Interview Questions

Another seemingly innocent interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company. You can include the reasons and aspects of why you are attracted to this job position.

In a few sentences, you can impress upon why you are the right fit for this job.

Finally, finish by saying how excited you are about the possibility of being hired for the job

An detailed list of adjectives such as ‘capable’, ‘hard-working’ or ‘cautious’ won’t really portray you well because anyone can make such claims about themselves. Instead think about three things that you do well and give concrete examples. If you are a strong organiser, for example, then talk about a project that you coordinated, or a new procedure that you formulated. If you are good with numbers, then talk about your skills with spreadsheets or financial matters.

Interviewers often ask this question as a way to determine whether or not you took time to research the company and to learn why you see yourself as a good fit. First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you.  In your answer, mention the aspects of the company that appeals to you and align with your career goals. Explain why you’re looking for these things in an employer.

This interview question seems forward, but if you're asked it, you're in luck: There's no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. To answer, focus on why hiring you would benefit the employer. Since you don’t know the other applicants, it can be challenging to think about your answer in relation to them. Addressing why your background makes you a good fit will let employers know why your traits and qualifications make you well prepared.

What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question—beyond identifying any major red flags—is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty.

Never say that you have no weakness. Everyone who does this comes across like they have simply not prepared for this interview. Likewise, avoid giving yourself a back-handed compliment, such as ‘I work too hard’. Remember that being able to identify a weakness is a strength. Focus on an area of your work that need to be improved. You might have been trained in something that you’d like to take to the next level, for example. Point out that this is a weakness, but something you have identified and are focusing on resolving.

The interviewer wants to understand more about your career goals and how this position would fit into your grand plan. They care about your career goals because they want to hire someone who is motivated, proactive, and likely to stick around and work hard if hired.  Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

This is a toughie, but one you can be sure you'll be asked. Definitely keep things positive—you have nothing to gain by being negative about your past employers. Prepare a thoughtful answer that will give your interviewer confidence that you’re being deliberate about this job change. Focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position.

This question is often used to assess how well you perform under pressure as well as your problem-solving abilities.  Keep in mind stories are more memorable than facts and figures, so strive to “show” instead of “tell.” This is also an excellent opportunity to show your human side and how you’re willing to go the extra mile without being asked.

Motivation is personal, so there is no wrong answer that you can give. It might be down to your desire to succeed and build a career, but it might also be because you want to provide for your family – both perfectly good answers if you choose to give them. In some professions, caring or vocational motivations might be worth mentioning, too.

As you start to prepare your answer to this question, think of a time you experienced stress in the workplace. Consider the following questions to help you plan a positive, interviewer-focused answer that shows you’ve thought about your relationship to stress. From the stressful work situations you can recall, focus on the stories and examples where you can identify a moment of personal growth. This will help any potential employer understand how you turn stress into a positive - especially if you give examples where stress has actually helped your work in some way.

Seemingly random personality - test type questions like these come up in interviews generally because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There's no wrong answer here, but you'll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Although I would generally stay away from animals that have negative associations, like snakes, hyenas, rats, chickens, or spiders.

Be careful about this question for several reasons:

It doesn’t mean that you are hired. They may be just checking to add that to their notes. You must keep your guard up until you are in your car and driving away from the interview.

If you are currently employed, you should be honest about the start date and show professionalism. You should tell them you would have to discuss a transition with your current company to see if they require a two - week notice (or some other timing depending of the company ). If you currently have a critical role, your potential new employer would expect a transition period.

The #1 rule of answering this question is doing your research on what you should be paid. You’ll likely come up with a range, and we recommend stating the highest number in that range that applies, based on your experience, education, and skills. Then, make sure the hiring manager knows that you're flexible. You're communicating that you know your skills are valuable, but that you want the job and are willing to negotiate.

You probably already know that an interview isn‘t just a chance for a hiring manager to grill you - it's your opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit for you. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team?

You'll cover a lot of this in the actual interview, so have a few less - common questions ready to go.