EIGHT COMMONLY ASKED (AND BASIC) INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS

Here are eight commonly asked (and basic) interviewing questions. Do yourself and the prospective employer a favor, and give them some thought before the interview occurs.  

• Why do you want this job?

• Why do you want to leave your current job?

• What are your personal and professional goals?

• What do you like most about your current job?

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

• What are your strengths?

• What are your weaknesses?

• What do you like least about your current job?

In my opinion, the last question is the most difficult to answer: What do you like least about your current job? It's better to put the blame on yourself when things go wrong instead of pointing fingers at others. For example, rather than saying, "I can't stand the office politics," try reframing it as "I feel like I'm ready to exercise a new set of professional muscles." This type of thinking creates opportunity instead of walls. You can avoid blaming someone else or coming across as a complainer if you answer in this manner. It's not effective to badmouth others.

Consider how you'd answer the eight questions listed above. Basic questions like these do not require extensive thought and should have straightforward answers. Your answers will also help you determine which career choices are best for you before investing time and energy in an interview. If you don't feel confident with the replies, it's possible that the new position isn't right for you.