Common Interview Questions and Answers

Imagine you have submitted a well-written CV, passed the initial screening, and now the ultimate test—the job interview, awaits you.

This moment is the opportunity to showcase your potential, which can either make or break your chances of getting a job.

Acing interviews requires mastery of common interview questions, and that is why Mr. Perminus Wainaina, CEO of Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment & HR consultancy firm in Kenya, will highlight effective ways to respond to them.

Tell Me About Yourself.

I had a conversation with Grace, a seasoned HR expert who also helps candidates navigate the interviews, and the ‘Tell me about yourself’ question stood out.

This question sets the tone for the rest of the interview, and understanding how to respond effectively can significantly impact your success.

So, how should you respond to this interview question? This is the question that Mr. Perminus will help us understand in this video:

What Are Your Strengths?

Imagine you are on a hot interview seat, and you are asked to highlight your unique strengths; how will you respond?

Employers ask about your strengths to understand your abilities, and assess your potential for success.

Watch this video as Mr. Perminus unravels the tricks to navigate this question.

What Are Your Weaknesses?

In one of the interviews, the question that I didn’t expect was, “What is your greatest weakness.”

I didn’t know the best way to respond to it. Was I supposed to confess my weakness? Was I supposed to deny that I didn’t have any?

So, how was I supposed to answer this question? Mr. Perminus will help us understand in this video; click to watch:

What Are Your Achievements?

“Every time I take the candidates through the mock interview coaching, ‘What are your achievements?’ is a question I pose to understand their track record of success.” Mary is an HR Manager and expert interview coach.

This question allows you to showcase your unique value proposition and the impact you’ve made in the past.

Watch this video to understand the best way to answer:

Why Should We Hire You?

What is the best way to respond to the “Why Should We Hire You?” interview question? This was the question asked by one of the candidates.

Many candidates find it challenging to respond, but Mr. Perminus is here to highlight the best way to answer in this video:

What Are Your Salary Expectations?

I burnt the midnight oil preparing for an interview, and I expected to be asked about my experience and skills, but I was asked about my salary expectations.

I struggled to answer it, thinking that I might have gone higher than the offer and priced myself out of the job.

Click to watch this video as Mr. Perminus helps us understand the best way to respond:

Why Do You Want To Work With Us?

The interview had been going well, but when Ann was asked, ‘Why do you want to work with us?’ she was left tongue-tied.

I know you might have found yourself in a similar situation, but worry no more! Watch this video as Mr. Perminus unravels an effective response:

How Soon Are You Available For This Job?

Dan has been working in the manufacturing industry for four years, but when he was asked about his availability, he confidently said, ‘Immediately.’

That raised a lot of questions, and the interviewers wondered about his professionalism during the transition process.

Click to watch this video to understand how to respond:

What New Ideas Are You Bringing On Board?

In a dynamic and competitive world, employers seek fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to stay ahead of the curve.

Watch this video to understand the strategies to showcase your ability to think outside the box and your problem-solving skills.

What Are Your 5-Year Goals?

Have you ever been asked, ‘What are your 5-year goals?’

Employers ask this question to see candidates with a clear vision and gauge their long-term goals.

So, what is the best way to answer this question? Watch this video:

Why Are You Looking For Another Job?

I sought the expertise of Eunice, an HR Manager who is also an expert interview coach, to understand how to respond to “Why are you looking for another job?’.

She highlighted that most candidates grapple with this question because they don’t have a clear understanding of what motivates them to look for another job.

Watch what Mr. Perminus has to say in this video:

What Do You Know About Us?

Imagine being good on paper, but you struggle to present yourself as the right candidate during the interview! It can be frustrating, right?

This was Ken’s last year before investing in interview preparation coaching. When he was asked about the company, it was clear that he didn’t do his homework.

Watch this video as Mr. Perminus explores the best way to respond to this question:

What Would Your Former Employer Say About You?

This question holds the power to highlight your reputation and the impact on people you work with. It mirrors your professional relationships, insights into your strengths, and your value proposition.

To effectively answer this question, watch this video:

What Is The Biggest Challenge You Have Faced In The Past?

Employers ask about your past challenges to gauge your ability to handle challenges; hence, it is important to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

Watch this video to understand how you can position yourself as the right candidate who can thrive in the face of challenges.

Do you have any Questions for Us?

I sat in a panel of interviewers, and to my surprise, some candidates responded with a simple “No” when they were asked if they had any questions.

It is important to ask thoughtful questions that showcase your knowledge of the role and leave a lasting impression.

Watch this video to discover how you can make the most of the opportunity of this question.

Conclusion

Every interview is an opportunity to learn and refine your interview skills, and with the right strategies, you will ace the interview.

At Corporate Staffing, we understand the importance of effective interview preparation, and that is why we offer interview coaching services to sharpen your interview skills.

Do you have an upcoming interview? Take the first step and be equipped to tackle any interview question.