Your first job interview can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. Interviews are designed to be an exchange of information so that both the employer and employee can make an informed decision about whether or not they’re a good fit for each other. To avoid any awkward pauses or uncomfortable moments, arm yourself with this list of common interview questions and answers for freshers.
You’ll know exactly what to say when you get asked about your strengths and weaknesses, what motivates you in your career, or how you would handle working with someone who has different values than you do!
Tell me about yourself. (This one can be tricky!)
This is one of those open-ended questions that can throw you for a loop. When you’re asked to tell me about yourself, what is your response? What should it be? It’s hard to know how much information is enough, but too much can be a turnoff. The key is keeping your answer concise while demonstrating that you’re professional, interesting, and engaged with your field.
To keep things brief, start with a basic overview (your degree, where you’ve worked before) then transition into an anecdote or two about why you chose your career path. A good way to end your answer is by talking about what excites you most about being in your field right now—and connecting that back to why they should hire you!
What do you know about our company?
The most important thing is to have a basic understanding of what your company does. Knowing about products, services, competitors, or clients will help you show that you know what you’re talking about. Any research you’ve done will likely come in handy here as well.
It’s also worth it to do your homework on HR staff or senior managers who will be interviewing you—if they’re big into baseball, for example, that might give you an opportunity to find common ground if there’s something else besides work that sparks your interest. And if nothing else, it shows respect by letting them know you went out of your way to learn a little bit about them.
Who was your role model, growing up?
You want someone impressive, but not too far removed from you. Think of a role model as someone who would be an excellent career advisor. Honesty is also key here—people can tell when you’re faking it, even if they don’t know why. If no one comes to mind right away, try thinking about your teachers or coaches at school, an older friend or family member, or anyone else who was particularly influential in your life growing up. Regardless of whom you choose, though, be honest!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Though it may seem like a question with a simple answer, where do you see yourself in five years? is one of those interview questions that’s actually quite difficult. You want to get across your enthusiasm and ambition without lying or over-selling yourself. Ultimately, an honest and confident answer will impress your potential employer more than any made-up story can.
The interviewer wants to know if you’re committed enough to really stick around for five years; using vague language like hopefully or ideally shows you have no real idea of what you want, which isn’t as appealing in an employee. And remember the best way to ace your interview is by doing thorough research on the company beforehand!
What is your idea of success?
Success is different for everyone. It’s an individual experience that only you can define. There’s no right or wrong answer to What is your idea of success? But there are answers that will resonate with interviewers, as well as ones that won’t. Having a clear idea of what success means will help you in every aspect of your professional life — from deciding on a career path to building a great resume, creating memorable business cards, and delivering outstanding customer service.
Here’s my definition of success: When I think about my idea of success, I picture myself at 65 years old. I’m sitting on a beach sipping a cocktail and feeling completely satisfied because I’ve spent my life doing exactly what I love. My family has never wanted for anything because we’ve worked hard to build something special together; my friends feel comfortable inviting me over for dinner because they know I’ll always bring a delicious dessert, and strangers smile when they see me coming because they recognize me as someone who has made an impact on their lives.
What are your strengths?
Most job applicants know that strengths are one of two main areas that hiring managers ask about in interviews, but many don’t prepare answers. The problem with answering I don’t know when asked about your strengths is twofold: First, you lack preparation (and knowledge); second, you give a bad impression by admitting it. Instead, be ready for any question about your strengths. Go ahead and make a list of what you think are your top five strengths—it can be both work-related and personal—then consider these questions before you walk into an interview: What do I enjoy most? What am I really good at? In what ways can my past performance reflect those traits?
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What are your greatest weaknesses?
Many hiring managers ask interview questions like What are your greatest weaknesses? This question is designed to catch you off guard. It’s meant to see if you will crack under pressure, so don’t panic. Instead, answer thoughtfully by saying something along these lines: I can be a bit of a perfectionist at times, but I have learned that there are other factors that need to be considered besides getting things done perfectly.
By being more flexible with my time management skills, I have been able to get more accomplished each day than when I was trying too hard with specific task completion goals in mind.
Tell me about a time when you had to overcome failure.
Sometimes it’s hard to come up with examples that really stand out as failures. Instead, when you’re thinking about a time you failed, think about what you learned from it.
For example, if you bombed a test at school or had to sit through a lousy presentation your boss gave, reflect on what happened and why it happened. Was there something you could have done differently? What can you do to not make those same mistakes again? This question is all about getting people to understand how they handle things that go wrong.
Why do you want this job?
No matter how great a candidate you are, if you can’t confidently answer this question, you’re going to be in trouble. But don’t panic; there are ways to talk yourself into this job without actually lying.
To get started, understand why you want this job (besides money) so that when someone asks Why do you want this job? your answer will be memorable enough that they know why they need to hire you. Understanding how your experiences at school or previous jobs can help contribute toward what will ultimately drive your performance at their company is crucial. And don’t forget about all of those other reasons!
Do you prefer working in groups or alone?
Teamwork is crucial in almost every job, but not all professionals are cut out for working in groups. If you prefer working alone and are confident that you can complete your part of a project without needing to collaborate, be sure to voice that during your interview. However, if you do work well in teams, that should also be clear from your resume or cover letter. Whether you prefer working alone or in a group will factor into how potential employers evaluate you as an employee.
So you now know Interview Questions and Answers, All the best!!!!
