An interview is the best opportunity to prove yourself as a candidate and tell your story to a potential employer. An interview can be just as stressful as it is important, so preparing for it is crucial. Knowing how to approach the interview and answer the most likely questions can boost your confidence and help you make a strong first impression. Here are three of the most common questions an interviewer may ask, and how you can expertly answer them.
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
This is often the first question in an interview, designed to set the tone and get to know you. It’s your first chance to leave a positive impression.
How to answer:
- Be concise: Offer a brief, direct overview of your professional background and interests. Avoid long, rambling responses and instead focus on how your experience and goals align with the job.
- Highlight your experience: Mention your current or most recent role, any relevant experience that fits the position, and your immediate career objectives. Preparing in advance will ensure your answer is thoughtful and direct.
- Briefly discuss your skill set: Provide a short overview of key skills relevant to the job. Mention both hard skills (like specific software or equipment expertise) and soft skills (like problem-solving or communication). You can go into more detail about these skills later in the interview.
By keeping your introduction short and focused, you’ll give the interviewer a clear sense of who you are and what you bring to the table. This shows professionalism, preparedness, and confidence.
2. “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
This question helps interviewers assess your self-awareness and honesty. It’s often rephrased as, “What qualities have helped you overcome challenges?” or “What’s something you’ve struggled with, and how did you improve?”
How to answer:
- Describe relevant strengths: Choose strengths that are directly related to the role. For example, problem-solving might be valuable in a fast-paced environment, or conflict-resolution skills might be important in customer-facing positions.
- Be honest but positive about weaknesses: Admit a genuine weakness but follow up by explaining the steps you’re taking to improve. For example, if you struggle with time management, mention strategies you’ve adopted to better organize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Use the STAR method: The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps structure your response. Use it to demonstrate how your strength made a positive impact, or how you’ve successfully overcome a weakness.
This approach shows that you can reflect on your own performance and are committed to personal and professional growth.
3. “What are your future goals?”
This is often a closing question that allows you to express your career aspirations and demonstrate how they align with the company’s goals.
How to answer:
- Show enthusiasm for the role: Before diving into your long-term goals, emphasize your excitement for the job opportunity. Enthusiasm helps convey that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
- Align the role with your future goals: Be specific about your professional ambitions and how this job fits into your career path. Explain how you see yourself growing with the company and how you plan to contribute to its success over time.
By preparing a thoughtful answer, you’ll show that you’re a motivated candidate with a clear vision for your career—and that you see this role as a key step in achieving your goals.
By preparing responses to these common interview questions, you’ll be able to answer confidently and thoughtfully, demonstrating your professionalism and readiness for the role. Preparation not only helps you make a strong first impression, but it also shows that you’re serious about the opportunity and eager to contribute to the company’s success.
Vitus Search Group has over 50 years of combined staffing expertise. We know the ins-and-outs of interviews and are here to help our candidates and clients have a smooth interview process. As you prepare for your interview, we look forward to working with you every step of the way.