Congratulations, you’ve got a interview! Wouldn’t it be great if you knew what a HR manager was planning on asking you ahead of time? Stellar Recruitment have interviewed more than 3,000 candidates last year and our team have the five most common interview questions to help you to win the job.
- Tell us about yourself
It is one of the most important questions and by answering wrong it can hurt your chances in winning the job. Your answer should be short and sweet, keep it simple. Your potential employer wants to know your relevant experience, skills and education. Pay the most attention to the job description and tailor the story about you to show that you are the right fit for the job.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
According to Pamela Skillings, when answering this question you should be:
- accurate – share your true strengths, remember that you should show why you are the right fit for the role
- relevant – choose the strength that would be more relevant to the job description and the company’s values
- specific – instead of saying ‘good communication skills’ choose ‘persuasive communication’
- Why do you want to work for us and what do you know about our company?
This question uncovers candidates who haven’t taken the time to do research about the company (read our blog on how to win your dream job in 6 easy steps). It is highly recommended to be able to tell a hiring manager about their company, services and products as well as potential business opportunities.
Always start with answering why you are the right fit. This shows a hiring manager why you are the perfect fit and why you are passionate about working for their company.
- What’s your dream job?
The main idea of asking this question is to reveal whether this position is in line with your career goals. You should show a hiring manager that this job aligns with your career goals and professional growth. Take some time and think about where this role and company can take you in your career journey.
- Why should I hire you?
By asking this question a hiring manager wants to understand why you are the best person for this job and how you contribute to the company’s success. Look at the job description and identify important details that will help you to answer this question. For example, they might use words like ‘communication’, ‘leadership’ or ‘cross-functional team’, so you can tailor your answer and focus on your abilities as they relate to your communication and leadership skills.
