The most frequently asked interview questions: How to answer
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We’ve talked about dressing for an interview, we’ve talked about the preparation and the questions you’re likely to be asked – what’s left?
Surely the meat of the matter… or else what you’ll be asked and what you’ll say when you’re asked?
For that, we’ve got you covered with the most sos answers to interview questions, as well as some examples that can guide you!
Common interview questions
Tell us a few words about yourself
An interview is an introduction between you, the company, and the recruiter sitting across from you. Just like in any new introduction where the first exchanges involve names, ages, and life, in a job interview, the first conversation often starts with the question: “Tell us a little about yourself.”
For this question, you should provide a brief summary of your academic and professional background.
- Mention your background.
- Highlight your skills—both hard and soft—with a focus on what’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- Conclude with a strong ending, expressing your interest in the specific job.
For example, let’s assume Maria wants to pursue a role as a Social Media Manager while currently working in a similar position. What could she say in response to this question?
“I graduated from the Department of Communication and Media Studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with experience in marketing and public relations. For the past two years, I have been working at linq as a Marketing & Growth Specialist. During my time at the company, I received several distinctions and was promoted twice. I love organizing and managing advertising campaigns on social media, as evidenced by the fact that I increased user registrations on linq΄s platform by 60% within a year through these campaigns. Although I deeply enjoy my current position, I feel I am now ready for a new challenge, like the one being presented to me at this moment.”
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your strengths/weaknesses? Tell us about something you have achieved and feel genuinely proud of. Was there an awkward moment you had to face, and if so, how did you overcome it?
Whichever variation of the above questions you are asked, the point is the same: Don’t be afraid to have weaknesses or moments that made you feel uncomfortable…
Because, in this case, the recruiter wants to know:
- What can drive you forward in your daily work and what might hold you back?
- How do you leverage each of your strengths and weaknesses to your advantage?
For example, let’s take Maria again, discussing a major weakness of hers—lack of time management and how she addressed it.
“If I had to recall one of my main weaknesses, it would certainly be my occasional inability to manage my time properly. However, whether fortunately or unfortunately, the whole situation of remote work, during which I worked alone without direct supervision, pushed me to work on it. I started by recording my standard daily tasks, the time needed to complete them, and any possible distractions. Through self-observation—and always keeping an agenda by my side—I can now say that I have made peace with my time management.”
Why do you think you are a good fit for this role?
Or simply, “Why should we hire you?”
Now that the introduction is over, don’t you think it’s time for questions more relevant to the role? You can answer such questions in the following ways:
Provide an initial example of your work. Whether you have tangible numerical results or a portfolio full of projects, it’s essential to mention them to strengthen your position.
For example, Maria could highlight the numerical results of her digital campaigns for CollegeLink—such as a 60% increase in platform registrations for the year 2020-21.
Meanwhile, I, who am writing this article, could mention the number of articles I have written during my time at CollegeLink and the possible web clicks!
If you don’t have prior work experience, you can always describe what you plan to do in the next 30-60 days: Explain to the hiring managers what you expect to achieve/accomplish in the next 30-60 days if you get the position. By expressing your future plans, you will demonstrate how you work and what they can expect from you.
What are the reasons you want to leave your current job?
For example, a good answer could be:
- I am looking for better career prospects and opportunities for advancement.
- I am interested in making a career shift.
- I am seeking more challenges.
- I had a fixed-term contract that was not renewed.
What are your salary expectations?
A question that can often put you in a difficult position, but it’s essential to know how to value yourself, your qualifications, and your responsibilities. And, of course, to answer it diplomatically by following one of the methods below…
You can mention a salary range that would satisfy you.
Alternatively, you can reverse the question, that is, respond with a question like, “What is the average salary for an employee in a similar position at your company?”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
And here we have another tough question, where the recruiter wants to know:
- If you set realistic goals?
- If you have ambitions as a person?
- If the specific job aligns with your career goals?
In this case, Maria from our story could say:
“Given my long-term and successful career in the social media sector, I now feel ready to take on more managerial responsibilities in the coming years and possibly even a leadership role in certain projects. I have been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most experienced marketing managers in the industry, so evolving into a great manager is something I am truly excited about.”
For what reasons is our company a better choice than your previous (or current) work environment?
An employer wants to work with people who share the same vision. This requires a genuine interest in the company, its services, and its people.
Researching the above is a crucial part of your preparation. Use LinkedIn, the website, and social media to gather the information you need. Also, take a look at any relevant interviews and features you might find on Google.
Find an answer where your personal goals align with the company’s vision and talk…
“I read an article a few months ago about what your company offers to society. Given my volunteer work and my values in general, I have a deep appreciation for organizations that care about the community and advocate for such values. I would love to come to the office every day, knowing that I have the opportunity to contribute through my work!”
I am satisfied. Do you have any questions for me?
We emphasize again that a job interview is a dialogue and certainly not a monologue where you just talk about your professional life. After all, remember that during this process, you are not only being evaluated, but also whether the position or the company is suitable for you…
So, ask follow-up questions, such as:
- Could you share more details about my daily tasks?
- If I am ultimately hired, what would you expect from me in the first two months?
- In your opinion, what is the most important factor for success in this position?
- Could you share more details about the culture and vision of the company?
- What are the company’s goals for the next year?
If you wish to discuss topics such as salary, leave, holidays, and days off, you should do so discreetly. If you are in the first stage of the interview, remember that they will likely mention what you need to know!
Would you like more questions?
There are many questions… And since we have already discussed the most common interview questions and answers, take a look at these as well— which you can certainly approach in a similar way:
- Mention a challenge you faced in your workplace and how you dealt with it.
- What would you do if this happened in the team?
- What is the estimated notice period?
- Tell us something you haven’t included in your resume.
- How can your strengths contribute to your success?
- How do you handle failure?
- How do you handle success?
- Do you consider yourself successful? If so, why?
- How do you perform under pressure?
- Are you willing to fail?
- What are the points that define your ethics?
- How do you collaborate with your team members?
- What makes you different from your competitors?
- How do you evaluate yourself? Who do you think you could be compared to?
- How does this position align with your personal ambitions?
- How adaptable are you?
- How would you describe your work pace?
- Is there anything else we should know about you?
- What motivates you?
- What decisions do you find difficult?
- What would be your ideal job?
- If you could change something from the last 10 years of your life, what would it be?
Happy interviewing!
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