If you have had a couple interviews but have not had success in getting the job, maybe you’re not preparing your answers correctly. Just like a midterm, you can prepare for the standard questions asked by recruiters to know if the candidate would be a good fit for the job.
Keep in mind that cramming for a job interview is not recommended. The main thing you need for an interview is confidence, and that takes time and practice. For now, let’s go over a couple of commonly asked questions, so you can start thinking about how to answer them:
Questions about your application:
- What made you apply for this role?
- Why do you want to work for this company?
These questions look for a similar answer whether asking about a company or a position. So, how should you prepare your answer? First, you should learn about your career goals and how this position fits into your plan. You should also make sure that you are sincerely interested in the job and will be motivated to perform if hired. This will help you tailor your response to the position you are interviewing for.
Questions about your professional experience:
- Can you walk me through your resume?
- What are the reasons for leaving your current job?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
When recruiters ask these questions, they want to learn more about you and your experiences. This is an opportunity for you to show your personality and your professional experience since a one-page resume cannot provide all of it. Recruiters take this as an opportunity to assess you as a person and what’s important to you in a job and how you handle undesirable situations.
Questions about you:
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- How would you describe your working style?
- What do you do in your free time?
While these questions may seem vague and unnecessary, they help recruiters decide whether you will fit in well with the company culture and the requirements of the job. This question is far easier to answer if you analyze the job listing to match your qualifications with their requirements and prepare answers that show you’re the best candidate for the job.
Make sure you practice your answers out loud as they will sound different when spoken than how they sound in your head. It is also helpful to review the job description and research the company, so your answers are tailored to their requirements.
Good luck!