Five most common job interview questions and how to answer them

It does not matter whether you are a fresher or a person with tonnes of experience, job interviews are often a whirlwind of emotions. Although it is normal to get anxious, the secret to a positive outcome lies in the preparation you do beforehand. Experts have always highlighted how a well-prepared candidate exudes confidence and expresses his thoughts clearly, creating a positive image in the mind of the interviewer.

Besides demonstrating your skills and expertise, interviews are also about showcasing how well you fit into the company’s culture. We present to you five quintessential interview questions that talk about your problem-solving abilities as well as the capacity to handle conflict and pressure:

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1. Could you please tell us about yourself and describe your background in brief? According to the Harvard Business Review (HBR), interviewers are interested in hearing stories about the candidates, therefore, people should have a “great beginning, a riveting middle, and an end” to the answer about their background. So, you should talk about a relevant incident that motivated you to get into the profession and follow up by discussing your education.

For example: “I was born in a small town with limited opportunities. I tried to stay up to date through online learning and that’s how I learned about coding…”

2. How do you deal with pressure? Through such questions, the employer is keen on knowing your ability to deal with stressful situations. While answering such questions, mention instances where you maintained your composure despite the turmoil. Your answer should reflect the steps you can take to respond better to pressure in the future.

3. How do you prefer working — independently or as a team? Here, the answer depends on the research you have done on the company culture as well as the job in question. Since most positions require teamwork, the answer must talk about the “best traits of your personality and how they fit the job requirements,” HBR states.

For example: “I enjoy a blend of both. I like to have a few people to strategise with to get diverse opinions on the assignment. At the same time, I am also comfortable taking work which requires me to work independently.”

4. What are your salary expectations? A question that is asked probably to one and all during the job interviews. Before walking in for an interview, make sure you know well about the salary for the position you are applying for, depending on the industry standards. Usually, employers ask this question because all positions are budgeted. Hence, they want to make sure the candidate’s expectations are consistent with that budget before going ahead.

For example: “Based on the skills and experience I have and on the current industry rates, I am expecting a salary in the range of ….”

5. Are you applying for jobs elsewhere? Interviewers usually ask such questions to check whether the candidate is genuinely interested in the position or just one of the many options he/she has.

You could say ‘yes’ if you are applying for other jobs, but ensure not to mention the places you are applying unless you have another offer in hand. “I have applied for a couple of jobs, but this role is really the one I’m really excited and serious about right now because…”