Most Common Questions Recruiters Will Ask You in an Interview

The recruitment process has never been easy in any hiring firm. It is more hectic today since technology has brought many channels by which job seekers can apply for a position. It is common to see a vacant position applied by over 100 people, all using different platforms. While some choose to go for social media applications, others send emails, and others drop their written applications in the company. How hard can it get for the Human Resource to identify who is suitable for the job?
After screening through the applications, the H.R. team comes up with a list of the interview people. That is where as a job seeker, you should show the team that you are truly outstanding and that you deserve the job. Never walk into an interview without knowing what questions to expect and the answers you should give them.

10 Questions Interviewers Will Ask You.

  1. Can you tell us about yourself?
    This will be among the first questions in a job interview in most cases. The recruiters ask you to assess how well you can pass information and understand your career journey. They want to know whether your skills relate to the job they are offering. You must focus on your strengths and show the recruiter achievements you have had in the past. You could also highlight your personality, let the recruiters understand what kind of person you are.
  2. Have you worked in our company?
    If you have never worked for the company, let your answer be clear no but tell the recruiters how much it would excite you to work with them. If you have worked with the company, tell the recruiters what position you held and when. Such information is essential because it helps the recruiter decide whether you are worth rehiring.
  3. What is your current position?
    When a recruiter asks you this question, they want to understand your responsibilities in the position you are. They will also want to know if what you are doing relates to the job description in the job they are offering. Most recruiters don’t want to hire people they will have to train from scratch. They want to hire people with prior experience such that even if they will have to retrain is to add to the skills they already have.
  4. Why do you want to change jobs?
    The interview wants to understand why you either stopped working or why you want to change where you work. That is if you haven’t left your current position. You could tell the interview that the company values didn’t align with yours. You can also tell them that you feel underpaid or want to relocate to a different part of the country. Be as true to yourself as possible.
  5. Are you location-specific?
    If you need the job, never be location-specific unless you are sure that the job offer is in that location. The interviewer wants to know whether, if hired, they can post you in any state or city comfortably. Be as open and flexible as much as you can.
  6. Do you have any other positions you are interviewing for?
    The best answer you can give to an interview is by being honest. It would be such a bad thing if you landed the job only to work for a week or two, and you move to the next one maybe because it pays better. The recruiter, in this case, wants to know whether you really need to work with them or are also looking at other prospective jobs.
  7. How do you like being managed?
    Even if you get this question, it doesn’t give you the right to dictate how you want things done for you. Be positive and explain to the interviewer about your experience with the management. Before going for the interview, read about the company’s culture. It will give you directions on how things are done there. With that in mind, try as much as possible to align your answer with the same culture.
  8. What is your current salary, and how much do you expect for this job?
    This question has two parts. First, be honest with your interviewer. Tell them how much you are currently earning but explain positively that you feel it is less your market value.
    Secondly, do not say a specific salary figure you expect if you do not know the average salary for that position. Instead, give the recruiter a range and tell them that any amount within that range would be comfortable with you.
  9. How did you handle a conflict at your workplace?
    Don’t be afraid of this question. Every recruiter understands that conflicts will always emerge from time to time. Briefly describe to your interviewer how the disagreement occurred, the roles you played, and your action to resolve the problem. As you are doing this, ensure that you are positive and constructive. Never fake a scenario to impress the recruiter. If you have been part of or witnessed a disagreement in your place, tell them that.
  10. Do you have proof of legal right to work in the country?
    It is lawful for any employer to ask you whether the law allows you to work in the country. Please don’t take it as discrimination, ethnicity, or racism. Employers ask this question when they cannot take the responsibility and costs of being a worker’s sponsor. As a job seeker, tell the employer the truth. If you have the right to work and proof, let them know. Some proof documents required include a permit resident card, an alien registration receipt card, a U.S. passport if you are in the USA, or an unexpired foreign passport with a 1-551 stamp in the USA.

    The questions discussed above are the most common in an interview. However, it does not mean that an interviewer will not ask you more. Human resource managers believe that everything they observe in the interview room is the true reflection of the real you. They, therefore, want to ask you any relevant questions so that they can make an informed decision when hiring.