Questions You Must be Able to Answer

When you go into an interview, you know they are going to ask you questions, obviously. In my years of experience, I have gathered there are some critical questions you should give some thought to in advance, so you are prepared with a strong answer.

Number one: Why should the company hire you? That may seem like a very obvious question, but I think very few people give it the thought it deserves and have a strong, ready answer when that question comes up. And if that exact question doesn’t come up, you want to be sure to answer that question throughout the interview, regardless. Why should they hire you? What is it that sets you apart, or makes you so great? What makes you such a good fit for that position or that company culture? Give it some thought and have a strong answer.

Number two: What are your goals? I understand that not every job is your end all, be all, and maybe not every job you’re applying for has the intention of being your ultimate career. If that is the case, you still want to know what your goals are and what is going to make you happy at the end of the day. If you are looking for an opportunity that is aligned with your desired career path, or to get promoted, or even to shift gears to something new that you actually want to do, it is critical for you to know your goals. Not only so you can speak to them in an interview, but so you know internally, to keep you on the right path to reach your goals and dreams. If you can visualize where you want to be, whether that be a week from now, a month from now, or ten years from now, you can write that goal down and work backwards to figure out how to achieve it. I think it is so important to get crystal clear on your goals, not only to help you achieve them, but as you’re going about actually tackling the process of applying for jobs and moving up in our career and closer to what you actually want to do, you need to be able to articulate those goals. If you are interviewing with a hiring manager, especially if it is an opportunity that aligns to your big picture goal, you want to be able to speak to that! Most employers are not looking to hire someone for a flash in the pan opportunity. Most people and organizations don’t want to spend the time or the money to hire someone who is looking to just leave at the next higher paying job. If they are going to invest in you, train you and help develop you, they want to know that you want to be there for the long run, and how this role fits into your big picture goals as well. So, give that some thought and help the hiring managers you interview with understand how it all fits together for you. 

Number three: What are your minimum expectations? When I say this, I mean first from a salary or hourly rate perspective. What is your bottom line? What do you have to make to be comfortable paying your bills, and not stressing about money at every turn? Also, what are your minimum expectations for the actual job and what you will be doing? What about the work environment? Think about what is important to you and really what you need to be happy and fulfilled. Make sure you can answer this question not only for yourself, but again, so you can ask questions and speak to your expectations throughout the interview process. 

Number four: What makes you different or better? This is important, especially if there are multiple applicants for the job you are applying for… which is usually the case. You must be able to articulate what makes you better, what’s your differentiator, again, why should they hire you? You need to be able to speak to that. Everyone has strengths, everyone has something that they are good at, something that they can add value with. Make sure you can articulate yours. Not everyone is the best at selling themselves or saying why they are so fantastic. This is the time to do so. In every interview, make sure you are comfortable and ready to speak to the value that you bring and what makes you the best choice for that job opportunity. 

Number five: Why did you leave your previous positions? Most employers will want to understand why you left previous opportunities, especially if you have been a job hopper. So, if you are someone who has been at one job for 6 months and another one for 4, a year here and there, you are going to need to explain yourself. So, be prepared for that. There many good reasons, and maybe some not so great reasons why you may have left an opportunity, be sure you can speak to that specifically. You want to be truthful, but you also want to be as positive as you can. If you left a job opportunity in the past because you didn’t get along with your manager, for example, you may not want to just come out and say that. Unfortunately, the automatic assumption could be that you are going to be difficult to manage, or you are insubordinate or whatever else they may assume. Whether that is true or not, likely people are going to be on defense and they are going to assume the worst. So, make sure you have given some thought to your responses. You could say it wasn’t the best culture fit, or you are looking for a little bit different management style so you can continue to learn and grow. Really think about it. Again, you want to be truthful, but you want to keep it positive and not dwell on anything too negative when you are talking to a new potential employer. 

Number six: What are the different areas you need to work on? We all have strengths, but we all have areas of opportunity, weaknesses and things that we can improve on as well. Don’t go into an interview so confident that you have no weaknesses to speak to, to answer that question. There must be something that you could do a little bit better. This is not to throw yourself over the coals but give it some thought to define one or two things that you really do want to improve on – self-awareness is critical. Know that you can improve those areas and be ready to speak to that in the interview. You could even ask a question around how you may have the opportunity to work on those skills, depending on the role.

Number seven: Why do you want the job? Again, may seem like a very basic, straight forward question but why you do want it? Do you want the job just because you need a job, just because you need a paycheck? If that is the truth, well, I get it, we all have to work and pay the bills, but if that’s why, you may want to give some thought to how you are going to answer that question in the interview. If you say because you need a paycheck, you are not likely going to rank very high up on the list of the top candidates. So, my first piece of advice would be, apply for jobs that you would want and are interested in, but I totally understand that there are times when we have to do what we have to do. So, do what you need to do, but be sure you can speak to that in the interview so you are considered for that job. 

So, let’s quickly recap on the seven questions that you must be able to answer in order to get a job. Number one: Why should the company hire you? Number two: What are your goals? Number three: What are your minimum expectations? From job responsibilities, to work environment, and of course salary. Number four: What makes you different or better? What is your differentiator, what is your value proposition? Make sure you can answer that one. It’s probably the most important question that you should be able to answer and have a very strong answer for it. Number five: Why did you leave your previous positions? Number six: What areas do you need to work on? Number seven: Why do you want the job?

I hope these questions were thought provoking for you and helpful as you look for a new job opportunity and you approach the interview process. If you have any questions or if I can clarify anything drop it in the comments below.

If you need help with updating your resume, please download my free resume guide 10 Tactical Tips for Writing an Effective Resume, here: https://mailchi.mp/liveyourbestworklife.com/resume-tips.