Whether it’s your first job or a career move, being prepared for a job interview is the key to success!

Going through a job interview can be intimidating, but you should look at it as a simple discussion to determine if you are suitable for the job – and if the company is right for you.

However, from first contact, the prospective employer will look at you as a potential employee. You will be evaluated on professionalism and interest in the position.

Even though an interview is a discussion, you should be well-prepared to make a good impression.

Let’s look at some ways you can prepare for your job interview, as well as some common questions you may be asked and some suggested answers:

Preparing for the Interview

Preparing for an interview can be more stressful than the interview itself! But having a plan of action will ensure that the interview will go smoothly.

Here are some tips for preparing for your interview:

• Do some online research about the company, its objectives, and its mission. This information will help you answer how your experience, education, and skills will be an asset to the position you have applied for.
• Double-check the interview format. Are you meeting in person? Online? Do you need to bring a resume or application?
• Dress appropriately, neatly, and professionally.
• Make sure you give yourself enough time to get ready and travel to the interview. Try to get there 10-15 minutes early.
• Relax, check your posture, and maintain eye contact.

Most importantly, it’s best to rehearse the answers to the questions your interviewer may ask so that you don’t panic and draw a blank when the time comes!

Common Job Interview Questions and Answers

There are ten interview questions that are often the downfall of job seekers, especially if they are caught off guard!

Use the following questions to better prepare yourself for your job interview and boost your confidence.

1. What Are Your Weaknesses?

This is probably the most dreaded job interview question. No one wants to talk about their weaknesses, right?

The best way to go about this question is to emphasize your strengths while minimizing your weaknesses.

You can mention professional traits that you deem as “weak” that may be an asset to the company you are interviewing with. Or, you can mention a “weakness” as a focal point of your personal development.

For example, you could say something like, “I tend to be very task-oriented,” which would benefit a task-oriented business. Or you could say, “I find that I tend to multitask, so I am working on my time management skills.”

2. Why Should We Hire You?

Unfortunately, you can’t answer this question by saying, “Because I need a job.”

This can be an overwhelming question because, as much as we don’t like to talk about our weaknesses, we often have difficulty talking about our strengths.

An ideal way to handle this question is to start with a summary of your work experience that may be important to the company.

Remember to be confident and show that you are looking forward to becoming a part of the company.

3. Why Do You Want to Work In Our Company?

The interviewer’s purpose for asking such a question is to make certain that you, as the applicant, are really interested in the job and not simply applying because there is a job opening.

As an applicant, you have to convince the interviewer that you are serious and interested in the job you are applying for.

This is where researching the company comes in handy! You can take their objectives and mission statement and align them with your own values.

4. What Are Your Goals? Or, Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

It is better to answer this question regarding short-term and intermediate goals rather than talking about the distant future.

It is also important to involve the company in discussing your professional goals. For instance, say that you see yourself becoming a part of the company and helping it achieve its goals and missions.

Most interviewers ask this type of question to gain insight into the real motive of an applicant since some will just make a company their training ground and then after they have gained some experience, leave to search for another job.

5. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? Or Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

This is another question used to weigh the professionalism and the ability of an applicant to stay on a job.

As an applicant, it is not advisable to say anything negative about your current or previous employer since it may reflect badly on you.

This will also create a big question in the interviewer’s mind as to why you are making such discriminatory remarks regarding your previous job.

To prevent falling into this trap, just say that you are looking for additional opportunities to enhance your professional knowledge.

6. When Were You Most Satisfied At Your Job?

Again, be very careful when answering this type of question since this will reflect a lot about you as a potential employee!

A not-so-convincing answer may cause you to lose the chance of getting the job you want.

Try to answer this question without any prejudice against your previous job and concentrate more on discussing things that motivate you professionally.

This will create the impression that you are a good employee since you refrain from creating any bad remarks regarding your previous job. Plus, this will provide your future employer with ideas on how to motivate their employees.

7. What Can You Offer That Other Candidates Cannot?

Some applicants go blank when asked this question for fear that they may answer inadequately.

Be confident and concentrate on discussing your positive traits and work qualifications that you deem important and relevant to the job you are applying for.

8. What Three Positive Things Would Your Last Boss Say About You?

Simply tell them of your positive traits both as a person and as an employee which are noticed not only by your previous but likewise by your co-workers.

Think of positive remarks that your previous boss may have told you and ready through any performance-related assessment you may have had for inspiration.

9. What Kind of Salary Are You Expecting?

When an interviewer asks you your salary requirements, they usually like you and consider hiring you to become part of their company.

Some employers may ask about your salary history from your previous jobs. This will give them an idea of how much you would consider asking from them.

A safe way to answer this question is to ask for a salary similar to what you have previously received. Or simply tell them that you are willing to receive any amount that is rightfully proportional to the position or the job you are applying for.

10. Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

Many applicants believe that not asking questions demonstrates knowledge and understanding.

However, not asking any questions could give the interviewers the impression that you are not engaged in the conversation or interested in the position.

Instead, ask specific questions about the role you are applying for, the company, or any qualifications you may be lacking for the position.

Avoid asking questions about off-work activities, salary and benefits (unless these are brought up by the interviewer), and anything you can answer yourself.