Job interview? 10 questions to ask yourself beforehand

What can you tell about yourself?

This sounding simple question is very crucial. Many applicants are not prepared for this. The deal here is not to tell your full life story. Instead, make an elevator pitch that is concise, persuasive, and shows exactly why you are the right person for the job. Tell your counterpart about two to three striking experiences or successes from your vita. When answering this question, emphasize why these are points that make you a suitable candidate for this position.

What do you know about the company?

With this question, the HR manager wants to check how intensively you have dealt with the company before the interview. To be convincing in the interview, you should inform yourself sufficiently about the company. Collect important data: company history, philosophy, mission statement, product range, services, competitors. How many people does the company employ? Research sales figures. Make a note of key points, especially if they can be linked to your qualifications or skills.

Why do you want this job?

Companies want employees who are passionate about their job and who do it. So you should have a good answer to this question. Gather all the information you can about the company and write down which points are of particular importance to you. List your matching properties and strengths for these points. Roughly work out a draft of your answers. Rely on bullet points. Another point a recruiter could ask in an interview would be:

Why should the company hire you?

You are in luck if you are asked this question in an interview. There is no better way for you to market your skills. In your response, make it clear that there is no better candidate. Make connections to individual points in the area of ​​responsibility of the advertised position. The more points you can name, the better your prospects for the job. Make a list of these points and be as precise as possible.

Why are you leaving your current employer?

With this question, the other person wants to find out whether you as an employee have the stamina or give up quickly as soon as problems arise. If you are changing jobs because of a conflict with your current employer, do not mention it. You gain nothing by speaking negatively about your current employer. Explain that you have set yourself new professional goals and are looking for new challenges.

What are your personal strengths and weaknesses?

Don’t be arrogant or too honest. When it comes to strengths, excessive self-confidence is out of place. Sentences like “I am the best in this field.” or even “I work flawlessly.” are absolutely taboo. Instead, you should rather show a healthy sense of self. It is better to mention that you enjoy learning new things, are well organized, and are reliable. Immediately demonstrate these advantages with examples. When it comes to weaknesses, you tend to opt for the “golden mean”. Think about weaknesses in need of improvement that match your profile and which can be remedied, for example, with further training. With the soft skills, put your weaknesses into perspective with appropriate formulations such as “I am a little too …”.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

With this question, the other person wants to find out to what extent you have thought about your future. Have you drawn up a plan for your professional future? With this answer, consider not only your own plans but also whether they align with the company’s vision. Also, it should be mentioned that these plans are not set in stone for you. Let the HR manager know that you are flexible and open to new and interesting things. Perhaps, with the help of a timeline, outline your plans for the next few years.

What are your salary requirements?

This is always a question in the interview that you need to be well-prepared for. Find out about the salary level customary in the industry. When specifying your desired salary, however, also take into account whether it is a small company or a large corporation that uses a collective agreement. If you wish, you should also leave some room for negotiation. In the case of a lower starting salary, for example, an increase in salary after the probationary period can be agreed upon.

What do you do in your free time?

Through personal questions in an interview, the HR manager wants to find out whether you fit into the team. But it also gives you the opportunity to use your personality as an opportunity. Usually, one or two details are sufficient. Remember that HR professionals always interpret answers and draw conclusions from them. For example, if you play football in a club, you will immediately be seen as a team player. With a voluntary activity, you usually collect special points. But always stay with the truth.

Do you have any questions for our company?

Many questions have probably already been dealt with in the course of your research about the company or during the interview. Even so, you should consider the final questions. Because it’s your opportunity to find out if it’s the right job for you. What else would you like to know about your position? About the company, the department, or the team? But questions about new products or plans for the future also show your interest in the company and make a positive impression.