Common Interview Questions

Job Hunting Tips Interviewing

by Alex Rudloff on Feb 7th, 2007

If you are just beginning your job hunt, or have not interviewed in awhile, it is probably a good idea to brush up on your interviewing skills. In an earlier article, we covered general preparation tips and tactics.

With this article, we will cover a few common interview questions.

How to Answer Common Interview Questions

Q. Tell me more about yourself.

A. This is a common first question. Answer honestly, briefly and include only those details which you are comfortable revealing. They can always ask you to elaborate on particular points of interest. Try to mention something about where you grew up, where you attended school, a prominent move or career change, maybe a hobby. Include one recent detail of your life. This is a chance to establish common ground and find similar points of interest.

"Well I was raised in New Jersey and moved to Washington DC to attend American University. I worked for XYZ doing research while getting my MBA at night. I graduated one month ago and I am looking to start the next phase of my career in a new city. My sister lives just outside of Chicago and I love sailing, so I was really thrilled to learn your firm is hiring. I just moved to town and I am loving it so far!"

Q. Why did you choose this career?

A. Almost anything goes for this, as everyone has a different story. Even if you stumbled into your line of work, this is a chance to show passion. If you have dreamed of this career your whole life, it is a great way to show follow through and desire.

Q. Why do you want to work here at ABC Inc.?

A. If you did your prep work, researching the company and position, you should have an idea of why you want this job. If you are just applying hoping for a better opportunity, keep researching and make sure you have at least one aspect of the job/company that you can point to as appealing.

Honesty is the best policy, compliment the company, point out one specific qualification you posses and remember, simplicity is best. Avoid an extended story about how your brother's girlfriend's cousin said he loves working there and hooked you up with HR.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the growing ABC sales team, and I believe my customer service skills can help further ABC market share in this community. Especially with the new bean counting device coming out next Fall."

Q. What would you say is your strength? Your weakness?

A. These questions are your chance to really sell yourself - your strength should be a characteristic that is relevant to the position you are applying for. Think of something that you are proud of and can elaborate on. They will want an example or details. Your weakness should be an honest assessment of an area in which you lack experience or need to improve upon. Remember though, your still trying to sell yourself. Don't mention that you are constantly late, always procrastinate or can't deal with people well. Be smart.

"I believe that I am highly organized and good with numbers. It's why I like bean counting so much I guess. For my weakness, I think I could use more experience with some of the newer bean counting technologies out there."

Q. What did you learn from your last job/internship/educational experience?

A. Sell the qualities that you want to highlight. Point out how that experience is directly related to making you a great candidate for this position. Take advantage of this open ended question by bringing up all the points you'd like to emphasize. They will ask follow up questions, so lead them where you want to go!

Q. Why did you leave your previous job?

A. Never offer up excuses or bash the job in question. If you do not have an "easy out" answer such as relocation, consider this question a chance to show your ambition for growth. Transition to explaining how this new opportunity is a better fit for your skills and/or your career ambitions.

Q. Why is there a 1 year gap in your resume?

A. If you have a period of unemployment on your resume, be prepared to answer a question about it.

If you took time off for a personal or family crisis, avoid details. Simply state that for personal or family reasons you were unable to work for a period of time. If you have been unemployed on the job hunt, be honest. Layoffs are a common occurrence these days. Brevity and a positive attitude towards the situation will be your best bet in any scenario.

Q. What are your salary requirements?

A. See our "Negotiating a New Job's Salary" article for guidance on negotiating the pay you want.

Remember that an interview is very much a sales meeting. Do not allow yourself to dominate the conversation, ask plenty of questions when afforded the chance, dress properly, and smile -- positive attitudes are contagious!

Have any other questions you would like to share? Any answers? Maybe a interviewing horror story? Join in on the conversation in the comments below!

Looking for a job? Use our free resume builder and job search!

26 Comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Beatrice says: (1:03PM on Mar 2nd 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Many common sense answers to common interviewing questions. Thanks. Also found great answers from the Interview Doctor (interviewdoctor.wordpress.com) to tricky questions and behavioral questions. Particularly like the answers to the off the wall questions and what interviewers hate. Always wondered before about the best way to answer that "manhole" question.

Tracy says: (6:52PM on Mar 24th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

One thing that also might help better prepare you and your future employer is by giving them a direct URL link they can view prior to interviewing you. I created an online profile at www.personavita.com that let me customize my bio and work history to the job I am interviewing for. I think it helps the interview stay on track if they already know you, your goals and your qualifications.

Locksmith Washington says: (11:28PM on Aug 11th 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

These are great interview tips. It really helps to cover all the ground and prepare before going to an interview.

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lizabella says: (4:58PM on Apr 15th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

this was really helpfull to me. i practiced the questions and did well on my interview

Drbj says: (2:31PM on Apr 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2.5/3

A common interviewing question that is difficult for many people to answer is, "You appear to be overqualified." Most of the outplacement candidates I counseled were overqualified by virtue of their experience or previous salary or both. One of the best ways to answer the "You appear to be overqualified" question is to take the offensive. You can answer, "Yes, absolutely! And isn't that to your benefit?" That gives you the opportunity to reiterate why you would be such an asset to the company: your experience bringing in revenue, new customers, research, whatever i pertinent to the position you're seeking. Don't apologize for your age, experience or pay grade. Use them as assets.

Examples of Interview Questions says: (11:28AM on Apr 30th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2.5/3

Thanks for these common interview questions. I finally got my dream job. Your interview answers really made a difference. I was bit nervous at the job interview, but so well prepared that I convinced the interviewer anyway.

Mary says: (8:48PM on Jul 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

I got this e-book about how to prepare and present yourself in an interview, and they have a bunch of common questions, too. I had my interview today, and I'm glad I got that ebook.

Check out the link below. I STRONGLY recommend getting this.

http://www.superstarinterviewguide.com/

Shawn James says: (3:14PM on Aug 4th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Thanks Mary for the recommendation. I was thinking about a book to help me with my interviews. I went to that website and signed up for the free cover letter course. It was very helpful. I just brought the book and read the first two chapters and I was so impress with everything that I read!

Priyanka says: (2:22PM on Aug 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Thanks for the post

Check out this website for the Largest Collection of Technical Interview Questions and Answers

Technical Interview Questions and Answers

Thanks
Priyanka

Priyanka says: (2:24PM on Aug 29th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

The link was missed out
http://www.aired.in/search/label/Interview-Questions">Technical Interview Questions and Answers

Thanks
Priyanka

Jhon matthews says: (4:06PM on Oct 16th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Hi guys,
Here are some very interesting microsoft and google interview questions i found..

http://www.ferozeh.com/Prep/Questions/Questions.php

Sophia Hudson says: (6:46AM on Nov 12th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Very Good buddy!! we have got not only the questions idea of interviews but the answers as well.Thanks a lot for sharing this important information with us.These are definitely the popular questions during an interview.

Common Interview Questions

Common Interview Questions and Answers says: (8:09PM on Feb 13th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Ver nice post, you can also find collection of most commoninterview questions and answers on
http://commoninterview.com

Hope it will help you in your job search !

Common Interview Questions and Answers says: (12:18AM on Feb 14th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

More questions are here:

http://commoninterview.com

Andrew Racknick says: (1:28PM on Apr 21st 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

These are great interview questions which are commonly asked during an interview. I liked the question where most of the time employers ask as stated above what you believe your strength is. I usually take this question as if they were asking me what I'm interested in at work., as most of the time I find myself doing really well at things I find interesting at work. I tend to apply more time and effort ino such interests.

Anyways I would recommend this for anyone who runs into this type of question. Also I had found a very large list of about 101 interview questions which was just released over at: http://www.aspire2work.com/interview-questions/101-interview-questions

The listing seems to be up to date and fairly new. I hope it helps.

Interview Questionnaire says: (4:48AM on Sep 3rd 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

These were the same questions i was asked for my first BPO job. I answered them differently and some how got the job, But, the answers you have provided seems to be great and very helpful.

Interview Questionnaire

Recruitment Interview Questions says: (4:44AM on Sep 3rd 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

This seems to be the best site for me..I have finished my college and was looking for a job.. these question are very helpful and feel i can get a job soon with these answers..you did a fabulous job! keep up the good work..thanks a million!

Recruitment Interview Questions

Terri H says: (2:45AM on Sep 10th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

I am going to interviews where these questions are being asked, but then the interviewer starts reading questions from a page with different criteria standards and all of these questions are asking for specific situations from my past employment. I feel like I am being trapped because I cannot give details specific situations that occurred over 5 years ago. Or, these questions get repetitive, as if I hadn't just answered that from another question before the interviewer started reading from the question list and I have to answer it again to make them happy. I am to the point I hate interviews completely. Why are people even asking canned questions written by someone else?

Belstaff says: (4:10AM on Dec 14th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Lead Answer @ answering says: (5:03AM on Jan 23rd 2011) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

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