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We put together the 15 most common interview questions asked by recruiters.
We looked at it from the perspective of an employer and the perspective of a job seeker.
There are sample answers to guide you in answering the questions.
We put together the 15 most common interview questions asked by recruiters.
We looked at it from the perspective of an employer and the perspective of a job seeker.
There are sample answers to guide you in answering the questions.
1. Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
This question is mostly the first question and helps the interviewer to get an idea of your communication skills, motivation, and interests.
Write an elevator pitch. Practice and master it overtime to get a good shot at this question.
This question is mostly the first question and helps the interviewer to get an idea of your communication skills, motivation, and interests.
Write an elevator pitch. Practice and master it overtime to get a good shot at this question.
Sample Ans: I am a young hardworking professional with a Master& #39;s Degree in Project Management.
I& #39;m excited to begin a new challenge with an organization which will afford me the opportunity to leverage my skills and experience to make an impact while learning to expand them.
I& #39;m excited to begin a new challenge with an organization which will afford me the opportunity to leverage my skills and experience to make an impact while learning to expand them.
2. Q: Why did you apply for this job?
With this question, the interviewer seeks to know your motivation for applying for the job.
The goal is to give the interviewer a good reason for choosing their offer and not that of their competitors.
With this question, the interviewer seeks to know your motivation for applying for the job.
The goal is to give the interviewer a good reason for choosing their offer and not that of their competitors.
Sample Ans: · I like the job description. I believe this is an opportunity to leverage my skills to bring value to your team of project managers and also become a potential asset for your team while I learn to expand my skills.
3. Q: Can you tell us about your education?
For certain employers and roles, your education is very important. Employers tend to inquire about it.
Focus not only on the schools and subjects but also on the applicable knowledge you gained.
For certain employers and roles, your education is very important. Employers tend to inquire about it.
Focus not only on the schools and subjects but also on the applicable knowledge you gained.
Sample Ans: I studied at ABC University. I acquired knowledge from statistics, project management, and process management. I was very active during my studies and took part in many practical projects that well prepared me for this job as a project manager.
4 Q: Why did you leave your last job?
Employers want to understand the reasons why you want to make a change, or why you are forced to make a change.
Stay positive and not talk badly about your previous employer. If fired try to speak nicely about your former employers.
Employers want to understand the reasons why you want to make a change, or why you are forced to make a change.
Stay positive and not talk badly about your previous employer. If fired try to speak nicely about your former employers.
Sample Ans: My last job was not challenging enough. I was not motivated to work hard anymore and I needed a change. Based on the job description of your offer, I really believe that I can find what I am looking for in your company.
5. Why should we hire you?
This is arguably one of the most difficult questions.
The employer needs to have a good reason for such an investment by employing you.
Focus on your USP (Unique selling point) to show something special that other candidates can not offer.
This is arguably one of the most difficult questions.
The employer needs to have a good reason for such an investment by employing you.
Focus on your USP (Unique selling point) to show something special that other candidates can not offer.
Sample Ans: I fulfill all the job requirements. However, some other applicants do probably also fulfill it. I am strongly motivated to work for your company, as it has always been my dream to work here.
6 Q: What motivates you?
The employer wants to be convinced that you are motivated to do the job and do not need any special incentives to work hard five days a week.
Show enthusiasm in answering the questions. Focus more on the work itself, than on the salary.
The employer wants to be convinced that you are motivated to do the job and do not need any special incentives to work hard five days a week.
Show enthusiasm in answering the questions. Focus more on the work itself, than on the salary.
Sample Ans: I want to feel important in my job, to have a feeling that my work actually helps someone. This is very important for me, to see a meaningful purpose in my job. It naturally motivates me to work hard and to try to become a better employee every day.
7 Q: What are your strengths?
Professional interviewers will identify your strengths from your résumé but might still go on to ask to know if you can assess your own skills.
Focus on strengths that are relevant for the job and elaborate on how they help your growth.
Professional interviewers will identify your strengths from your résumé but might still go on to ask to know if you can assess your own skills.
Focus on strengths that are relevant for the job and elaborate on how they help your growth.
Sample Ans: I have excellent planning and coordinating skills. These skills are crucial in every job, but especially in this one. This aids me to accomplish my works on time.
8 Q: What are your weaknesses?
This question is to assess your healthy level of humility or self-confidence as an employee.
Focus on weaknesses that are not important for the job you are applying for or can be considered as a strength.
This question is to assess your healthy level of humility or self-confidence as an employee.
Focus on weaknesses that are not important for the job you are applying for or can be considered as a strength.
Sample Ans: · I trust people too much sometimes. It is nice to live with it, but it has caused me many problems. However, I am growing and I am starting to distinguish who one can trust.
9 Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
Employers want to know if you have some goals and if they fit into the company& #39;s goals.
You should choose a goal that corresponds with your intentions to get the job you apply for and to work for the company for a long time.
Employers want to know if you have some goals and if they fit into the company& #39;s goals.
You should choose a goal that corresponds with your intentions to get the job you apply for and to work for the company for a long time.
Sample Ans: My goal is to become a better project manager and help my team to achieve their goals.
Also, I should have taken a lead role where I manage & grow others using my skillset to achieve team objectives.
Also, I should have taken a lead role where I manage & grow others using my skillset to achieve team objectives.
10 Q: Tell us something about your working experience?
This can be found on your résumé but employers want to know what you have really done before and checked your trustworthiness.
Focus your experience that is relevant to the duties in this new role.
This can be found on your résumé but employers want to know what you have really done before and checked your trustworthiness.
Focus your experience that is relevant to the duties in this new role.
If you have no experience, you can mention volunteering or anything where you can demonstrate your readiness, motivation, and a positive attitude to work.
I have worked only at LMI Holdings as an assistant construction project manager so far. I learned how to plan and execute projects on time and also work with other members on a project. I hope to learn something new about this job.
11 Q: Tell us about your greatest achievement.
For employers, achievements are more important than experience. They want to know what you& #39;ve done in the past.
Focus on work-related achievements. Employers are interested in both tangible and intangible achievements.
For employers, achievements are more important than experience. They want to know what you& #39;ve done in the past.
Focus on work-related achievements. Employers are interested in both tangible and intangible achievements.
Sample Ans: When I had a position of an assistant construction project manager at LMI Holdings, the company& #39;s project contingency cost reduced by 20 percent. It was teamwork, and we helped the company grow.
12 Q: What does characterize a good boss or colleague from your point of view?
Interviewers try to understand if you could get along with your potential colleagues, as well as a fit working environment.
Do not mention anything tangible. Use a neutral answer.
Interviewers try to understand if you could get along with your potential colleagues, as well as a fit working environment.
Do not mention anything tangible. Use a neutral answer.
Sample Ans: I can get along with anyone, and I do not have special preferences. The most important thing is to see that my colleagues try their best at work, day in day out.
13 Q: What are your salary expectations?
This is a good question for you. If the employer asks it, it means that they consider hiring you or at least giving you a chance.
You should emphasize that salary is not the deciding factor for you.
This is a good question for you. If the employer asks it, it means that they consider hiring you or at least giving you a chance.
You should emphasize that salary is not the deciding factor for you.
If they insist on hearing a number, however, you should have something to back up your claim.
Sample Ans: Salary is not the most important factor for me. I really like the job description and want to get this job. I will accept an average salary for this position, which is something between GH¢4,000 and GH¢ 5,000, according to the average salary tables.
14. Q: When can you start?
Companies have their plans and needs. They need to know if you are available to start this job on time.
The best option is to say you can start as soon as possible.
Companies have their plans and needs. They need to know if you are available to start this job on time.
The best option is to say you can start as soon as possible.
Sample Ans: I am eager to start as soon as possible. If you need me tomorrow, I can be here in the morning.
15 Q: Do you have any questions?
The employer wants to see if you still have an interest in the job. It can be reflected in a good question from you.
Ask one or two questions. Do not ask something that was already answered in the interview or written in the job description.
The employer wants to see if you still have an interest in the job. It can be reflected in a good question from you.
Ask one or two questions. Do not ask something that was already answered in the interview or written in the job description.
Some questions you can ask.
1. Can you tell me something more about the working environment in this company?
2. What are the goals of your company in ten years& #39; time?
1. Can you tell me something more about the working environment in this company?
2. What are the goals of your company in ten years& #39; time?
A job interview is not only about your answers to interview questions. You also need to work on your non-verbal communication in an interview and prepare well.
