In the article “Typical Interview Questions and Best Answers,” you will find valuable advice on how to answer common interview questions about your previous job. These questions often focus on your likes and dislikes about your previous job, as well as your working relationships with supervisors and co-workers. By preparing thoughtful and relevant answers to these questions, you can stand out as an excellent candidate for the job you desire. Additionally, the article provides tips on how to describe your previous manager in a positive light, avoiding any negative remarks. Take the opportunity to highlight your strengths and showcase your ability to work independently and find solutions to problems. With this comprehensive guide, you can confidently navigate through typical interview questions and impress potential employers.
Typical Interview Questions About Your Previous Job
What do you like about your current or last job?
In this question, the interviewer is trying to assess your compatibility with the position you are interviewing for. It is important to make your answer relevant to the job requirements. You can mention general reasons such as enjoying new challenges, interacting with people, growth and learning opportunities, using your initiative, working as part of a team, and meeting set objectives and goals. These reasons are usually applicable to most job opportunities. To make your answer more specific, you can provide an example. For instance, you can say, “I enjoyed having to use my initiative. I have implemented and improved a number of systems, including the order processing system.”
What do you dislike about your current or last job?
When answering this question, be careful not to refer to specific characteristics of the job opportunity you are interviewing for. It is best to avoid mentioning reasons such as overtime and salary. Additionally, it is important to stay away from criticizing your boss, management, or coworkers. Instead, keep your answer general and focus on the lack of or absence of what you seek in a job or work environment. For example, you can say, “There was very little opportunity for me to use my initiative. I regard this as one of my strengths and found it frustrating that I was unable to get past the bureaucracy of such a big company to implement any improvements. That is why I am enthusiastic about working for a smaller company like this, which I know encourages employees to use their initiative.” Another example of a good answer to this question is, “There was a lack of growth opportunities in such a small company. One of the reasons I am so interested in your company is that it is a much larger organization with formal career planning structures in place.” By answering in this way, you emphasize why you are a suitable candidate for the job and company, turning the question into an opportunity to highlight your strengths and compliment the company you are interviewing with.
How would you describe your previous manager?
When answering questions about previous managers, it is important to avoid saying anything that can be interpreted as negative. This is because it sends up a red flag about your attitude towards authority and supervision. Even if there was something truly negative about your boss, it is better to focus on something positive. Your answer should be fact-based and not just your opinion. For example, you can say, “My manager was very experienced. He had managed a number of big call centers over the past 12 years. He liked his staff to be able to work independently, and I had to learn quickly to become independent in analyzing problems and finding solutions.” In this answer, you state a positive fact about your boss, his amount of experience, and turn a possible negative about your boss, his lack of support, into a positive about you. You have not criticized your boss and have taken the opportunity to highlight your ability to be proactive and deal with challenging situations.
What motivates you in your job?
This question aims to understand what drives and inspires you in your job. Your answer should reflect your passion and enthusiasm for the work you do. Some possible motivators could be the opportunity to make a positive impact, the chance to learn and grow professionally, the satisfaction of accomplishing goals and seeing results, and the desire to contribute to a larger purpose or mission. You can provide examples of past experiences where you felt motivated and fulfilled in your job. For instance, you can say, “I am motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact. In my previous job, I worked on a project that aimed to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Seeing the tangible results of our efforts and knowing that we were making a difference in the environment was incredibly motivating for me.”
How would your co-workers describe you?
In this question, the interviewer wants to gain insight into how you are perceived by your peers. It is important to showcase positive qualities and characteristics that make you a valuable team member. Think about your strengths and traits that would be highly regarded by your co-workers. Some possible answers could be that your co-workers would describe you as reliable, supportive, a good communicator, a problem-solver, or a team player. You can provide examples that demonstrate these qualities. For example, you can say, “My co-workers would describe me as reliable because I always follow through on my commitments and consistently meet deadlines. They would also say that I am a supportive team member who is always willing to lend a helping hand and collaborate with others to achieve common goals.”
How do you define success in your job?
This question aims to understand what you consider to be a successful outcome in your job. Your answer should reflect your values and priorities as well as align with the goals and expectations of the position you are interviewing for. Some possible definitions of success could be achieving specific targets or goals, making a positive impact on the organization or its customers, receiving recognition or praise for your work, and continuously learning and growing in your role. It is important to provide concrete examples of how you have achieved success in the past. For instance, you can say, “I define success in my job as achieving the targets and goals set by my team and the organization. In my previous role, I consistently exceeded my sales targets by developing strong client relationships, implementing effective sales strategies, and continuously improving my product knowledge. The recognition I received for my performance and the positive feedback from my clients were clear indicators of success.”
Why should we hire you?
This question gives you an opportunity to pitch yourself as the best candidate for the job. It is important to showcase your unique skills, experiences, and qualifications that make you stand out from other applicants. Focus on the specific requirements of the job and how your background aligns with them. You can mention your relevant experience, technical expertise, problem-solving skills, ability to work well in a team, and any other strengths that make you a valuable asset to the organization. For example, you can say, “You should hire me because I have a strong background in project management, with experience successfully leading cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget. My attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and ability to identify and mitigate risks make me well-suited for this role. Additionally, my passion for continuous improvement and my ability to adapt to changing priorities and technologies would contribute to the ongoing success of the team and the organization.”
Can you tell me about yourself?
The interviewer is asking this question to get to know you better and gauge how well you fit with the company culture. It is important to provide a concise and compelling summary of your professional background and relevant accomplishments. Start with a brief introduction, mentioning your current or most recent job, and then highlight key experiences, skills, and qualifications that are relevant to the position you are applying for. It is also a good idea to mention your career goals and why you are interested in the particular company or role. For example, you can say, “I am a results-oriented marketing professional with five years of experience in the healthcare industry. In my previous role as a Marketing Manager, I successfully launched several high-impact campaigns that resulted in a significant increase in brand awareness and customer engagement. I am particularly interested in joining your company because of its innovative approach to healthcare and its commitment to improving patient outcomes. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise to further advance the company’s mission.”
What are your strengths?
When discussing your strengths, it is important to focus on the qualities that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Consider the skills, experiences, and attributes that make you an excellent fit for the position. Some possible strengths could be strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, attention to detail, leadership capabilities, adaptability, and the ability to work well in a team. It is ideal to provide examples or stories that demonstrate how you have applied these strengths in your previous roles. For instance, you can say, “One of my strengths is my strong problem-solving abilities. In my previous job, I was responsible for identifying and resolving complex customer issues. I developed a systematic approach to problem-solving, which involved gathering relevant information, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to find effective solutions. This approach allowed me to consistently resolve customer issues in a timely and efficient manner, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction.”
