Interview Strategies 3.2 Common interview questions 2

Here are a few of the most common interview questions with advice on how to approach
them.

1. What can we expect from you in your first three months?

With this question, the interviewer wants to find out whether you have actively thought about an action plan if you get the job.

It is essential that you are familiar with the company and the industry, and especially the responsibilities of the job. The interviewer wants to understand whether you can carry out these responsibilities effectively and if your vision for the job is the same as the company's.

• DO mention your intention to get up to speed as quickly as possible.
• DO mention your ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to new environments.
• DON'T go into too much detail about your plans for the three-month period.
• DON'T get too personal—the question is not about you personally; it’s about your understanding of the company and the position.

Useful language:

• I have a few things in mind that I would like to accomplish.
• I’m looking forward to…
• One thing I would definitely hope to achieve is…
• In my first three months, I plan to focus on…
• I would like my initial impact to be in the area of…
• The first three months of my role will be an opportunity to…

2. Why do you want this job?

Another apparently simple question but one that you should consider very carefully before going to your interview.

The interviewer wants to know why you are the right person for the job and why they should hire you rather than someone else. They also want to try to understand whether you will stay with the company in the long term.

You should talk not only about why the company would be great to work for; but also about how the position is a perfect fit for what you hope to accomplish, both short-term and long-term. It’s essential to read up about the company and the position so that you are totally familiar with both.

This is an opportunity to talk about you rather than your technical skills. Show how you can add unique value to the company through your personality.

Don’t mention qualifications here – they are on your CV and the interviewer knows them.

Don’t give a vague, generic answer such as “It would be a great opportunity for me to grow professionally…” Interviewers have heard this too many times before.

Useful language:

• You’re looking for someone who can… and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the last (x) years.
• Your company’s reputation is definitely a major factor.
• This organization's priorities for… exactly match my own.
• I’ve long been aware of your firm’s dedication to…
• I’ve always been passionate about…
• I’m excited to see...

3. What kind of work environment do you like best?

This question allows the interviewer to see whether you will fit into the company’s work environment - whether you are a team player who is able to adapt to new roles and situations and who will stay with the company longer.

It is important that you research the company in advance and try to understand the kind of work environment there. This means that you can customize your answer to the question to match the particular environment at the company.

Useful language:

• I really thrive in an environment where/which…
• I prefer a setting where/which…
• What I really like is to…
• I work best in an environment where/which…
• I really like the environment at this company because…

NOTE: If you are not sure what the working environment will be like at the company you are applying for, you should make your answer more neutral and show that you are flexible and can adapt to any new situation.

Useful language:

• I can be flexible regarding my work environment.
• I can thrive in different kinds of environments.
• I’ve been in a variety of work environments and thrived in all of them. For example…

4. What’s your dream job?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to know what you are passionate about, what motivates you and what your long-term goals are, not because they want you to tell them that their job is your dream job. 

You should mention some similarities between your ideal job and the position you are interviewing for. Try to connect your future goals to the position.

You don’t need to mention a specific job title in your answer, just a general description of the job you would like to have.

Useful language:

•  Because of my passion for…, my dream job would be…
• I’ve already mentioned my experience…
• Based on my skills and interests…, what I would love to do is…
• In terms of job content…
• My dream job would involve…
• … are both really important to me, and I’m excited to see that they seem to be equally important to this company.