After creating your resume and cover letter, it is time to face the final challenge: the job interview. The job interview can be quite stressful as you will be evaluated by people who have your future in their hands. The best way to reduce your stress level is to prepare and take time to review the most common questions the interviewer will most likely ask. You do not need to memorize the answer but rather take time to consider how you will respond.
Here are the most common job interview questions, along with the best way to answer each of them.
QUESTION #1
“Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief”
This is a warm-up question. Briefly introduce yourself.
What The Interviewer Wants to Know
The interviewer wants to uncover details about you as a professional. It is their way to determine if you are a good fit for the job. The interviewer also wants to gauge how confident you are in terms of answering open-ended questions.
Best Way to Answer This Question:
Talk about relevant experience that made you want to pursue the career you are applying for and weave in how your academic training and your passion for the job make you a good fit for the position.
QUESTION #2
“How did you hear about this position?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
Interviewers want to know how you found the job and why you applied.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
If you were referred by someone, be sure to mention their name. If you sought out the role yourself, be clear about what made you want to apply. Let the interviewer know that you chose their company over other companies for a few specific reasons. Here, you can align your values with the mission and vision of the company.
QUESTION #3
“What is your ideal work environment?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
The interviewer wants to determine if you are a good fit for the role and the organization’s culture.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
Your research will save you here. Make sure that you have read everything you can find out about the company. Glassdoor reviews are an especially great place to learn about the company’s culture. Your goal here is to align your work ethic with that of the organization.
Related reading: IT Job Trends 2022 – Akraya
QUESTION #4
“How do you handle stressful situations?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
The interviewer wants to know if you can keep calm and composed in times of extreme pressure or looming deadlines.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
Keep in mind that the ability to stay calm under pressure is an ability most companies look for. Share instances where you remained calm under pressure and the resulting outcome. It’s okay if the outcome wasn’t perfect. The key here is to show that you were able to handle a pressure situation and make thoughtful, strategic decisions. Feel free to share anything you learned if there were outcomes that could have been better.
QUESTION #5
“Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
The interviewer wants to know if you are adaptable to situations that require you to work independently or collaborate with other people should the need arise.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
Your answer should match the research you have done regarding the organization’s culture and the job in question. While some roles require you to work on your own, expect that many positions will require you to work collaboratively with other people at some point. When answering this question, highlight aspects of your personality and how it fits the job requirement.
QUESTION #6
“How do you keep yourself organized despite having multiple projects?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
This question reveals how well you use your time and energy to stay productive and efficient. The interviewer may also be looking to understand if you have your own system for staying on track. Be sure to emphasize that you stick to the deadlines and take them seriously.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
Discuss instances where you stayed on track despite juggling multiple tasks. Explain how you stay focused on important tasks and always remain organized.
QUESTION #7
“What have you done in the past years to improve your knowledge?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
Interviewers want to know how people have spent and utilized their time differently.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
The pandemic may be the reason for this question. If you haven’t improved your knowledge through traditional methods like reading, online courses, or even tutorials, try to think about less traditional things you may have done. Did you homeschool a child? How about learning an instrument or skill? The key to this question is to discuss knowledge you have gained and apply it to the role. If it’s something like learning to play the piano, you can explain how this helps you to reset so that you are more productive while working.
QUESTION #8
“What salary range would you expect for this role?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
The interviewer wants to make sure that your expectations are consistent with their budget before proceeding to the next step.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
It’s never ideal to be the first to mention a number when it comes to salary. However, you can check websites like Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com for information regarding salaries. Remember that it is often better to mention salary range instead of a specific number.
QUESTION #9
“Are you considering other jobs?”
What The Interviewer Wants To Know:
The interviewer wants to know if you have a genuine interest in the job position or if it is just one of your many options.
Best Way To Answer This Question:
It’s always best to say that you are considering other options, too. This will motivate the company you are interviewing with to move faster if you are a legitimate candidate. But be prepared to answer questions about any other roles you are being considered for.
Related reading : Five Signs You Are with the Right IT Staffing Firm (Job Seekers Edition) – Akraya
To make a winning impression, answer each question with poise and passion. Preparation prior to an interview will make you calmer and more confident to answer each question thrown at you.
About Akraya
Akraya is a multiple award-winning IT staffing and recruitment agency for digital enterprises. Our experienced team is laser-focused on empowering our consultants and our clients to succeed. Our specialized recruiters are experts at helping IT, marketing, and business professionals find temporary or permanent positions.
Akraya, Inc. is A Best Place to Work in 2022, on Glassdoor – Akraya
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