The 8 Interview Questions That You Can Actually Prepare for in Advance

Although they might seem all different, there are certain questions that pop up in almost every interview. Do not get caught off guard, try your best to anticipate the kinds of questions that the interviewer throws at you, and prepare for them so you can ace the interview.

Question 1 – Tell me about yourself.

Hiring managers usually use this question as an ice breaker, but it can also be used to give the interviewer a brief overview of your professional background and experience.

As much as possible, just talk about your professional life. Start from your first job, and then giving brief summaries of your experiences as you go.

How you should answer:

“When I was younger, I worked [previous position]. After a couple of years, I decided to go into [different job, for example, sales] using the [your skills and experience, for example: customer service skills] that I gained. After a year and a half in [sales], I got promoted to a [managerial position]. I loved my work, but I think that I am ready to take on a bigger role, which is why I applied for a [position you’re applying for, for example, senior manager] in your company.”

Question 2 – What do you consider as your greatest strengths?

It might be awkward tooting your own horn, but do not be shy at this point. Interviewers ask this question to gauge the person’s honesty and how self-aware they are.

Highlight your skills, but do not brag about them. When telling the interviewer about your strengths, always be gracious. Also, choose to talk about the skills that are related to the position that you are applying for.

How you should answer:

“Probably one of my greatest strengths is that I can teach myself to do anything when needed. There was a time in my old job when they needed someone to make the company website (it was a small company) and no one knew how to do it. So, I thought myself how to use WordPress, and from then on I ran and managed the whole online side of the business.”

Question 3 – What is your greatest weakness?

Just like the greatest strength question, this question is designed to test the applicant’s honesty and self-awareness. So, answer the question honestly, but frame your answer in such a way that you can still get a positive spin on it.

It is best to pick a weakness that has no bearing to the job you are interviewing for. Also, make sure that your weakness is more skill-based, and not something attributed to your character, for example, you should never say that you have trouble working with others, or you don’t take kindly to being told what to do. The most important thing here is that you answer the question briefly so you can avoid focusing on your negative traits.

How you should answer:

“I was a bit of a micromanager before, and it took a while before I learned how to delegate tasks to my team. It’s an ongoing process, but I think I am a much better manager now than I was a couple of months ago.”

Question 4 – Where do you find yourself five years from now?

This is used to gauge your retention. Companies would like to hire people who are willing to stick with them for the long run. However, saying you would like to still be employed in the company shows that you do not have any ambition or drive to improve.

How you should answer:

“For the meantime, I would like to learn all there is to learn in this industry. In the future, I would like to take on a more senior managerial role in the company.”

Question 5 – Are you willing to relocate for the job?

Do not worry, this does not necessarily mean that the company will send you to work in the middle of nowhere for the job. Most of the time, the interviewer asks this to gauge how firm your roots are in the locality, and also if you are adaptable and flexible.

How you should answer:

“Yes, I have no problem relocating for a job that I love. In the past, I had to leave home to attend college in another state, and it still is one of the best decisions I have ever made; that move taught me a lot of things that I would not have learned had I stayed.”

Question 6 – Why should we hire you?

This is the way that the interviewer challenges you to prove your worth. Again, do not be afraid to toot your own horn at this point, the interviewer actually expects you to do so.

How you should answer:

“I am the perfect choice for the job of senior design specialist because I have been in the industry for more than five years, and in that time, I have experienced all of the lower-tier jobs in the industry and I have mastered them all. If you were to hire me, I would bring all of my accumulated skills and talents to the table and help your company improve to the best of my abilities.”

Question 7 – What salary range are you expecting?

A lot of interviewees get caught off-guard by this question and unintentionally pitch a lowball salary. Expect this question to pop up in all interviews, so prepare by researching the average salary of the position you are applying for and use that for your answer. Keep your answers within the median range, but still above your salary at your previous job, if you had previous work experience. Also, factor in the cost of living in your area and make sure that the salary you propose will allow you to live comfortably.

How you should answer:

“I would love it if you could give me (XXX amount) for the position. It would also be nice to get a bit of an increase every year if possible.”

Question 8 – Do you have any questions for me?

This is yet another curveball question that always seems to catch job applicants off guard. You can prepare for this question by doing a bit of background research about the company and somehow work it into your question.

How you should answer:

“I know you have been working in the company for a couple of years now, what is it about this place that made you want to stay?”

These are the top 8 questions that you might hear in almost every interview. It’s good to know them and prepared a great answer, so you will look like a perfect person for the position from the start. You will look confident and create a strong first impression. 

Is there any other interview question that comes into your mind? If yes please share in the comment section below.