10 Interview Questions You Should Know By Heart

1. WALK ME THROUGH YOUR WORK HISTORY

Your résumé is just one page, and it only tells a fraction of the story of what you do on a
daily basis. It should feature a lot of impressive numbers (you’ve managed a $1 million
budget; you organized a 1,000-person conference), but during the interview, you need to
add context. Share anecdotes that display your management skills; have a good
explanation for why you left your first job; and be able to talk about your accomplishments.

When prepping for this question, it can be good to take a look back at past performance
reviews and pull out all the positive feedback you’ve received. This is an interview — talking
about your successes is key.

2. WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE JOB

This question shouldn’t be a surprise, and you should have a clear and concise answer.
You’re looking for an opportunity to grow. You love cats and taking photos, so this position
as a cat photographer is a natural fit. You’ve dreamed of writing about beauty products your
whole life.

Your answer should show how passionate you are about the position and that you’ve done
your research into what the job will entail.

3. WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE

Your answer to this question should reveal that you’ve done your research on the company
and the people you’ll be working with. Were they in the news recently for a big
accomplishment? Mention that. Do they have world-class research facilities that are
unparalleled? That’s a no-brainer. This is your chance to express your enthusiasm for the
company, and help the hiring manager understand why you’d be a good fit for the job.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS

It can be really hard for some people to really talk up their accomplishments, but it’s crucial
in a job interview. Again, go through past performance reports and make note of the
positive feedback. And then take a few minutes to think about the things you do that make
you feel really good. Those are the strengths you want to talk about — and make sure you
have some anecdotes to back them up. You don't want to just state, "I'm a great manager."
You need to share a few stories that illustrate your point.

5. WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESS

My favorite episode of the British Office is when David Brent is going over Big Keith’s year-
end review, and Keith lists that his weakness is “eczema.” Makes me laugh every time. This
is one of the most difficult questions to answer, and saying “perfectionism” will drive your
interviewer bonkers.
Having a smart and thoughtful response to this question can show the hiring manager that
you’re self-aware, and willing to grow and change. No one is perfect at their jobs — if they
are, it’s probably time to find something more challenging. And everyone has an area where
they struggle. Be honest, but don’t reveal too much.

6. TELL ME ABOUT A PROBLEM YOU FACED AT WORK AND HOW YOU

HANDLED IT

I really hate this question, and the first time I encountered it, I had a really hard time coming
up with an answer. But it comes up all the time in interviews, and it’s a great chance to
show off your problem-solving skills.

Remember, the problem doesn’t have to be epic, but your reaction needs to show that
you’re flexible, capable of making smart decisions, and able to think on your feet.

7. WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOUR CURRENT JOB

This is not the opportunity to bash your current employer, as much as you might be tempted
to say a few nasty things about that bitch of a boss who’s holding you back from a
promotion. That’s a conversation to have with your friends over cocktails, or with your
therapist. Playing the growth card is always good — you love your current job, but you’re
looking for an opportunity to grow. And again, this is a time to show you’ve done your
research, and explain why you’ll be such a good fit at this new company.

8. HOW WOULD YOUR BOSS AND COWORKERS DESCRIBE YOU

I love this question, because it’s a chance to talk yourself up using other people’s words.
Again, reference those performance reviews, mention great feedback you received from
clients, and talk about how well you work with your colleagues. If you’re really unhappy at
your job — you feel minimized, there are no growth opportunities, you’re isolated — it’s
okay to explain that you don’t think your boss and colleagues see your full potential, and tie
your answer back to the question about why you’re looking for new a gig.

9. WHAT DO YOU THINKWECOULD DO BETTER

Again, this is a question where you need to do your research. And similar to the question
about your weaknesses, you need to be honest without being harsh. You should not only
have a list of improvements you would make, you should explain how you could help
institute these changes. That will help the interviewer understand the value you'll bring to
the job.

10. DO HAVE ANY QUESTIONFOR US

Don’t say no. Always have at least one question, even if it’s been a thorough interview, and
you’ve asked almost as many questions as you’ve answered (a great interview is usually
more like a conversation). This is a great time to ask about the hiring timeline and figure out
the next steps. This isn’t the time to ask about vacation days.