Tips for Answering Different Types of Interview Questions

Strategies for Responding to Common and Difficult Interview Questions

Opening Interview Questions

Opening questions are meant to give the interviewer general information about you and your background. These questions tend to be open-ended “tell me about yourself” questions. For these questions, the interviewer asks you to tell them about yourself, not merely about your job skills.

When answering these questions, take your cues from the interviewer about how formal or informal you should be. Try to provide information that may indicate something you have in common with the interviewer, as this could establish a rapport and set the tone for the rest of the interview.

Describe a few personal items, such as hobbies or interests. This would be the place to mention work-related factors such as previous work experience, training, and education.

Mentioning these topics will help create a friendly atmosphere and put you and the interviewer at ease, making the rest of the interview go smoothly.

How to Answer Interview Questions Related to Company Research

An important section of your interview will consist of questions related to the company. The hiring committee is trying to determine whether you’ve done your homework. They also want to find out if you’d fit their environment well. So, in preparation for the interview, research the company, its products/services, and what makes it unique.

An interviewer may ask, “Why do you want to work here?” They will ask you this question to find out your research into the company and the position.

Knowledge about the company and the job shows the interviewer you’re interested and demonstrates initiative. When answering, you should mention as many positive features as possible about the company, trying to be as specific as possible. Try to tie your answer to why you’d make a good fit.

How to Answer the Closing Section of an Interview

Typical questions that an interviewer will ask you near the end of the interview are to ask for references and if you have any questions for them. Even though this part of the interview may seem straightforward, there’s still the best way to navigate this.

References

First, when asked to supply your references, make sure you come prepared to the interview with your references typed up neatly on a separate sheet of paper. List each reference’s name, position, location, and telephone number. It’s normally best to have between 3–5; they can be a mixture of personal and professional references.

Questions for the Interviewer

When the interviewer asks you whether you have any questions, ask at least two or three, as it shows your interest in the position. However, the interview is not the time or place to ask about salary, benefits, hours, or vacation. Although this information may be critical for making your decision, you should wait until you have been offered the job before you ask about it.

Need additional help? Reach out to Candace for assistance!