Best way to answer frequently asked HR Interview Questions for Freshers on Questions like Tell me about yourself, Why should we hire you, your strengths and weaknesses, how to handle challenging situation, your hobbies and interests, inspiring person in your life, change management, flexibility, Why do you want to work for us, about the company, expectations from your first job etc.  Before we start, remember that, in a HR interview, there is no right or wrong answer. All you have is a right way of answering, but the answer in itself depends on the candidate.
Before you dig into the questions and answers for a fresher HR interview, it will be helpful to read the introduction article here - HR Interview Preparation Tips for Freshers. Earlier article explains how one prepare for a HR interview.
HR interview more often, is not a selection process, but a short listing process, where few of the selected candidates from previous rounds are weeded out. So more than concentrating on getting selected, one should be focused on NOT getting rejected.First few minutes are very important and so does the first few questions. The interviewers do not know anything about you. The impression you make in the first few questions, is going to set tone for the entire session and plays a huge factor
Let us split up the questions into few categories, which will be

• About Candidate
• About Company
• About Common stuffs

HR Questions about Candidate

Hello, how are you today ?

This is more of a “make yourself comfortable” statements. Answer with a pleasant smile. If you had any trouble during the day, don’t hesitate to mention it. But make sure you express it in a positive note.
Examples:

• “I am very well today sir, thank you”.
• “I am very well today sir, just that the traffic here is bit of a hassle. But I made sure, I start a bit early to beat it.”

Tell me about yourself.

The FIRST & BEST question for any HR interview. The answer to this basically sets the tone of rest of the interview. Good news is – You can earn a lot of points if this is answered right.

• Give a brief of your education background (up to plus two is fine, your family and location, any of your hobbies etc.
• You can also mention one of your major achievements, if it fits the circumstance.
• Keep the answer to just about 3-4 sentences and not more than that.
• No need to explain your strengths & weakness at this points (as that will definitely come along).
• A common mistake seen is most HR interview is to start the sentence like “I am basically from...” No need to start a sentence like that.
• Keep the answer simple, to the point and give space and time for further questions. Do not stretch it too much.

Example:

“Hi I am Kiran and hails from Bangalore. I did my B.Tech in electronics and communication from Rameswara College of engineering, which is under Bangalore University. I had completed my plus two from Chinmaya Vidhya Mission School and secured 98% in CBSE Boards. I have four members in my family and I am the youngest son. I love outdoor sports, specifically athletics and was a member of college athletic team.”
Must read - Awesome examples of Tell me about yourself with best answers

What are your key strengths ?

This is another most common question in any HR interview. The idea here is to understand how much you know about yourself and how confident you are about your strengths.

• Just stay positive. Even a simple answer like “I am a very positive person” is good enough.
• You can also change this as per the requirement of the interview. Knowing a bit about the profile you are being interviewed helps as well.
• Explaining your strength with an experience from the past is desirable here.

Also Read : Awesome examples and tips to answer Strengths and Weaknesses interview question
Example:

• “Sir, my greatest strength is my ability to learn things quickly. For example, I had to represent my college in an inter college science exhibition, and was introduced to the team at the very last minute. I was able to understand our exhibits and artifacts and present them with great success”.
• “I think my greatest strength is my positive attitude, even during the most hardest of times. During my college project, there has been couple of occasions, when our idea was not falling in place and the results were negative. I had to believe and think positively and keep my team motivated to persist on our idea, and finally we got the desired result.”
• “My best skill would be my verbal ability and articulation skill. I have worked as editor for our college magazine and have been involved with various literary forums during my school and college days.

Your heart is racing. Your palms have become sweaty. You can barely sleep a wink. Your mind is overwhelmed with the thoughts of that someone.
Is it love?
Nope! It is your first interview! And that special someone is your interviewer.
But one thing is common. Much like love, you want it to be the one!
And if this is your first foray into that conference room, you are like a baby taking his first steps. Unsure, nervous and totally inexperienced.
However unlike your parents who probably held your hand and clicked away the Kodak moments, we are here to help you prepare for those seemingly benign, but all too important, interview questions. So read on and you will only get wiser and not a second older than five minutes. Well, maybe a few seconds more if you need to close the Youtube video of the talking cat.
So here are a few commonly asked interview questions, not necessarily exclusive for freshers, but certainly handy to rehearse well before your first interview. Remember, it’s not an improv. It is better to speak confidently rather than go “ummm…er…” (Read tips to improve your communication skills)

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How to answer the 10 common interview questions for freshers

Q1. Tell us something about yourself.

Strange right?
No one’s asking you about the pros and cons of bipartisan politics. Just something about yourself! And it is not like you are in grave danger of revealing your darkest secrets. Of course you are not going to tell them that your favorite movie is not Shawshank Redemption, as you’d like to claim. It is actually Prem Ratan Dhan Payo!
So why is this so intimidating? Well, ‘coz if you are not prepared, you run the risk of failing on the one question that sets the mood for the rest of the interview.
This question is a classic psychological trap to test how you perceive yourself. You could start with your educational background, where you’ve been brought up, some bit about your parents- the usual facts. But you should be quickly transitioning to your strengths as pertaining to making you a valuable future employee.
Here’s an example.
My name is Gabbar Singh. I was brought up in a village in Chambal. My parents instilled in me the values of honesty, integrity and non-violence. I have always cared for the underprivileged and have helped them several times to organize community festivals like Holi, giving food and aid to small communities. I have even raised money to help out ex convicts, thus giving them a second chance at life. I believe in compassion and helping others. That’s the kind of person I am.
– Says Gabbar, while applying to become the next Thakur of Ramgarh
Emphasize the good you have done, the good you can do and focus on all your positive traits. As a tip, it is always a plus to use strong words like I believe, determined, always, excellent instead of I think, I could, sometimes, maybe or okay. Okay?

Q2. Tell us your strengths and weaknesses.

Don’t brag and yet don’t hold back completely. There are the strengths that no one should ideally have any grounds to question you on. For example, unless they have proof of deceit, there is no reason why someone should challenge your claim of being honest and with-integrity.
And then there are the strengths that have to do with skills associated with the job at hand. Be careful there. Only state the ones you are fairly confident in. You can even vaguely scale your knowledge of the skill.
For example, you can say Expert in Coding in Python, Cobra or whatever if you think you can handle any level of counter question on that particular skill. You can say Experienced if you are fairly good but not completely confident enough to handle any question thereto.
Always a good idea to say you are a fast learner. Nothing sounds more like music to an employer’s ears than that.
As for weaknesses, it is better to not show them your cards. And unlike Poker, you are not going to feign a bad hand. Just take one of your good qualities and spin it as if it is a bad thing. I work too hard and my family doesn’t like that. Or say something completely irrelevant like I have a sweet tooth. Like that would matter at your job! Oh well it might if you are applying in a bakery.
However you may want to state your qualities, make yourself desirable as a candidate and approachable like a good coworker.

Q3. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

If all goes well, sipping a Pina Colada, on a Caribbean cruise. Nope! They want to know your career goals. It is hard for most fresh graduates to look that far ahead when they are still quite unsure about everything else. The best way to answer that is to talk in a bigger picture and leave it somewhat open ended.
Whatever you do, never say in five years I see myself taking your job!!
You could say, for example, that your current goal is to become a part of the Management team (Read these tips to get promoted). You may even want to add a few garnishes of how you want to use your own time to train yourself in skills that may help you become better at your job.
It is not a good idea to give the impression that you would be looking for a way to move away from your hired post, right away. Keep your response aligned with the current post. In other words, you are going to work hard and grow to become more valuable to this company. That has a nice sound bite!
Of course you have to educate yourself well in advance of the possibilities the company offers. That brings us to the next question.

Q4. Why do you think this company is a good fit for you?

You need to know what the company does, what its values are, how it has been performing, and any other relevant detail you can get. Then frame the answer in a way that highlights how only this place can help you grow, giving you the opportunities and an excellent platform to reach the career goal you mentioned in the previous question. There are buzz words we all know of. Just be careful to not make your response sound hollow.
I want to join this school because teaching students is the best way to learn and grow.
That’s good but that says nothing about why that particular school.
Instead saying something like this school is well known for being student friendly, creating opportunities for them to excel in their field of choice and producing some of the most creative and successful alumni, in this country. I want to be a part of the process that drives excellence. It will also give me an avenue to grow as a teacher.
Bang on!

Q5. Why do you think you are a good fit for us?

What have you got to offer to this excellent organization? Why should we bother to take you on?
And again, play your strengths to them. There is no need to sound like you are the answer to their prayers. You just have to be confident in your ability to contribute well and better than what they can already perceive from your qualifications. It is your desire and passion that counts here. These are typical interviewee emotions that they are looking for. Try to get specific, if you can.
And most of all know the company values and emphasize how they resonate with you. Borrowing the example from the previous question, you probably shouldn’t refer to children as brats, if you want to get hired in that teaching position. The school cares for the children. You should too.

Q6. Could you explain the shortcomings on your resume?

It is natural to have a few blemishes in your past and sometimes you just have to include them in your resume (Also read resume writing tips). And it is also quite natural for an interviewer to be curious what happened there. So there is no need make up a fib.
Suppose you have a few D’s or an F or two scattered around. You can simply tell them that you were unprepared, didn’t like the course content or that you were still finding your calling. You can add that you are serious about your career and have learnt the consequence of slacking off.
Just don’t blame someone or something else for it (Read manipulation tricks of coworkers). That would be juvenile and a bad glimpse at what you might do if you fail at work.

Q7. Are you a team player?

However much of a disdain, you may have, for mankind, this is not the place to let it out. Most jobs are not meant to be handled alone. Not unless you mime.
Yes is always a safe response. But you don’t need to stop there. You can articulate a response showing that you recognize the importance of team work in an office. Much like the team events you have been a part of until then. No cooperation means no result. Sing to them if you have to.
Ek chidiya, anek chidiya
Post 80’s kids will never know what that is. Just Google Doordarshan, you millenials!

Q8. How would you handle a disagreement with authority?

Tied to the previous question but not quite so. While you may work great in a team there is still a possibility that you end up having a disagreement with someone. Management would really like to know whether they would have to babysit or, you know, manage you all the time!
Give an instance from your past. How did you handle a difference of opinion with your teacher, perhaps your parents or anyone you are/were accountable to? Did you decide to not speak up and hope that metabolism alone would take care of that unsettling feeling you are calling acidity?
‘Coz any sensible company would probably not want that. The appropriate response would be to express your concern and dialogue it out. May just turn out that the authority was in the wrong and the company benefitted from your suggestions instead.

Q9. What is your salary expectation?

Millions! No seriously, if you are not looking to replace Tata you should probably quote something reasonable. And how do you know what that is? Just look up will ya’? Know what they are likely to offer before you walk in.
If you are a fresher, they will probably not even bother to ask. But just on the off chance they do, know the number and say something close to it. Maybe a little more. At least they’ll know that you didn’t just walk in while wandering around.

Q10. Do you have any questions for us, our company?

This is code for The End and could be the last chance to leave a good impression. So ask something intelligent. Not how long are the lunch breaks! It will show a healthy curiosity in the company’s future.
Ask about expansion plans. Or even whether they have any expectations from you before you join. For instance do they want you to familiarize yourself with any tool, to get a head start. Or if you want to close back from where it started, ask them to tell you something about themselves!
You probably understand that what happens inside the interview room is a combination of factors, mostly beyond your control. These are only some of the more popular questions for freshers gathered from the experiences of the have-been-interviewed. While you can never really predict the outcome of those minutes, you can only prepare yourself for the knowns (Also read effective interview skills to learn the techniques to look confident).
Ignore the sweaty palms and the occasionally erratic heart – not unless you start feeling shooting pains in your left arm! Calm down, make eye contact, smile and picture them naked if you have to. Oh wait! No that’s for stage fright!
Take it easy. If it doesn’t go well, maybe this wasn’t it. Just call it a one day stand and keep looking for your one true job.
Good Luck!

 

1. Conduct Research on the Employer, Hiring Manager, and Job Opportunity

Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the jobseeker’s part. You should understand the employer, the requirements of the job, and the background of the person (or people) interviewing you. The more research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions (as well as ask insightful questions” see #8). Scour the organization’s website and other published materials, search engines, research tools, and ask questions about the company in your network of contacts.

2. Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Your Responses

Another key to interview success is preparing responses to expected interview questions. First, ask the hiring manager as to the type of interview to expect. Will it be one-on-one or in a group? Will it be with one person, or will you meet several members of the organization? Your goal is to try to determine what you’ll be asked and to compose detailed yet concise responses that focus on specific examples and accomplishments.
A good tool for remembering your responses is to put them into a story form that you can tell in the interview. No need to memorize responses (in fact, it’s best not to), but do develop talking points. There are excellent tools available to help you with interview questions and responses. Also, consider using the STAR Interviewing Technique.

3. Dress for Success

Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture, striving for the most professional appearance you can accomplish. Remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than under” and to wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview” and if possible, brush your teeth or use mouthwash.

4. Arrive on Time, Relaxed and Prepared for the Interview

There is no excuse ever for arriving late to an interview. Short of a disaster, strive to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled interview to complete additional paperwork and allow yourself time to get settled. Arriving a bit early is also a chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace.
The day before the interview, pack up extra copies of your resume or CV and reference list. If you have a portfolio or samples of your work, bring those along too. Finally, remember to pack several pens and a pad of paper to jot notes. Finally, as you get to the offices, shut off your cell phone. (And if you were chewing gum, get rid of it.)

5. Make Good First Impressions

A cardinal rule of interviewing is to be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet” from the parking attendant to the receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious how job applicants treat staff members” and your job offer could easily be derailed if you’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff. When it’s time for the interview, keep in mind that first impressions” the impression interviewers get in the first few seconds of meeting you” can make or break an interview.

Make a strong first impression by dressing well (see #3), arriving early (see #4), and when greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm“ but not bone-crushing“ handshake.

Remember that having a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm for the job and employer are vital in the initial stages of the interview; studies show that hiring managers make critical decisions about job applicants in the first 20 minutes of the interview.

6. Be Authentic, Upbeat, Focused, Confident, Candid, and Concise

Once the interview starts, the key to success is the quality and delivery of your responses. Your goal should always be authenticity, responding truthfully to interview questions. At the same time, your goal is to get to the next step, so you’ll want to provide focused responses that showcase your skills, experience, and fit” with the job and the employer. Provide solid examples of solutions and accomplishments” but keep your responses short and to the point.
By preparing responses to common interview questions (see #2), you’ll ideally avoid long, rambling responses that bore interviewers. Always attempt to keep your interview responses short and to the point. Finally, no matter how much an interviewer might bait you, never badmouth a previous employer, boss, or co-worker. The interview is about you” and making your case that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

7. Remember the Importance of Body Language

While the content of your interview responses is paramount, poor body language can be a distraction at best” or a reason not to hire you at worst. Effective forms of body language include smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active listening, and nodding. Detrimental forms of body language include slouching, looking off in the distance, playing with a pen, fidgeting in a chair, brushing back your hair, touching your face, chewing gum, or mumbling.

8. Ask Insightful Questions

Studies continually show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest in the job by whether or not the interviewee asks questions. Thus, even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening and what is expected, you must ask a few questions. This shows that you have done your research and that you are curious. The smart jobseeker prepares questions to ask days before the interview, adding any additional queries that might arise from the interview.

9. Sell Yourself and then Close the Deal

The most qualified applicant is not always the one who is hired; the winning candidate is often the jobseeker who does the best job responding to interview questions and showcasing his or her fit with the job, department, and organization. Some liken the job interview to a sales call. You are the salesperson” and the product you are selling to the employer is your ability to fill the organization’s needs, solve its problems, propel its success.
Finally, as the interview winds down, ask about the next steps in the process and the timetable in which the employer expects to use to make a decision about the position.

10. Thank Interviewer(s) in Person, by Email, or Postal Mail

Common courtesy and politeness go far in interviewing; thus, the importance of thanking each person who interviews you should come as no surprise. Start the process while at the interview, thanking each person who interviewed you before you leave. Writing thank-you emails or notes shortly after the interview will not get you the job offer, but doing so will certainly give you an edge over any of the other finalists who didn’t bother to send thank-you notes.

Final Thoughts on Job Interview Success

Succeeding in job interviews takes research, practice, and persistence. The more effort you put into your interview preparation, the more success you’ll see in obtaining job offers” especially if you remember and follow these ten job interviewing tips.
To view the original version of this article please click Here.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. Dr. Hansen is also a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He’s often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his personal Website or reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com. Check out Dr. Hansen on GooglePlus.

Even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count, job interviewing never seems to get any easier. With each job interview, you are meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don't know. And, you need to stay upbeat and enthusiastic through it all. This can be a challenge, especially when you're interviewing for a job you would love to get hired for.
That said, there are ways to make a job interview feel much less stressful. Just a little preparation time can go a long way. The more time you take in advance to get ready, the more comfortable you'll feel during the actual interview. Remember, though, that a job interview is not an exam: you don’t need to study for hours on end. Rather, you just need to do due diligence in researching the company, understand exactly what they are looking for in a new hire, and ensure that you’re able to discuss your experience and what makes you a great fit for the job.

It is a good idea to focus on your communication skills in particular, so you can speak clearly and concisely about the assets you can offer the employer.

Ultimately, the key to effective interviewing is to project confidence, stay positive, and be able to share examples of your workplace skills and your qualifications for the job. Take the time to work on your interview skills so that you can develop effective interview strategies to use in all of your interviews.
With some advance preparation, you'll be able to nail the interview and showcase the experience that makes you the ideal candidate for the company's next new employee.

7 Interview Tips That Will Help You Get the Job

Here are some job interview tips that can help you interview effectively. Proper preparation will help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews and position you for a positive and successful interviewing experience.

Illustration by Catherine Song. © The Balance, 2018

1. Practice and Prepare

Note that even the most well-prepared response will fall short if it does not answer the exact question you are being asked. While it’s important to familiarize yourself with best answers, it’s equally important to listen carefully during your interview in order to ensure your responses give the interviewer the information they are looking for.
Also, have a list of your own questions to ask the employer ready. In almost every interview, you’ll be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. It is important to have at least one or two questions prepared in order to demonstrate your interest in the organization. Otherwise, you might come across as apathetic, which is a major turnoff for hiring managers.

2. Develop a Connection With the Interviewer

In addition to indicating what you know about the company, you should also try to develop a connection with your interviewer. Know the interviewer's name, and use it during the job interview. (If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. And, listen very carefully during introductions. If you’re prone to forgetting names, jot it down somewhere discreet, like in small letters at the bottom of your notepad.)

3. Research the Company, and Show What You Know

Do your homework and research the employer and the industry, so you are ready for the interview question, "What do you know about this company?" If this question is not asked, you should try to demonstrate what you know about the company on your own.
You can do this by tying what you’ve learned about the company into your responses. For example, you might say, “I noticed that when you implemented a new software system last year, your customer satisfaction ratings improved dramatically. I am well-versed in the latest technologies from my experience with developing software at ABC, and appreciate a company who strives to be a leader in its industry.”
You should be able to find out a lot of information about the company’s history, mission and values, staff, culture, and recent successes on its website. If the company has a blog and a social media presence, they can be useful places to look, too.

4. Get Ready Ahead of Time

Don't wait until the last minute to pick out an interview outfit, print extra copies of your resume, or find a notepad and pen. Have one good interview outfit ready, so you can interview on short notice without having to worry about what to wear. When you have an interview lined up, get everything ready the night before.
Not only will planning out everything (from what shoes you will wear, to how you’ll style your hair, to what time you will leave and how you’ll get there) buy you time in the morning, it can help reduce job search anxiety, and it will also save you from having to make decisions, which means you can use that brain power for your interview.
Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy, and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with extra copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note-taking.

5. Be on Time (That Means Early)

Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Take into account the time of your interview so you can adjust for local traffic patterns at that time. Give yourself a few extra minutes to visit the restroom, check your outfit, and calm your nerves.

6. Try to Stay Calm

During the job interview, try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Remember that your body language says as much about you as your answers to the questions. Proper preparation will allow you to exude confidence.
As you answer questions, maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Be sure to pay attention to the question so that you don’t forget it, and listen to the entire question (using active listening) before you answer, so you know exactly what the interviewer is asking. Avoid cutting off the interviewer at all costs, especially when he or she is asking questions. If you need to take a moment to think about your answer, that’s totally fine, and is a better option than starting out with multiple “ums” or “uhs.”

7. Follow-Up After the Interview

Always follow up with a thank-you note reiterating your interest in the position. You can also include any details you may have forgotten to mention during your interview. If you interview with multiple people from the same company, send each one a personal note. Send your thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview.

Watch Now: How Honest Should You Be in an Interview?

Bonus Tips

Avoid These Common Interview Mistakes
What shouldn't you do when interviewing? Here are the most common job interview mistakes, blunders, and errors a candidate looking for employment can make. Take the time to review these mistakes before your interview, so you don't have to stress out about blunders after it.
Successfully Handle Any Type of Interview
Review tips on how to handle interviews that are different from a typical one-on-one meeting. These include tips for phone interviews, second interviews, lunch and dinner interviews, behavioral interviews, interviewing in public, and more advice for interview success. Also review these signs that your job interview went well, so you can see what skills you may need to brush up for next time.

Common interview questions (with example answers)

1. Tell me about yourself.

Your interviewers will likely start out with a question about yourself and your background to get to know you. Start out by giving them an overview about your current position or activities, then provide the most important and relevant highlights from your background that make you most qualified for the role. If you’d like, it is generally acceptable to include some light personal details about things like your pets, hobbies or family. Doing so can help you be more memorable and personable to the interviewer.
Example: “Currently, I serve as the assistant to three of the company’s five executive team members, including the CEO. During my time at the organization, I have been recognized for my time management skills, writing abilities and commitment to excellence.
From my 12 years of experience as an executive assistant, I’ve developed the ability to anticipate roadblocks and create effective alternative plans. My greatest value to any executive is my ability to work independently, freeing up their time to focus on the needs of the business.
It’s clear that you’re looking for someone who understands the nuances of managing a CEO’s busy day and can proactively tackle issues. As someone with a sharp eye for detail and a drive to organize, I thrive on making sure every day has a clear plan and every plan is clearly communicated.”
For more on answering this question,

2. How would you describe yourself?

When an interviewer asks you to talk about yourself, they’re looking for information about how your qualities and characteristics align with the skills they believe are required to succeed in the role. If possible, include quantifiable results to demonstrate how you use your best attributes to drive success.
Example: “I am a vigilant and proactive Security Officer working to ensure safe, secure, and orderly environments. I’m also a lifelong learner, always seeking out the latest security equipment and techniques to patrol buildings. Lastly, I am thorough, documenting all incidents and actively making suggestions to management about security improvements and changes.”
For more on answering this question, v

3. What makes you unique?

Employers often ask this question to identify why you might be more qualified than other candidates they’re interviewing. To answer, focus on why hiring you would benefit the employer. Since you don’t know the other applicants, it can be challenging to think about your answer in relation to them. Addressing why your background makes you a good fit will let employers know why your traits and qualifications make you well prepared.
Example: “What makes me unique is my experience of four years in retail. Because I’ve had first-hand experience fielding shoppers’ questions, feedback and complaints, I know what customers want. I know what it takes to create a positive consumer experience through marketing.”
For more on answering this question,

4. Why do you want to work here?

Interviewers often ask this question as a way to determine whether or not you took time to research the company and to learn why you see yourself as a good fit. The best way to prepare for this question is to do your homework and learn about the products, services, mission, history and culture of this workplace. In your answer, mention the aspects of the company that appeal to you and align with your career goals. Explain why you’re looking for these things in an employer.
Example: “The company’s mission to help college grads pay off their student loan debt speaks to me. I’ve been in that situation, and I’d love the opportunity to work with a company that’s making a difference. Finding a company with a positive work environment and values that align with my own has remained a priority throughout my job search, and this company ranks at the top of the list.”
For more on answering this question,

5. What interests you about this role?

Like the previous question, hiring managers often include this question to make sure you understand the role, and to give you the opportunity to highlight your relevant skills. In addition to thoroughly reading the job description, it can be helpful to compare the role requirements against your skills and experience. Choose a few things you particularly enjoy or excel at, and focus on those in your answer.
Example: “I’ve been passionate about user experience design for most of my professional career. I was excited to see this company uses Adobe products because I’m well-versed in the entire suite. Also, I’m a huge advocate for applying agile workflows to design. I think it’s the most effective way to tackle large projects. I was able to successfully build and launch an agile process in my previous role as UX manager, and we saw considerable improvements in project speed.”

6. What motivates you?

Employers ask this question to gauge your level of self-awareness and ensure your sources of motivation align with the role. To answer, be as specific as possible, provide real-life examples and tie your answer back to the job role.
Example: “Making a true a difference in the lives of my patients and their families motivates me to strive for excellence in everything I do. I look forward to seeing my patient’s reaction when we get a positive outcome that will change their lives forever. That’s why I became a nurse, and why I’m pursuing a position in pediatrics.”
Fore more on answering this question,

7. What are you passionate about?

Much like the previous question about motivation, employers might ask what you are passionate about to better understand what drives you and what you care most deeply about. This can both help them understand whether you are a good fit for the role and if it fits into your larger goals. To answer, select something you are genuinely passionate about, explain why you’re passionate about it, give examples of how you’ve pursued this passion and relate it back to the job.
Example: “As an experienced, service-oriented professional with more than a decade of experience working in boutique salons, I thrive on creating a welcoming environment for all clients and providing the highest quality skincare services. My specialized training, along with my interpersonal skills, has helped me become adept at developing long-term, trusted relationships that help to build a loyal client base. These relationships are the reason I’m excited to go to work every day.”
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8. Why are you leaving your current job?

There are many reasons for leaving a job. Prepare a thoughtful answer that will give your interviewer confidence that you’re being deliberate about this job change. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your current or previous role, focus on the future and what you hope to gain in your next position.
Example: “I’m looking for an opportunity that gives me the ability to build closer, long-term relationships with clients. In my current role, the sales cycle is so short that I don’t spend as much time building a rapport with my customers as I’d like. Relationship-building is one of the reasons I chose a career in sales, and I look forward to working with a company where that’s a top priority.”
For more on answering this question,

9. What are your greatest strengths?

This question gives you an opportunity to talk about both your technical and soft skills. To answer, share qualities and personal attributes and then relate them back to the role for which you’re interviewing.
Example: “I’m a natural problem-solver. I find it rewarding to dig deep and uncover solutions to challenges—it’s like solving a puzzle. It’s something I’ve always excelled at, and something I enjoy. Much of product development is about finding innovative solutions to challenging issues, which is what drew me to this career path in the first place.”
For more on answering this question

10. What are your greatest weaknesses?

It can feel awkward to discuss your weaknesses in an environment where you’re expected to focus on your accomplishments. However, when answered correctly, sharing your weaknesses can show that you are self-aware and want to continuously get better at your job—traits that are extremely attractive to many employers. Remember to start with the weakness and then discuss the measures you’ve taken to improve. This way, you’re finishing your answer on a positive note.
Example: “I sometimes have trouble saying ‘no’ and end up overwhelmed by my workload. Earlier in my career, I would take on so many projects that I’d work evenings and weekends. It was stressful. I realized this was counterproductive, so I started using workload management tools and setting better expectations for myself and my teammates.”

11. What are your goals for the future?

Often hiring managers ask about your future goals to determine whether or not you’re looking to stay with the company long-term. Additionally, this question is used to gauge your ambition, expectations for your career and your ability to plan ahead. The best way to handle this question is to determine your current career trajectory and how this role plays into helping you reach your ultimate goals.
Example: “I would like to continue developing my marketing expertise as well as my leadership skills over the next several years. One of the reasons I’m interested in working for a fast-growing startup company is that I’ll have the ability to wear many hats and collaborate with many different departments. I believe this experience will serve me well in achieving my ultimate goal of someday leading a marketing department.”

12. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Understanding how you imagine your life in the future can help employers understand whether the trajectory of the role and company fits in with your personal development goals. To answer, provide general ideas about the skills you want to develop, the types of roles you would like to be in and things you would like to have accomplished.
Example: “In five years, I’d like to be an industry expert in my field, able to train and mentor students and entry-level designers alike. I would also like to gain specialized experience in user experience to be a well-rounded contributor working with design and marketing teams on large-scale projects that make a difference both in the company and the global community.”

13. Can you tell me about a difficult work situation and how you overcame it?

This question is often used to assess how well you perform under pressure as well as your problem-solving abilities. Keep in mind stories are more memorable than facts and figures, so strive to “show” instead of “tell.” This is also an excellent opportunity to show your human side and how you’re willing to go the extra mile without being asked.
Example: “It was the first day of my boss’s two-week vacation and our agency’s highest-paying client threatened to leave because he didn’t feel he was getting the personalized service he was promised. I spent my lunch hour on the phone with him, talking through his concerns. We even brainstormed ideas for his next campaign. He was so grateful for the personal attention that he signed another six-month contract before my boss even returned from her trip.”
For more on answering this question, visit the following resources:

• Interview Question: “How Do You Handle Stress?”
• Behavioral Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them)
• How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique

14. What is your salary range expectation?

Interviewers ask this question to make sure your expectations are in line with the amount they’ve budgeted for the role. If you give a salary range exceedingly lower or higher than the market value of the position, it gives the impression that you don’t know your worth. Research the typical compensation range for the role on Indeed Salaries, and tend toward the higher side of your range. Be sure to let the hiring manager know if you’re flexible with your rate.
Example: “My salary expectation is between $XX,XXX and $XX,XXX, which is the average salary for a candidate with my level of experience in this city. However, I am flexible.”
For more on answering this question, visit the following resources:

• How to Talk About Salary in a Job Interview
• Interview Question: “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”

15. Why should we hire you?

While this question may seem like an intimidation tactic, interviewers generally bring this up to offer you another opportunity to explain why you’re the best candidate. Your answer should address the skills and experience you offer and why you’re a good culture fit.
Example: “I have a passion for application development that’s grown stronger over the course of my five-year career. The company’s mission aligns with my personal values and, from my limited time in the office, I can already tell this is the sort of positive culture in which I would thrive. I want to work for a company that has the potential to reshape the industry, and I believe you’re doing just that.”

16. Do you have any questions?

This might be one of the most important questions asked during the interview process because it allows you to explore any subject that hasn’t been addressed and shows the interviewer you’re excited about the role. By this point, you’ll likely have already covered most of the basics about the position and the company, so take time to ask the interviewer questions about their own experiences with the company and gain tips on how you can succeed if hired.
Example: “What do you love about working for this company?” “What would success look like in this role?” “What are some of the challenges people typically face in this position?”
For more on answering this question, visit Interview Question: “Do You Have Any Questions?”
Much like preparing for a test in school, the best way to succeed in your interview is to study and practice. Do research on the company and the job, and practice your talking points until you feel confident about your answers. The more you prepare, the more likely you are to leave a lasting impression and outperform fellow candidates.