The Types of Questions at Job Interviews
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, particularly when you are applying for a position in a new field or one with greater responsibility. To help ensure that you give your best interview, prepare for the types of questions that employers usually ask, no matter what the industry or job type. Practice for common questions so that you can give a confident answer during the interview.
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Qualifying
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If the job you are applying for requires a specific level of education, or if your degrees do not line up exactly with the job posting, the interviewer may ask you to expand on your academic background. This is your opportunity to explain how your coursework and experience relates to the duties of the open position, particularly if your degree is very general or not obviously related to the job.
Experience
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Some of the most common questions asked at job interviews relate to your past work experience. Employers are looking to find out if you have the required skills to perform the duties of the open position and also to get an idea of who you are as a professional. They may ask about your successes in past jobs, responsibilities, or how you went above and beyond to help customers or meet company goals.
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Hypothetical and Situational
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For many employers, a challenge of interviews is to gauge how an applicant will respond to on-the-job situations. They may pose scenarios that are likely to happen in the open position and ask you to explain how you would handle it. This is particularly common in jobs that have high contact with the public or jobs in high-stress or dangerous industries. You may also encounter questions about examples of how you dealt with a certain situation in past jobs.
Motivational
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In a job interview, employers often want to find out why you want to work at their company. They may ask questions that will help them understand what motivates you to come into work every day, advance in your field, and perform well on the job. You may be asked what you like about the open position, your career goals, or the most rewarding aspects of past positions.
Observational
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Many employers will ask unexpected questions that are designed to make you think; often, they are less interested in the answer to the question than the way you find the answer. Interviewers will ask the question and observe your comfort with silence as you process, your response to nervousness, and the level of confidence in your answer. Approach unexpected questions carefully, taking the time to think about your answer, but do not allow the silence to become uncomfortable or drag on too long.
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