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The Top 10 Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Correctly

No matter what kind of job interview you have coming up, it’s likely they will ask
you several of these questions, if not all of them. So I want to share with you my
best tips for answering these top 10 interview questions.

These are the 10 most common questions a hiring manager, recruiter, or
interviewer will most likely ask you on a first, second, or even third job interview.
To make answering these top 10 questions easy for you, I’m going to break down
each question in to all the Do’s and Don’ts so it will be blatantly obvious how to
answer them, and as equally important, how NOT to answer them.

Since these are the most popular interview questions, you’ve probably seen or
heard of them before, and you may think you know how to answer them. These
questions have been around for a long time and interviewers have been asking
them since people started interviewing for jobs. Even though they are old
questions, one thing has changed: The best way to answer them for the current
times. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, your answer to any of these top 10 questions
would have been different than the way you would answer it today in 20xx. And
I’m going to show you how to answer these questions for current times.

No doubt, there are many other questions you will be asked on your interview,
but these are the root questions. You need to know these. Once I show you how
to answer these top 10 questions, I’ll show you where you can a complete list of
other common interview questions and answers with a break‐down on the best
way to answer each one.

So let’s get started.

1. Tell Me About Yourself.

This is probably one of the oldest interview questions ever, but I guarantee it will
come up at every interview you have for the rest of your career. Plus, it’s not just
for job interviews either. I’ve been asked this question in sales meetings,
luncheons, and even while shopping for a new car. How you answer it depends on
the context in which the question is asked.
Obviously, I’m going to cover it from the job interview point of view. Don’t just
think you know how to answer this because your answer could negatively affect
whether or not you get the job. You want to take your time and practice what
you’ll say when answering this Top 10 question. Even seasoned professionals who
have been interviewing for 20+ years still fumble their answer to this question
which is why you want to be prepared.

DO THIS when answering: Tell me about yourself.

• Keep your answer brief and related to your career and the position.
• Keep your answer on topic and work related while talking about your
  journey.

Tell your interviewer how you got started in your profession, perhaps where you
went to school or what got you interested in your profession in the first place,
and then gloss over a few jobs and tell them what you like about your profession
and where you see yourself heading. Tell them of a few things you learned along
the way and how those things have strengthened you.

• Before your interview, and even during the interview, find out what they
  are looking for in the ideal candidate for this position. This could be
  experience, leadership capabilities, management qualities, technical skills,
  etc. Find out what is important to them and weave those things into the
  fabric of your answer. That way, you sound exactly like the person they are
  looking to hire.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t give them your life story ‐ this is of no interest to them. Doing so will
  derail your interview faster than you can “Next…”
• Don’t bring up un‐related experience when changing careers, it’s pointless
  unless you are tying in transferable experience.
• Don’t end your answer with a question back to the interviewer. Some
  people think this makes the applicant look smarter when they ask a follow‐
  up question after delivering their answer, but for the most part, I think it’s a
  poor strategy unless a follow‐up question presents itself naturally.

Don’s advice for you:

Practice your answer to this top 10 interview question in
front of a video camera without a script. Cover the three main points:

• 1.) Talk about your journey and how you got started
• 2.) Talk about what you learned along the way
• 3.) Talk about what you are looking for and where you see your career heading.

Get your answer down to 30‐45 seconds at the most. Keep watching your video
and polishing your answer until you can deliver it flawlessly. And when I say
flawlessly, I don’t mean from memory, but deliver it naturally, and it should
sound slightly different each time you say it.
TIP: These answers are very short and meant to get you started with your story.
Don’t make your story fit these answers. Write your own answer and then
refine.

Sample Answers to: Tell Me About Yourself:

1. I graduated from Harvard with a business degree and currently work as an
   intern at Hearst publishing company. What I enjoy most about my work
   with them is the fast paced environment, which is something that appeals
   to me about the idea of working here.
2. I grew up in a small town and always dreamed of ‘making it’ in the big city. I
   graduated at the top of my class and worked my way through a few years
   of entry‐level jobs to gain the necessary skills to qualify me for thismarketing position. I would say my work ethic and determination are what
   have gotten me to this point and will help me be successful here.
3. Serving other people has always come naturally to me. Even as a child I was
   very protective of my friends and volunteered when they needed help. This
   is my dream to work for a non‐profit that helps feed the world and provide
   shelter to those in desperate need of it.

2. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Unless you’re still working, you are going to get asked this question. Even if you
are working, they will ask you why you want to leave. But more often than not, if
you are not working, chances are that you were laid off, terminated, or quit. You
just have to let them know the reasoning behind why you are not working at your
most recent job.
If you left of your own free will, then explain why you left and what your plans
were in doing so. If you were fired for performance reasons, a simple explanation
is all that is needed, but make sure this will not affect the requirements for this
new job. If you were laid off, let them know several members of your team were
laid off due to the economy and slowing product sales. But warm that up a bit and
put it into your own words so it makes sense.

DO THIS when answering: Why did you leave your last job?

• If you left of your own free will, tell them why you left and reflect positively
  on your former employer. Tell them it was a hard decision to make but you
  felt it was the right choice for you.
• If you were fired, be as brief as possible in your explanation and accept
  responsibility for what happened.
• If you were laid off due to downsizing or the economy then tell them this as
  long as it’s true.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t bad mouth your past company, boss or co‐workers
• Don’t say that the pay was bad and you wanted more money.
• Don’t say that the hours were terrible.
• Don’t say that you could not get along with your manager.
• Don’t lie if you were terminated.
• Don’t defend yourself or place blame on the employer.

Don’s advice for you:

Remember, you are not there to defend why you were
fired. You are there talk about what you can do for them, so it’s very important
to keep your answer brief when answering this question. If they want to know
more, they will ask you, but don’t volunteer too much information because it
will make them more cautious about you. More than anything, if you were fired,
accept responsibility for what happened because this shows courage and then
explain that they were right and you were wrong, but that you learned from this
experience and are a better person because of it.

Sample answers to: Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

1. The position I held previously was stagnant and there weren’t any
   opportunities for growth within the company. I strive for continuous
   improvement and career growth, so it’s important to me that I find that in
   my next position.
2. Print media across the country is turning to digital so the company had to
   downsize, which resulted in my entire team being laid off. I really enjoyed
   my time there and hope to find a similar work environment here.
3. I’m generally very punctual, but I was let go from my previous job because I
   arrived late to work a few too many times because I had a sick family
   member to care for. But my now my mom has passed away and I don’t
   have any other morning commitments, so my tardiness will no longer be an
   issue for my employer. This experience has opened my eyes to the
   importance of making the most of your time and respecting others by
   showing up on time.

3. Describe a Difficult Problem You Were

Faced With in Your Career and What You
Did to Overcome it…
Although the interviewer asked how “you” dealt with or solved the problem, he
really wants to hear how you worked with a team of people to tackle the issue.
This is a problem solving question that tests your critical thinking skills in two
ways: Your definition of difficult and how you handled the situation.
This is a great question to show that you are a creative and capable problem
solver. You should have at least one of these stories ready to go all the time.

DO THIS when answering: Describe a difficult problem and how you dealt with it.

• Prove you are capable of handling any problem that may arise in your new
  role.
• Your story should be one in which you were put in a tough position and
  analyzed and discussed the problem, reached a conclusion, and came out
  on top.
• Be concise.
• Talk about the people you had to work with, what was expected of them,
  and how you tied it all together to reach your goal.
• Your best selling point in answering this question is a success story. The
  story you tell should demonstrate that you have everything required to
  excel at this job.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t say bad things about past colleagues, managers, or your company.
• Don’t tell them a rambling story that jumps from one story to the next.
• Don’t tell them how you fixed a light bulb or un‐jammed the copy machine.
• Avoid telling a personal story, unless you have nothing else.

Don’s advice for you:

The best way to answer this top 10 question is by using a
good team player example. Maybe you had to work with some very difficult
people to accomplish a project or task that no one else wanted to work with,
but you were able to get everyone working together to complete the project
with a tight deadline while keeping everyone in line and getting the whole
project completed on‐time and under budget. You want to setup your answer
using the S.T.A.R. behavioral method where you talk about the Situation, the
Action you took, and the Results you achieved.

Sample answers to: Describe a Difficult Problem You Faced…,

1. As a new team lead with my previous company I made the sad discovery
   that several workers were being dishonest in their communications with
   our clients. I took the information I had to my superior and worked with
   him to develop a fair consequence for those involved. I lost a few friends
   but gained the respect of my team.
2. During the summer I volunteered as a teacher assistant and had a student
   write offensive notes while peer editing another student’s essay. I took the
   matter to the teacher and we met with the student after class to address
   the deeper issue behind his notes.
3. At the last minute my coworker quit, leaving a huge project for me to do on
   my own. There wasn’t time to postpone the event so I had to buckle down
   and finish the preparations on my own.

4. What Are Your Greatest Strengths?

They are asking you this in a broad sense. So ask yourself: What are you best at
doing?

• Are you a good leader?
• Are you a skilled time manager?
• Are you a great communicator?
• Are you a detailed planner?- Are you good at convincing others?
  Whatever you are best at doing, give the interviewer the top 2 or 3 things you
  excel at.

DO THIS when answering: What are your greatest strengths?

• Research the job description to find out what they are looking for and
  leverage your strengths to match.
• If leadership is something they are looking for talk about your experience as
  a leader and projects you have successfully led.
• Your strengths should be aligned with the requirements of the position you
  are applying for.
• Talk about your strengths as a solution to their problems.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t rattle of a list of strengths that are out of context with the job.
• Don’t list personal strengths, like that you’re a good parent.
• Don’t list strengths that you are unable to articulate through work
  experience.
• Don’t say you’re not sure.
• Don’t tell them you don’t have any.
• Don’t be modest when you answer because this is an opportunity to sell
  yourself.

Sample answers to: What Are Your Greatest Strengths?

1. I always begin with the end in mind. When given a task I start by reviewing
   the long‐term goals and then work backwards to establish what my daily
   routine should be in order to accomplish the task. This has allowed me to
   be a very successful leader in previous roles.
2. I take punctuality very seriously, I make it a habit to arrive 10 minutes early
   to every appointment. Another strength I possess is making the most of my
   time. I dedicate every minute of my work day to accomplishing my responsibilities in order to be the most effective employee I can be.
3. I’m a naturally outgoing person and genuinely care about other people’s
   lives. As a software sales rep in elementary education, this helps me to
   create a genuine relationship with my customers in elementary schools,
   and as a result, they keep coming back to me.

5. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

This is a genuine question and all they want to know is what you like about their
company, it’s products or services. What is driving you to want to work for them?
Have you always had a lifelong goal of working at Google, or Goldman Sachs?
This is your chance to express why you want to be a member of their team and
most importantly the contributions you feel you’ll make as a loyal employee.
This question helps weed‐out desperate job seekers who are just looking for a
job, not a lifelong career.

DO THIS when answering: Why do you want to work here?

• Tell them what you like about their business. Is it their products,
  reputation, services? Whatever it is, express your genuine interest.
• This is a great time to compliment them on their products or reputation.
• Dig deep to find out what it is that attracts you to them and express this.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t tell them you like their location.
• Don’t tell them you heard that they pay well and have great benefits.
• Don’t tell them because you heard it’s a great place to work.
• Don’t tell them because your friends work there.
• Don’t tell them you want to work here to get some experience.

Don’s advice for you:

Try to connect your reason for wanting to work there with
something personal or emotional. Maybe when you were a kid, you saved akitten from harm and it made you feel good and since that moment on you
knew you always wanted to help animals and that’s why you want to be a vet.

Sample answers to: Why Do You Want to Work Here:

1. I’ve read great things about the work culture here. I live by a “work hard,
   play hard” motto which is something I can see this company embraces and
   I’m certain I’ll fit right in.
2. I identify with this company on a personal level, using this [blank] product
   has changed my life. I genuinely want to share it with everyone and this
   role will allow me to do just that.
3. It really appeals to me that you run this business with minimal staff because
   that means you have the most effective people working for you. I’m the
   type of person who enjoys wearing many hats, and working here would suit
   my ideal work ethic and allow me to feel like I’m making an impact in this
   company with my innovative ideas and creative strategies.

6. Why Should We Hire You?

This question is your best opportunity to prove you are the best candidate for the
job. The key is to discover what they are looking for so you can tell them why you
are the best fit. Since you’ll be competing against many other seasoned
professionals, you need to articulate why your qualifications make you the only
person for the job.
Let them know that because you did [blank] in your last job, here is how you can
do [blank] for them in this job. Connect the dots for them and show them why
you are the best choice.
You will need to do some extensive research to know what the company is
looking for. The best place to get this information is the job description because
employers leave all kinds of clues in there. The best way to answer this Top 10interview question is by proving how you can help the company solve their
problems.

DO THIS when answering: Why should we hire you?

• Prove that you understand their problems and can help solve them.
• Talk about your understanding of their business, competitors, and
  challenges in the industry.
• Tell them how you have been successful before. Let them know that in your
  last job you were faced with similar problems and you solved them by
  doing [blank] and then explain how you can do [blank] for them. When you
  connect the dots like this and demonstrate your understanding of their
  business problems they will see you as the obvious solution to their
  problems.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t give a vague answer.
• Don’t tell them: “Because I’m the best.”
• Don’t’ tell them: “Because you’re hiring.”
• Don’t answer their question with a question.
• Don’t be arrogant with your answer.

Don’s advice for you:

This is a great opportunity for you to sell yourself and why
you are the best person for the job. Get your resume and put it next to the job
description and draw lines from the job description duties and requirements to
your resume and then talk about your experience as a solution to their
problems. And that’s why they should hire you.

Sample answers to: Why Should We Hire You?

1. I know that reaching your audience in this industry can be challenging.
   What I bring to the table is the youth to reach the younger audiences and
   the knowledge and experience to impress the more mature customers.2. From what I understand, this role is very time consuming. I am more than
   willing to put in long hours to get the job done. At my last job I was known
   for being the first one in the office and the last one to leave.
   I always review my work twice before sending it to production. Throughout my
   career this has proven to be the key to producing quality work as there have been
   several times I have found errors on my second review. I take great pride in producing
   quality work.

7. Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years From Now?

Many job seekers are afraid to answer this Top 10 question because an answer
that is inconsistent with the current position could disqualify them. But at the
same time, who wants to be doing the same thing for the next five years? The
best and safest way to answer this question should be based on the logical
progression of the position you are interviewing for. That way you’re showing
them you want to do the current job at hand, but as you get better at it, you
would like to take on more responsibility and grow in that position.

DO THIS when answer: Where do you see yourself in five years?

• Your answer should reflect commitment to the job.
• Give them a real plan for this position and where you see yourself going in
  it.
• Show them how you’ll do it and the resources you’ll need along the way.
• Prove you have solid plans on how to attain your future goal.
• Since they are looking 5 years in the future, allow them to visualize you in
  this position 5 years from now. Show them a natural progression of you in
  this role.
• Be realistic with your 5 year plan.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t tell them your plan is to use this position as a stepping stone in your
  career or they will feel like you are using them for your own personal gain.
• Don’t give them an impossible, unrealistic 5 year plan.
• Don’t tell them you want their job – that is far too threatening.
• Don’t tell them you want to work here for a while and then move to
  another company that is your dream job.

Don’s advice for you:

Start with your short term career goals or goals for the
position and then move towards the long term and explain WHY that is the
direction you want to move in. If you don’t say why, it’s harder to figure out if
you are just sprouting off a meaningless answer or if your heart is really in it.
“In the short term, I plan to work as a [blank] and focus on [blank]. Then as I
progress in this role, I could see myself working into [blank] area.

Sample answers to: Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

1. In five years I would expect to have been successful in this position to the
   point that I am able to impact major department decisions. At that time I
   would be looking to take my career to the next level and become a team
   lead.
2. Five years from now I hope to have been able to build this position to
   oversee more clients and to become a senior consultant. I work every day
   to become worthy of having my dream job and I would bring that
   determination to this team every day.
3. My plan is to build up this position as much as possible. I value the power of
   the individual to grow where they stand. In five years I plan to look back
   knowing I did my best to leave this position better than how I came into it.

8. What is Your Biggest Accomplishment?

Though many believe this is the same as the other Top 10 question, “What is your
strength?” it’s actually a completely different question. Here’s why: An
accomplishment is a noteworthy high‐profile task or project that you worked on
or completed. Basically, you accomplished something and it may or may not have
played to your strengths.
Your strengths might be in managing people, but your biggest accomplishment
was writing a paper that was published in Scientific America Magazine. Do you
see the difference?

DO THIS when answering: What is your biggest accomplishment?

• It is best to talk about a noteworthy accomplishment that is aligned to the
  requirements for the job you are applying to.
• Treat this like a behavioral question and use the STAR Behavioral method to
  answer it. Set up the Situation, then talk about what you did (the Action)
  and then about the Results of what you, your project, or team
  accomplished.
• It is best to use a work‐related story, but if you’re out of good stories,
  consider using a personal accomplishment as a last resort.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t think that you need a grand accomplishment where you saved your
  last company from failure.
• Don’t use a personal accomplishment unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid using an accomplishment that does not cast you as the hero.
• Avoid using an accomplishment that is not related to your career.

Don’s advice for you:

Pick something you did in your career that has meaning to
you and helped your last or current employer. Pick something you enjoyed
doing and it made you feel good about doing it. Optimally, pick an example that is related to the job, your career, or the type of company you are interviewing
with.

Sample answers to: What is Your Biggest Accomplishment?

1. In my last position I created a color‐coded system to track our progress
   with each project. After a few months my boss was impressed by the
   success of the program and it is now used company‐wide.
2. As an entry‐level consultant I was able to land a huge account that ended
   up being a game‐changer for the company. I worked with that client one‐
   on‐one for several months, boosting the company’s reputation.
3. At my previous job I set the record for the number of rewards cards signed
   up for by an individual employee. I found that if I could discover a personal
   reason for the customer to sign up they almost always did.

9. What is Your Biggest Weakness?

Most people are afraid of this question because you are being asked to talk about
something you are not good at. But if you’re like everyone else, you have a lot of
weaknesses, even I do, so don’t sweat it.
There are three good ways to answer this Top 10 interview question:
1.) Talk about a weakness and what you have done to overcome it; show them
how you have turned into a strength.
2.) Talk about a weakness that isn’t related to the job, perhaps a personal
weakness.
3.) Talk about a weakness as it’s a weakness for you, but the interviewer will see it
as a strength. That’s my personal favorite way to answer this question.

DO THIS when answering: What is your biggest weakness?

• When talking about your weakness, show what you have done to overcome
  it so it’s not a weakness anymore.
• Talk about a weakness that is not related to the job.
• Talk about a weakness so that your interviewer sees it as a strength.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Don’t say that you don’t have any weaknesses, personal or otherwise.
• Don’t tell your interviewer that you are perfect in your work and have no
  weaknesses.
• Don’t tell them a real weakness because chances are it’s not really a
  weakness at all and you are just being overly critical of yourself. Don’t
  worry, we all are.
• Don’t tell them your weakness is a lack of tolerance for people who ask
  stupid questions. One day, I’m going to say that, really

Don’s advice for you:

If you have absolutely no idea what to say, consider
saying something like, “I can get frustrated with people who miss deadlines,
especially when my work depends on them completing theirs.” Don’t say that
you blow up or anything like that, just simple frustration.

Sample answers to: What is Your Biggest Weakness?

1. I can be talkative sometimes which, in some cases can be negative, but in
   other situations people appreciate it. I’ve had a few customers who are shy
   and don’t want to talk about themselves, so that’s where I come in.
2. There have been cases where I have become overly involved because I care
   too much about a client. I have a hard time leaving work at the door when I
   get home but I have found that makes me a more invested employee.
3. I have been known to bring up my personal life at work and get distracted. I
   have recently turned to inviting coworkers to get together after hours so
   we can chat about our personal lives when we’re not on the clock.

10. Do You Have Any Question For Us?

This Top 10 question usually hits job seekers like a ton of bricks and most of them
will simply “No.” That’s the worst response you can give because it signals to the
employer that you are not very interested in this position. Anyone who is
seriously considering making a job commitment to an employer will have many
questions. If they don’t, then they are not serious about the job or are desperate
and willing to take anything.
You should have a handful of questions already planned out before your
interview. You want to ask questions that will help you qualify this company as a
place you want to work. You may not realize this, but you are interviewing them
too and you have the right to tell them “No thanks” just as much as they do.

DO THIS when answering: Do you have any questions for us?

• Ask meaningful questions that will help you qualify them as an employer.
• Your questions should reflect what you can do for the company.
• Ask questions about their goals for the position to demonstrate your
  sincere interest.
• Highlight some of the things you discovered about the company through
  your research.
• Ask the hiring manager if they feel you would be a good fit for this position.

DON’T DO THIS:

• Never say NO.
• Don’t ask random questions for the sake of asking questions.
• Don’t ask questions that are unrelated to the position.
• Don’t ask about benefits unless you are wrapping up the interview or
  you’re on the topic of discussing salary and benefits.

Don’s advice for you:

Create of list of questions before the interview that will
help you qualify this employer. Ask questions that will help you decide if you
want to work there or not. As you are going through your interview, weave in
your questions throughout the interview and get them answered. Because you don’t want to wait until the end to ask all of your questions as you’ll likely be
out of time. As you ask questions throughout the interview, your interview will
be more like a conversation and you will be viewed as a strong and genuine
candidate, one who is truly interested in this job and is doing his/her due
diligence.

Sample answers to: Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

1. What would you say is the most important quality an employee of this
   company should possess?
2. In my research of your company, it seems like the future is part of your
   culture. What would you say is the future of the company and where do
   you see this company in the next 5‐10 years? (Only ask questions like this to
   newer companies because they have more growth opportunity than older
   companies like General Electric)
3. What is the day‐to‐day routine like for this position?