The number of resignations has continued to be unusually high, which also means there are many new positions available. Use this guide to get ready for your next interview if you’re merely wanting to change careers or are just entering the market for the first time.

The list of 10 often asked job interview questions is provided here, along with tips for responding that will help you impress potential employers and, perhaps, land the position you want.

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and outline your history for me?

Interviewers enjoy learning about applicants through anecdotes. Make sure your story has a strong start, an exciting middle, and a satisfying conclusion that will make the interviewer want you to get the job.

Mention a pertinent event that sparked your interest in the job you’re pursuing, and then move on to talk about your education. Explain in the narrative how your professional experience, academic background, and enthusiasm for the field or industry the company specializes in make you a fantastic fit for the position. Mention any challenging projects you’ve led or unique projects you’ve worked on.

2. How did you find out this job?

Employers are interested in knowing if you are actively looking for work with them, learned about the position from a recruiter, or were referred to the position by an existing employee. They essentially want to know how you found them.

Mention the person’s name if they referred you for the job. Don’t presume the interviewer is aware of the recommendation. You should probably follow up by explaining how you know the individual who recommended you. For instance, if you previously collaborated with Steve (the person who recommended you) or if you got to know him over coffee at a networking event, mention it to lend yourself a bit more credibility. Explain why Steve, who works for the company, believed you’d be a great fit if he suggested you apply.

If you actively sought out the position, be explicit about what attracted you to it. Bonus points if you can match your values with the organization’s objective. You need to persuade the recruiting manager of the reasons why you choose their business over all others.

3. Which kind of workplace do you prefer?

Before the interview, make sure you research the company and its culture. You’ll get out of this one thanks to your research. On the company’s website, for instance, you can discover that they value collaboration and autonomy or have a flat organizational structure. You can use those as key terms in your response to this question.

Try to relate a personal experience to the company’s culture if the interviewer says something about it that you weren’t aware of from your study, such as “Our culture appears buttoned-up from the outside, but it’s a wonderfully laid-back environment with no competition among employees.” Your objective is to demonstrate how your work ethic aligns with that of the company.

4. How do you handle demanding or difficult circumstances?

Are you able to hold the line under pressure, or do you capitulate? They want to ensure that you won’t lose it as deadlines are approaching and the strain mounts.

Share a time when you managed to maintain composure in the face of stress. If it’s a talent you’re learning, admit it and describe the efforts you’re taking to improve your pressure-response capabilities moving forwards. You may say, for instance, that you’ve started a mindfulness practice to help you cope with stress better.

5. Do you favor working alone or with a team?

Your response should be supported by the investigation you’ve done into the work environment and corporate culture. However, you should anticipate that most workplaces will involve teams in some way.

While some jobs need you to work alone, many of them demand you to collaborate with others on a daily basis. Focus on your personality’s best qualities and how they align with the job criteria when you respond to this question. It might also be in your best interest to stress both the positives and negatives of both scenarios in your response to this question.

6. How do you stay organized when juggling many projects?

Employers are interested in learning how you manage your time and effort to be effective and efficient. They want to see if you have a system of your own for keeping on top of the job outside of the company’s schedules and workflow plans. Make sure to underline that you respect and adhere to deadlines.

Talk about a specific time when you kept on course. Talk about the projects you were working on, their urgency and importance, and how you managed your time properly. Describe how you stay organized and concentrated on the task at hand.

7. How did you increase your knowledge during the past year?

The pandemic might cause this question to be raised. Employers are interested in how different people use their time. If you didn’t spend your time taking courses or brushing up on your skills, you don’t need to be afraid to respond to this question. You might say the following if you spent time developing your professional abilities.

8. What salary goals do you have?

You should be familiar with the pay scale for the position you’re seeking for before you enter your first interview. For information about salaries, use sites like Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com. By contacting your community on LinkedIn, you might potentially ask experts in the area.

Every position has a budget, therefore employers will always check to see if your goals align with the allocated funds before moving forwards.

Keep in mind that it’s frequently preferable to talk about a wage range during the interview rather than a definite amount, providing openness for negotiation. As it’s simpler to negotiate downward than upward, it’s also best to err on the side of caution and quote a slightly larger number. As a general guideline, I suggest delaying asking about pay until your interviewer does and avoiding doing so too early in the process.

9. Do you have any other job applications?

Interviewers want to know if you’re serious about this job or if it’s just one of many that you’re considering. They merely want to know whether you are their top pick. It is best, to be honest. Tell them if you’re applying for other employment. Unless you have an alternative offer, you do not necessarily need to state where you are applying. However, they could enquire as to the stage of the hiring procedure you are in with other businesses. If your interviewer inquires, you can also state that you’re actively hunting for offers.

10. Your resume suggests that you took a year off. Would you mind explaining?

Some cultures value gap years more than others. Gap years may be associated with a negative connotation in some professions (the industry moves too quickly and you’re out of date).

Give a brief justification for your decision to take a gap year, and then concentrate on how it helped you in the long run.

Also, Read More:- 5 Steps To Career Growth