Job Interview: Top Twenty Frequently Asked Questions – What is Context?

These top twenty frequently asked questions touch on the necessary aspects the hiring managers want to know about every candidate: who exactly you are, why you are a perfect fit for this specific job, and what you are good at doing.

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What is Context of Top 20 Frequently Asked Job Interview Questions?

These top twenty frequently asked questions touch on the necessary aspects the hiring managers want to know about every candidate: who exactly you are, why you are a perfect fit for this specific job, and what you are good at doing.

Most interviewers are likely to ask the same types of questions, so it has become slightly easier for you to prepare for any job interview.

Question 1. Tell me about yourself?

Context:

This question, if asked, always occurs at the beginning of the interview. It is a way for the interviewer to determine if you are a good fit for the job. If the interviewer asks you this question, turn this opportunity to your advantage to establish a momentum.

It is your chance to distinguish yourself from other likely candidates.

Before you go for a job interview, consider what you want to say when you are describing yourself to the potential employer.

Question 2. What are your greatest strengths?

Context:

This is the perfect time for you to mention your work-related strengths. Focus on making it clear to the interviewers that you are a qualified candidate for the job, you are interested in the work, and a good fit for the company.

Talk about something that makes you a great fit for this role. Avoid rattling off a list of adjectives, while you are answering this question, think about quality, not quantity.

Question 3. What do you consider to be your biggest weaknesses?

Context:

To nail typical interview questions like this, be realistic and mention a small work related flaw. Realize that the interviewers do not expect you to be perfect. Everyone has his or her flaws, weaknesses, and things to improve on.

When you give a real answer, you are being genuine. You are admitting you have some growth opportunities and are not perfect. However, do not pick a weakness that will disqualify you for the job.

Question 4. What’s your greatest professional achievement to date?

Context:

This is a behavioral question, which means, you are being asked to talk about a specific example from your professional history. Choose an example or story about how you handled an important assignment or major project that is both significant to you and loaded in detail.

Question 5. What makes you unique? Why should we hire you?

Context:

There is no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to prepare an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, but also deliver great results; that you will really fit in with the team and culture; and that you would be a better hire than other candidates would be.

Question 6. Why are you leaving your current job? What didn’t you like about your current or last job?

Context:

While answering this question, grab the opportunity to share what you have learned about the potential new company by demonstrating your interest in the new job opportunity. You may also talk about the work environment and culture of this company. Describe how you feel it is a strong match with your experience and skill strengths.

While answering this question on your job interview, remember to keep it precise to the question asked. Be positive in your tone while promoting yourself and your accomplishments.

Avoid being negative about your current employer or job in your reply. The most acceptable and effective reasons for leaving your current position are positive and not negative, that is related to moving forward in your career or life.

Question 7. Why do you want to get this job? What are you looking for in a new position in this company?

Context:

Think this as your opportunity to position yourself and gain a competitive advantage over other candidates being interviewed.

Companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job. Consequently, the employers are looking for someone who is a good fit for their corporate culture, a candidate who is enthusiastic about the position and the company, and is likely to be a long-term player.

Question 8. Why was there a gap in your employment history?

Context:

Answering questions about any phase of unemployment can be uncomfortable. You must know that you are not alone. Being prepared for whatever comes your way and having confidence in the skills you have achieved during that gap can go a long way to bridging the break with professionalism and poise.

Mostly, a gap in your work experience does not really mean anything. You almost certainly have a very good reason for it. One thing to remember is that if you were laid off at work, or you quit your job and later had trouble getting a new job, you should be very subtle about it.

If the interviewers know that, you are struggling to find a job, it may give them the upper hand in salary negotiations.

Question 9. What is your dream job?

Context:

Even though your dream job might have nothing to do with the job you are interviewing for, do not talk about this if it is unrelated. Instead, make an effort to connect your answer to the position you are being interviewing for.

Make sure that the elements you list as part of your dream job are work conditions and functions related to the position you are interviewed.

Keep your tone of voice and your facial expression positive and upbeat, as you describe your dream job. Your interviewers will be gauging the amount of interest and commitment you can offer to their organization.

Question 10. What should I know that’s not already mentioned on your resume? Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Context:

The ideal answer to the “tell me something that is not already mentioned on your resume” interview question is brief and positive. Avoid unrelated and negatives personal stories. Keep your focus on your strengths, something great about the company, or on why you want the job, etc. Keep your answer under one minute.

Question 11. When have you worked as part of a team? What would you do if you didn’t get on with someone in your team?

Context:

Teamwork is a priority for many employers. When you are appearing for your next interview, be ready to talk about your ability to work with other people so you can answer properly to questions about teamwork. Provide the interviewers examples of instance when you worked in a group setting. Emphasize your most significant success in a team. Explain how your teamwork capabilities will help you to succeed in this job.

This question will provide you an opportunity to answer and discuss some of the characteristics that enable you to work well with your supervisors, co-workers, and clients.

Question 12. What’s your management style? How do you prioritize your work?

Context:

This is a ‘behavioral’ interview question. To deliver a right answer to such question you need to give a related example of your past behavior.

This question is significant for employers, as it assists them grasp how well you may interact with employees in their company.

Question 13. What three things would your last boss say about you?

Context:

Knowing the real meaning behind an interview question is the key to providing a solid response. This question is probing your aptitude to see yourself from another person’s point of view, as well as giving the interviewer some hints as to what you may be like as an employee. The question is actually asking you to assess yourself in your present job, with some reference to how you work together with others around you.

This is a great opportunity for you to explain and sell yourself on some of your skills and attributes.

Question 14. How would your coworkers describe you?

Context:

The rationale behind asking this question is to see if you would be competent enough to work well in a team or group setting. The HR manager wants to know if you work side by side with other persons to solve problems. In any job you are going for, you will need to interact with other people regularly.

The interviewers are looking for much more than just one-word answers such as ‘friendly’ or ‘nice’. They may want to know how you fit into the company culture at your last job. If you did not get along with your coworkers or your colleagues would be likely to note that you did not fit in. It could indicate that the company culture was not a good fit for you. If the work position you are interviewing for has a similar organization culture, they may not consider you a good fit for that either.

Question 15. How do you handle work related pressure and stressful situations in your life?

Context:

If you are new to the workforce, or even if you have ever held a job previously, you are perhaps familiar with feelings of stress at workplace. Human resources managers may sometimes ask you about how you handle stress in a job interview, as your reaction to the stressful situations may affect your teammates and the company overall.

Everybody has different ways of handling stress. To prepare for this question, consider how you have dealt with stressful work experiences in the past. Think about how those instances may have helped you to understand your strengths and weaknesses better.

Question 16. What are you passionate about? What motivates you the most?

Context:

This common interview question gives employers clues to a few different areas about you. What interests you personally and professionally? What motivates you? What your best strengths might be? What inspires you?

When hiring managers ask you what you are passionate about during a job interview, it is an excellent opportunity to tell the interviewer about your enthusiasms, hobbies, or anything that is important in your life. The interviewer is looking to learn as much as possible about you. They want to know what else you are bringing to the company, other than the skills that qualify you for the job.

When you are answering interview questions about your interests, you should aspire to demonstrate your dedication to your passion, whatever that might be. You also need to be honest, as hiring managers can spot a canned answer instantaneously. Answer with sincerity and just enough detail, and you will effectively show the hiring manager about who exactly you are.

Question 17. What do you like to do outside of work?

Context:

This question gives you an opportunity to let your personality shine. Be honest in your reply and keep it professional. Although it is important to be yourself to show what you do like to do outside of work, some things are better to avoid. There is no need to venture in the certain vulnerable areas and come across as a risky, unreliable candidate. Avoid anything that could potentially be a red flag such as delving into politics, gambling, drinking, or illegal activities. Instead, share your life-enriching passions.

If you have a hobby that is similar to your career, that is great! If not, simply share something you enjoy doing.

Question 18. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time from now?

Context:

Your interviewer is asking this question to understand: what are your long-term career goals and how would these align with the company, how you would strive towards your objectives, how this particular role would contribute towards your success, and if you are going to stay put in the new position.

Potential employers want to know that the position will satisfy you and that you will work hard and stay with the company for a long time. Hiring managers’ success does not depend on how many empty chairs they can fill with warm bodies. Their success depends on keeping talented employees happy and engrossed at work.

Practicing for this question is a very good exercise in figuring out what you like doing, what is meaningful to you in your career plan, and what you really want to be doing in five years from now. Take the time to think about how much you love what you are doing or what you are not doing.

Question 19. What’s your current salary and what are your salary expectations?

Context:

These questions are the most feared by job candidates, with a reason. This may be the start of the salary negotiation, if the hiring manager decides to offer you the job.

By researching and preparing a reply ahead of time, you can reveal to the potential employer that you are not only flexible with your salary, but you also know what you are worth.

Question 20. Do you have any questions for us?

Context:

Surprisingly, the most common answer to this interview question is no. Not only is this the wrong answer, but it is also a missed chance to find out information about the company. It is vital for you to ask questions, not just any questions, but those relating to the job, the company, and the industry.

Om Vishnu Bishnoi

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