Interview questions can vary based on who your interviewer is. Use this guide to help you tailor your answers based on what the interviewer is looking for.
Job interviews can be a daunting experience, but with the right preparation, you can make a strong impression and increase your chances of success.
Understanding the types of questions asked during interviews and preparing talking points for your responses can help you boost your confidence, better showcase your skills, and demonstrate your interest in the position.
While there are several questions interviewers tend to fall back on, in recent years, the types of questions you can expect to encounter depend on various factors.
One factor that impacts the type of question you get asked is the role you are applying for.
For example, technical roles often involve in-depth questions about coding or software, while customer service positions tend to focus on interpersonal skills and conflict resolution. Management roles, however, typically delve into leadership experience, team-building skills, and strategic thinking.
Apart from that, the interviewer’s role and your level of experience can also influence the types of questions asked.
In this series of blogs, we break down the types of questions based on the profile of the interviewer as well as your experience level.
The recruiter
An interviewer profile you may encounter during your job search is the recruiter, especially when working with a recruitment agency, such as Manpower, to land your next job.
Recruiters typically work on multiple open positions at once and are responsible for the primary screening of candidates. To help the recruiter match you to the best available job, be prepared to answer questions that give the recruiter a general understanding of your background and preferences.
These questions often revolve around soft skills, reason for leaving, salary expectations, availability, and preferences regarding employment type and industry.
Questions may include:
What prompted you to start looking for a new job?
Would you be open to both contract and permanent positions?
Are there specific industries or companies you’re interested in?
Here's a breakdown of the 6 common questions from recruiters and how you can answer them.
The HR representative
Besides recruiters, another interviewer profile you will likely encounter is the hiring company's HR representative. If you applied directly to the company, the HR representative might also act as the recruiter.
While there may be some overlap in the questions asked by recruiters and HR representatives, the latter would also often ask questions to help determine if you are compatible with the company’s culture.
Questions may include:
What attracted you to this position and our company?
Can you describe any challenges or frustrations in your current/previous role?
If I'm going to call your previous/current company, how do you think they will describe you?
Here's a breakdown of the 6 common questions from HR representatives and how you can answer them.
The hiring manager (for experienced candidates)
No matter which job you apply for, the hiring manager is the one interviewer profile you will definitely encounter. If you are successfully hired, this person will also be your direct supervisor.
Hiring managers typically ask questions that allow them to understand how you would fit into the specific role and team. At the same time, they will be looking to gauge your level of technical expertise, especially if you have previous experience in a similar role.
You can expect to be presented with behavioral questions to assess your problem-solving abilities, teamwork skills, and cultural fit to the specific team you will be joining.
Questions may include:
How do you keep up to date with the latest trends in the industry?
Describe a time when you had to handle a difficult situation. How do you handle conflict?
Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team.
Here's a breakdown of the 6 common questions from hiring managers and how you can answer them.
The hiring manager (for fresh graduates)
Whether you're a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, the core questions hiring managers are likely to ask will be similar. They'll be interested in assessing your skills, experience, and cultural fit.
The key difference is hiring managers typically ask fresh graduates questions focused on gauging potential and growth; whereas experienced candidates often get questions focused on past experiences, accomplishments, and in-depth technical knowledge.
You can expect behavioral questions that gauge your problem-solving skills, teamwork abilities, and adaptability. If the role requires specific technical skills, you may also be asked foundational technical questions that assess your understanding.
Questions may include:
Can you share an example of a time when you went above and beyond expectations?
How would you say your course of study is aligned to the role?
How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple problems at once?
Here's a breakdown of the 6 questions fresh graduates typically get asked and how you can answer them.
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