Interviews have changed over the last few years. In the past, questions were more relatable to the job or field you were entering. With companies trying to dig deeper into soft skills and personal fits, questions in interviews today are more behavioral or personality-based. We tackled some of the most common ones below.
1. “Tell me about yourself”
This question is difficult because there are so many different ways to answer it. An interviewer often is asking this simply because they want to warm up the conversation and learn more about you. Start with a simple introduction and a brief background about your skillset with current or past experience. Having a strong elevator pitch can help here. They are not looking for a story of your life, they just want to know what you think is important to tell about yourself.
2. “What do you think is your greatest weakness?”
An interviewer is looking for honesty and self-awareness with this question. They ask this to see if you can reflect on yourself. It is helpful for an interviewer to hear how candidates answer this question. Sharing ways to improve this weakness allows the interviewer to know that the candidate has self-awareness and can set goals for improvement.
3. “What did you like least about your last job?”
This one can feel like a trick question. It is best to be honest about what your professional challenges were in your previous position. A potential employer needs to know about your past roles, but it is best to keep it to simple examples that are not too long or overthought. Keep it concise and professional.
4. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
This is often a difficult question to answer because most of us don’t know what we plan to do next week, let alone where we want to see ourselves in five years. Be honest with the interviewer. Give insight into professional achievements you would like to accomplish over the next five years, but try to emphasize how the role you are interviewing for can help you achieve those goals. It answers the question without being specific about the details; it gives the employer ideas of how they may be able to help you achieve that five-year plan.
5. “How do you deal with a conflict with a co-worker?”
This is a difficult question to answer and interviewers know this. Sometimes co-workers will have a different idea on how to complete a project. The interviewer is looking to see how you handle yourself in the situation and if the conflict was able to be resolved. They are looking to find out if you can remain professional in challenging settings. They have insight into the culture of the company and want to find out if you would be a good fit for their company.
Interviews can be intimidating to many, but give yourself time to practice your answers, and don’t be afraid to bring notes with key items you want to highlight throughout the interview. To talk to a recruiter today about your career goals, call Amotec at 216-535-2710.
