Interview Questions

Landing an interview is one of the hardest, but most desirable parts of the job hunting process.Therefore, when you do get an interview scheduled, it is important to be prepared to respond to any question the interviewer asks. To help you prepare, we put together a list of the types of questions you may run into.

1. Bizarre Questions: It is common for interviewers to ask strange and off-putting questions; they are designed to gauge your character. The interviewer wants to observe your reaction to determine if you have the appropriate interpersonal skill set for the job. When preparing for bizarre questions, practice taking deep breaths and relaxing before answering. This type of question is intended to be challenging, so don’t become defensive or feel the need to rush your response.

2. Weakness Question: Not many interviewers will skip the chance to ask “What is your greatest weakness?” When confronted with this question, be prepared to offer an honest answer that gives the interviewer a true insight into who you are and your potential areas for improvement. Practice confidently presenting your weaknesses, but remember to put a positive spin on them by explaining how you have, thus far, been able to manage and grow from them.

3. Hypothetical Questions: These questions are a quick way to ask about your past experiences. For example, an interviewer may ask “How would you react if a member was not contributing to a project?” To answer hypothetical questions, there are four things you must do:

• Know the job that you are applying for and the skills that are required. 
• Have a list of generic situations that you have been through that can easily be adjusted to answer any hypothetical question.
• Practice how you will calmly walk the interviewer through your thought process.
• Work on, concisely, exhibiting your past experiences and problem solving skills. 

4. Personal Life Questions: Personal questions (e.g. What are your hobbies?) seem innocent, but actually give the interviewer key insights into your personality and life outside of work. It’s important to practice answering this question in a way that shows you can balance your outside of work passions with the job you are applying for.

5. Question about questions: Always, always, always respond yes to the classic “Do you have any questions for me?” question. We at TXADPR cannot stress this enough. If possible, come to an interview with knowledge about your interviewer. At the very least, you should know the company, where it sits in the market landscape, and current news surrounding the brand. It’s also vital that you ask questions surrounding the job position you are applying for. Don’t be afraid to ask why the position is vacant and how the company measures success in the role. Asking about the biggest challenges the company and position are facing, and how they are handling those challenges, can also show that you are seriously considering being a future employee.

We hope that our list will aid you during your job hunt. As you go on your job interviews, let us know on any of our social media platforms if you came across any of the questions and if our preparation list helped you.

For more information and examples about common interview questions and how to answer them visit: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/tough-interview-questions-and-answers