Sample Job Interview Questions

SYDNEY - April 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Here are a few of the most popular questions that are asked in a job interview as well as some helpful tips on how to answer them.

Question 1: Tell me about yourself?
This question is NOT asked so you can ramble on about your life story or so you discuss your favourite hobbies.  As an employer they want to hear about your educational and professional background.  Make sure you keep it brief and on topic by relating your answer with the position you are being interviewed for.

Sample answer:  I’m a hardworking and confident waitress with 4 years experience working in a number of different hospitality settings – from waitressing in cafes to working behind a bar.  I have spent the last 2 years developing my hospitality skills by learning new skills and improving on my customer service skills. Although I loved my current role, I feel I’m ready for a more challenging job role with further responsibility and the position your offering really excites me.

Question 2: What is your greatest strength?
The ideal answer to this question would involve describing your skills and experience that are relatable to the job you are applying for.  You can easily prepare for this question by taking the time before the interview to create a list of the qualifications listed in the job description, followed by making a list of your own skills that match.

Sample Answer:  I have an extremely strong work ethic. When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule.

Question 3: What is your greatest weakness?
There are a number of ways you can go around answering this question. Although you are discussing your weaknesses, make sure you discuss them in a positive light.   This will show the employer that you are able to recognize your weaknesses and then make improvements when necessary.

Sample Answer:  Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task, or take on tasks personally that could easily be delegated to someone else. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work.

Question 4: Why do you want this job?

This is an important question and should be thought about before the interview.  Your answer should comprise of facts about the company matched with certain attributes you will bring by filling the open position.

Sample Answer: I'd fit right in as a counter clerk in your fine dry cleaners. I have observed that the counter clerk position requires competence at handling several activities in quick order - customer service, payments, bagging, and phones. I like multitasking and, as a homemaker, I have a lot of practice in keeping all the balls in the air.

Question 5: Why should we hire you?

In other terms the employer is asking you – What makes you best fit for this job? It’s best to treat this question as a sales pitch, make sure you are concise and include an answer that involves relaying your skills and attributes that are relatable to the position.  The employer will use this question to see how you stand out from other applicants – so make sure you use a few examples that exemplify your capabilities and potential within the business.

Sample Answer: Having served as a tutor at a summer school for dyslexic children for the past two years, I have developed my ability to be extremely patient while still achieving academic gains with my students. My experience teaching children ages 6 to 18 have taught me strategies for working with children of all ages and abilities, always with a smile. My previous employer often placed me with the students with the most severe learning disabilities because of my history of success. I will bring not only experience, but patience and creative problem-solving, to this position.

Question 6: What do you know about us?

This question is another one that should be prepared in advance – make sure you do some background research into the business you are applying for.  Here’s a list on what you should research:

1.   “About Section”
2.   Linkedin Profile
3. Companies social media pages – Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Instagram to get an idea on what they are currently sharing or promoting.

Question 7: What relevant experience do you have?

It’s effective to answer this question by specifically pinpointing related experiences you have gained from either a similar position OR from your educational studies.  All examples must relate to skills and knowledge that are required for the position you are being interviewed for. Don’t blatantly tell them you have never worked in a similar field – just relate the skills and knowledge you have learnt from your prior education and job roles to the question.

If you have never had a similar job role before relate the question to:

1. Your qualifications/Education
2.  Projects you worked on while studying
3. Work experience
4. Volunteer work

Question 8: Do you have any questions for us?

This question is nearly always going to be asked at the end of the interview. It’s important that you prepare some questions before to show the interviewer that you have done some research and are eager to learn more about the position. Make sure your questions relay your knowledge about the company not a lack of.

Sample questions:

1.    What would a successful employee (hopefully me) make happen for you?

2.   Where do you see this department/company going over the next year?

3.    Are there any special projects coming up you’d like me to work on?

4.    What would a typical work day/week be like for me?