Have you ever been completely stumped on an interview question and the person asking is waiting patiently for a response? Or have you experienced that moment in an interview when you can tell you are doing really well and have a good chance of getting the offer? Have you had the feeling you will never hear from the employer again? If English is your second language you may wonder if you’ve pronounced every word correctly or if you used the right grammar tense. If so, I’ve created these resources with you in mind. Always remember, the more prepared you are for an interview the more likely it is you will have good answers ready for any question.

Interviews can be a daunting. But whether or not we are offered a job has a lot to do with the way we approach and prepare for the interview. I like to approach interviews from a place of confidence and power. This is your time to shine. Think of the interview as a conversation where you discuss all of the skills and experiences you’ve acquired throughout your working and educational career. Most people approach interviews hoping to be chosen. I want you to approach interviews as selection process; you are choosing them. In order to walk into the interview with this type of confidence, you will need to prepare, practice and research the companies you are interviewing for.

Below you will find a list of common interview questions and some suggested answers for them. It is highly recommended that you work with a partner, a close friend, relative or a language coach who will give you instant feedback on your performance. There is no substitute for this kind of practice and this will build your confidence more than almost anything else.

Common Interview Questions & How to Answer Them

1. 1. How did you hear about this position?
      This is a simple question to ease into the interviewing process. Let the interviewer know how you found out about the position whether it was through an online job search, LinkedIn, or through a friend of the company. (Only mention the friend if the recruiter knows about your connection. You don’t want to sound as if you are trying to gain favor.)

2. Tell me about yourself?
This should be a short and concise answer. You don’t have to go into your entire working history. Restate your first name and tell them where you are currently working and what you’re responsible for there. If you are a recent graduate explain a little about your major and how you would like to transition your education experience into a working position. If you are new to the country, explain where you are originally from and what brought you to the country and your current professional situation.

3. What do you know about our company?
You need to do your homework and read about the company and in particular, about the department you are interviewing for. What is the company known for? What are some recent achievements or accolades the company has been awarded? Impress the interviewer with your knowledge of the company and make them aware of how your interests and experiences align with their company culture.

4. Why do you want to work for our company?
Hopefully, you know why you want to work for this company beyond a paycheck. This is a helpful question for you. Do you know why you would like to work for this company? Do they have growth potential for your career? Is there a positive work culture at the company? Do they pay well? Is this your dream job? This a question only you can answer.
Here’s an example of a possible answer.

Web Developer: I have a lot of experience designing and writing code for smaller clients. I’m ready to use my talents for larger companies with more challenging projects

5. Why are you leaving your current job?
Answer this question in a positive manner even if you’re leaving the job for negative reasons. Discuss what you’d like to accomplish in your new role at the company. Maybe you’ve outgrown your old job and there’s no growth there. Think about your goals and how you hope to accomplish them at the new company.

Warning! Handle this question without sounding bitter about your previous employer.

Here’s an example of a possible answer.

Example: I really enjoyed my time at X company and I’ve accomplished a lot but personally I’m seeking to do more. I’m ready to take my career to the next level and your company seems like a logical next step for me.

There are various responses to this question. Your reasons for leaving could be because of a work-life balance situation. Maybe you are leaving your job because you’d like a shorter commute, or you would like more flexible hours. However, your primary reason should be that this job would be a good fit for you.

6. What are your three greatest strengths and weaknesses?
This may feel like a gotcha question. Have at least three adjectives to explain your greatest strengths such as hardworking, detailed oriented and highly motivated. Make these specific to you.
When explaining your weaknesses, you don’t want to explain a weakness that you haven’t turned into a strength. In other words, your weakness should be something that you are aware of and that you are actively strengthening.
Here’s an example of a possible answer.

Example: I used to struggle with time management and completing tasks but I’ve recently begun a time management tool called SMART Goals which has helped me reach my goals and deadlines with greater success.

7. Can you discuss your resume?
The interviewer might lead with a question about specific jobs listed on your resume. Be prepared to discuss your past positions. Review your resume and think about not only what your daily job duties were in your last position but how you contributed to the company in a meaningful way.

If you have gaps in your resume, make sure to have an answer to explain them. You may have gaps in your resume due to unemployment, a layoff, or you may have taken time off for personal reasons. Either way, explain how you utilized that time off in a positive way and how you’re ready to get back to the workforce.

8. Tell me how you handled a conflict at your most recent position?
This a behavioral question to see how well you work with others and how you handle challenging situations. This could be a situation such as working with a difficult colleague, working with a team member who doesn’t pull their weight, or not meeting a client’s expectations. Discuss how you resolved conflict issues with other coworkers in the past.

9. How do you handle stress under pressure?
This is another behavioral question that seems similar to the previous question but it’s more about how you handle pressure and stress. Think about a situation in one of your past jobs where you successfully handled an error on a project or took a leadership position on a difficult project or were able to meet an important deadline. Basically, the interviewer wants to see how you persevered during a stressful moment and how you grew from the experience.

10. What is your biggest professional achievement?
This question isn’t about your day-to-day duties. It’s about how your efforts contributed to the organization in a way that stood out from the rest. For example, did you bring in more profits for the company, lead a successful program, or even win an award for your work? No matter how small or large, discuss this achievement to show that you can bring the same vigor to your new place of employment.

11. What are some positive things your boss would say about you?
Hopefully your ex-boss’ have had something great to say about you. Think about any positive things any of your past employers have said about you and why. One way to demonstrate this is to ask a trusted supervisor for a recommendation letter. It can do wonders in the interview when you present written evidence of your trustworthiness and work ethic.

12. Why should we hire you?
This is your time to shine and tell your prospective employer why they should hire you. You’ve already explained how great you are under pressure, how you handle stress, and discussed some of your achievements. At this point in the interview, you should be ready to answer this question. Think about the position you are applying for and what it requires and also consider the research you’ve done on the company and department you’ll be working for. What are their needs and expectations? How will your experience and skill set be an asset to the company? What can you bring to the table?

13. What are your salary requirements?
You have to do your research for this question. You need know what the salary range is for the position in your field. It’s important to do this so that you don’t aim too low or too high. You can find salary information for any given field on such websites as Indeed.com, Salary.com, and Glassdoor.

14. What questions do you have for me?
Ask questions that you’re really curious about. You are going to spend a great portion of your day (perhaps life) here, so you want to make sure that this company is the right fit for you. This is your chance to interview the interviewee with a few questions and to show genuine interest in the position. These should be prepared in advance and like all these questions practiced with your accountability partner or coach.

Example questions you can ask:
o What does a typical day look like for a person in my role?
o What are some challenges I may face in this role?
o Can you describe the company culture?
o Why should I work here?
o What would be a typical day in my position?
o What are you looking for in an ideal candidate?
o What are the next steps in the interview process?

After the interview

You’ve had the interview and you have your fingers crossed. Hopefully, you have a few more interviews lined up to decide which place is the best fit for you.

Below are a few questions to consider before you take the leap into a new position:

o Is this company the right fit for me?
o Do I agree with the company culture?
o Can I grow in my career and further my skill set at this company?
o Is the commute too long?
o Will this interfere with my work life balance?
o Can I find a job with a higher salary?