There is no accurate way to predict every job interview question, so it is smart to prepare by considering a wide variety of topics. However, there are at least ten questions that almost all potential employers will ask in some form, and you can boost your interview performance by working on successful answers to these questions.
50 most common job interview questions:
1 Tell me Something About Yourself?
This seemingly simple question is one of the most commonly asked questions during job interviews. Yet, it’s a question that can make even the most experienced job seeker break out in a sweat. This is because how you answer this question can set the tone for the rest of the interview and determine if you land the job. This article will discuss why this question is asked, what employers are looking for in your answer, and how to prepare a successful response.
The primary reason employers ask this question is to learn more about you and evaluate how well you’ll fit within the company culture. Employers are looking for more than just a list of your qualifications and work experience; they want to know what motivates you, what you’re passionate about, and how you communicate. This question also helps employers assess your confidence and ability to think independently.
Possible answer for “Tell me something about yourself”:
“I’m Kate Osteen. I graduated from X College and have worked in sales for X and Y for the last six years. At X, I averaged X% sales growth over the three years I worked. Now I want to try my hand at an international company. I also consider this vacancy very promising, and I appreciate the opportunities for my professional growth. As for personal qualities, I will say that I quickly adapt to new and complex tasks, and I am also very sociable and easily perceive criticism.”
Job Interveiw Quiz
Tips for answering the question “Tell me something about yourself”:
It is important not to be limited to a dry enumeration of facts that an employer can read in advance in a resume. Instead, the answer can be a professional story about you, but short, logical, and always in chronological order;
Speak only the truth, avoiding both excessive modesty and obvious self-promotion;
Include the information that you consider significant and that characterizes you most vividly;
Start with what educational institution you studied at, what work experience you already have, for what merits you were noted, what you are proud of, and what personal qualities help you develop;
Focus on your last job and your most recent and job-relevant experience.
What mistakes should not be made when answering the question “Tell me something about yourself”:
Talking too much and starting from far away. Keep in mind that the interviewer expects an answer for 3-5 minutes long;
Talking about yourself as a person, not as an employee. That is, you should not speak about everything unrelated to work;
The absence of a prepared scheme for answering this question. This is the question for which you need to have an answer scheme in advance since it is this answer that will form the first impression of you.
