Common interview questions and possible answers

The reason why most interviewers ask this question is that they want to know how enthusiastic and knowledgeable you are about the company and the role you applied for.

What you should do in response to this interview question is to give specific examples of things that piqued your interest in the company and/or the job description in the first place. Next, elaborate on your strengths, achievements and skills, then link them back to the job you are applying for.

If the company has an expansive presence online, one easy way to learn more is to go through past news releases to find out the various projects and initiatives that the company is involved with. These nuggets of information are ammunition that you can use to ace this question.

What the interviewer wants to know with this question is just how self-aware you are at the workplace. Instead of using the word ‘weakness’, try using ‘areas for improvement’ instead.

For example, if there is a particular skill set that you lack, you can mention it and outline the steps you are taking to overcome the said shortcoming. The idea here is to be honest about where you fall short and show that you are proactively trying to fill those skill gaps. Lastly, never say that you don’t have any weaknesses. It comes across as arrogant and that you have a lack of self-awareness.

You know this question is bound to come up, so keep two or three key achievements in your back pocket, complete with some facts and figures to back them up.

On top of that, give a summary of the situation or problem, the actions you took under those circumstances, and the skills you utilised to achieve the positive outcome. Another tip is to have a shortlist of these accomplishments at hand at all times, so you can rotate them based on who you are talking to or the job you are applying for.

Variations of this question could include “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” or “How do you see yourself developing in this company?” No matter the delivery of the question, the purpose is the same: to probe your ambition and the extent of your career planning.

In response, describe how your goal is to continue to grow, learn, add value and take on new responsibilities in the future that build on the role for which you are applying. Avoid replies like “I see myself being part of the company” because that’s the whole reason why you are having a job interview in the first place.

Of course, that is not to say that interviewers will only ask you a standard set of questions. In fact, there is a whole host of unusual interview questions or behavioural questions that they can ask. However, once you have your bases covered in terms of common interview questions, your foundation is set for tougher, more complex interview challenges ahead.

Being asked by if you have any questions for the interviewer does not mean that the interview is over. In fact, this seemingly harmless rhetorical question is actually one of the most common interview questions out there — and saying ‘No’ is actually one of the worst answers you can give.

Think about it this way: a job interview is like a two-way street. Instead of the interviewer asking your typical interview questions, this is your opportunity to know more about the company, the role that you are applying for, as well as how you fit into the grander scheme of things. After all, asking the right questions is what separates exceptional job seekers from the average.