While every interview is different, some similar questions are asked across every industry. It seems people often struggle with the open-ended questions, maybe because these do not have a “right” answer. These questions are meant to provide the space for the candidate to interpret the question however they would like and give the interviewer insight into the interviewee’s mindset and approach.
1. Please tell me about yourself?
Often the opening question, it gives an opportunity to provide a concise summary of your career path, achievements, and goals. While mentioning some personal details will give the company an insight into who you are, keeping your answer job-related is the best approach.
How to answer:
Start with a brief overview of your education or background.
Highlight relevant experience or skills for the role you're applying for.
End with why you're excited about the opportunity.
2. What is your greatest strength?
This helps the interviewer understand what you can bring to their organization.
How to answer:
Choose a strength that is relevant to the job (use the job description as a reference).
Provide an example of how you've applied it in a work situation.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
We all have them! This is an opportunity to show self-awareness and growth.
How to answer:
Be honest but focus on a weakness that is manageable and won't affect your ability to do the job.
Explain the steps you’re taking to improve it.
4. Could you describe a challenging situation and how you handled it?
This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience. Any challenging work situation can be relevant here.
How to answer (STAR method):
Situation: Briefly describe the scenario.
Task: Explain your role or the challenge.
Action: Describe what steps YOU took to address the situation.
Result: Share the outcome of your actions.
When answering interview questions, it's important to approach each response thoughtfully. Be yourself, answer honestly, and remember it is ok to pause to think about your response.
Best of luck in your next interview!
Written by: Emily Onheiser, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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