Top Interview Questions - What the Job Interviewer is Looking for

Prepare for these top interview questions. Use the interview answer guidelines to make sure that your interview responses are in line with what the interviewer is looking for.

Why do you want this job ?

Basically the interviewer is asking "Why are you here?" The purpose of this interview question is to make sure that you are looking for the same job that the employer is trying to fill. It is exploring your passion for this business and this work. Why are you interested in this type of work?  Provide examples of specific aspects of the work that interest and excite you. Convince the interviewer that you are looking for exactly the type of work that this position is offering. Rephrase in an enthusiastic and positive way the things you have learned about the job from the interviewer, the recruiter or the job posting and your background research. Highlight how your skills and abilities fit in with these job requirements. Ask yourself before the interview "Why do I want to get this job?" and prepare to convince the interviewer of your motivation and passion. Simply repeating your resume details is not convincing. Prepare a compelling job interview answer that leaves the interviewer in no doubt about your enthusiasm for this specific job and company.

Tell me about yourself

The interviewer is trying to find out if you will fit in with the rest of the team and the company. This job interview question also explores what motivates you and whether it is consistent with the position and company. Again avoid just repeating what you have written on your resume. What makes you uniquely qualified to do this job? Try to describe yourself objectively focusing on your key skills and abilities that will be of value in this job. Describe your character as it relates to the inherent job requirements. If you are not sure of what behaviors are required in the position you can use general work-related adjectives such as diligent, persevering, hard working, enthusiastic. Always keep in mind that your response to top interview questions like this should highlight how your skills, abilities, knowledge and character relate to the job and company profile.

What are your strengths?

One of the most common top interview questions! Describe three or four strengths that highlight why you are the right candidate for the job. Avoid over-used terms and generalizations such as "peoples-person" but rather be specific about your strength and provide hard evidence of it. For example you could state that your strengths are your interpersonal skills and your ability to persuade people. Back this up by describing how these strengths have translated into strong sales or winning customers over. Describe how these strengths could be put to good use in the position you are interviewing for.

What are your weaknesses?

With this interview question the interviewer is evaluating your self awareness and insight rather than your actual weaknesses. Acknowledging a weakness is seen as a sign of maturity and wisdom. Refer to a valid and sincere weakness but turn it into a positive by describing it as an area for development. In your answer detail the steps you have taken to try and improve. Focus on how you have some limitations just like everyone else but you are aware of these and work constantly to improve on them to become a better and more effective employee.

Where do you want to be in five years?

The interviewer is looking for a match of expectations between your hopes and goals and what the job and company can offer you.  Referring to goals and aspirations unrelated to the work you are applying for demonstrates a lack of interest in the current position and sends up red flags for the interviewer. It is best to avoid mentioning specific job titles and specific time frames. Refer in a general way to what you enjoy, the strengths you have that you would like to develop, what you hope to learn from your work experience, realistic challenges and opportunities you expect in your chosen career field. Align your goals and successes with the company's goals and successes.

Why should I hire you?

With this top interview question the interviewer is looking at your objective assessment of your suitability for the position. Link up your work experience to the requirements of this job. Describe the immediate relevance of your past experience. Provide examples of your transferable skills. Refer back to your strengths and how they will benefit the position and the company. Focus on your key skills and expand on how you will use them in this position. Offer a couple of examples to explain why you are so enthusiastic about the job, the work and the company. Think of the most convincing example you can give to prove your suitability. Is there something extra you offer in addition to the basic job requirements? Be specific and make it relevant to all you know about the job and company.

Have you any questions for me?

Yes, this is a key interview question! Fail to prepare for and answer this properly and you will eliminate any chance of success. Have a prepared list of good, insightful questions to ask in the interview. Let your questions demonstrate your research and knowledge of the company, the job and the industry. What do you want to know about the position? Basically these are the areas you need to explore. What does the job actually involve? What is required of a successful employee in this position? Are these the people and management I will be happy working with? Will I flourish in this organization?

Prepare for these top interview questions and be confident that you will stand out as the right candidate for the job. View other common job interview questions and sample answers.