5 Interview Questions You MUST Be Prepared to Answer
No one can predict exactly what questions will be asked during any given job interview. However, there are some questions that are practically guaranteed to come out, and it’s essential that you’re prepared to answer them.
These five questions are staples for job interviews of all types. With great prepared answers, you’ll exponentially increase your chances of being hired.
Question #1: What interests you about this particular job?
This seems like an obvious question. In fact, it’s so obvious that a lot of job seekers don’t have an answer prepared—and this can be a huge mistake. If you’re not ready with a thoughtful answer, it will seem to the hiring manager that you’re not particularly interested in this job.
Question #2: Why do you think you’d do well at this job?
In a similar vein to the previous question, this one is obvious. However, you don’t want to give the obvious answer, which is to rehash the skills and experience sections of your resume. Have a well-prepared answer for this question ready that applies your knowledge to the particular details of this job, so you’ll look like the perfect candidate.
Question #3: What did you like/dislike about your most recent job?
You’ll probably be asked both of these questions if you’ve had prior work experience. For the “what do you like” portion, your answer can be pretty straightforward—simply match your likes to the requirements in the description of the job you’re interviewing for.
With “what do you dislike,” your answer should be a bit more strategic. Avoid trash talking or ranting about your previous employer—this can indicate that you’re hard to get along with. Also, don’t get into too much detail about your dislikes to avoid drawing attention to any weaknesses. The best idea is to choose one process or aspect of your most recent company and casually explain your frustrations with it.
Question #4: What kind of salary are you looking for?
There are several reasons an employer might ask this question during an interview. If you’re not prepared to answer, you may end up quoting a lowball figure—which you’ll then be stuck with. Prepare for this answer by researching average salaries for the position, and factoring in any experience you have that would merit a higher salary.
Question #5: Do you have any questions?
Many job candidates fail interviews on this one, which is usually the final question, by answering with some version of “no, I’m good.” Not asking questions is a sign to the interviewer that you weren’t interested or engaged enough to find out more. Make sure you have a good question or two ready to ask, and end by asking if you can contact the hiring manager at some point to follow up on the interview. To learn more about how we can help you find and prepare for your next interview, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].