Got an interview to attend? Nervousness and apprehension are quite common when there is an interview scheduled. Certainly, interview is a most important phase in the recruitment process. A successful interview clears your path to landing your dream job. It’s the best opportunity for the candidates to project a good image about themselves to the employers.
An interview is important for employers, as it assists them in selecting the best suitable person for the job; and it also helps the candidates to present their knowledge and skills to acquire the desired job role. One should always be prepared well in advance for the interview, as it helps in many ways. Your body language and the way of answering questions matters the most in any interview.
There is huge competition in today’s world, which makes it even more challenging to clear an interview with flying colors. With increasing number of job aspirants out there, employers are devising new ways of choosing the right individuals. They want to make sure that the person fits the job role perfectly. The questions asked in the interview are targeted at extracting necessary information from the candidates. You should know how to answer certain questions, which are often asked in most interviews. This infographic provides the most common questions asked in a job interview and the guidelines to answer them.
Final thoughts
Interviews are competitive and stressful, but remember why you are there! The main purpose of an interview is t get a job offer. An offer means you successfully answered the questions and you are a good fit in the company. Your job in the interview is to market (sell) yourself which means showing them you will good at the job. Technology may help you get the interview, but you still need to persuade the interviewer that you are the right person. Some things may never change!
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Technology may help your interview!
Pretty handy infographic to have around to brush up on those interviewing skills 🙂 Reminds me of a job interview joke I once read.
Recruiter: What would you consider to be your greatest weakness?
Interviewee: Honesty
Recruiter: Err…I don’t think honest is a weakness.
Interviewee: I don’t give a crap what you think 🙂
In today’s competitive world it’s important to make first impressions as professional as possible because there can be hundreds of applicants for the same job 😀 On the other hand I’ve heard some businesses are also having trouble finding the right talent to fill their positions lol. There seems to be a mismatch of supply and demand sometimes.
Funny joke! Interviews are few and far between so staying on top of them is even more important.
Ha!
I recently wrote about what NOT to do in a job interview:
http://www.onlinedegrees.com/degree360/workplace/interview-process-what-not-to-do.html
It really is competitive out there and you have to say the right things AND avoid doing the wrong things.
Interviewing has become very competitive with unemployment so high. You need every edge. The bottom line is you still need to connect with the interviewer.
Job interviews are easy to hack with a little research about the company. It’s crazy to me that some people bomb them so badly. I always do a lot of preparing.
Preparation is key! Your questions are important as the interviewers.
#25 – I would have to choke back the bile in my throat to answer as suggested.
There are always questions, I find implausible! Tht is why preparation is so important.
That is a GREAT graphic. So many people have no idea how they should be answering questions.
Thanks, I liked it too! It makes it easier to prepare for an interview.
I LOVE infographics, and this one is pretty thorough. But 34 questions? Yeesh. I will say that this is pretty accurate, except #2. I don’t know why that would be so high. I’ve never been asked that, nor have I ever asked that while conducting my own interviews.
It reminds me of the question, where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? The number one piece of advice I would give is always try to gear your answers to the specific job you are applying for.
Very good handy questions, Thanks for sharing, I have bookmarked it and also shared with others on twitter
Thanks, I think quick information is always helpful.
Great tips and responses.
Now I need never be caught off guard again during a job interview.
Are you interviewing? When you do, practice, practice, practice!
One additional tip I would add is: rehearse. Do it in front of friends and family, a mirror, while walking by yourself so you look like a mental hospital patient… whatever. Do it. You will come off as well spoken and thoughtful in the interview, which implies a deep level of competency. Great infographic.
Good points about practice. Many years ago, I was video taped. I learned a lot by watching and listening what I did.
Interesting infographic. It covers most of the questions traditionally asked at interviews.
However, it also explains the growing use of unexpected interview questions designed by bosses to prevent people learning the “correct” responses.
Some of the questions I was asked during interviews with law firms were mind bending. You couldn’t prepare for them and couldn’t second-guess what type of response they were expecting.
Recently, I interviewed where they asked scenario like questions and expected quick 2-3 responses. It only get 1-2 minutes to prepare an answer. It is difficult to prepare for those kind of questions, but I think the employer is just trying to see how you think.
Great list. I do have a concern with the answer for item 17, about dealing with irritating co-workers. The suggested answer is just not possible in real life circumstances, and I think that answer could raise the BS meter of the person interviewing you. I think I’d be blunt in saying that there are going to be personality conflicts in any group situation, but that you would make sure to work toward the goals of your organization, and do so professionally and diligently. This is more realistic and I think highlights that you won’t let personality conflicts derail your path to success.
Most interview questions are intended to see how you think. That being said, everyone should personalizetheir answer to how you would really handle a situation understanding there is an ideal answer.
Nice infographics.
I have had only one interviewer so far ask me the standard question. I don’t know what look I had in my face, she apologized and told me the management mandates she asks those questions so that they can have the same set of questions for all the people interviewing. It was funny to know that she hates those questions too. I was not sure if it was to put me at ease and catch me off guard (can you tell I have read too many interview articles!). I had prepared for those questions, so I answered them anyway. The best tip for any interview is to prepare and rehearse.
Unless the interviewer is just trying to tick you, they just want to see how you think! I probably would make a face every time I hear the question, “Tell me about yourself?” It is what a lazy interviewer asks vs. switching it up with other questions.
What a great resource. With pieces like this I’m always amazed when people don’t seem ready for some of the “softball” questions at an interview.
Interviews are made up of many details and I am always amazed how people blow the easy ones! A little preparation helps you handle the easy and more difficult questions.
I’m not interviewing any time soon, but it’s good to remember the proper interview mindset and selling yourself. Great timing as I’m getting back into podcast interviewing. Although not the same as a job interview, this reminded me to ask good specific questions of my guests. Thanks KC!
Interviews have one thing in commo, people! People or human beings can be very interesting because the questions,but more importantly the answers
Great article. I really liked your graphic. As you said above interviews have one thing in common which is people.
Interviews are opportunities for interviewers to learn about the candidate and the candidate can learn about the position and company.
One critical thing that an applicant should do before an interview is to prepare. I really like your post since it showed me what are the questions that I should be expecting and how should I answer them effectively. Like what they say: “If you prepare you have won half the battle already”. Thank you for the post.
You’re welcome. The next step is practice!
That’s a great list and an essential read for anyone looking to apply for a job. A little prep can go a long way.
I use it as a refresher! It has been a long time since I interviewed.
As an interviewer and interviewee, I just wish people would stick to specific examples the most. I think nothing makes an interview worse than when the person speaks in vague generalities and I have to drag everything out of them.
So, what I would add to all of these questions is Be Specific in the response.
Absolutely! Be specific and personalize it. This is where the interviewee can show their personality and ability to tell a persuasive story.
Awesome. Great to be thinking about, as I have recently been updating my resume. Thanks!
You’re welcome! Remember to practice your answers before you go to any interview.
I love this infographic! It is a great place to go when prepping for an interview.
Thanks! The most important preparation for interviews is practice.
I haven’t had a real job interview since my residency, but you never know when an opportunity might arise. It’s funny how the interview questions really haven’t changed that much over the years!
The interview process has evolved, but the employer just wants to know how you think. Some of the high tech companies like to put you through a few hurdles by asking complicated scennarios, but they still just want to see how you think.
Just be yourself. Do not be afraid to be rejected since you can apply again. Show them that they need your skills for the company. What is our asset for the benefit of the company? The answer must be connected to the interviewee. And, always smile and be pleasant..
Although the answers are important, you just have to connect with the interviewer. People hire people who they like or feel they fit in.
This is very helpful! Maybe you should consider writing about what to put into a resume or on an application. Another tip for an interview is to just be confident. Employers want a confident employee. Don’t forget to smile!
Personal contact is also important with applications. You need to make an (positive) impression when you pick it up and return it.
Great list of interview questions. I’ve been asked nearly all of these in the past. A handy reference point, thanks! 🙂
You’re welcome! I think it is always a good reminder particularly in a tough employment market. As the market picks up, more employed people will look for a change too.