Getting an interview invite is a great accomplishment, but this doesn’t guarantee you an offer letter. Passing through an interview successfully and making a good first impression often determine a job candidate’s fate.

A little preparation is needed when getting ready for an interview and one of the most important aspects of preparation usually involves researching the company you are applying, reading its job description, its positional requirements and expectations, and determining how your personal qualifications match company needs.

Before going in for an interview, prepare some of the most common questions so that you can practice how you might answer difficult questions.

10 common interview questions asked by employers, including why they are typically asked and suggestions on how to answer them are highlighted below.



Why are you leaving your current job? This question helps spot potential personnel issues with your employer and gauges a candidate’s motivations. Keep your answers positive, honest and concise, and explain how the desired job fits your personal and professional skills.

Why should we hire you? This looks intimidating, but a great advantage to sell yourselves and your qualifications. Use words that were present in the job description. Be clear and concise and detail your reasons based on personal strengths and employer needs.

Why do you want this job? This is an opportunity for candidates to sell themselves to the interviewer while identifying aspects of the job that fit their skills and experience. Explain why you are interested in the job and be confident. Employers may put emphasis on personality and a positive attitude.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? This is asked in an effort to not only identify traits desired for the position and weaknesses that might serve as red flags, but also to determine a candidate’s self-awareness level. Approach this question is with honesty, frame your strengths with how they can fit the company’s needs, mention your weaknesses briefly with steps to overcoming them.

How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? This is asked to determine how you can cope under stress in the workplace, or how you might handle working in a position with strict deadlines. A good approach to this is to briefly share how you overcame a tense situation at work and received a positive outcome.

What do you like to do outside of work? This is asked to help determine cultural fit and allows you display your personality. Be honest about your hobbies outside of work, but try to keep it brief and stay professional.

What are you looking for in this new position? This is an opportunity to reinforce your personal and professional goals by highlighting the skills you can bring to the job. Make reference to the company’s job description and explain how they fit your abilities.

What are your salary requirements? This is purposely asked to determine if you are a good fit for the job’s budgeted salary. Conduct a research beforehand on the position’s average salary range, potential job outlook and typical salary for someone with an advanced degree and/or related certification. Once a salary range has been determined, aim for an amount that applies, based on past experiences, education, and skills.

What challenge did you faced and how did you deal with it? The interviewer wants to learn how you would respond when you are confronted with a difficult situation at work. Answer by detailing a previous conflict or challenge that was handled professionally, productively and with a positive resolution.

What are your future goals? This is not only asked to measure your potential ambitions, and to see if the goals align with the company’s expectations but also to see if you are a forward-thinker with a personal and professional goals they’d like to accomplish at the company. While it’s generally acceptable to say you are unsure what the future holds, it may be beneficial to mention a few goals you’d like to accomplish with the desired job.

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