How to prepare for the most common interview questions

Where to begin

Explore the information about the company

Read the articles about the company that the search engine offers. Visit her website and find out what products and services she offers, what her mission and values are, where she is, who is leading her. Open the section on public relations and read the latest press releases. You can mention this information in the interview to show your awareness.

Determine what is expected of you

Most likely, the question will be why it is worth hiring you. Build your answer to show that you understand the needs of the company. To do this, try to determine in advance what skills the employer is looking for in the candidate. Study the job description and official pages on social networks, look for videos about working in the company.

Look for information about yourself in search engines

See what the company can know about you, how you will appear in the eyes of the interlocutor. If there is anything negative on the web, prepare an answer to the likely questions, but do not make excuses too much.

Interview yourself

Ask yourself why you are suitable for the proposed position. Define your unique qualities. Maybe you did something special to complete the project? Have you achieved something that others have failed? Volunteered to solve the problem and did it?

Consider your skills and accomplishments. Choose which ones you will tell your future employer.

Practice and plan

Prank a job interview with a friend, colleague, or mentor. Consider the answers to common questions before this meeting. You don't have to memorize them. Just decide which strategy you want to follow.

Many companies now ask behavioral questions to understand how a candidate thinks and behaves. They usually begin with the words “Tell us about a case when you …” In response, briefly describe the situation, how you dealt with it and what was the result. Think in advance of stories that reflect your accomplishments or behavior in difficult situations. If nothing comes to mind right away, take a few hours to think about it and write down two or three of these.

A simple question about the mistakes you've made can be confusing and difficult to answer if you haven't prepared. Write down such cases in advance, and it will be much easier for you to navigate during the conversation.

Consider previous interviews

Create a document of past interviews. Note their duration, your impression of the manager, and most importantly, record what you were asked about and what you answered. Be sure to highlight questions that could be responded to differently. Study your notes and gradually your negotiation skills will improve.

Be clear about your goals

They are asked about most often. Ponder this question ahead of time and try to be honest in your conversation. Inconsistent responses will not generate the respect and trust you need from the manager.

Be positive

Even if you need to talk about an unpleasant situation, think about how to do it in a positive way. Don't talk badly about previous leaders. A negative answer will say more about you and your business qualities than about the person who offended you.

Be relaxed

Preparation and practice are very important, but you also need to feel comfortable during the interview. If you can't be yourself when you meet, the above tactics won't work.

In addition, it is always preferable to communicate with a calm and confident candidate, and not with someone who reacts aggressively to everything or behaves provocatively. Practice calming your nerves. During the interview, focus on how you can prove that you will be a valuable employee for the company.

Examples of answers to the 7 most common questions

1. Tell about yourself

There may be a catch here. HR managers are not legally allowed to ask some questions, but they may try to get you talking. Don't talk about things that might hurt you.

And do not retell the whole story of your life: the interlocutor certainly does not care about it. Your best bet is to talk about job-related interests and experience that will help you in your proposed position.

2. Name your strengths and weaknesses

It's easy to talk about strengths. For example, you might mention that you notice little things or work well in a team. It is also worth telling what development zones you see and what steps you are taking to grow.

It's harder to answer when asked about flaws. Don't repeat the cliché that you are working too hard. But do not name the real weakness, unless you have overcome it in yourself. It is best to say something that you have already mastered. For example, you used to be often late, but then you taught yourself to be on time because you realized how important it is for your colleagues.

3. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In fact, the interviewee wants to know if the position is in line with your career plans. He needs to understand why you are applying for a job: to get something quickly or to build a long career. Your answer will also show how realistic your expectations are, whether you are thinking about long-term goals or intending to leave a new place in a couple of years.

Show that planning is no stranger to you, that you hope to develop professionally and take on additional responsibilities. But don't be silly like "I don't know" or "I want to take your place."

No one can predict exactly where he will be in five years. But the interviewee needs to understand how committed you are to your job and the industry as a whole.

If the employer gets the impression that this place is just an intermediate step for you, you are unlikely to be hired. Tell them that it’s difficult for you to name your exact position in five years, but ideally you want to move up the career ladder with this company.

4. Tell us what problems you had with your boss or colleague and how you dealt with them

Perhaps the most difficult thing in work is not the work itself, but the relationship with others. Most people have had difficulty with management or colleagues at one time or another. How you behaved in such a situation will tell a lot about you. Explain how you were able to overcome such difficulties - it will improve your chances.

Mikhail Pritula Head of HR iDeals Solutions. Previously worked at Wargaming, STB, Alfa-Bank. More than 12 years in HR.

You cannot answer "no" to this question, as it is also a test of honesty. Only stupid subordinates do not have difficulties with their bosses.

Mikhail recommends speaking like this: “Yes, there have been. We are all human and friction often arises in the process. In such situations, I have always separated emotions and facts and worked only with the latter. He explained his position or actions if the boss criticized them, or asked many clarifying questions if he did not understand him. More often than not, it turned out that the cause of the difficulties was a lack of communication, and after detailed conversations, the difficulties disappeared."

5. What are your salary requirements?

The answer will show how realistic your expectations are, whether you are ready to negotiate terms or will stand your ground. Try to avoid answering your first interview so you don't get too cheap. Say that you can name a salary fork if you are seriously considered for an open position. But if possible, have the manager give the number first.

Research similar jobs in other companies to understand how much you should pay for such a position. Remember, you don't have to settle for the first offer. Try to negotiate a higher salary. Only in this case, take into account your experience and education, as well as the region in which the company is located - all this will affect the amount. When naming your plug, be clear and concise. And be prepared that after that the interlocutor will be silent for a while.

6. Why are you leaving your previous job?

The interlocutor needs to find out what kind of person you are: someone who is looking only for a high salary, or someone who needs a place to build a long-term career. If you have a disagreement with your current boss, don't talk bad about him. Just tell me that you have different approaches to work. If you're bored, tell them you are looking for a more challenging and interesting position. Tell us what good this job has brought you and how it will help you in your new place.

If you've already left the previous location, there are several options:

If you got fired. Don't throw mud at your former boss and company. Say that you understand the reason for leaving and see where you need to improve. You have learned this lesson and it will help you to be better.
If you got laid off. Again, don't speak badly about your previous employer. Say that you understand the circumstances that led to this decision. Mention that you are serious about your future and do not dwell on the past. And we are also ready to apply all the experience gained here.
If you quit yourself. Don't go into details by saying that you didn't like the old place. Say that you value the experience you got there, but you feel: it's time to look for new opportunities for development, to acquire new skills. In short, you want to find a company where you can grow.

7. Why should we take you?

This may not sound directly. But every question you answer should help the manager understand why exactly you are suitable for the vacant position. Focus on how your experience makes you the perfect candidate. Tell us how you will contribute to the development of the department or company. You can use this scheme.

I do not believe that it is necessary to take me. It is worth choosing the best candidate for this role: both the company and the candidate will benefit from this. I consider myself good enough, because judging by the vacancy, you need (list the requirements), and this is exactly what I did in my previous job. For example, I did (list responsibilities) for my company and received (list results). Besides, I really like your company, because (give an argument).

Mikhail Pritula

Print your job description ahead of time and underline three or four important details. For example, if several times there are expressions like “a group of multidisciplinary specialists”, “teamwork”, “ability to work in a team” in it, then, answering why they should choose you, tell us about your abilities in this area.

Forbes has compiled a long list of frequently asked questions. Consider your answers to them so you don't get screwed up in an important interview.