Youth Incorporated Magazine

A journey from academics to the professional world can be very challenging especially when faced with job interviews. Thus, recent graduates seeking employment may find it difficult to land a job they desire due to the competitive market. However, with the right preparation and strategies, you can launch your career and excel in these interviews. Let us explore the top 10 interview questions to provide you with an upper hand in the interview 

Review these most frequently asked interview questions and sample answers, and then prepare your responses based on your experience, skills, and interests. Remember that it’s less about providing the “right” answers and more about demonstrating that you’re the best candidate for the job. 

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

This is one of the most important questions which you are likely to be asked, so be prepared to talk about yourself. The focus should be on why you are the right candidate for the position. Keep your answer professional such that it highlights your skills and relevant experiences. Make sure that you do not give out personal information unless necessary.

Example: “I am a goal-oriented professional with about three years of experience in implementing successful marketing campaigns. My expertise lies in data analysis and its planning, and I am extremely excited to contribute my skills and experience to the growth of the team.”

2. Why Are You the Best Person for the Job?

The hiring manager wants to know if you have all the necessary skills required for the qualification, so make sure that your response should be confident and concise. The focus should be on why you should get the job, so craft your response such that it aligns with the interviewer’s needs.

With the necessary skills and experience that are important for this job profile, I successfully led the team through the complex project efficiently. My skill of completing the task before the deadline aligns with the requirements of this job

3. Why Do You Want This Job?

With this question being asked, the interviewer wants to know what will you be able to accomplish if you were hired. Hence, this question gives you an opportunity to showcase to the interviewer what you know about the company and the job, so take time to thoroughly research the company, its products, services and its mission.

Example: ”Your company’s commitment to excellence has had me drawn towards it. With my problem-solving skills, I can contribute to an impactful project which it is profoundly known for.”

4. How Has Your Experience Prepared You for This Role?

Hiring managers use this question to learn how your previous work experience and educational background fit the job. To prepare to respond, make a list of the most relevant qualifications you have and match them to the requirements listed in the job description.

Example: “In my previous role, I successfully [specific accomplishment], which showcased my ability as per the demand of this job description. Hence, I believe my experience has played a vital role in upscaling my skills”.

5. Why Are You Leaving (or Have Left) Your Job?

Be prepared with a response to this question. You’ll need to give an answer that’s honest and reflects your specific circumstances but keeps it positive. Even if you quit under challenging circumstances, now isn’t the best time to share what could be construed as too much information with the interviewer.

The interviewer wants to know why you left your job and why you want to work for their company. When asked about why you are moving on from your current position, stick with the facts, be direct, and focus your answer on the future, especially if your departure wasn’t under the best circumstances.

6. What Is Your Greatest Strength?

This is one of the questions that employers almost always ask to determine how well you are qualified for the position. When you are asked about your greatest strengths, it’s important to discuss the attributes that qualify you for that specific job, and that will set you apart from other candidates.

When you’re answering this question, remember to “show” rather than “tell.” For example, rather than stating that you are an excellent problem solver, instead tell a story that demonstrates this, ideally drawing on an anecdote from your professional experience.

7. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

Another typical question that interviewers will ask is about your weaknesses. Do your best to frame your answers around positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee, turning seeming “weaknesses” into strengths. 

This question is an opportunity to show the hiring manager that you’re well qualified for the job. In addition to learning whether you’ve got the right credentials, the hiring manager wants to know whether you can take on challenges and learn new tasks.

8. How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure?

What do you do when things don’t go smoothly at work? How do you deal with difficult situations? The employer wants to know how you handle workplace stress.

Do you work well in high-stress situations? Do you thrive on pressure, or would you prefer a more low-key job? What do you do when something goes wrong?

You can share examples of skills you have improved, providing specific instances of how you have recognized a weakness and taken steps to correct it.

9. What Are Your Salary Expectations?

What are you looking for in terms of salary? Questions about money are always tricky to answer. You don’t want to sell yourself short or price yourself out of a job offer. In some locations, employers are legally prohibited from asking you about salary history—but they can ask how much you expect to get paid. 

Do your research before the meeting so that you’ll be prepared to name a salary (or salary range) if you’re asked in an interview. There are several free online salary calculators that can provide you with a reasonable range based on your job title, employer, experience, skills, and location. 

10. What Are Your Goals for the Future?

Are you a job hopper? Or do you plan on staying with the company, at least for a while? Where do you envision your career going? Do your plans for the future match the career path of someone typically hired for this position?

This question is designed to find out if you’re going to stick around or move on as soon as you find a better opportunity in an A journey from academics to the professional world can be very challenging especially when faced with a job interview. Keep your answer focused on the job and the company, and reiterate to the interviewer that the position aligns with your long-term goals.

Hence it is not only important to have the right skills but also to practice for the interview questions which are most frequently asked. It requires preparation, self-awareness and the ability to apply your experiences of the past effectively. By well-prepared answers and responses, you will be able to make a long-lasting impression on the interviewer and mark you as a potential candidate for securing the job you desire.