38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview (2023)

FAQs

38 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview? ›

If you've made it to a late-stage job interview, you may be asked something along the lines of, “What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?” It's a good idea to prepare to answer this regardless of what level role you're interviewing for, but it's more common for higher-level positions.

If you've made it to a late-stage job interview, you may be asked something along the lines of, “What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?” It's a good idea to prepare to answer this regardless of what level role you're interviewing for, but it's more common for higher-level positions.

What not to ask in an interview? ›

Finish with a polite conclusion

"I am grateful for interviewing with you today. You have given me a clear overview of the position. I think my experience and accomplishments can provide value to the organization. Is there anything else you need to confirm if I am the right candidate for this position?"

The best questions will come as a result of listening to the questions the interviewer asks you. A good response to the interviewer asking, "Do you have any questions?" would be: "Yes, I do. From what you've been asking during the interview, it sounds like you have a problem with customer retention.

The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.

A guideline to follow when it comes to talking during an interview is the 50/50, 2 minute Max Rule: Listen 50% of the time, talk 50% of the time, and never spend longer than 2 minutes answering a question. Make sure you are well groomed, and dressed according to the type of position for which you are interviewing.

Aim for the candidate to do 80% of the talking, while you do 20%. It is tricky to figure out how to spend your time in an interview. We recommend that hiring managers start conversations with a brief description of their role and background while being careful not to provide unnecessary details.

The 90-10 principle presents that individuals have 90% control over things that happen to them and only 10% they don't have control over. The mindset you take with you to the interview session will carry the day. When one critically looks at it, its not much of high number of candidates chasing few job openings.

What are the 10 most common interview questions with answers? ›

“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”

During your interview, explain your excitement for the job. Most employers prefer to hire candidates who show enthusiasm for the role. This typically implies that you're a motivated candidate who's determined to do their job well. You can do this by giving a few reasons why you're excited about the specific role.

The interviewer may be looking at your ability to demonstrate commitment, understand different business areas, take a detail-focused approach to work, and your experience in a team setting.

While interviewers are looking for someone who is an analytical, independent problem solver, they are also largely paying attention to whether a candidate is an effective communicator with good interpersonal skills. Ultimately, clients are not just going to trust every factually accurate recommendation.

Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.

Make eye contact and avoid shifting your eyes or looking around the room while you answer questions. Keep hand gestures to a minimum and try to maintain a confident smile throughout the interview. Avoid slouching and fidgeting. You must not give the impression that you are bored, uninterested or nervous.

What makes you stand out? ›

Standing out often comes from hard, consistent work. Attitude. There's no denying that positive people have better relationships. Keeping an upbeat attitude and being pleasant to be around can really make you stand out from everyone around you, especially if you're surrounded by toxic people.

At the end of nearly every job interview, you'll likely be asked if you have any questions. At this stage, it's a good idea to ask a few questions to learn more about the company and help you decide if the role would be a good fit.

What does a hiring manager mean when they say "we will be in touch"? When a hiring manager says "we will be in touch" after an interview, it typically means that they intend to contact you when they have made their official hiring decision.

How do you rock an interview? ›

If you need to prepare for an upcoming job interview, it may be helpful to memorize relevant information. You may prepare answers to common interview questions or need to remember industry-specific information or details about the company.

Smiling and being friendly is essential for your success during the job interview. It makes you feel better, improves your memory recall and make you more creative during the conversation with the hiring manager. It helps answer questions intelligently, recall answers faster, create a better impression.

You can say something along the lines of, “I haven't dealt with a situation like that before, but I would start by asking these questions…” You could also try something like, “That concept or situation is new to me. I'll have to look into it a bit more.” Never brush off the question or start rambling.

“I see this opportunity as a way to contribute to an exciting/forward-thinking/fast-moving company/industry, and I feel I can do so by/with my …” “I feel my skills are particularly well-suited to this position because …” “I believe I have the type of knowledge to succeed in this role and at the company because …”

For starters, I have all the skills and experience listed in the job description, and I'm confident that I can make an immediate impact on your company. It's not just my background in leading successful projects for Fortune 500 companies, but also my passion for the industry that drives me to succeed.

It's acceptable to bring notes with you to an interview if the notes contain the questions you plan to ask your interviewer. You might also include questions about the company that you were unable to answer through your research.

How long should interview answers be? ›

Interview answers should be 30 seconds to four minutes, depending on the context of the questions. Your response may be short (30 seconds to two minutes) if the question is simple. For example, if the hiring manager asks you to describe your strengths, you might speak for 90 seconds to explain where you're proficient.

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

Robert Sternberg developed another theory of intelligence, which he titled the triarchic theory of intelligence because it sees intelligence as comprised of three parts (Sternberg, 1988): practical, creative, and analytical intelligence (Figure 7.12).

3 golden interview rules: be prepared, be professional, and most importantly, be yourself.

The Golden Rule: ASK QUESTIONS when you don't understand something.

People trained in interview techniques are told to use the 70/30 rule. That is to say the interviewer aims to talk for about 30% of the time allotted and the candidate talks 70% of the time, in response.

“The mission and the goal is to listen 75% of the time and talk 25% of the time.” Simply paying attention and listening can tell you about a client's goals, fears, and values. In turn, that can clue you in to what you can do for them.

Instead, remember the rule of three. What three things do you want the interviewer to remember about you? What three things are you most proud of in your life to date and why? What three extra things would you be looking for if you were interviewing someone for this role?

When answering, mention what your top strengths are, provide examples on how you've used them in the past, and finally, describe the results you've gotten. Be super specific with your answers. Don't just say “I'm good at X” - really dive deep and give the interviewer a comprehensive answer.

What makes you stand out from other candidates? ›

These can be professional skills, areas of expertise, personal qualities, or any relevant experience. Also, consider any impressive accomplishments from your past or career goals that speak to your commitment to the field. Think of ways to out-do the other candidates.

You need to highlight why you're the best match for the role by explaining the accomplishments, skills, or personality traits that set you apart. However, don't criticize other candidates while you do so. Maintain a positive tone and keep the response focused on what you can offer, rather than what others can't.

Address the question as directly as possible while also citing your specific interests, goals and the skills you want to exercise in your work. Doing so can set you apart from other candidates and gives the employer the information they need to decide whether the position is a suitable match for you.

Talking about your priorities

“The most important thing for me is that the job is challenging.” “What's really important to me is being able to learn something new.” “The most crucial thing for me is to be valued by my colleagues.” “The most vital thing is knowing that I am doing a good job.”

Why do we need the 6 Cs? The hiring panel may ask you about the six core values to assess your knowledge. The 6 Cs – care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment, competence - are a central part of 'Compassion in Practice'.

There are three key employer characteristics a job seeker should look for in an employment relationship: reputation, career advancement and work balance.

What is the most important question in a job interview? ›

The interview is your opportunity to determine more about the duties, the work culture at that company, and if the boss is a good one or not. The key question that everyone should ask is: "Could you describe to me your management style and the type of employee that works well with you?"

1. Tell me about yourself. This is often the first of many interview questions, designed to 'warm up' the candidate. Many candidates choose to respond with an overview of their work and employment history.