What Common Questions Are Asked In An Interview

What Would Be Your Ideal Work Environment

This question reveals honesty and whether the candidate would be a good fit for your company. If the candidate describes a work environment that is completely different from your office environment, ask them how they plan to adjust to a different type of work environment.

Red flags: The candidate provides a generic answer or describes a type of work environment that is completely different from your own.

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

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What Do You Expect Me To Accomplish In The First 90 Days

If you weren’t asked this question, ask it yourself. Why? Great candidates want to hit the ground running. They don’t want to spend weeks or months “getting to know the organization.” They don’t want to spend huge chunks of time in orientation, in training, or in the futile pursuit of getting their feet wet.

They want to make a difference — and they want to make that difference right now.

+ Interview Questions And Answers

Common Question In Job Interview And How To Answer It ...

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:

Going through all the common interview questions

Checking out the situational interview questions section and learning how to answer questions that are relevant for you

Learning whats the idea behind behavioral interview questions, so youre prepared to answer whatever the HR manager shoots at you

Most Common Interview Questions:

Behavioral Questions in an Interview:

Don’t Miss: Top 10 Behavioral Questions

What Does Customer Service Mean To You

If youre applying for a public-facing role, an employer may ask this question to determine what aspects of customer service are most important to you. . A good answer will align with the companys values, which you can glean through researching their customer service policy, understanding their products and clientele and reflecting on your own experiences as a customer. Your answer can either come from the perspective of a customer or a customer service provider.

Example answer:In my experience, good customer service involves taking responsibility when something goes wrong and doing what you can to make it right. For example, on a recent flight, I had pre-ordered my meal only to discover they didnt stock enough of my dish. Instead of simply stating the facts, the flight attendant apologized sincerely and offered me a free drink or premium snack. To me, this apology went a long way in smoothing things over. The freebie was a bonus that made me feel valued as a customer and choose the same airline for my next flight.

How Did You Find Out About The Job

This is a simple question that can be answered in a short sentence, although you can also use it to get your foot in your door by stating that you keep up to date with company activity or that youve had your eye on a position in the IT Department for a long time etc.

If youve been genuinely following the company for a while, you might want to mention here what specific activities of the company really appeal to you or if youve spoken to some employees of the company and heard great things about working for them, you can comment on that here, too.

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What Are Your Pet Peeves

Heres another one that feels like a minefield. But itll be easier to navigate if you know why an interviewer is asking it. Most likely, they want to make sure youll thrive at their companyand get a glimpse of how you deal with conflict. So be certain you pick something that doesnt contradict the culture and environment at this organization while still being honest. Then explain why and what youve done to address it in the past, doing your best to stay calm and composed. Since theres no need to dwell on something that annoys you, you can keep this response short and sweet.

What Did You Do In The Last Year To Improve Your Knowledge

08 common Interview question and answers – Job Interview Skills

This question may come up as a result of the pandemic. Employers want to know how people used their time differently. Know that you dont have to feel scared about answering this question if you didnt spend your time brushing up on skills or taking courses. We learn from any experience we have.

If you spent time honing your professional skills, you might say the following.

Example: The extra time on my plate really allowed me to get introspective around where I want to take my career. I read a lot of journals to keep abreast of the latest ideas in my field, and sharpened my skills by taking some online courses, such as .

If you chose to work on your personal development, you could say something like the following.

Example: Like everyone else, I, too, gained some time last year from not having to travel two hours a day to and from work. I decided to spend my time on things I love. So I got back to learning how to play the guitar and journaling. I feel it brought me closer to myself and has been really great for my mental health and productivity.

What Is The Difference Between Javascript & Java

Some of the main differences between JavaScript and Java are:

JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based OOP scripting language	Java is a class-based OOP programming language
JavaScript doesnt need to be compiled	Java needs to be compiled before execution
JavaScript code is used to run in browsers only, but with Node.js it can run on the server as well	Java applications can run on any virtual machine
In JS, objects are prototype-based	In Java, the objects are class-based
JS doesnt support multi-threading	Java supports multi-threading

How To Answer Interview Questions

While its handy to have an idea of what you would like to answer for common interview questions, no answer should be memorized or feel over-rehearsed. You want to be genuine and answer all interview questions naturally.

Check out our tips on answering interview questions for some basic interview advice:

Dont rush your answer. You dont need to start answering the second the interviewer has finished asking the question, especially if you find the question a bit challenging. Think about the question for several seconds and stay calm while you gather your thoughts
Use examples to demonstrate your points one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is that they dont back up their answers with examples. Its not enough to say youre well-organised for example what can you mention to prove it?
Dont ramble onbabble and take 5 minutes to answer 1 question aim for 2 minutes on average per answer to a competency based question. Of course many questions dont require more than a minute answer.
If youre a jokey or humorous character, thats great and can even ease the tense interview environment. Still, I wouldnt actually make jokes in an interview, they may fall flat. Its ok to show that you have a sense of humour, but you also need to make sure you do take the questions seriously!

Recommended Reading: Design Interview Preparation

Tell Me About Your Work Experience

An interviewer may or may not already be familiar with your background. Regardless, this question gives you the chance to detail your experiences that are most valuable to the prospective role. Employers want to know that youve reflected on their expectations for a qualified candidate and that you have directly relevant or transferable skills. Consider these tips for answering:

1. Quantify your experience:I have 10 years of experience in personal finance management, and I have assisted 45 repeat clients in increasing their capital by an average of 15% every year.

2. Illustrate connections to role:As a financial analyst, Ive used visual growth charts to show my clients how each saving plan option can impact their goals. When I became a senior financial analyst, I supervised other analysts and trained them in providing the most helpful experience to our customers.

3. End with a goal statement:”As your senior financial consultant, I aim to integrate my individualized approach to helping clients build the retirement fund they will depend on.

How Would Your Boss Or Coworkers Describe You

This question is pretty much the same as what are your greatest strengths, the only difference is that it should be from the point of view from your boss or coworkers.

Here, you want to focus on your traits and achievements that youve previously been praised for .

There are at least 2 ways to answer this question:

1) Describe a specific situation where you excelled at work

Sample Answer

Theyd say Im super hard working. During my weekend-off, not one, but three of my coworkers got sick, and I had to spot for them.

The weekend was peak season in Nantucket, so the restaurant was getting seriously overwhelmed. All of a sudden, we went from being very prepared for the season, to complete panic.

Had to jump between serving, bussing, and line-cooking, but overall, managed to survive through the weekend successfully.

2) Quote a performance review

If youve previously worked in an office job, youre probably all too familiar with these.

Did your boss give you a glowing performance review? Make sure to mention it here!

Sample answer:

Well, in my last performance review in September, my boss described me as someone who takes initiative.

My position as a PR manager involves constantly keeping track of our clients brand reputation, and if something goes wrong, dealing with it as fast as possible.

In a lot of cases, you need to be very proactive – if you wait for your entire team to have a meeting on how to deal with the issue, it might already be too late.

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Personal Attributes Or Characteristics

These are some of the most notoriously difficult questions for job candidates to answer in interviews, because no one is truly comfortable talking about themselves. Interviewers know that as well, but these questions can provide valuable insights. This part of an interview is an excellent time to demonstrate how you stand out from the rest of the candidates. Providing examples of a time you overcame an obstacle at work or came up with a new system or solution the company used will make a lasting impression on the interviewer.

What Do You Consider To Be Your Biggest Professional Achievement

Here’s an interview question that definitely requires an answer relevant to the job. If you say your biggest achievement was improving throughput by 18 percent in six months but you’re interviewing for a leadership role in human resources, that answer is interesting but ultimately irrelevant.

Instead, talk about an underperforming employee you “rescued,” or how you overcame infighting between departments, or how so many of your direct reports have been promoted.

The goal is to share achievements that let the interviewer imagine you in the position — and see you succeeding.

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Question No : Can You Tell Me Something About Your Education

Hint: A degree has never made a good employee of anyone. Nonetheless, HR managers will often inquire about your education, trying to understand your attitude to learning.

You should focus on the practical skills and abilities that will help you in your new job. These matter more than the names of degrees and educational institutionsunless you graduated from Harvard or Cambridge, obviously :).

I have studied at ABC University. I acquired knowledge of statistics, project management and accounting, beside many other subjects. I took part in projects and competitions we had at school. I believe that my education and internship that followed prepared me perfectly for a job in your company.

* Special Tip: Besides asking you questions, many companies will let you complete a series of tests . Testing your numerical and verbal abilities, English skills, behavioral tendencies, and other, they get a good picture about your readiness for the job.

The only way to prepare for the tests is practicing them in advance. We strongly recommend the following assessment test practice package from JobTestPrep. Be sure to check it out especially if you apply for a job in a big corporation, because almost all Fortune 500 companies use assessment tests in their interview process

Is There Anything Else Youd Like Us To Know

Top Interview Tips: Common Questions, Body Language & More

Just when you thought you were done, your interviewer asks you this open-ended doozy. Dont panicits not a trick question! You can use this as an opportunity to close out the meeting on a high note in one of two ways, Zhang says. First, if there really is something relevant that you havent had a chance to mention, do it now. Otherwise, you can briefly summarize your qualifications. For example, Zhang says, you could say: I think weve covered most of it, but just to summarize, it sounds like youre looking for someone who can really hit the ground running. And with my previous experience , I think Id be a great fit.

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Tips For A Successful Interview

Here are some additional tips to help you build confidence and prepare for your interview:

Practise answering common interview questions out loud with a friend or family member.
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the employer.
Wear a professional outfit that matches the company’s dress code.
Bring several hard copies of your resume and cover letter.
Send a follow-up email within 48 hours of your interview to thank the hiring manager for their time.

What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment

Its easy to get hung up on figuring out your single most impressive accomplishment. Instead, think of a few achievements that showcase your work ethic and values. If you can, pick examples that also tie back to the job youre applying for. The STAR method is a great tool to ensure you highlight the parts of your story that employers want to hear.

Example answer:In my last role, I managed all social media content. I noticed other brands were experimenting with videos and seeing great engagement from their customers, so I asked my boss if we could do a low-budget test. She agreed, so I produced a video cheaply in-house that drove double the engagement we normally saw on our social channels. It also drove conversions with 30% of viewers visiting our website within a week of seeing the video.

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Common Job Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

Interviews can be high stress, anxiety-driving situations, especially if its your first interview. A little practice and preparation always pays off. While we cant know exactly what an employer will ask, here are 10 common interview questions along with advice on how to answer them. The questions include:

Could you tell me something about yourself and describe your background in brief?: Interviewers like to hear stories about candidates. Make sure your story has a great beginning, a riveting middle, and an end that makes the interviewer root for you to win the job.
How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?: Share an instance when you remained calm despite the turmoil. If its a skill youre developing, acknowledge it and include the steps youre taking to respond better to pressure in the future.
What are your salary expectations?: Before you walk in for your first interview, you should already know what the salary is for the position youre applying to. Check out websites such as Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com for salary information. You could also ask people in the field by reaching out to your community on LinkedIn.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here.

Below is a list of 10 common job interview questions, along with answering techniques that will help you dazzle your prospects, and hopefully, secure the role you want.