In just a few minutes, you could decide what you want to do for a living. The job interview is one of the most nerve-wracking events in life. However, it is also a unique chance to show your potential employer that you are the right candidate. The interviewer wants to find out as much as possible about you, so they will ask you some standard interview questions to find out what drives you, what qualifications you have, your strengths and weaknesses.
The interviewer then tries to put together a full picture of who you are from all of these puzzle pieces. Remember that those who are armed for the interview can give specific answers and score points. Some questions are asked in just about every interview and are thus common interview questions:
Job interviews can be intimidating but going in prepared makes all the difference. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the 10 most common point interview questions interviewers ask, along with tips and examples to craft winning responses.
Whether you’re fresh out of college or an experienced candidate exploring a career change, strong interview skills are essential to landing the job. Let’s get started mastering point interview questions!
Overview of Point Interviews
Point interviews are structured interviews consisting primarily of behavioral and situational questions. The interviewer has a list of preset questions to evaluate each applicant on the same criteria.
The name comes from the practice of scoring or rating responses to each question on a point scale. The total points determine the interview performance and candidate’s qualifications. High point scores indicate potentially better job fit.
Since point interviews use standardized questions, candidates can prepare ahead of time. Let’s look at 10 frequent point interview questions and how to give high-scoring answers:
10 Common Point Interview Questions and Sample Responses
1. Tell me about yourself.
This open-ended question allows you to highlight your background. Keep it concise, focusing on:
- Recent work experience and key accomplishments
- Education, credentials, and relevant skills
- What motivates you about the role and company
Tailor your 2-3 minute story to the job. Use an enthusiastic, positive tone.
2. What are your strengths?
Share 2-3 strengths that align with the position like:
- Strong work ethic
- Problem-solving skills
- Collaboration abilities
- Attention to detail
Back up claims with specific examples that demonstrate these strengths in action.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
Turn this into a positive by sharing an area everyone can improve that you actively work on, such as:
- Public speaking skills – take every opportunity to present to build skills
- Time management – use calendars, reminders, and schedules to maximize efficiency
Emphasize your commitment to self-improvement.
4. Why do you want this job?
Show you understand and care about the company by highlighting specific things that attract you, like:
- Your passion for the industry
- The company mission and values
- Opportunities to develop your skills
- Chance to contribute your experience
Match your strengths and interests to the role.
5. Why should we hire you?
Summarize your best qualifications for the role. Explain how your background makes you a great fit to excel in the position. Share one or two examples that showcase relevant skills in action.
6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Interviewers want longevity and growth potential. Share aspirations such as:
- Advancing your expertise and responsibilities
- Becoming a mentor for new hires
- Leading key initiatives once thoroughly trained
Demonstrate enthusiasm for growing along with the company long-term.
7. What is your expected salary range?
Research typical pay for this role in your location on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and PayScale. Take into account your experience level and talents. Give a range, not an exact figure, and tie it to your qualifications.
8. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?
Share an example of remaining calm and focused during a high-pressure time. Explain how you:
- Prioritized urgent tasks
- Sought help when needed
- Employed relaxation techniques to work through stress
Discuss how you prepare for stressful situations to always deliver.
9. How do you handle a difficult coworker?
Show you resolve conflicts constructively by:
- Openly communicating to understand their perspective
- Finding compromises and win-win solutions
- Asking a supervisor for guidance when needed
Emphasize you always maintain professionalism and focus on the team’s shared goals.
10. Do you have any questions for me?
Prepare 2-3 intelligent, engaging questions that demonstrate your interest in the company’s priorities. For example:
- What are the most immediate projects or goals for the person in this role?
- How would you describe the culture here? What do you enjoy most about working for this company?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth?
Tips for Giving Winning Responses in Point Interviews
Beyond practicing responses to common questions, here are some tips for really nailing your point interview:
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Research the role, company, and industry trends – Use your findings to craft informed, targeted responses showing your engagement.
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Re-read the job description – Identify the skills and attributes they want. Tie your experiences directly to their needs throughout the interview.
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Practice aloud – Have a friend conduct practice interviews. Get comfortable delivering polished responses. Time yourself to keep answers concise yet compelling.
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Prepare smart questions – Jot down 4-5 thoughtful, well-researched questions that demonstrate genuine interest and enthusiasm.
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Review your qualifications – Refresh your memory on key accomplishments, projects, and skills you want to highlight.
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Watch your body language – Give confident, friendly handshakes. Make steady eye contact. Sit tall and avoid nervous movements.
With preparation and practice, you can tackle any point interview question with compelling, high-scoring responses. Do your research, know your own stories and strengths inside out, and convey professionalism and passion throughout the interview. Use these tips to show you’re the right candidate for the job and maximize your chances of landing the role!
Tell me something about yourself
Even though this isn’t really a question, it’s one that people often ask in interviews. You do not need to provide a novel that covers the time between your birth and the interview. You should leave out a few important facts that are important to the interviewer and the job you want. Compile a few keywords in advance and be open without being too personal.
Why do you want to work in this company?
This question, which is likely one of the most common ones asked at job interviews, is meant to see if you have done your homework. Company history, guiding principles, visions – these things should sit comfortably. Ideally, you can even make a connection to your qualifications. Explain how you will bring the company further and show that you stand behind the company philosophy.
Interview Question: “What Are Your Weaknesses?” And You Say, “…”
FAQ
What are the points of interview questions?
What is your strong point interview question?
What is the point system for interviews?
What questions should you ask a job interviewer?
Tell me about yourself This is one of the most common interview questions, and it trips a lot of job seekers up because of how open-ended it is. Here’s what the best answers include, and how to impress when the interviewer asks this question: First, keep your answer work-related when answering, “ Tell me about yourself.
How do you answer a job interview question?
In your answer, you’ll want to reassure them you’d have things under control (both in what you say and how you say it), describe a specific system or method you’ve used (bonus points if you can tie it to the role you’re interviewing for), and explain how it benefited you and your team. Just make sure your answer is succinct and, well, organized.
What is a good answer to the interview question?
There are a lot of good answers to this interview question. There isn’t just one “right” answer. Here are some guidelines: If you chose to leave on your own terms, stay positive and focus on what you wanted to gain from the decision, rather than bad-mouthing or focusing on negatives you wanted to avoid.
How do you answer a passionate interview question?
When answering, “what are you passionate about?” you have a lot of freedom. The question is very open-ended. I recommend naming one single area. This keeps everything simple and makes it easier to prepare. That’s why I recommend it for multiple interview questions and answers above, too. So pick one topic that gets you really excited.
