As a jobseeker, going for interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience. You have to be able to wear the right clothes and confidently articulate why you are a perfect fit for the company while shaking inside.
While interviews can be a scary prospect, it’s important to remember that the interviewer was once an interviewee too. At the end of the day, they want you to do well because they want to hire you. So, to help you ace your next interview, here are eight of the most common behavioral interview questions and how to answer them with confidence.
Before we dive into the questions, it’s important to understand the different types of interview questions: technical, analytical, and behavioral.
If you’re applying for an IT job, the technical questions will be related to coding, programming, etc. Analytical questions, on the other hand, will be geared towards problem-solving skills, such as "How many ping-pong balls can you fit in a Boeing?" or "How will you divide the rest of the cake into equal parts after you cut a slice?"
Behavioral inquiries focus mainly on what you have done in your life, such as how you handled previous work situations or your education. Around 65% to 70% of the questions will be behavioral because, through these questions, the interviewer decides whether you will be the right fit for the job or not.
How to Answer Most Common Interview Question with Confidence
In this article, learn how to confidently answer most common jobs interview questions. Get expert tips & tricks to ace your next interview & land your dream job
So, here are eight of the most commonly asked behavioral questions, along with tips on what the interviewer wants to know, common mistakes people make, and how to answer these questions:
Can you tell us about yourself?
99.9% of the time, this is how the interview starts. The interviewer wants to know two things: Can you communicate well, and what is most important to you? For this reason, your answer needs to have three steps:
Step 1: Summarize your experience or education in a single line while using an adjective to define your personality.
Step 2: Talk about your best work or education and training.
Step 3: Relate your skills to the company or the job you’re applying for.
Why do you want this job?
Don't give a general answer like "XYZ is a great company, that's why I'd love to work for it." Instead, research the company and figure out what it is about the company that appeals to you. Align your skills with the role and explain how your skills align with the vibe of the company or the role.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
For strengths, it’s not enough to say, "I am good at this" or "I am great at that." You also need to explain how or why. For weaknesses, don't be too pompous and say things like "I am too perfect" or "I work too hard." Instead, acknowledge your weaknesses so that you can work on improving them.
What motivates you?
The interviewer wants to know why you want to work for this particular company. Show them that you’ve done your research by telling them what it is about the company that appeals to you. Explain how working for this company would align with your career goals.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Don't say that you don't get stressed out, because that's not believable. Instead, give an example of a time when you were under stress and how you handled it.
Can you tell us about a time when you failed, and what you learned from it?
Don't try to dodge this question by saying that you've never failed. Everyone fails at some point, and it's important to be honest about it. Talk about a time when you failed, what you learned from it, and how you’ve used
Tell me about a situation in which you had to work together with a challenging team member.
If you can manage conflicts and collaborate well with others, the interviewer wants to know. Don't complain about your past coworker or how tough your life was because of them. Instead, pay attention to how you handled the circumstance and how you settled the problem.
Where do you see yourself doing in five years?
The interviewer wants to find out if you are serious about your career and if you have a long-term plan. Don't respond inconsistently by saying, "I want to succeed." Instead, discuss how you want to advance in your career and, if possible, link your response with the company's goals.
What makes you think we should hire you?
The interviewer wants to discover what set apart you from other applicants. Don't mention how much you need the job or how hardworking you are. Instead, concentrate on how your abilities and expertise make you the ideal candidate for the job.
In conclusion, preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, but by following these tips, you can answer the most common interview questions with confidence. Remember to stay positive, be prepared, and practice, practice, practice! Good luck!
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