The 10 most common questions in a job interview

The selection processes are characterized by establishing a framework for dialogue in which the organization obtains all the relevant information about the candidates in just a few minutes.

Because time is scarce and the consequences of choosing the wrong person in charge of a role can be very costly, the professional who tries to know things about us in a job interview he will dedicate all his efforts to ask the key questions so that we show ourselves as we are without hardly being aware of it.

If you are reading this article because you are interested in finding a job as soon as possible, we recommend that you take a look at these three handy texts with tips for this purpose:

• "Job Interviews: The 10 Most Common Mistakes"

• "The 7 most valued attitudes in a job interview"

• "How to face an interview based on skills: 4 keys to getting the job"

The 10 most common questions in a job interview (and how to deal with them)

Beyond the specific characteristics of each organization, some of these key questions are common in a large number of companies and

it is normal for them to appear in any selection interview. This means that, although the popularity of these questions is due to their usefulness and effectiveness in providing data about the candidates, people interested in a job also have an advantage: the possibility of being prepared for when the listen.

In this article we will focus precisely on these common questions in a job interview and the strategies to offer a good answer, providing all the information that we are expected to give in each case.

1. Could you tell me about yourself?

It is time to offer four brushstrokes on oneself. The person in charge of interviewing you will not only be analyzing the content of what you say, but also It will also evaluate your ability to express yourself and communicate relevant aspects about yourself when faced with a question wide. That is why it is convenient not to fall into nervousness and do everything possible to offer a well-crafted answer.

2. Have you held jobs similar to this before?

The conversation that will start from this question will be interspersed with comments about your CV, so try to be clear which of your previous work experiences required skills or attitudes of you that you think will also be put to the test in the job you are applying for.

3. Do you know this organization?

Certainly, if the truth is that you do not know anything about the company or organization you want to enter, there is little you can do to get out of this question well. However, if you have spent some time learning about the basic characteristics of the site where you want to start working, remember that it is not enough to answer affirmatively and list the aspects that you remember about the site. Ideally, take the opportunity to express your interest in the organization. For example, you can briefly comment on the reasons that led you to seek information or what things you knew about the site before considering entering the selection process.

4. What are you looking for in this job?

This is one of those questions where there is no good answer, so the best thing you can do is anticipate the appearance of this topic in the job interview and rehearse the answer a bit, which should be as clear as possible possible. Most companies seek to know, among other things, To what degree are you interested in monetary compensation and the achievement of objectives to know if you adapt well to the position you are applying for. The latter will depend on whether or not you are a source of conflict at work or that you experience burnout.

By the way, remember that emphasizing the importance of salary does not have to be badly valued in all job interviews, regardless of the vacancy. For low-skilled jobs, for example, it is not uncommon to employ people whose main motivation is salary.

5. What can you contribute that other candidates do not?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions and also one of the most important. You must face her as if you were to contribute a short headline about your experience or skills. The correct answer is the one that talks about you in a practical sense, rather than a personal or philosophical one.

6. What are your salary expectations?

At the time when this question is asked (something that will happen unless the price is already set a priori), the best thing is to limit yourself to answering in a flat and unambiguous way, since the opposite can be interpreted as a way to hide your intentions.

7. Where do you see yourself in the future?

When asking this question, the person in charge of conducting the interview intends to inquire about your motivations and expectations for promotion or job change. Attention: it will be much better if you are ambitious but within certain reasonable limits. Ideally, you should stick to a middle ground between conformism and excess self-confidence when assessing your professional future.

8. What is your main strength?

It is appropriate to respond with a strength that is very clearly related to the job And, if you can, you should give an example to illustrate it. If you are applying for an accounting position, the logical thing will be that you emphasize your efficiency or your reliability. If it is the case that you are interviewing to occupy a site of advertising creative, innovation, dynamism and creativity must be your main assets.

9. What are your main weaknesses?

It is common for the person interviewing you to ask you to list three or four characteristics of you that can be seen as weaknesses. The best thing you can do is talk about these "weaknesses" also commenting on the measures you can take so that they are not a problem, or you can even say why you think that weakness looks like positive. For example:

• I am young and I do not have much experience, but I think that can be positive in those tasks that require creativity and new points of view because I am not used to a few ways of working.

• I don't like talking on the phone too much, but in my previous job I was losing my fear and now I perform well.

10. Do you have any questions?

At the end of an interview, it is usual to leave a space for candidates to ask their questions. Right now you can (in fact, you should) show your interest in the organization and the position, at the same time that you obtain relevant information to finish knowing if you are interested in the job. At the same time, the recruitment staff will know more about you through the questions you ask and the areas in which you are interested.