At some point in your career, you will be involved in some interview session. For new graduates and even the inexperience ones, it will be helpful to be familiar with some of the common interview questions. Whether your job is to be a delivery officer or a CEO position of a big firm, some of the interview questions are going to be the same.
Here are the list of the common job interview questions you need to be ready to answer.
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Please can you introduce yourself to us?
You do not have to give your full life history but just a brief about your qualification and what you’ve achieved in your previous jobs in relation to the prospect job and its requirements. Example my name is Musa Manneh, a chartered accountant & MBA holder with over 8 years accounting experience in banking, manufacturing & practices. I am currently the head of finance and strategy in Banjul Bank ltd.
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What do you know about this company?
You should always do some research about the company before your interview. For example a brief history about the company, mission & vision, key products and services, recent success stories etc. It is the major sign that you are interested in the firm, and you have an idea about the type of job you can expect.
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Why do you want this job?
Don’t tell them because you have no other job or you need money. You have to show your passion to get this type of job and then to work in this company.
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Why do you think you are the best candidate for this post?
Again, focus on your passion, experience, skills, qualification and personality. If you don’t have any experience, find something else in your background that will make you stand out. Example your excellent academic performance or your network.
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What are your strengths?
Focus on the positives; example team player, strong analytical, self-motivated etc. Be honest.
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What would you consider to be your weakness?
Again, be honest. “I don’t have any weaknesses” No one will believe you. When it comes to weaknesses, make sure that you describe the weaknesses that are ambiguous enough to be converted into strengths. Also tell them how you plan on working on your weakness.
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What would you considered as your greatest professional achievement?
Make sure you give a situation you would be able to explain for the interviewer to understand. For example I was able to raise $5 million debt and equity for a startup company. I setup up the marketing department of ABC Ltd.
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Where do you see yourself in the next five year?
They want to test if you have realistic career goals. Does the position you’re interviewing for fit into your long term career goals. For example if your career goal is to be an accountant in big bank, why are you sitting for interview in manufacturing firm? Who want to invest in employee today and in few years’ time the employee move to another company?
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Why are you leaving your current job?
Keep it positive. Do not say bad things about your current employer. Try to be strategic about your reasons. For example, you believe the new job will be more challenging and exposure you to other things.
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What are you looking for in a new position?
Most adverts list out what the job will offer. So line up what the position offers. You may talk about more responsibilities, exposure, different culture etc.
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What are your salary requirements?
Be sure to do rough search about the salary range of a similar job and if possible in the same location. If you are not sure, you can discuss the fact that you believe the salary will be equitable to the responsibility.
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Do you have any questions for us?
Have a few things prepared that you want to ask them. Please let the question be relevant to the organization and the job.
If I have missed any common question, please feel free to share it in the comment.
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Fruitful
Thank you Omar. I appreciate your feedback
Very helpful.
Thank you Abubakarr. We are happy you found it helpful.
Ebrima I don’t know whether u realize it but u are doing a great job. THANKS
Hi Malick
Thank you very much. Your feedback is well appreciated and we will continue to share our experiences and views.
what about your dress code when going for an interview………….
they will be helpful to me.
That’s right Momodou. Dress Codes are also very important.