Most Important Interview Questions
And Answers to them
When I was a young boy, my mother would take me to the local farmer’s market on weekends. As we strolled through the rows of vendors, she would remind me of the importance of making a good first impression.
“Imagine you’re a ripe apple on a stand,” she would say. “You want to be the shiny, plump one that catches someone’s eye. You want to stand out from the rest.”
This allegory has stayed with me throughout my professional career, and it’s especially relevant when it comes to job interviews. It’s not just about standing out from the rest of the applicants, but about making a positive and lasting impression on your potential employer.
One of the most important aspects of any job interview is answering the questions you’re asked. Whether it’s a question about your qualifications, experience, or why you want the job, your answers will determine how the interviewer perceives you.
So, what are the most important questions that come up in a job interview, and how should you answer them?
Why do you want to work for our company?
This question is often asked early on in the interview process, and it’s your opportunity to show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the company.
Instead of giving a generic answer like “I need a job,” take the time to research the company and its values, mission, and recent developments. Then, explain how your skills and experience align with the company’s goals, and how you can contribute to its success.
For example, if you’re interviewing for a position at a sustainable energy company, you could say, “I’m passionate about the work your company is doing to promote clean energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. I’ve been following your recent developments in wind and solar power, and I believe my experience in engineering and project management would be an asset to your team.”
What are your greatest strengths?
This question is often asked to assess whether your skills and experience align with the position you’re applying for. However, it’s also an opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications and to demonstrate how you can add value to the company.
When answering this question, be specific and give examples of how you’ve used your strengths in past jobs or projects. For example, if you’re applying for a position as a sales representative, you could say, “I believe my greatest strength is my ability to build and maintain relationships with clients.
In my previous role as a account manager, I consistently exceeded my sales targets by building strong, long-term relationships with my clients.”
What are your greatest weaknesses?
Answering this question can be tricky, as you don’t want to give a negative impression by admitting to a major flaw. However, it’s important to be honest and to demonstrate that you’re aware of your weaknesses and are actively working to improve them.
When answering this question, use the “S.T.A.R” technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give an example of a specific situation where you identified a weakness and took action to overcome it.
For example, if you’re applying for a position as a financial analyst, you could say: “I’ve realized that my weakness is in time management. In my last role, I found that I was often missing deadlines because I wasn’t effectively managing my workload. To overcome this, I implemented a daily schedule and prioritized my tasks based on importance and deadline. This resulted in me meeting or exceeding all of my deadlines.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question is often used to gauge your ambition and to see if your career goals align with the company’s goals and plans. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re committed to the position and the company, but also to highlight your long-term aspirations.
For example, you could say, “In five years, I see myself as a valuable member of the team, contributing to the company’s growth and success. I also hope to have taken on more responsibilities and to have been promoted to a leadership position within the company. Additionally, I hope to have continued to develop my skills and to have taken on additional training and education to better serve the company.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, the key to a successful job interview is being prepared, confident, and genuine. As the famous entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, “Your reputation is more important than your paycheck and your integrity is worth more than your career.” By being true to yourself and showcasing your unique skills and experience, you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression and be the “shiny, plump apple” that catches the eye of your potential employer.
