Make sure you have some questions ready to ask the employer at the end of the interview. This will show that you are interested in the job and that you came prepared.
Your interview is going well. Youve answered all the recruiters questions confidently and the session is coming to a close. You will be asked one last time, “Do you have any questions for me?” Always say “yes” to keep your job chances alive.
Having a list of questions ready to ask an interviewer makes you look interested, excited, and involved, which are all things the employer will be looking for. It also gives you one final chance to further highlight your relevant qualities and experience.
Try to come up with at least four or five questions to ask the interviewer. That way, you have back-ups in case one or two of them are answered during the first conversation.
Avoid asking questions that focus too much on what the organisation can do for you. Save questions about salary and holiday allowance for when youve got a job offer. There are also no need to answer yes or no questions because you can find that information on the company’s website.
You can ask your interviewer to explain some things, but don’t bring up things that have already been talked about. You dont want them to think that you havent been paying attention. If you need some inspiration here are some good questions to ask at an interview….
Interviews make me nervouser than anything. My hands get all clammy right before walking into one. I know I’m not alone in feeling anxious about job interviews. It’s totally normal to stress about having to answer tough questions on the spot.
But I’ve learned some tricks over the years for feeling more prepared and confident going into any interview In this article, I’ll share the 10 most common Sure interview questions hiring managers love to ask candidates Plus I’ll give examples of fantastic responses to each one.
With the right game plan you can totally crush your next Sure interview and land the job of your dreams!
Tell Me About Yourself
This open-ended question is so common, it’s almost guaranteed to come up in any interview. It’s your chance to give your elevator pitch – a quick summary of your background and qualifications.
Focus on facts most relevant to the role. And have a story structure with a beginning, middle, and end. You can weave in a couple vivid details to make your pitch interesting.
Here’s an example:
“I kicked off my career as a marketing assistant at XYZ Company, where I honed my project management skills and grew web traffic by 35%. I was then recruited to lead digital marketing for 123 Corporation, a thriving ecommerce retailer. In that role, I expanded our social media following by over 50% and drove a 10x increase in online sales. Now I’m excited to take my digital marketing expertise to the next level as Sure’s Marketing Manager.”
Why Do You Want This Job?
Hiring managers want to know you genuinely want this specific role, not just any job. So be specific about what attracts you. Make sure to research the company beforehand.
Mention things like:
- The company’s mission, values, and culture
- How their innovations align with your passions
- Why the role itself is a great fit for your skills and interests
Here’s a sample response:
“I’m excited to join a mission-driven company like Sure that prioritizes sustainability. I admire your industry leadership in eco-friendly manufacturing. And I would love being able to leverage my technical skills to help Sure achieve its renewable energy goals. This role blends my passions for mitigating climate change while allowing me to grow as a project manager.”
How Do You Handle Stress or Difficult Situations?
No one works best under constant stress. But interviewers want to know you can cope with challenges and high-pressure scenarios when necessary. Have an example ready where you stayed productive and level-headed under stress. Share the positive outcome.
For instance:
“When the pandemic hit, it was a stressful time for our team scrambling to transition events online. Rather than panic, I came up with a project plan for virtual events and researched new online platforms. My calm organizational skills kept us on track to seamlessly move our events online, with attendance actually increasing 30%.”
Focus your answer on rational problem-solving under pressure. It reassures hiring managers you perform well in difficult circumstances.
What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Do your homework beforehand on typical pay for this role in your location. Take into account your experience level and qualifications. Be prepared with a reasonable salary range based on market research.
You can respond with something like: “Based on my qualifications and experience, my salary expectation would be $70,000 to $80,000 annually for this type of position in this market.”
If required to give an exact figure, aim modestly. Once they make an offer, you can negotiate if needed. But avoid pricing yourself out early on.
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This common question aims to gauge your self-awareness. Share 2-3 strengths relevant to the role. Think skills listed in the job description. Provide specific examples of those strengths in action.
Then share a non-critical weakness or a strength you’ve worked to improve on. Spin it positively.
For example:
“I’m extremely motivated and enthusiastic about my work, which fuels my persistence through challenges. When I managed Project X, despite multiple roadblocks, I kept the team motivated which led to our ultimate success. One area I’ve been working on improving is avoiding taking on too many projects at once. I love taking initiative but have gotten better about not over-committing myself.”
Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Job?
Don’t badmouth your current employer here. Keep it positive, focusing on your desire for growth and new challenges. If your company lacked opportunities, be vague rather than critical.
For example:
“I’ve learned a lot in my current role, but I’m ready for more responsibility and leadership opportunities. I hope to find a role where I can take on larger projects that utilize the full range of my skills. Sure seems to provide broader scope and exposure that would push me to continue developing as a project manager.”
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
Show you have clear goals aligned with company growth. Demonstrate this role moves you closer toward your long-term aims. Tailor your answer based on opportunities at the company.
Sample response:
“In 5 years, I hope to be leading a marketing team for a successful consumer brand. I’m excited Sure offers room for growth into management positions. This role would set me up with broader experience in brand strategy and integrated marketing. My goal is to gain expertise that prepares me to eventually lead high-performing marketing teams.”
Why Should We Hire You?
Summarize why you are the best fit for this role and what unique value you offer. Touch on 3 key points:
- Your relevant skills and achievements
- Specific passions or competencies that align with the company’s mission
- Personality traits and work ethic showing you’ll thrive in their culture
For example:
“You should hire me because I am passionate about green technology and have a proven track record driving transformative sustainability initiatives. At my past company, I led recycling programs that reduced waste by 30% in just 1 year. I love devising creative solutions and bringing stakeholders together behind a shared vision for change. These qualities make me the perfect culture-add for an eco-conscious company like Sure.”
What Are Your Greatest Strengths?
This is your time to shine! Share 2-3 standout qualities or skills that make you excel at your work. Align them with top requirements of the job. Provide specific examples as proof.
Some options include:
-
Communication skills: “I have strong written and verbal communication abilities. For example, when I led Project X, my clear directions and status updates kept everyone aligned. This led to seamless collaboration.”
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Creativity: “I’m highly creative which helps me solve problems in innovative ways. While planning a virtual sales summit, I dreamed up a fun networking scavenger hunt activity. This ended up being a huge hit with attendees.”
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Leadership: “I’m a motivational team leader. As an example, I managed a dementia care unit with low morale. Through regular team building activities, I boosted spirits and employee retention by 15%.”
Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
Always have thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer. It shows your engagement and curiosity about the company. Focus on bigger picture questions, not mundane logistics:
- “How would you describe the culture here?”
- “What qualities make someone successful on your team?”
- “What are some of the biggest growth opportunities you see ahead for the company?”
Having strong, well-researched questions makes a great final impression.
Now you’re ready to rock your next Sure interview! Be confident knowing these common questions and practicing responses ahead of time. You’ve got this. Wishing you the best of luck landing your dream job!
What does a typical day look like?
Asking this question enables you to learn as much about the role as possible. You can learn what skills and experience are needed from the interviewer’s answer, which will also help you decide if the job is right for you.
You’ll know what the employer wants based on the answer, so if you get the job, there won’t be any surprises when you start.
What do you enjoy about your job?
This question gives you a chance to get to know your interviewer better by letting you talking about yourself. This question requires a personal response, so you could learn a lot from their answer.
You’ll get a feel for the company culture and work environment from someone who works there. You might even learn how your interviewer got started in the business and how they’ve grown since then.
TOP 21 QUICK ANSWERS TO JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS!
FAQ
What is a smart question to ask the interviewer?
What are your three weaknesses?
