Employers are always seeking the best talent to join their teams, and interviews play a crucial role in selecting the right candidates. You have to make the candidate comfortable and optimize their interview experience. However, conducting interviews can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to deciding which questions to ask. In this article, we’ll cover the 8 most popular interview questions with answers to help employers make informed decisions and hire the best candidates for their organization.

Key takeaways on interview questions:

Let’s look at the following 8 most popular interview questions with answers:

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why do you want to work here?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. Can you provide an example where you displayed leadership?
5. Why should we hire you?
6. Describe yourself in 5 words.
7. What are your long-term career goals?
8. If you were conducting this interview, what would you consider to be the three most crucial factors in recruiting someone? 

1. Tell me about yourself.

As a frequently asked question in job interviews, this provides employers with an opportunity to learn more about the candidate and their background. As an employer, it’s important to ask this question in a way that encourages candidates to share information that’s relevant to the job.

It’s also essential to consider how candidates respond to this question. This is because their answer can provide valuable insights into their communication skills, confidence, and overall suitability for the position.

Sample Answer: For the past two years, I’ve been a junior chef in a small Italian restaurant, where my responsibilities have included helping the head chef and making salads. I have always been passionate about cooking and cuisine, so I decided to pursue this vocation. I received my first-level culinary diploma while attending ABC college, where I studied.

2. Why do you want to work here?

Inquiring into candidates’ motivations for wanting to work at the company is crucial during a job interview. As an employer, we want to make sure that the candidate has done their research and understands our company’s values, culture, and mission.

Furthermore, it’s also an opportunity for candidates to show their enthusiasm and passion for the job and the organization. While we want to hear genuine reasons why the candidate wants to work with us, we also encourage them to be honest about what they’re looking for in their career and how our company aligns with their goals.

Therefore, this question helps us to ensure that we’re hiring candidates who are not only qualified for the job but also a good fit for our company culture. 

Sample Answer: I want to work here because I really love your company and all the products you’ve launched in the last decade! I’ve been using [smartphone device name] since I can remember, and I think your tech is the most user-friendly in the market. I’d love to contribute everything I know about tech to work on intuitive smartphones!

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This interview question enables employers to get a better understanding of the candidate’s self-awareness and their capacity for self-reflection. It’s also an opportunity for candidates to showcase their strengths. Furthermore, candidates can also show how they can contribute to our team.

On the other hand, we want to hear candidates speak honestly about their weaknesses and how they’re working to improve them. We are not looking for perfection. Instead, employers want to see that candidates are willing to grow and learn.

Overall, this question helps employers to assess a candidate’s level of humility and honesty. These are both important qualities for any team member to have.

Sample Answer: My love for lifelong learning is one of my biggest strengths. For instance, I am the first to test and acquaint myself with every new program launched. As I think it’s important to do so to keep ahead in this sector that is always changing, I like investigating and understanding every part of the program.

I tend to be extremely critical of myself, which is one of my flaws. Even when a project receives great feedback, I frequently feel like I could have done more once it is over. This may result in burnout and excessive labor. To combat this, I’ve learned to take the time to assess my accomplishments and rejoice in my victories honestly.

4. Can you provide an example where you displayed leadership?

This is one of the most important interview questions that we ask candidates. As an employer, we want to hire individuals who can take charge, motivate others, and achieve success.

It’s also an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively. We’re looking for someone who can step up and lead. This is important in challenging situations. This question helps us to identify candidates who have the potential to grow into leadership roles within our organization.

Ultimately, we want to build a team of individuals who can work together to achieve our goals, and strong leadership is essential for that.

Sample Answer: In my previous position, my team and I were in charge of delivering an important presentation to a potential customer that required extensive pre-presentation study. I was in charge of giving my team assignments for presentations, establishing deadlines, and revising their work. I swiftly delegated various roles to team members, including providing the newest hire the opportunity to deliver the presentation. Despite two missed deadlines, we worked together to complete the task. One of our clients said it was the best conference they had attended.

5. Why should we hire you?

Here is another question employers ask in an interview to see if candidates can effectively sell themselves and their skills. We want to know what sets them apart from other candidates. Moreover, employers wish to see what they can bring to the team.

It’s an opportunity for candidates to highlight their experience, qualifications, and enthusiasm for the job. This question helps us identify candidates who clearly understand the job requirements and how they can meet them.

Consequently, we want to hire someone who best fits the role and the organization. This question helps us to assess whether the candidate is a good match. 

Sample Answer: Working with consumers, I gained considerable abilities even while they were in trouble. I’m great at neutralizing tension and figuring out how to satisfy customers. At my last job, our customer satisfaction score increased by 10% during my time there. My experience would be a huge advantage to your team, considering that your marketing department aims to enhance customers’ perceptions of the business.

6. Describe yourself in 5 words.

This is an interesting interview question that we ask candidates to get a sense of their personalities and how they see themselves. It’s a unique way to assess their self-awareness and creativity.

Furthermore, this question helps us to understand the candidate’s strengths and personality traits. It’s also a way to see how they can fit into the company culture and team dynamic.

Ultimately, we want to build a team of individuals who work well together and have a positive attitude, and this question helps us to determine whether the candidate is a good fit.

Sample Answer: If I were to sum up who I am in five words, they would be fast-learner, hardworking, reliable, attentive, and adaptive.

7. What are your long-term career goals?

This is an essential interview question that we ask candidates to understand their aspirations and commitment to the job. It’s an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their vision for the future and how this job can fit into it.

This question helps us see whether the candidate is a good fit for the company and whether they can grow within the organization. It’s also an excellent way to assess their dedication and motivation toward their career.

Therefore, employers want to hire someone who is committed to their career and can contribute to the success of their company.

Sample Answer: My long-term objective is to obtain my RN degree in order to further my nursing profession, even if I have just finished my LPN certification. During the next several years, I intend to work full-time at a hospital or long-term care facility to get the experience I’ll need to succeed in an RN program.

8. If you were conducting this interview, what would you consider the three most crucial factors in recruiting someone?

We ask candidates this unique interview question to understand their perspective on the hiring process. It’s an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role and what they value in a team member.

Additionally, this question helps us to assess their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It’s also an excellent way to understand their communication and collaboration skills. 

Sample Answer: The applicant’s attitude is the most important factor when hiring. Skills may be taught, but learning is challenging when a person has a bad attitude. I would also consider the applicant’s ability to adapt to various working environments and critical problem-solving among the most significant hiring factors.  

Final thoughts on interview questions

In conclusion, the eight interview questions discussed in this article are essential for employers to assess the suitability of candidates for their organization. Employers can evaluate a candidate’s personality, skills, goals, and potential to contribute to the company’s growth through these questions. Next up is making sure that a candidate has a smooth onboarding process so they would want to join your company.