characteristic, candidate’s might praise a friend’s desire for learning or networking ability.

What Type Of Employee Tends To Succeed Here And What Qualities Are The Most Important For Succeeding Here

This question sheds light on whether the organisation has a clear idea of who they want to employ in the role. Hopefully, the ideal candidate looks a lot like you and if you feel like youve missed something they mention in response, you can always email the interviewer later to reiterate how well you think youll fit in.

Recommended Reading: How To Prepare For Amazon Coding Interview

How Did You Hear About This Position

Another seemingly innocuous interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name-drop that person, then share why you were so excited about the job. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.

What Is Your Greatest Strength

Questions To Ask In An Interview

What They Want to Know: When answering questions about your strengths, focus on the abilities you have that are key to success in the job for which you’re interviewing. Don’t be too humble. It’s important to make the hiring manager aware of your qualifications.

My greatest strength is my ability to learn new processes quickly. When placed in a new environment, I actively observe how other people do things so that I can easily pull my weight on the team. Im also open to testing new ways of doing things in order to optimize our efficiency.

More Answers: Interview Question: What is Your Greatest Strength?

Don’t Miss: What Are Your Skills Interview Questions And Answers

How To Answer The Top 10 Interview Questions

Interviews can be nerve racking, but preparation is the key to feeling more confident. How do you prepare though, and what questions should you expect?

We tracked down the 10 most-asked interview questions by analysing our Interview Builder tool that employers and recruiters use. Then we asked Steve Shepard, CEO of TwoPointZero and Suzie McInerney, CEO of Six Degrees Executive to take us through why employers ask each question and explain what they look for in a response.

Here are the top questions plus tips on how to answer them well.

What Is Your Salary Range Expectation

Interviewers ask this question to make sure your expectations are in line with the amount theyve budgeted for the role. If you give a salary range exceedingly lower or higher than the market value of the position, it gives the impression that you dont know your worth. Here are three ways to approach this response:

Provide a range

Research the typical compensation range for the role on Indeed Salaries and make the low end of your range your lowest acceptable salary. For example, if you require at least $50,000 annually, you might offer the interviewer a range of $50,000-$60,000 per year. Let the hiring manager know if youre flexible.

Example answer:My salary expectation is between $XX,XXX and $XX,XXX, which is the average salary for a candidate with my level of experience in this city. However, I am flexible and willing to discuss.

Include negotiation options

There may be other benefits, perks or forms of compensation you find just as valuable as your salary.

Example answer:I am seeking a position that pays between $75,000 and $80,000 annually, but I am open to negotiate salary depending on benefits, bonuses, equity, stock options and other opportunities.

Deflect the question

If youre early in the hiring process and still learning the specifics of the job duties and expectations, you may want to deflect the question for later in the conversation.

Don’t Miss: Where To Watch Harry And Meghan Interview

What Would You Hope To Achieve In The First Six Months After Being Hired

The answer to this tech interview question depends on the role. A developer, for example, may hope to have developed a small project during that time, while a tech manager may want to have analyzed internal processes. A candidates response will give you insights into their overall understanding of the position. If their goals and ambitions dont match the job description, this may not be the right position for them.

Tell Me About A Time You Demonstrated Leadership Skills

Questions to ask at the End of an Interview | Career Interview Tips

You dont have to have a fancy title to act like a leader or demonstrate leadership skills. Think about a time when you headed up a project, took the initiative to propose an alternate process, or helped motivate your team to get something done. Then use the STAR method to tell your interviewer a story, giving enough detail to paint a picture and making sure you spell out the result. In other words, be clear about why youre telling this particular story and connect all the dots for the interviewer.

You May Like: How To Do A Mock Interview

Why Are You The Right Fit To Succeed In This Role

You should use the interview as an opportunity to say something interesting about your skills and experiences that relate back to the role at hand. Remember that interviewers will be looking for you to demonstrate key skills that match the job and behaviour that align with the organisation’s culture, so prepare examples in advance that you can call on when required.

Examples of the key attributes employers look for include:

  • Project management skills

How Long Do Interviews Last

Interviews can generally last anywhere between 30 minutes to several hours.

There are many factors that come into play including the type of job, how the company structures their interviews, and what number interview it is .

Phone, face to face, and Skype interviews will all run at different lengths as well.

Don’t Miss: What To Wear To An Interview Women

What Role Does Empathy Play In Customer Service

Most customer service positions require a great deal of empathy. Understanding and appreciating the customer’s point of view can help you better meet their needs. Hiring managers want to be sure you understand the importance of this skill and know how to use it. In your answer, explain how specifically empathy helps a customer service representative do their job.

Example:“It’s absolutely vital for customer service representatives to have empathy, particularly when customers are upset. When I take the time to truly listen and understand their point of view, it helps me problem-solve much better, and it helps the customer see that the company cares about them.”

Best Interview Questions To Get The Information You Need

Interview Questions to ask at the end

According to Maren Hogan, a renowned recruiting blogger who also has her own blog, Get Marenated, up to 80% of employee turnover is due to bad hiring decisions. She outlines the top 4 questions you should ask to get you the information you need about someone:

What is your ideal work schedule in regards to flex-time and in-office and remote working?

Tell me about a time when you were happiest at work. Why did you feel that way?

How would you handle a team situation where Nina wants to dive right in, Joe is telecommuting, and Todd wants to gut the project?

What was the worst day youve ever had at work and why?

A couple more bonus questions for getting the information you need:

Tell me something that you dont like about yourself.

I just want to observe the candidates reaction. If the candidate is honest and trustworthy, they will get a little nervous and divulge some private information.Jesse Harrison, Zeus Legal Funding LLC

What is the single most important factor that would make you happy in your job that is not from the job itself?

This question can ideally pull out some information that you might not otherwise get, like Well, I really like working out. I would love if I could get to the office at 9 am after my gym session. The answer to this question can give an insight into both the persons personal motivations and their ability to fit in with the culture.

Also Check: What Are The 10 Most Common Questions In An Interview

What Can We Expect From You In Your First Three Months

Ideally the answer to this should come from the employer: They should have plans and expectations for you.

But if you’re asked, use this general framework:

  • You’ll work hard to determine how your job creates value — you won’t just stay busy, you’ll stay busy doing the right things.
  • You’ll learn how to serve all your constituents — your boss, your employees, your peers, your customers, and your suppliers and vendors.
  • You’ll focus on doing what you do best — you’ll be hired because you bring certain skills, and you’ll apply those skills to make things happen.
  • You’ll make a difference — with customers, with other employees, to bring enthusiasm and focus and a sense of commitment and teamwork.

Then just layer in specifics that are applicable to you and the job.

Is It A Good Sign If They Call Your References

Remember this: When a hiring company makes a call to your references, its almost always a good signso you can breathe easy. A reference check typically means a hiring manager is near-ready to extend an offer to a candidate, and they want one final confirmation that you are the right fit for their team, Foss says.

You May Like: Where Can I Watch The Meghan Markle Interview With Oprah

What Do You Think We Could Do Better Or Differently

This question can really do a number on you. How do you give a meaty answer without insulting the company or, worse, the person youre speaking with? Well first, take a deep breath. Then start your response with something positive about the company or specific product youve been asked to discuss. When youre ready to give your constructive feedback, give some background on the perspective youre bringing to the table and explain why youd make the change youre suggesting . And if you end with a question, you can show them youre curious about the company or product and open to other points of view. Try: Did you consider that approach here? Id love to know more about your process.

Culture Fit Questions To Ask Job Candidates:

08 common Interview question and answers – Job Interview Skills
  • What does your ideal company look like?
  • What attracted you to this company?
  • What do you know about this industry?
  • What do you know about our company?
  • What is your ideal working environment?
  • What kind of personalities do you work best with and why?
  • What do you look for in terms of culture?
  • What do you think of your previous boss?
  • What will you miss about your present/last job?
  • What are five things you disliked most about your last job?
  • What are you ideal top qualities in a co-worker?
  • If you could open a business, what would it be and why?
  • What personality traits do you butt heads with?
  • Describe your ideal company culture. What five characteristics does it have?
  • Why do you want to work at this company and what are your expectations?
  • Who inspires you and why?
  • Whats your superpower?
  • What motivates you to come into work every day?
  • How do you rely on others to make you better?
  • Do you have any questions for me?

Read Also: How To Pass A Phone Interview

How Do You Deal With Pressure Or Stressful Situations

Heres another question you may feel the urge to sidestep in an effort to prove youre the perfect candidate who can handle anything. But its important not to dismiss this one . Instead, talk about your go-to strategies for dealing with stress and how you communicate and otherwise proactively try to mitigate pressure. If you can give a real example of a stressful situation you navigated successfully, all the better.

Why Do You Want To Work For Us

Individuals who truly want the job will have done their research and be able to talk about your companys values, products and services, and approach to technology. If they cant articulate at least a few reasons your company would be a good match for their skills and ambitions, then they havent done their due diligence to properly prepare for the interview.

Remember to allow time at the end of the interview for candidates to ask you questions. This is not only beneficial to applicants it also clues you in to what matters to them. For instance, you may reconsider your interest in a prospect if they seem overly concerned about salary and vacation accrual during the first interview. Or you may be impressed when someone asks questions that demonstrate their business acumen and thorough understanding of your companys strengths and weaknesses.

Don’t Miss: What Are Some Good Interview Questions To Ask

What Are The Three Traits Your Top Performers Have In Common

Great candidates also want to be great employees. They know every organization is different — and so are the key qualities of top performers in those organizations. Maybe your top performers work longer hours. Maybe creativity is more important than methodology. Maybe constantly landing new customers in new markets is more important than building long-term customer relationships. Maybe the key is a willingness to spend the same amount of time educating an entry-level customer as helping an enthusiast who wants high-end equipment.

Great candidates want to know, because 1) they want to know if they will fit in, and 2) if they do fit in, they want to know how they can be a top performer.

Questions To See If This Is The Right Job For You

See some of the questions that should NOT be asked in an ...

Once you know the players in the interview, ask the questions that will help you understand more about the job and whether or not it is a job you would like.

Regardless of who you are asking these questions, the answers to these questions will enable you to focus your answers to best position yourself as the cure for their pain:

  • What is a typical in this job?
  • What would be my priorites for the first month? First quarter? First year?
  • What is the toughest time of for a person in the job? Why?
  • How long did the last employee stay in this job? What are they doing now?
  • What is the top priority for someone in this job?
  • What is the biggest challenge for someone doing this job?
  • What is the key to success in this job? Why?
  • What are the most important skills of the person who does this job?
  • What is the key thing someone does to be successful in this job?
  • How is success in this job measured by you? By the organization?
  • What is the biggest challenge someone in this job faces on a daily basis?
  • If anyone has failed at this job, why did they fail? What mistakes did they make?
  • What do you expect the person in this job to accomplish in the first 30, 60, or 90 days?

The answers to these questions will increase your understanding of their problems and whether or not you want to work there.

Recommended Reading: How To Answer It Interview Questions

Why Are You Interested In Working At This Organisation

Why employers ask this: Have you done your homework? This question shows how much research you have done, demonstrating motivation for the job and providing recruiters with an insight into your own values to ensure they align with the hiring organisation, McInerney says.

How to respond well: Take some time to identify your values, then be prepared to talk about how these align with the company and what it does. If you can build a connection with the organisation’s people, strategy and values and your own values and aspirations, you will show the potential employer why youre an ideal fit, McInerney says.

Tip: Learn what you can about the companys values and aims. Many businesses include this sort of information via their websites About us page.

Run Through A Hypothetical Scenario

Imagine your boss, coach, or teacher gives you a group project that needs to be completed by the end of the week.

Your success at your job, on the court, or in the classroom depends solely upon completing this activity well, and it’s a great opportunity to show what you’re made of.

Seriously, think of an example in your head. Create a hypothetical situation that’s relevant to your life and where you’re at right now, in which you have three team members joining you on this project.

Now, ask yourself which role you naturally assume within your group. Do you become the organizer, leader, creative, a moderator, take a back seat, or something else entirely?

Is there a specific part of the project you’re more naturally inclined to take on? Do you like the overall planning phase, or do you prefer getting straight down to business and doing the actual legwork during the project? Do you take the initiative to assign responsibilities, or do you prefer to be given your role within the group? Do you interject if someone else starts to take over the role you want within the group?

Answering all of these questions for yourself will tell you a great deal about how you work in teams, and which strengths you’ll naturally play to. From there, you can take a look back at which soft skills help you through the process of working on a group project.

Also Check: How To Prepare For A Facebook Interview

More articles

Popular Articles