How to ace the 50 most common interview questions

Travis Bradberry

Most people’s biggest job-hunting fear is being put on the spot by oddball interview questions such as these (which are real):

“Describe the color yellow to someone who’s blind.” – Spirit Airlines

“If you were asked to unload a 747 full of jelly beans, what would you do?” – Bose

“Who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Batman?” – Stanford University

Offbeat questions are nearly impossible to prepare for, and they don’t achieve the interviewer’s objective—to test out-of-the-box thinking and the ability to perform under pressure. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that companies are moving away from them. Recent research shows these questions do little more than boost the interviewer’s confidence. Even companies famous for oddball questions are abandoning them. In the words of Laszlo Bock, Google’s former HR chief:

“If you’ve heard that Google likes to pose brain-teaser questions to candidates—like why manhole covers are round—your information is out of date. There’s no evidence that they suggest how people perform on the job.

A Glassdoor study of tens of thousands of interviews found the 50 questions you’re most likely to be asked in your next interview:

1. What are your strengths?

2. What are your weaknesses?

3. Why are you interested in working for us?

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

5. Why do you want to leave your current company?

See all 50 questions

Though these questions may be less exciting to prepare for than “Spiderman vs. Batman,” they are what you need to be ready for.

Most interviewees are only prepared for about 10 questions, so this list alone can give you a leg up. Study the list carefully and have answers ready—but not robotically rehearsed—so that you can speak comfortably, flexibly, and confidently about each of these topics.

If you want to make a great impression and stand out from the crowd, preparing for these 50 questions is not enough. Follow the 9 strategies below and weave the knowledge they impart into your responses. Then you’ll truly ace your interview.

1. Identify Your “Hook”

Most hiring managers interview a lot of people. So many that they generally have to go back to their notes to remember candidates—the exception being candidates with a strong hook. Sometimes these hooks are how people dress or their personality, but the best hook is a strong story that’s work-related. When you can wow an interviewer with a memorable story that shows what a strong candidate you are, you’ll rise to the top of the list.

3. …And Know What Makes You A Great Fit For It

Know exactly what makes you fit into the position perfectly and speak to it during the interview. What you makes you special? It could be that you’re an idea machine, or a statistical fanatic. Whatever it is, know it and prepare to fit it into your responses.

For example, when an interviewer asks, “What are your strengths?” skip the clichés and go right into qualities about you that are unique to the job. You’ll make it clear that you’re the perfect fit.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice

You, and everyone else interviewing for the job, already know many of the questions you’ll be asked. The difference lies in preparation. Preparing unique and position-specific responses will give you the competitive edge over everyone else. You don’t need to memorize answers, but instead know certain points of reference about yourself that you can apply to different questions.

Make sure to “mock interview” yourself. Video your responses until you’re able to speak comfortably and flexibly—as opposed to rotely regurgitating answers—about your prepared topics. Videoing yourself may feel awkward when you do it, but it will pay off during your interview.

Read all 9 tips for answering the top 50 questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 questions to ask in a job interview that will really expose a company’s culture

By Karen Eber

You are in the last five minutes of the job interview, and the interviewer asks: “What questions do you have?”

Time is limited, so you ask the question you think will be most helpful: “What is the culture like here?”

Don’t do this. There are better questions to understand the culture. 

The interviewer will typically respond by describing the values of the company. Their reply will have some variation of trust, collaboration, transparency, integrity which are the same values that show up in various forms in many companies. These don’t help you understand the day-to-day experience.

Culture is felt through the behaviors that are reinforced or discouraged on a day-to-day basis on teams. If you want to get a sense of the story of the leader and team’s culture, use detailed questions. You will get a much better sense based on the responses, especially if the leader struggles to think of what to say. If you are a manager, prepare to answer detailed questions that illustrate your team’s culture. 

Better questions to ask a hiring manager:

1) Tell me about a time a team member changed your mind?  This lets you know if the leader feels they are the only one who has the answers or if they are open to different opinions. You are going to learn how they prefer to receive information and what they value. 

4) Describe a recent success or win. They should be able to come up with something pretty quickly. If they can’t, that might indicate that they aren’t great about celebrating progress or recognizing people along the way to milestones. They don’t have to describe a huge win. However, they should be able to think of a recent event that demonstrates progress. 

8) Tell me about the last person you recognized. Recognition can be a thoughtful conversation, an email, an award, or even a mention in an all-hands meeting. You want to see if the leader struggles to come up with an example or easily mentions individual and team recognition. Does the leader have the mindset that development includes helping people see the contributions they are making?

See all 10 questions and the complete Fast Company article

 

 

The 25 questions you should know in a job interview

You already got the interview , it's time to talk about yourself! An opportunity opens up to keep the job and the first question is: are you ready?

Have you ever walked out of an interview thinking you didn't give 100%? Feeling like you failed to convince the recruiter and sell yourself? You are not the only one! The job interview is part of the process when looking for a job, and there are two fundamental tips to master it: Prepare and Practice

Miguel Ángel Rangel, Recruitment and Selection Manager of Deloitte Mexico, recommends that candidates review the information placed on the resume and not put false information , since later the recruiter will notice it.

“Practice a lot, go to a lot of interviews. Sometimes you have to put two or three 'No' together to get a 'Yes'. They will realize that many questions are repeated and they will be able to answer better ”, he commented during his participation in Expo City OCC .

Here's a compilation of the most common interview questions and how you can answer them wisely. So know the 25 questions that the recruiter will surely ask you:

The icebreakers

They seem casual or 'light' but they are focused on getting more information than you think. Find out why.

1. Tell me about yourself. The recruiter doesn't want to know your life story , they are giving you the opportunity to speak openly about your 'professional self'. Avoid sharing personal information , focus on your work profile, your strengths and show enthusiasm.

2. Why are you interested in the position? Take the opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the job.

3. What do you know about our company? Prepare in advance and do your research on the company: mission , history, values , earnings, business units and social networks.

The uncomfortable

They will go deep into your professional life with the intention of detecting red flags. Anticipate your response so you are not caught off guard.

6. Why did you leave your previous job? Why do you want to change jobs? Leave out the negative comments about your past work experience , focus on your desire to grow and how this position surpasses the one you have or had before.

The difficult ones

They provide the recruiter with key information about your professional profile , think carefully before answering.

11. There is a gap in your work experience, what did you do during that time? Highlight productive activities such as: volunteer work, taking a course, finishing your studies.

12. Tell me about a moment in your work life where you made a mistake, how did you solve it? We all make mistakes at work, but there are those who have the ability to intelligently approach their mistake and find a solution. Show that you are that person.

Read all 25 questions and the complete Entrepreneur article

 

 

Not asking these 4 questions at the first interview will kill your chances

Samantha Hawrylack

Many people prepare for questions during the interview, but did you know that you should ask questions afterward, too?

It happens at the end of every interview. The interviewer asks, ‘Do you have any questions for me?’ Most people naturally respond ‘no.’ That’s the worst thing you could say, though.

It shows that you aren’t engaged or interested in the job. Unless you’re a superhero and can learn everything you need to know about the job in the 30 – 60 minutes the interview took, you’re bound to have questions.

So what should they be? Here are a few examples.

1) How has the position changed over the years?

Most positions evolve in some ways – some are big, and some are small. Ask about the history of the position, and you’ll find out if more responsibilities have been added or if the position changed direction altogether.

This tells you a few things. One, if there was a recent change in the responsibilities, it could be why the previous person left. Make sure it’s something that fits within what you want.

Two, it could mean the position is one with possibilities. If you plan to grow with the company, knowing that they constantly change the position’s responsibilities could be a good thing.

4) What are the next steps in the interview process?

If you’re interested in the job after you’ve gone through the interview, it’s natural to ask about the next steps. This shows that you’re forward-thinking and want to plan for the next steps.

This takes some of the anxiety out of waiting for the phone to ring or the employer to send you an email asking you back for another interview or offering you the job. 

If you want the job, you have to show that you want it. Don’t let the interview end when the interviewer stops asking questions. This is your opportunity to turn the tables.

Ask any questions you have about the company or about your future with the company. Don’t be afraid to sound too forward or too inquisitive. Employers like to see people go after what they want. It shows that you may do the same thing if they hire you.

Read all 4 questions and the complete theladders article

 

 

Job Seekers, LinkedIn Will Guarantee Your Next Interview—If You Can Pass A Test

Kristin Stoller

Tired of applying for jobs and never hearing back? Job seekers, rejoice: LinkedIn announced the launch of a new pilot program Tuesday that guarantees candidates interviews with recruiters—if they can pass a test.

Through the new skills-based hiring program, called Skills Path, hiring managers at participating companies, such as Microsoft, BlackRock and Ralph Lauren, will identify the core skills candidates must possess to perform specific roles. Free LinkedIn Learning Courses will be curated around these core skills and offered to job seekers. When applying for jobs at these employers on LinkedIn, candidates will be asked to demonstrate their skills in a multiple-choice LinkedIn Skill Assessment, as well as in a video or written test. Those who pass earn interviews with company recruiters.

“I do think there are barriers for people to get their first shot at something. A lot of jobs will say you need two years of experience or four years of experience,” says Hari Srinivasan, LinkedIn’s vice president of product. “This will let you get your foot in their door and prove some new skills along the way.”

Pilot program participants—including Citrix, Gap Inc., GitHub, Gusto, Prologis, TaskRabbit, Wayfair and LinkedIn—are looking to hire for a variety of positions, among them customer service, sales development, data analyst, product manager, project manager, recruiting coordinator and supply chain coordinator roles.

Wayfair, which plans to use Skills Path to source candidates for recruiter roles, is searching for talent with strong communication and analytical skills, as well as resilience, says Ryan Gilchrist, Wayfair's global head of talent acquisition. He says the online furniture retailer will ask candidates to share their professional experiences, like a time when they failed to achieve a goal and how they handled the situation, or a time when they tried something new and what they learned.

Srinivasan says LinkedIn tested the first iteration of Skills Path last year when, trying to fill a customer service role in its office in Omaha, Nebraska, it removed traditional requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree or one to two years of prior experience, from the job posting. “We were blown away by the results,” he says. “Not only were we getting candidates with a completely different set of experience than we had before, but our hiring efficiency improved.”

The first roles Gap will hire for on LinkedIn’s Skills Path pilot will include an inventory planning analyst with Banana Republic. Candidates will be assessed on analytical skills, excel, communication and problem solving, says Meghan Kelly, Gap global head of talent acquisition.

Courtesy of LinkedIn

 The product announcement is part of LinkedIn’s global skills initiative with Microsoft, which acquired the professional social network in 2016. Last summer, the two companies made a commitment to offering workers access to free educational resources and employers access to pre-qualified candidates, with a goal of helping 250,000 companies make a skills-based hire this year. 

Read the full Forbes article for more information

15 Tips for Using LinkedIn and Facebook to Find a New Job

by Gabi Casin

Today, recruiters and hiring managers are increasingly using social networks to find talent. This is why it’s essential to have a professional social media presence if you’re in the market for a new job (and important to manage the privacy settings on your social accounts you don’t want recruiters and hiring managers to see). Below are some general tips for using social media to job search, along with specific job-search tips for using LinkedIn and Facebook.

General tips

1. Put your personality on display

In addition to your educational background and professional experience, hiring managers and recruiters are interested in your lifestyle, hobbies, and the media you consume—such as books and articles in your field of work or study. At best, this type of personal information can be a decisive element for recruiters when deciding between candidates. And at least, being present on a social network and showcasing your personality and what makes you unique will allow recruiters to know more about you.

2. Search for and connect with employers

Social media is a great place to discover new employers and connect with them. For example, start-ups and tech companies are usually very present on social networks. Don't hesitate to send a short message or interact with companies that interest you via their social feeds. Maybe, someday, you’ll see a job opening at one of these firms, which could lead to an interview and ultimately a great job offer.

LinkedIn tips

1. Let it be known that you’re looking for a job

First of all, if you're looking for a job, make sure to let recruiters and your network know on LinkedIn that you're open to new career opportunities. If you indicate which job offers you’re interested in and your preferred location, LinkedIn will ensure that your profile is found in search queries when recruiters are looking for suitable candidates.

2. Expand your network

Widening your networking will improve your chances of landing informational interviews and job interviews. So, make sure to connect with fellow students, colleagues, friends, clients, and partners.

4. Be active

Don’t just sit around and wait for recruiters to reach out. Instead, share photos, articles, and social posts that you think are relevant and interesting. Or publish content yourself such as a blog on a topic in your field to highlight your expertise and improve your visibility. At the very least, make sure to link to any outside portfolio or blog that you host.

Facebook tips

1. Tidy up your public posts

Even if you already know this, it’s worth repeating since it’s so important: Don’t make intimate, personal photos or political tweets public on Facebook. Recruiters can, in fact, eliminate your job application if they consider that you’re posting inappropriately. So, scrub your public profile until it’s squeaky clean.

5. Pay close attention to how a company deals with criticism

How companies deal with negative comments on Facebook says a lot about their ability to accept criticism and their culture. Is there room for open dialogue? Is criticism taken seriously? Is criticism welcome? A company’s corporate culture is clearly evident in its communication with Facebook followers. Closely looking at this communication will help you weed out employers you don't want to work for, while pointing you in the direction of what could be your dream employer.

Read all 15 tips and the complete Vault article

 

 

 

 

 

4 Signs It's Time to Ditch Your Day Job and Work for Yourself

Cohin Kakar, PharmD, MBA

Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor

 

We've all been there: That dragging job that drains us of our energy, guts us of our dreams and makes us wake up in the morning wondering if this is really what we were born to do.

For many of us there is that million dollar idea that burns inside and with each passing day gets more stale. It is a hard decision to make between leaving the comfort of a stable job and building something of your own. What about the salary? The benefits? The dependents? The 401K?

All those luxuries disappear the minute you turn the company laptop in for the last time.

Conversely a recent survey of 2,500 people, including 500 small business owners, conducted on behalf of Invoice2go found that 60% said they’re committed to the idea of working for themselves rather than an employer, citing an interest in following their passion (57%), a belief that they could be of benefit to others (53%) and a need to set their own schedule (52%).

So how do YOU know if it's time to jump ship?

1) Fulfillment

Any entrepreneur that has started their journey after working for another company has had this question: "Am I living up to my potential?"

The answer might be as simple as a role change, a jump into a new career, and maybe, just maybe...a light bulb that is the fact that it's time to start your own journey.

3) Motivation

If you are finding it hard to get motivated to participate, to lead, to achieve, etc. there is definitely a root cause. It does not always have to be work related. It could be in your personal life. However every day that passes where you are not giving it your all ends up being a day that you wish you had back.

See all 4 signs and the complete Entrepreneur article