4 Most common interview questions with smart answers

At one point in time, we all wanted a recipe for success when it comes to the right answers to most common interview questions. Nonetheless, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best answers; be that as it may, we are going to transform this into an asset. Keep reading to learn how you can build your personal silver bullet for interviews. E

The 21st century has been dominated in psychology by the trend of focusing on finding our genuine self and being true to it. You might have grown tired of hearing this over and over, but it has so many uses and it is so beneficial that it would be a mistake to ignore its power. So let’s learn how to leverage it with the most common interview questions, making you shine!

Tell me a bit about yourself

Your counterparty might be creative and you could hear alternatives to this common interview question, in the form of “What should I know about you?” or “So, who is [YOURNAME]?” or “I read your resume, but I want to meet YOU!” 

Though this part might be as irritating to you as the annoying thing, interviewers need to get to know you further from what they read in your resume. You can turn this routine question into a chance to start shining. 

How can you do this? Simple! Break most of the candidates’ pattern of telling them your chronological career path. Guess what? They saw it in your resume. Try not to repeat what you’ve already mentioned in the CV and cover letter and show them a glimpse of the real you. Make it engaging. Tell a story, your story, and make a difference with it. You can share what prompted you towards your career; trivia about your achievements, personal traits that make you unique, and generalities about your hobbies, family, and friends. Think of it as your elevator pitch that can get their attention.       

What is your top strength?

Apparently, this is an easy one, but lots of candidates are unaware of their super-powers. So, start by identifying them. Then, learn how to use them as a secret weapon to impress on the spot. Don’t just state your traits, correlate them to the job requirements and the company culture. Research beforehand and prepare an answer that highlights how your features would serve the firm and the position. You can also provide some examples of how your super-power has helped you in the past in similar situations.

Why should we choose you?

An alternative or an addition to asking about your top strengths is the classic “Why should we choose you?” The smart answer for this is not “Cause I am the best” or “There is no one like me,” etc. but you should refer to how they can benefit from your top strengths. For instance, people that worked with me know that I am incredibly reliable, so due to this personal trait I have, anyone can count on me to achieve the expected results.  

What is your biggest achievement?

This is a tricky one for most candidates as they are always second-guessing themselves, or are unable to pinpoint a single defining accomplishment. You should forget about the impostor syndrome and honestly sit down with yourself, making a list of everything that has made you proud throughout your career. After preparing this list, filter it based on the impact it has generated individually or for the company. Single out the top 3 and then ask yourself which one is more relevant for the position you target. I would open with something like, “I am proud of many achievements during my career, and they all contributed to the professional I am today, but if I were to single out one of them, it would be …”

Additionally, if you value work-life balance and want to show your human side beside the professional one, you can refer to personal achievements like building a house or your children. This can bring you closer to your interlocutor and contribute to your uniqueness.       

Why did you leave or want to leave your current job?

The reasons for leaving can be numerous and sometimes very personal. Most of the time, the interviewer reads a lot into this answer regarding your character, especially if they are a seasoned professional. So giving a politically correct answer like “ there were little growth opportunities” or “I am ready for a new challenge” might not be the best approach as it sounds like a rehearsed line. 

There are two types of reasons for leaving a job: negative ones( something was wrong there) and positive ones (nothing wrong there but something better here). In the former case, never bad mouth or go into sordid details about the experience. Just find a diplomatic but truthful manner to express your desire. In the latter, just compare directly the benefits you found always keeping a positive note. 

When preparing your customized answer, keep an eye on details like how long you held your last job and if the explanation makes sense in your particular situation, not only on paper. 

A good interviewer always challenges your argumentation, so make sure you are prepared for this. If you are hesitant about your answers, you can always ask a coach to guide you towards the best solution.     

There is more to getting the right job than answering the common interview questions, so make sure you prepare for the entire recruitment process properly.

Never stop learning and developing, and you will lead a fulfilling life.