You’ll hear many interview questions, but the truth is that your potential employer is only trying to learn 3 things about you.
1. Can you perform the job? Do you have the skills, expertise, & experience?
2. Are you excited about the job and the company?
3. Are you a fit for the team, culture, and company?
1. Do you have the skills, expertise, and experience?
Questions you may receive which are all designed to answer this question are:
- Tell me about yourself?
- What are your greatest strengths / weaknesses?
- What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?
- Why do you think you are right for this job?
- What do you think the main challenges will be?
Think about the key skills you might need for the job when answering this. It makes sense to identify the more specific or technical skills that your potential employer might expect as well as some more generic skills such as being a good communicator, having good IT skills, being a team player, etc.
2. Are you excited about the job and the company?
Questions you may receive which are all designed to answer this question are:
- What do you know about our company?
- What do you think our company is aiming to achieve?
- What do you know about our products and services?
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- Why do you think this job is right for you?
- What motivates you?
All potential employers want to know that you are interested in the company and excited about working there. You need to show you know the company, understand its strategy and performance. Showing the potential employer you’ve done your homework will leave a lasting impression.
3. Will you be a good fit for the team, culture, and company?
Questions you may receive which are all designed to answer this question are:
- How would you describe your work style?
- How would you describe yourself?
- How would your colleagues describe you?
- What makes you fit into our company?
- What makes you a good team member?
- If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
This final key question is about your personality and how you’ll fit into the team and culture of the company.