Interview questions are not as simple as they seem, and getting just one question wrong can put you out of the running for the job.
The hotel. Be prepared to read between the lines.
Here are seven of the most common interview questions about what a hiring manager is indeed asking, and how you should respond.
What are the most common interview questions?
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
- “What is your greatest weakness?”
- “What motivates you to perform?”
- “Tell me about a time when you failed.”
- “Why do you want to work here?”
- “How many couches are there in America?”
How should you answer the most common interview questions?
All the most common interview questions require a thorough answer because they are behavioral interview questions. Use the Experience + Learn = Grow model to answer these types of interview questions.
Let’s take a closer look at how to answer the most common interview questions below…
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
What is the hiring manager really asking…
“How do your education, work history, and professional aspirations relate to this position?”
How to respond? Choose key job and education information that shows the hiring manager why you’re a perfect fit for the job and the company.
For example, a recent graduate may say something like: “I went to University X, majored in Y, and completed an internship at Company Z. During my internship, I did this and that (name accomplishments that fit the job description) that really solidified my passion for this line of work.”
2. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
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What is the hiring manager really asking…
“Does this position fit into your long-term career goals? Do you even have long-term career goals?”
How to respond? DON’T say you don’t know (even if you don’t) and don’t focus on your personal life (it’s nice that you want to get married, but it’s not appropriate). Show the employer that you have thought about your career path and that your professional goals match the job.
3. “What is your greatest weakness?”
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What is the hiring manager really asking…
“Do you know yourself, do you know where you can improve and are you proactive about getting better?”
How to respond? A good way to answer this is through real-life feedback you’ve received in the past. For example, maybe a previous boss told you that you need to work on your presentation skills.
Keep that fact in mind, then tell the employer how you’re actively improving. Avoid deal breakers (“I don’t like working with other people”) or clichéd answers (“I’m a perfectionist and I work hard”).
4. “What motivates you to perform?”
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What is the hiring manager really asking…
“You are a hard worker, should I force you to produce quality work?”
How to respond? Ideal employees are intrinsically motivated, so tell the hiring manager that you find motivation in achieving a goal, contributing to a team effort, and/or developing your skills. Provide a specific example to support your answer.
Finally, even if it’s true, don’t tell an employer that you’re motivated by bragging rights, material things, or fear of being disciplined.
5. “Tell me about a time you failed.”
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What is the hiring manager really asking…
“How do you respond to failure? Do you learn from your mistakes? Are you resilient?”
How to respond? As with the “biggest weakness” question, you need to show how you turned a negative experience into a learning experience.
To do this, admit one of your failures, take responsibility for it, and explain how you improved as a result. Don’t say you’ve never failed (very delusional?), don’t play the blame game, and don’t bring up the deal breaker (“I once failed a drug test…”).
6. “Why do you want to work here?”
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What is the hiring manager really asking…
“Are you really interested in the job? Are you a good fit for the company?’
How to respond? Your goal in this answer is to demonstrate why you and the company are a great match in terms of philosophy and skill. Discuss what you learned about the company, noting how you fit into its mission, company culture, and reputation.
Next, highlight how you would benefit professionally from the job and how the company would benefit from you.
7. “How many couches are there in America?”
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What is the hiring manager really asking…
“Can you think on your feet? Can you apply pressure? Can you think critically?”
How to respond? When faced with such a seemingly absurd question, it is important that you are not careless.
Resist telling the interviewer that the question is stupid and irrelevant, and instead walk them through your problem-solving thought process. For this particular question, you would be talking about how many people in the US have couches (homes, hotels, furniture stores), etc.
As with other parts of the job application process, it’s a good idea to ask for feedback from family, friends, and former colleagues. Practice your answers to each of these questions with at least two other people, then revise based on their feedback.
The importance of pre-interview preparation cannot be emphasized enough. The more you practice, the more confident you will be. If you successfully answer the most common interview questions, you’ll be sure to stand out to employers as a great candidate for the position.
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This article was originally published on an earlier date.
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