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We previously wrote a blog to help you prepare for an interview and what to take (other than your brain) but let’s go that little step further and give you some of the most common questions asked and how to answer them. It’s no secret, you’ll get asked some great questions, some mediocre ones, and definitely some eyebrow-raising questions that may even raise a few questions of your own. The idea of an interview is to assess whether you will be suitable for not only the job itself but whether you will be a good culture fit so being prepared is important, to say the least. Commonly

Interview question #1: Tell us about yourself

This will most likely be the first question you get asked and it shouldn’t be difficult to answer, right? Some people get confused as to whether this means they want to know you from a professional perspective or personal or even both. We recommend both. Your human, they should get to know all of you.

Example: “My passion for people led me to my current role as a receptionist where I find fulfillment in being the first point of contact with visitors to ensure they receive the appropriate warm welcome they deserve. In my experience as a receptionist, I have a clear understanding of the responsibilities and expectations that come with the title. I thrive on ensuring people have a positive experience from the moment they walk in, to the moment they leave.”

Read: More on how to better answer ‘tell us about yourself’ in an interview

Interview question #2: Why did you apply for this role with our company?

In other words, what really attracted you to the business? For some people, it’s just a job so many may think the appropriate response may be “to get paid?” but we recommend you don’t. Most businesses want to feel special just as much as you do. It’s important to show them how enthusiastic and passionate you are about the brand to get the upper edge on other candidates.

Example: “I’ve heard that it’s an amazing place to work with a very people-driven culture which is one of my top priorities hence why I applied for the position. I also believe I can learn a lot from the organization considering the size and resources to help me further develop my skills.”

Read: More on how to answer ‘What attracted you to this role?’

Interview Question #3: Why are you leaving your current job?

We suggest you tread carefully here. We certainly encourage you to be open and honest but that depends on your real reason for leaving. If you’re leaving for a not so good reason, try to get a feel of the person interviewing you. If you feel comfortable, then, by all means, be honest. We love it when people tell us the true reason why they’re leaving. It gives us a better understanding of the candidate.

Example:  “I’ve been with the company for 5 years and unfortunately there is no opportunity to further develop my skills and career, so I’ve made the decision to make a change and seek opportunities elsewhere.”

Read: 4 better ways to answer ‘why are you leaving your current job?’

Interview Question #4: What are your strengths?

Some people can talk about themselves all day long, but others don’t seem to do it quite as fluently. There is nothing wrong with either but it’s important to illustrate what you’re good at and back it up by using examples. It’s easy for someone to say “I’m good at this and that” without any supporting data. Remember, this is a chance to really highlight your strengths, so don’t hold back.

Example: “I have a natural urge to solve complex problems. I’m a problem solver. I really enjoy solving complex problems that others can’t. It’s a bit weird but it’s very satisfying to overcome a challenging scenario and learning from it. An example of this was a situation I experienced in my current role where a colleague requested assistance to understand a billing issue that occurred with a client which I identified to be a data entry error when the contract was set up.”

Read: How to answer ‘what are your strengths’ 

Interview Question #5: What are your weaknesses?

We bet you saw this one coming, didn’t you! Businesses will always ask what your weaknesses are no matter how cliché the question may be. Some businesses want to know your weaknesses so they can determine if you will be a good fit within the organization, however, there are businesses that will make that decision based on your strengths rather than your weaknesses. This would just be an indicator to ensure they avoid you doing something you don’t enjoy. One thing we will mention, make sure you talk about your weaknesses. Don’t ever go to an interview and mention you’re perfect with no weaknesses, nobody is perfect and it comes across as arrogant – not an attractive trait to have.

Example: “I sometimes struggle to keep my emotions out of certain discussions which is something I have been working on and am making small improvements. I am very passionate thus somethings can take certain conversations or events personally when I shouldn’t.”

Read: How to answer ‘what are your weaknesses?’

Interview Question #6: Why should we hire you?

Consider this your 30-second pitch. What makes you so different from other candidates that have applied for the same position? Every heard of USP? It’s a sales term which stands for ‘Unique Sales Proposition’. This is you selling yourself and giving the business a reason to hire you. Practice it in the mirror or let it come naturally but be prepared to answer this question and do it convincingly.

Example: “My passion for people goes far beyond my role as a receptionist. I find fulfilment in contributing to other people’s happiness and success by having a positive influence in the workplace.”

Read: How to answer ‘why should we hire you?’

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Of course, there are many more typical questions that employers tend to ask during an interview, many I’m sure you’ve already been asked and answered. Interviews are conducted so your potential future boss to get to know you and for you to get to know them and the business so you both can make an informed decision. This is your future we are talking about here. Remember to always ask questions. This shows your enthusiasm and interest in the business. Do everything you can to be prepared, especially if you’re really interested in that specific job! And cross your fingers! Good Luck!