No matter how old we are or how long we’ve been working, we all have questions when it comes to careers – from how to respond to a rejection letter to learning to say no when a role isn’t a good fit. You set up an interview at a company you want to work for. But now you need to examine not only the brand but also the interview questions they might ask.
I have compiled national and international interview questions for you to find out which interview questions are the most common and how to answer them. As someone who has been involved in many interviews in the call center, I have compiled questions that you will encounter in many sectors, such as call center interview questions and answers, as well as military interview questions and answers.
Most frequently asked interview questions and answers
Could you tell us about yourself?
This will probably be the first question you’ll get in a job interview. Make sure you are ready to answer confidently and with a smile. Interviewers already know a little about you. After all, you sent them your resume. What interviewers really want is for you to connect the dots between your past experience, the role you’re currently applying for, and your long-term career goals.
For example, an entry like this can be made: “I’m very excited to be here because taking on this role will allow me to combine my data analysis skills with my interest in consumer marketing and achieve my goal of becoming a marketplace. I am a researcher at an exciting and rapidly growing company that I see as a great force for good in the world.“
What are your strengths?
SWOT Analysis will come to your aid here. You can determine your strengths and weaknesses by doing a SWOT analysis for yourself before job interviews and even at regular intervals.
What are your weaknesses?
Having weaknesses does not make you look weak. On the contrary, it shows how well you know yourself. Feel free to answer this question honestly. There is no problem in stating your development areas.
Why are you leaving your current job?
An important criterion is why you left or want to leave your last job or your current job. It is a good opportunity for you to explain your adaptation to working conditions and the work environment.
What do you expect from your new job?
You can clearly express the effects you think the new position or new job will have on your life.
Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years and beyond? How will this job help you get there?
Isn’t it a crucial question? This is where your long-term plans come into play!
What are your short and long term professional goals?
These are very important questions because they show where your interests and your potential time at the company intersect. Think about your career goals before you go to the interview, then you can make a plan to get where you want to be. Be sure to research the company to connect its values and your expectations.
What are your salary expectations?
Don’t shy away from conversations about money. Women, in particular, tend to underestimate their own worth. Most people don’t realize that you can negotiate salary terms. What is the best way to pass the ball to the opposite side? A simple question! “What is the salary range?” You can reply with . This way, you won’t undersell yourself or lose the job early on by quoting above the established salary range.
What do you know about this company/industry/position?
You need to know where and in what position you will work. It is important to research the corporate culture and the qualifications of the job to be done before entering the interview.
What do you know about our company and its products/services?
Avoid vague, general statements. By focusing on the company and its values, you can show that you are ready to step into the business.
What are your skills and experiences relevant to this position?
“Why should we choose you?” It is a question that contains the same answer type as the question. Don’t be afraid to show off what you’ve done and what you can do.
Why do you want to work with us?
You should not give simple answers. State by combining what you can do for both yourself and the institution.
How/where did you learn about us?
Show that you’ve heard of the job by following the company through a colleague or your current employer. Show that you know the job because you want to work there.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
You can share a story you encountered in your work or social life and how you managed well even under pressure. You can also talk about the business management and customer experience you have developed.
What can you offer me that other candidates cannot?
When interviewing for a job, it’s important to be honest about what you bring to the table and not force yourself into the mold of the perfect candidate. Instead, once it’s determined what the company is looking for, take the opportunity to tell them exactly what they’re getting. Rather than a list of your accomplishments, tell the story of your achievements and values. The goal is not to sweep your interviewer off their feet, but to showcase your most positive qualities and meet the company’s recruiting needs.
Why should we hire you over another candidate who may be more qualified or has more experience than you for this position?
You must answer clearly. Show that you are not afraid of other candidates and that you deserve that job!
Can you tell us about a project that goes beyond your field of work?
The great thing about this question? You can share how quickly you can pivot while meeting deadlines.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
This behavioral question tries to learn more about your personality. The bonus is that you can show in a PDF that you are a well-rounded individual who is not just a set of skills. Being authentic is an important part of this answer. Companies often evaluate applicants’ sincerity when they ask questions aimed at determining their character.
How do you deal with stress or pressure?
You can benefit from a story that happened to you before. If you have a success story, share it in this question.
What are three things that interest you outside of work?
Describe what you do in your social life and what a versatile personality you have. Companies say that people with strong social skills are more preferred.
What motivates you?
You can talk about any topic that will motivate you, from in-house events to the importance of colleagueship and teamwork.
Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager.
We all may have times when we do not cross paths with our managers. The power of saying no I’ve told you many times. You can share your work experience where you said no at the right time.
What was the last book you read and liked?
Tell us about a book you’ve finished. It would be beneficial to summarize the book in a few words by briefly touching on the plot and characters.
How well do you work under pressure and tight deadlines?
Companies want candidates who can do the job and send up a flare if there are roadblocks (and there are always roadblocks). To answer this question well, show that you are both a hard worker and a good communicator.
How would your manager and colleagues describe you?
Imagine the last team you left. You can tell them what they think or say about you in response to this question. I would like to point out that it is a question you may encounter in call center interview questions.
What is your greatest accomplishment outside of work?
In your social life, you can share an experience about yourself, your family or your friends. The professional achievements you have achieved as a result of your hobbies are also the most impressive examples.
Give an example of a time when you had to compromise to get through a difficult situation at work.
You need to describe a time when you were under pressure or successfully survived a difficult moment. Remember that it is a question you will frequently encounter among competency interview questions.
How do you describe your business life and personality to others?
This is a question you need to be prepared for and answer clearly. You will need to explain your development in your business life and the harmony between your personality and the job.
What aspects of the business influenced your decision to join our company?
What attracts you to the position you want to take on? You can focus on many things such as corporate culture, working conditions, and aspects that are open to innovation.
Tell me about a time when you failed.
This question is not about failure, but rather about that experience. about what you learned. Don’t stress too much about the failure aspect – instead discuss how quickly you recovered and what you would do differently next time.
Why is there a gap in your resume?
Anyone who has been unemployed, taking a break from work, or facing a gap in employment since the start of the pandemic will not have to explain “why,” but employers will want to hear different reasons.
How would you describe your ideal work environment?
There’s an easy answer to this question: Research the hiring company’s work culture and tailor your answer accordingly.
What is the most difficult problem you have encountered and how did you solve it?
You need to explain in detail the solution you created for a problem you encountered in your business life.
What would you do if you were faced with an ethical dilemma at work?
It is a question that will measure your competence and the strength of your decision-making mechanism. Although there is no correct answer, you need to answer using an example that has a logical explanation.
What have you been doing to stay current since your last role?
Share with a potential employer the courses you’ve taken, webinars or industry events you’ve attended, or anything else that keeps you current in your industry. Even if you’re not part of the workforce, be sure to highlight how you’re using your time to stay current and ready for re-entry.
Have you ever been fired?
In some countries this is an illegal question to ask. But sometimes you may come across it in our country. You may encounter evaluators who wonder about the reason for dismissal.
Have you worked on a remote team before?
Home office working order It is now among the new normals. You can talk about your previous jobs or a business you managed from home.
How do you feel about starting a new role where your team is dispersed?
Many companies are creating “return to the office” plans, and for many, this will include an updated policy on how long employees should stay in the office. At the beginning of the pandemic, hybrid or remote working was seen as a temporary solution rather than a permanent situation, but now that it’s become a permanent situation, employers want to know their new hires are equipped to work this way.
Are you willing to travel to the office occasionally?
Be honest. If you’re not interested in flying to Istanbul once a year for a strategy session, say so.
