Everyone has to go through it and everyone hates it – the interview. You will hardly be prepared for this during your studies unless you take part in special extra courses that you have chosen yourself. That's why we want to give you a hand and have researched the best way to answer the ten most common interview questions.
1. Can you please briefly introduce yourself?
The first question every employer will ask sounds simple at first, but it is more difficult than you think. This is about presenting yourself well and showing that you are confident. Understandable, concise sentences are best here - make a bullet point list with the most important facts in advance so you don't stutter. Start with your professional life before you say anything, if at all, about your private life. Your monologue should last between 3-7 minutes. The formula “I am – I can – I want” is also helpful.
2. What are your strengths?
Here you can be confident and give concrete examples. It is important not to brag too much, but also not to hide your own light completely under a bushel. A realistic assessment of your performance is the right answer. Strengths such as punctuality, reliability, etc. are taken for granted by the employer and are therefore to be neglected. Concentrate on facts, what you personally are really good at and what is also important for the future position.
3. What are your biggest weaknesses?
If you are unable to cleverly avoid this question, simply resort to a few harmless negative characteristics, such as the fact that you don't speak any other foreign languages. This question basically comes down to determining whether you can be self-critical and honest about your weaknesses. You can also mention “old” mistakes that you yourself have noticed and have already corrected, for example too much restraint at work.
4. Why should we hire you?
To do this, combine your technical know-how that is relevant to the advertised position: “You are looking for why the position is ideal for you personally. Work out specifically the added value for the company that they gain from you as an employee.
5. What do colleagues value about you?
A nasty question, after all, no one knows what others think about them. Here, too, it's about self-assessment: Avoid general phrases and think about selected examples from your previous working life that you can give. Overtime that relieves a colleague, motivation when the other employees are already exhausted - show yourself to be a good Samaritan in the company, but don't act like a saint either.
6. What hobbies do you have?
This question often comes towards the end of the interview and is intended to reveal a little about your character. Don't brag too much here - if you pretend to be a marathon runner and someone who is supposedly like-minded is sitting across from you, your lie will quickly be noticed and you will be at the bottom. Hobbies like traveling are well received, especially for positions where you sometimes travel externally. However, the basic rule is: stick to the truth.
7. Which position do you prefer when working in a team?
Don't make a fuss here, just show how flexible you can be. Should you take the lead? No problem. Are you supposed to be a team player? Of course you do that. Take the middle ground here and say, for example, that for the success of the project every team member should exploit their potential. You like to support colleagues, but you also contribute your own ideas and express your opinions if you think they are promising.
8. Why do you want to change careers?
If you have already worked somewhere else or are still employed by another company, this question will certainly come up. The employer wants to find out whether you are really motivated for the new position - and not just looking for a higher salary. Don't complain about your old job, but mention positive aspects at the beginning. Then you can start with light criticism or, even better, claim to be looking for new challenges that you think you can find here. Please also mention that you would like an environment in which you can develop and train yourself.
9. Why exactly did you apply to us?
Answers like “Because I need a job” are taboo here – show that you have looked into the company and definitely want to work there. Include your previous job experiences or knowledge from your studies that are relevant to the new position.
10. Do you have any further questions?
Just don’t answer “no” here, even if you don’t have any pressing questions. No questions will make you seem disinterested or unprepared. However, don't ask questions that are too banal, that you could have researched yourself in advance, or questions that have already been answered in the conversation. Rather, look into things like further training or employee development measures, etc.
Before you can prove that the most common interview questions are not a problem for you, you first have to write the application. You can find out how to properly apply as a graduate in our detailed article.
In this article you will find out how you can successfully master the interview questions.
