10 Job Interview Questions to Prepare For

The truth is that most recruiters tend to ask fairly standard questions. Of course, every interview has its own unique moments and questions that are specific to the field, but there is a good chance that most of the questions you will have to answer will be pretty typical. Even having answers prepared for just a few of the questions you get asked will help keep you calm during your interview.

Our finance recruitment firm is eager to equip you for your interviews and give you the best chance of success. To that end, here are the 10 job interview questions that are most commonly used by recruiters and how to answer them well.

Question 1: Tell me about yourself.

Almost all job interviews start with a question to break the ice and get to know the candidate. The goal is to find out more about who you are and what you have to offer. Your prospective employer wants to determine whether you’re well-equipped for the job and whether your personality is the right fit for the company.

Your answer should focus on your professional experience and interests. You can include anything that makes you a good candidate for the position. Take care not to simply summarize your CV—the recruiter has probably already read it. Instead, explain how your previous positions have equipped you for the job you’re applying for.

Question 2: Why are you interested in this position?

If you get the job, will you be passionate about it or are you just desperate to find work? Even if the latter is closer to the truth, it’s better to research the company and position you are applying for and use this question as an opportunity to discuss what you discovered. This will demonstrate to the employer that you took the time to find out about the company and prepare for the interview.

Question 3: What are your greatest strengths?

This question may seem easy to answer, but it’s not as simple as you might think. Before your interview, read the job description carefully and try to ascertain which skills and aptitudes are required. Then, you’ll be able to list the qualities you have that make you an ideal candidate for the position. It’s also a good idea to use specific examples of situations that demonstrate your strengths, so prepare some anecdotes in advance!

Question 4: What are your biggest weaknesses?

This is a tricky question to answer. If you say too much, you risk alienating your interviewer, but if you say too little, you may come across as arrogant and untruthful. Describing yourself well in an interview is an art.

The trick is to present a real weakness in a way that won’t make you less attractive to recruiters. Explain how you recognized the weakness and what you are doing to correct it. This attitude will show that you are willing to learn and improve.

A bit of self-deprecating humour can be useful here, but be careful not to overdo it.

Question 5: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

It’s normal to have career aspirations that go beyond your current position. Most employers understand that ambitious workers are always on the lookout for new opportunities. You don’t need to pretend that you’ll still be in the same position 5 years from now. Be truthful about your dream job, particularly if the position exists at the company you’re applying to. Express your passions and interests in a way that shows that you are motivated and looking for professional growth.

Question 6: Describe a challenge you overcame.

The purpose of this question is to assess three essential aspects of a candidate’s behavioural attitude:

• The ability to identify a problem or challenge
• The ability to come up with a solution or action plan
• The ability to describe how their actions benefitted the company

This is an opportunity for you to showcase your initiative and problem-solving skills in a corporate environment.

An ideal answer will include hard data such as revenue generated or money saved as a result of your initiative.

Question 7: What are the most important things you are looking for in your next job?

There are many different ways to respond to this question, but we recommend focusing on answers that are relevant to the company and position you’re applying for.

Answers such as improving your skills, taking more initiative or assuming more responsibility are good ways to show recruiters that you are motivated by more than just a paycheque.

Question 8: Why did you leave your last job?

This is one of the most common questions used to test a candidate’s character. It can be a tricky one to answer, but there are ways to turn it to your advantage. There are good reasons to be looking for a job, and even if you were let go, there are ways to present it in a positive light.

For example, you can talk about wanting a more demanding role to enhance your skills. That makes a much better impression than complaining about being passed over for a promotion at your previous job.

Question 9: What are your salary expectations?

This question is one of the signs that your interview is going well. Recruiters use it to ascertain whether your expectations are reasonable.

It’s important to prepare for this question by familiarizing yourself with the typical salary ranges for similar positions in your industry. Otherwise, you may ruin your chances even if you did everything else right!

Question 10: Do you have any questions?

This will probably be the last question of the interview. Take this opportunity to find out whether the company is the right fit for you. You can inquire about important issues that haven’t been discussed yet, such as professional development training, work-life balance and the possibility of working from home. This will give you a better idea of the working conditions and workload that await you if you are hired. You can also find out about the next steps of the recruitment process.

Take care not to ask questions that could demonstrate a lack of motivation or interest in the company.

Give yourself the best chance of success with Fed Finance

Of course, these questions probably won’t be the only ones asked during your job interview, but if you have answers ready for them, you’ll feel calmer and show that you came prepared. If you’d like to find out more about job opportunities in finance and accounting, contact our team. We will be happy to assist you with your job search.