4 Commonly asked interview questions

Let's be honest – selling yourself to an employer in 45 minutes is enough to make anyone sweat. But there are three simple ways to overcome nerves: practice, practice – and you guessed it – practice.

There is no perfect way to answer any interview question, but most employers can tell if you’ve prepared for the interview or not. Feeling confident is important.

Ask your recruiter, a friend, or anyone you trust to do a mock interview and have them give you their honest feedback. Be sure to practice explaining your past work and educational background and it’s also a good idea to prepare your answers to some of the most common questions employers ask.

1. Why are you interested in this opportunity?

Sometimes the answer to this question is easy: It aligns with your career goals. You've had positive experiences with the company in the past.

Other times though, giving a fully honest answer isn't what a hiring manager wants to hear. Do not say it’s because your current boss is a jerk or that you're just looking for a new job, any new job. Find something about the company or specific position that you can be positive about.

If you’re still stuck, learn more about the company’s mission. Find a way to connect your values to the ones they support, whether it’s that you admire their impact in the community or you feel like it aligns with your professional goals.

Example: “I saw that environmental sustainability is one of your core values, and that’s actually very important to me in my personal life. In addition to feeling like I would be a great fit for this role, I am really excited by joining an organization that's taking steps to lower its carbon footprint and is a true leader in green business practices.”

2. Why are you the best person for the position?

Go back to the job description. What skills are they looking for in a candidate? What are the responsibilities of the role?

Think about past experiences you’ve had that demonstrate your ability and history with those items in the job description. Don't be afraid to make it personal! Interviewers want to get to know you and know that you'll be an excited and engaged worker.

Example: “I’m a real people person. I’ve always looked for job opportunities that let me help others and make their day a little easier. I currently work as a waitress, and it’s probably no surprise that things can go wrong at a restaurant. However, over the past three years, I’ve served all types of patrons with all sorts of complaints, and I always made sure that they left my table with a smile. I think I would be a great fit for this customer service role because it will allow me to put those same skills to work in a new way.”

3. What do you look for in a job?

Go back to the research you did for Question 1 here. This is another chance to mention the company's values and your own, especially if you didn't get a chance to say everything you wanted to the first time.

Maybe you're interested in giving back, or you love tackling a big challenge. Are you looking to join a strong team or want more autonomy? Be honest and genuine in your answer. This is an opportunity to show your interviewer who you are, what excites you, and what your long-term goals are.

Example: “I’m looking for a job that will challenge me and allow me to build new skills. In my current role, I took on the responsibility of learning our new tracking software, and then I trained my coworkers on how to use it. That included writing step-by-step guides and running training sessions. That was something I volunteered to do because I love to learn new skills and knowledge – and then be able to share it.”

4. Why are you looking for a new job?

Be honest but tactful. You want to stay away from negative or emotional comments about why you want to leave your current job.

Instead, focus on the future. Ask yourself questions about what you hope to gain from this job or where you see yourself in five years.

If you're stuck, look at the job description. Don't say, "I'm just ready for a change." Say, "I'm ready to focus more on customer service and less on administrative duties."

Example: “I have really enjoyed my time at my previous employer, but I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can in my current position. There’s not much opportunity to learn new skills or take on more responsibilities. That’s why this job appeals to me. I feel like I would be able to step up to continue developing in this career path.”

We’re here to help

Write down your answers to these questions and practice saying them out loud until they feel natural. The more you get used to talking about yourself, the easier it’ll be and the more confident you’ll feel.

If you still have questions about the interviewing process, check our job seeker resources, which has tips for every stage of your job hunt, or reach out to a local branch to talk with one of our recruiters.