The 10 Important Job Interview Questions to Prepare For

Even when candidates are well-skilled, experienced, educated, qualified and highly motivated, they still perform poorly in job interviews. Many interview fails are due to nervousness, lack of preparation, awkward silence and the inability to maintain good eye contact. Nerves are natural but can be controlled. Good preparation is essential to appear confident and knowledgeable about the role, company, industry and interviewer.

To improve interview performance all candidates should prepare for different types of job interviews before they happen. Listed below are 10 common interview questions that candidates should be prepared to answer during their next job interview. Candidates should research the organization where they will be interviewed and think of examples from their educational and work experience that demonstrates the transferable skills needed for this position.

1. Why do you want to work at [insert organization]?

2. What are your strengths? How would you describe yourself in five words or less?

3. Describe a time when you were faced with challenges and how you handled them. 

4. If we called your past employer, what do think they would say when asked about you?

5. What are your greatest professional strengths and weaknesses?

6. How do you deal with stress or pressure at work? 

7. Do you prefer to work alone or on a team? Give examples of both. 

8. What motivates you in a career? 

9. What are the qualities of a successful ________?

10. How would you go about establishing yourself in this industry/job function?   

Nervousness is often attributed to job candidates' lack of preparation for interviewing. For each interview question listed above, candidates should first imagine how they would answer that question with "no preparation" and then make a plan to use their "preparation" time to include stories and examples that will demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities. By imagining how they would answer each question without preparation, candidates can also anticipate the questions which could be difficult for them and prepare answers ahead of time. For example, if someone were applying for a job as a marketing manager and they had no experience in marketing, they should practice an answer to each interview question related to their strengths and weaknesses as well as the qualities of a successful marketing manager. 

The most important part of any job interview is the preparation that goes into it. A good interviewer will look beyond literal responses and consider how well candidates can tell a story, provide examples and talk about their experiences. 

By being well prepared, candidates will be able to answer each question thoroughly and efficiently while sending a message to the interviewer that they are someone who is easy to talk with and work with in a professional setting.

It is also important for a candidate to prepare for the technical aspect of the interview. That means asking an interviewer what style of interview they will be using, which can include behavioral interviewing, problem-solving interviewing and more. This information can then help candidates better understand what to expect during the interview process. 

Remember that the job interview is just one part of the job search. An organization will also conduct reference and background checks as well as take into consideration the candidate's resume, cover letter and portfolio. Because of this, job candidates should consider how they will act once hired by considering what they would do if offered a position with this organization. 

Make sure to prepare for the interview in advance so that nervousness does not hold you back from successfully obtaining your next job!

By being prepared to answer the top 10 questions that are commonly asked in job interviews, candidates are more likely to have success in reaching their career goals!