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The 10 frequently asked questions in a job interview and how to answer them - job interview
The fear of drawing a blank, of saying something inappropriate or of not knowing how to handle a "trick question" is the main cause of anxiety among candidates. However, 90% of interviews follow predictable patterns. Recruiters don't usually reinvent the wheel; they use sets of standard questions to evaluate competencies, motivation and cultural fit. If you prepare your answers strategically, you'll not only survive difficult questions, but use them to sell yourself.
It's the classic opening and, paradoxically, where most candidates fail. Many begin to ramble about their personal life, their family or their childhood. Mistake.
What they're looking for: An executive summary of your professional profile. They want to know who you are professionally, what you've achieved and why you're here.
The structure of the Personal Pitch: Prepare a speech of 1 to 2 minutes max. Use the structure: Present, Past and Future. "I am [Current Title] with solid experience in [Key Area]. In my career I have achieved [Mention 1 or 2 important quantifiable achievements]. Previously I worked at [Relevant experience] developing [Skills]. Now I am looking for [Why this position fits your career plan and what value you bring]".
Errors to avoid:Do not return the question: Never say "What exactly do you want to know?" or "Where do I start?". That shows a lack of preparation and initiative. Take the reins.
This question seeks to measure your self-awareness and your ability to improve. Answering "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too much" no longer works; they're clichés that recruiters hate and perceive as false.
Controlled Honesty Strategy: Choose a real weakness but one that is not disabling for the role (for example, don't say you're disorganized if you're applying for an administrative position, or that you don't like numbers if you're going into finance). It can be a technical skill you're improving or a secondary soft skill.
The Action Plan (The Key): What's important is not the flaw, but the solution. You must show that you're working on it. Example: "Sometimes I struggle to speak in public in front of large audiences. I'm aware of it and that's why I've enrolled in a public speaking course and look for opportunities in team meetings to present results and gain confidence." You transform a weakness into a sign of proactivity.
This is an absolute danger zone. Your attitude here defines your professionalism and loyalty.
Golden Rule:Never speak ill of your boss, colleagues or previous company: Even if you're completely right, doing so makes you come across as a conflictive, negative and disloyal person. The recruiter will think: "If they speak about them that way, they'll speak about us that way in the future".
Positive Approach: Talk about "moving toward" something, not "running away" from something. Focus on growth. "I have learned a lot at my current company, but I'm looking for new professional challenges that I can no longer reach there", "I want to specialize in a sector where your company is a leader", "I'm looking for an environment where I can apply my [X] skills more strategically".
What if you were fired or had a major failure? Honesty is the best policy, but it must be strategic.
About being fired: Be brief, honest and neutral. "There was a restructuring and my position was affected." If it was due to performance, take responsibility without blaming others, explain what you learned and how you've improved since then. About failure: Use the STAR technique to narrate a situation that didn't go well, but focus heavily on the learning obtained. Show resilience.
Sometimes they throw questions like "If you were an animal, which would you be?" or "How many tennis balls fit in a bus?".
The goal: They're not looking for the correct answer (sometimes none exists), they're looking to see your thought process, your creativity and how you react under pressure.
How to respond: Stay calm, smile and reason out loud. Estimation example: "Well, first I would estimate the volume of the bus, then that of the ball, subtract the space of the seats..." Show logic. Creative example: Choose something that aligns with the competencies of the role. "I would be a dolphin because they are intelligent, communicative and work very well in teams".
Answering "No, everything's clear" is one of the worst mistakes you can make when closing the interview. It conveys lack of interest, lack of preparation and passivity.
Why ask: It demonstrates intellectual curiosity, genuine interest in the position and that you are also evaluating whether the company is the right place for you.
What to ask (Power List): Prepare a list of 5-6 questions (in case some are answered during the conversation). About the role: "What is a typical day like in this role?", "What are the priority objectives for the first 3 months?". About the team: "Which departments does this team collaborate with most?". About the culture: "What do you like most about working here?". About the future: "What are the next steps in the selection process?".
What NOT to ask (yet): Avoid asking about salary, vacation or benefits in the first interview, unless the recruiter brings it up. It may give the impression that you are only motivated by financial interest and not the project.
