22 Typical Interview Questions and How to Respond Like a Pro – A job interview is one of the most important stages of job selection. In the interview, you will be able to promote yourself to the company that you are the right candidate they are looking for. However, many people fail at this stage. Therefore, before conducting an interview, you should prepare yourself by studying the interview questions to answer them more confidently.
Job interview questions are usually almost the same in every company. So, in this article will explain 22 typical interview questions that are often asked by companies. If you don’t know how to answer, we also give you the best ways to respond to them.
Without further ado, let’s check right into the list of following questions.
1. Tell us about yourself?
Usually, the first question asked in a job interview is about self-introduction. This is a great opportunity to explain who you are and why you are suitable for the position you want. You can start by sharing your educational background, previous experience (work, internship, competition, organization, volunteer), and skills matching the position. Although this is an introductory question, you don’t need to give too much personal information such as birth date, weight, favorite food or complete address details.
2. Where did you get this job vacancy info from?
Employers ask this typical job interview question to determine how you build connections, seek information, or see your interest in the company. You should answer this interview question honestly. If you got the vacancy from a friend or colleague who works at the company, you could use that as an answer to show your ability to build relationships and network. Or if you got the vacancy from your own research, you should also be able to answer confidently.
3. What do you know about this position?
You should know the job description, main duties, and requirements when applying for a job. Through this typical job interview question, HRD wants to see the extent to which you understand and have knowledge about the position you applied for. Therefore, you need to learn about the job you are applying for or ask friends or colleagues who work in the same position beforehand. You can share your previous job description if you have worked in the same field in your previous company.
4. Why are you interested in applying for this position?
You can answer this typical job interview question by mentioning your skills or passion for the position. This will show how compatible you are with the position. You should be able to give an interesting answer that doesn’t seem contrived. Never provide the answer, “Because only this position is open.” You can answer because your educational background matches the requirements of the position you are applying for. Besides that, it could be because you have the skills the company needs.
5. What do you know about this company?
Through this typical job interview question, recruiters want to know how well you know the company you are applying for. Therefore, you should research the company profile, work culture, and information about the position you are applying for. You should build trust with the company by telling them what you know about the company recruiting you.
6. What’s your hobby?
When answering this typical job interview question, you don’t need to mention all the hobbies you like. You just need to mention a few and relate them to certain soft skills that can support your work in the company. For example, you love photography and video editing. If you want to work in a company as a content creator, of course, your hobby will be a plus.
Hobbies like writing are also a plus if you want to become a content creator because you will be more creative and critical by writing. Whatever field of work you are applying for, prepare answers to these questions with hobbies that are appropriate and useful to your job field.
7. What are your strengths?
You may be familiar with this question during an interview. This typical question about your strengths is almost always asked during job interviews. Through this question, a recruiter usually wants to know if you have any strengths or competencies suitable for the position you are applying for.
Just like deciding on a suitable hobby to answer the interview question, you should also find out the skills required for the job you are applying for to answer this question. You must be able to match and tell examples of the application of your strengths or skills for your future work.
8. What are your weaknesses?
“What is your biggest weakness?” is a typical job interview question. In addition to strengths, questions about weaknesses are also commonly asked. The company asks this to find out how well you know yourself. You should never answer that way, even if you have no weaknesses.
Answering that there are no weaknesses does not add value but gives a minus value because it gives the impression of arrogance. To answer this question, you can mention your weaknesses honestly and then also mention ways to minimize these weaknesses. Ensure your weaknesses are not part of the main skills needed for the job you applied for.
9. Why should this company accept you?
The answer to this typical job interview question is similar to the question about your strengths. You should be able to explain the professional skills or personal qualities that make you stand out from other candidates. Don’t give answers that seem to beg and ask for mercy so that you are accepted. You must believe in your abilities and skills. Don’t worry, you can answer this question with confidence and conviction.
10. What is your biggest achievement?
In answering this typical job interview question, you can start by describing your work in the previous company. Then you can tell about your achievements through rewards or appreciation from your previous employer. If you are a fresh graduate, you can tell about your achievements during college, such as academic or non-academic achievements.
11. What contribution can you make to the company?
This typical job interview question is similar to the question about your achievements. In answering this question, you can also tell about your achievements in your previous job. You can add how you achieved it and relate it to the position you are applying for in the company.
12. When can I start working at this company?
To answer this typical job interview question, you can give an answer that suits your situation. If you are still tied to your previous job, you must first complete One Month’s Notice for 1 month. So you can only answer 30 days after the previous company approves the resignation period. But if you are not working and tied to any company or are a fresh graduate who has yet to work, you can answer that you can join as soon as possible.
13. What are your salary expectations?
This typical job interview question is quite tricky and risky. If you are a fresh graduate and do not know the salary of the position you applied for, research the salary range that suits your job position and skills. This is because the salary in each job varies according to their standards and expertise in the related field. You can also adjust the research results to your skills and living needs. You do not have to answer in too much detail about your salary. You can answer by giving a range, for example, between $400 and $500.
14. Where do you see yourself in five years?
This typical job interview question relates to your plans for the next 5 years. This question aims to find out if, in 5 years, you still have plans with the company or if your goals match the company’s offer. Answer honestly but rationally. Even if you don’t have a plan yet, avoid answering if you don’t have any plans. This is because you will be perceived as not visionary and ambitious. As much as possible, prepare your answer well. You can tell your career progress later if you want a higher position.
15. Why did you resign from your previous job?
You may face this typical job interview question if you have worked before. Avoid giving a negative impression about the company or your previous employer in answering this question. Even though you may have a bad impression in your previous company, you must still answer professionally. You can answer if you resigned from your previous job to find a new challenge or experience. Or you can answer that you want to experience a new work environment and maximize your skills.
16. Are you applying to other companies?
Usually, people will apply for a job in more than one company. The more companies you apply to, the more likely you will be accepted. You can answer this typical job interview question honestly, but you don’t need to be too detailed such as mentioning various names of companies that you are applying for. You just need to answer rationally and professionally.
17. What is your dream job?
You can answer this typical job interview question by learning about the work culture of the company you are applying to. From the company’s work culture, you can adjust it to the work and work environment that you dream of. You can start researching first the type of work, environment and work culture of the company you are applying for through its official website. Usually, every company has a slogan or motto that guides the company. You can study the motto and its meaning.
18. Do you have any questions?
At the end of the job interview, the recruiter from the company usually gives you this typical job interview question. This is a great opportunity to get to know the company you are applying for. You can ask questions related to the company or your future career progress. In addition, by asking questions to the company, the interview becomes more communicative because there is two-way communication. Never answer “No.” You will miss this opportunity and may be judged as lacking initiative and communication. If you’re unsure about your questions, you can ask general questions such as about the next stage of the recruitment and when the results will come out. Or you can even ask your company for advice on the job you are applying for.
19. Are you a follower or a leader?
This typical job interview question is rarely asked, but it’s okay to prepare the answer to this question. Companies usually like candidates who have leadership skills. You can answer this question by sharing your experiences related to leadership. Or when you are a member/follower, you can also share all your experiences, such as always being willing to listen, accepting instructions, and doing your responsibilities well.
20. How do you deal with work pressure and stress?
No matter what the job is, everyone has experienced stress. You don’t have to lie by saying you’ve never felt stressed or pressured. You can answer this typical job interview question with an answer about how you deal with stress and pressure in the work environment honestly. You can also briefly share your experience managing stress and pressure at work.
21. How do you prioritize your work?
You can answer typical job interview questions by giving examples of experiences that you have experienced. The experience can be from working in a previous company, in an organization or during college. You can tell how you manage and divide your time well. You can also share the methods you use to prioritize your tasks.
22. Can you tell us a moment when you made a mistake?
This last typical interview question requires a careful answer. Through this question, the company will assess how you solve or handle a problem at work. Even though you may have never made a mistake at work, you must still answer this question carefully. You can imagine making a mistake, then determine the action and solution you might have if you make a mistake. Or if you have made a mistake, you can share your experience and explain what you learned from it and what you did to solve it.
You can learn these 22 typical interview questions beforehand to prepare for the interview stage. Remember to always answer questions calmly and carefully. You don’t have to rush to answer all the questions in the interview. These sample interview questions will help you prepare for your job interview. Thank you for reading this article until the end. We hope this article will help you to find your dream job. If you want to know interesting tips and information about careers and jobs around Singapore, you can easily find them on Good luck!
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