5 Common Interview Questions

5 common interview questions frequently asked in job interviews. You can almost be 100% sure that you will get asked some or all of these standard interview questions - prepare well and stand out as the right candidate for the job opportunity.

Interviewers often begin with the question "Tell me about yourself".

It is a tough question to answer because it is so broad and it is difficult to know what information to concentrate on. It is a seemingly informal and friendly question so candidates tend not to prepare for it. This is a mistake, it is very easy to bore the interviewer with irrelevant information. Use these expert interview tips to help you with this one.

• Know what the requirements of the job opening are. Make sure you have a good understanding of what the company is looking for in a successful candidate.
• Tailor your answer to highlight how you have the skills and abilities the company is looking for
• Keep it to the point - an interviewer will quickly lose interest in a candidate who rambles on about themselves. Stick to about 3 - 5 pertinent points
• Start with the strongest benefit you can bring to the job
• Be specific by supporting your answer with facts and figures

One of the 5 common interview questions, "Why should we hire you?" requires similar preparation.

• Match your skills to the job requirements. Look at the competencies needed for success in this type of position.
• Prepare a statement that clearly demonstrates these skills and competencies
• Avoid the type of answers that don't work for this question such as I am a hard worker and I try really hard. These don't tell the interviewer why you, specifically, are the right person for the job

Find out about answering interview questions that ask Why should we hire you?

The old favorite - "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

An effective answer requires you to sit down before your job interview and consider this carefully. Use these helpful tips to prepare.

• Keep it job-related. The interviewer is not really interested in how good you are at cooking or swimming
• Show how your strengths would benefit the job and the company
• Avoid falling into the old trap of trying to present a strength as a weaknesses such as I am a workaholic. This is too much of a cliche for credibility. Focus rather on how you are trying to improve a genuine weakness

Another of the 5 common interview questions is "Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?"

The interviewer is asking this question to see how your expectations fit with the job and the company.

• Keep it career-related. Discussing plans to travel the world or run a marathon is not what the interviewer is looking for
• Avoid specific job titles and exact time frames
• Answer in more general terms emphasizing your long term commitment to this position and your desire to learn and grow
• Employers view goal-setting as desirable in an employee so start off by saying The goals I have set myself are ...

Get help with this typical job interview question and answer about your goals and future plans

"Why do you want to work for this company?" is a standard interview question. The interviewer is checking to see how much you know about the company and if you have really thought about why you would like a job with them. Use these guidelines.

• Do comprehensive background research on the company before your interview
• How do your personal motivations fit in with what you have learned about the company?
• Use specifics when referring to what it is about the company that appeals to you

Be well prepared for these 5 common interview questions and set yourself apart from the competition.

Take your interview preparation further and go through the Top 10 Interview Questions you are likely to face in your job interview.

View other Typical Interview Questions.

It is essential to have prepared a couple of excellent questions to ask the interviewer. Use this list of Good Interview Questions to Ask to help you with this.

Most job interviews today will include behavioral interview questions. These should be thought about carefully before your interview. View the sample Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions and know how to handle these type of interview questions.

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