When you have an interview coming up,preparing for it is very important. You need to plan and practice your answers so that you can be more confident and increase your chances of passing the interview. However, when you are not sure what questions are going to be asked.
This article is going to help you to get ready for your interview. Whether you’re applying for a learnership, internship, senior role, a government job or your first job, these top 10 common interview questions often come up in any type of a job interview.
Let’s break down the 10 top common interview questions along with what employers are really looking for, and tips on how to answer them confidently.
1. Tell Me About Yourself
What they’re asking:
With this question, employers don’t want your whole life story, but a short summary of your background. They want you to outline who you are and what you have achieved so far.
How to answer:
Discuss your present, your past and your future. Firstly Summarize your current position, then move on to mention details of the skills that you have gained from prvious roles and lastly give an explanation on how this new role represents your ideal next steps.
Keep it very professional and brief( 1 to 2 minutes maximum). Remember to focus on your work experience, education, and what makes you a good fit for the role.
For Example:
“I am a recent graduate from the University of North West. I hold a degree in Accounting Sciences. I also have a 1 year internship experience from a local accounting firm. I am very passionate about accounting and finance, and I am very excited to apply my skills in a full time environment.”
2. Why Do You Want This Job?
What they’re asking:
The employer wants to find out if you understand the role you are applying for and to find out if you are genuinely interested?
How to answer:
Demonstrate your knowledge of the role. Explain what the role entails, how ready you are to take it and why you would enjoy the role. Tie the role to your career goals and how it suits you very well at this stage of your career. Also mention specific things that appeal to you about the job or company.
For Example:
“I truelly believe that this role is going to assist me with building my career in accounting while I am contributing to a reputable , forward thinking team. I also admire this organisation’s commitment to youth development.”
3. What Are Your Strengths?
What they’re asking:
The employer wants to find out if your strengths match the role. They also wanna know if you are self-aware.
How to answer:
When answering this question, focus on 1 to 2 strengths that are closely related to the role you are applying for. Focus on the strengths that the company needs. Remmeber to give an example to support your answer.
“For Example:
“I am a very oraganised individual. I am very good at meeting deadlines. I helped my team save hours of work each week in my previous learnership by streamlining weekly reports.
4. What Are Your Weaknesses?
What they’re asking:
The employee is trying to figure out if you are an honest employee who is willing to grow.
How to answer:
Do not mention a weakness that might worry the interviewer. Mention a weakness that you found challenging in the past, however one that you have successfully addressed and improved from. Also mention the postive impact that this improvement has had on your work ever since. Mention what you have done or doing to improve the weakness.
For Example:
“In the beginning of my career, I used to struggle a lot with public speaking, however after practicing via presenting and volunteering to speak at work events, my speaking skills improved in a year or so.”
5. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
What they’re asking:
With this question, the employee wants to find out if your career goals align with that of the organisation and how ambitious you are.
How to answer:
When answering this question, think about the skills that you would like to gain in the next 5 years. Then try your best to clearly describe what they are and how their improvement is going to mean a lot to you in 5 years. Remember to keep it realistic and relevant when you talk about career growth.
For Example:
“In the next 5 years , I see myself asa qualified Accountant who is able to analyse financial statements, manage a team and mentor new hires”
6. Why Should We Hire You?
What they’re asking:
The interviewer is trying to find out if you can clearly explain why you are the best candidate for this role. Describe how you can do the job very well, what the role entails and what the comoany is about.
How to answer:
Describe how you can do the job very well, what the role entails and what the comoany is about. Give a short summary of your skills, and work experience.
For Example:
“THroughout my career , I have acquired a mix of the right skills for this role as well as a strong work ethic. I am very eager to learn and can adapt and contribute to any team. “
7. Tell Me About a Challenge You Faced and How You Handled It
What they’re asking:
With this question, the employer is trying to figure out if you have problem-solving skills.
How to answer:
For this question , I would advice you to use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Describe the Situation surrounding the challenge.The task that you were supposed to complete.The Action you took and how it links to the strength you want to highlight.Lastly describe the positive Results that you achieved at the end.
For Example:
“During the time I was completing my learnership, the team i was a part of faced a delay with their data project. The action I took was to step up to help organise the workflow, which ended up helping us meet our deadline with 3 days to spare.”
8. Do You Work Better Alone or in a Team?
What they’re asking:
The employer is tryng to see if you can adapt to a new different work environment.
How to answer:
Most organisations require an employee who is flexible and can blend in to any team.
For Example:
“I enjoy being a part of a positive and supportive team that I can learn from. I am also comfortable with working independently if needs be.”
9. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
What they’re asking:
The interviewer is tryiing to figure out if your salary expectations are realistic for the role you are applying for? Doing research and finding out what an average salary is for someone with your number of work experience and qualifications ,is very vital.
How to answer:
If it happens that you are unsure of your salary expectations, make it clear to the interviewer that you are open to negotiate the salary based on their budget or market related average.
For example:
“I am open to negotiate based on your budget, my role responsibilities and experience. However , right now I am more focused on growth opportunities and learning “
10. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
What they’re asking:
The interviewer is trying to figure out if you are interested and prepared for the role?
How to answer:
Always say yes when they ask you if you have a question. You can ask about training, company culture, or next steps in in the interview process
For Example:
“May you please describe your company culture”; “What type of data will be analysing”
Final Interview Tips
- Ensure you arrive 15 minutes early for your interview.
- adress professionaly.
- Practice.Practice.Practice.In front of a mirror or friend.
- Reasearch your role and company beforehand.