What Are the 10 Best Interview Questions?

Hi, I’m Emily Johnson and I’ve been on both sides of the interview table. As a job candidate, I’ve been asked a lot of questions, some good and some not so good. As an interviewer, I’ve asked a lot of questions, and I’ve learned which ones are most effective. In this article, I’ll share with you the 10 best interview questions that will help you find the right candidate for your job.

Curiosities, Statistics, and Facts

Did you know that 33% of employers know within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they will hire someone?
According to a survey by Glassdoor, the most common interview question is What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Only 2.4% of applicants make it to the interview stage at Google.
More than half of all job interviews are conducted via video chat or phone.
The average length of a job interview is 40 minutes.

The 10 Best Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself. This open-ended question allows the candidate to highlight their strengths and experiences. It also gives you a sense of their communication skills and how well they can articulate their thoughts.
What do you know about our company? This question tests the candidate’s research skills and shows their level of interest in the company. It also gives you a sense of how well they would fit into the company culture.
Why do you want this job? This question allows you to see if the candidate has a clear understanding of the job responsibilities and if they have thought through the decision to apply for the position.
What are your greatest strengths? This question helps you determine if the candidate has the necessary skills to perform the job. It also gives you a sense of their self-awareness.
What are your greatest weaknesses? This question tests the candidate’s ability to be honest and self-reflective. It also gives you a sense of their willingness to improve and grow.
Can you give me an example of a time when you had to solve a difficult problem? This behavioral question helps you understand the candidate’s problem-solving skills and how they handle challenges.
How do you handle stress or pressure? This question helps you understand the candidate’s coping mechanisms and how they handle difficult situations.
Can you tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult coworker or manager? This behavioral question helps you understand the candidate’s interpersonal skills and how they handle conflicts.
What are your salary expectations? This question allows you to determine if the candidate’s expectations align with the company’s budget. It also gives you a sense of their value and experience.
Do you have any questions for me? This question allows the candidate to show their interest in the job and the company. It also gives you a sense of their curiosity and preparedness.

These questions cover a range of topics, from the candidate’s skills and experience to their problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills. They also allow the candidate to showcase their personality and communication skills.

Data Analysis and Expert Quotes

According to a survey by Glassdoor, the most common interview question is What are your strengths and weaknesses? However, this question is not always effective. As Alison Green, a workplace advice columnist and author, notes, It’s not a great interview question because it invites people to give meaningless answers that tell you nothing about whether they’re the right person for the job.

Instead, Green recommends asking questions that are specific to the job and that require the candidate to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. For example, if you’re hiring for a sales position, you might ask, Can you give me an example of a time when you had to persuade someone to buy a product? This question is more effective because it tests the candidate’s ability to perform a specific job task.

1st-Person Experiences, Opinions, Examples, and Anecdotes

Personally, I prefer to ask behavioral questions that require the candidate to give specific examples of their past experiences. For example, I might ask, Can you give me an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult customer? This question allows the candidate to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and their ability to handle difficult situations.

I also like to ask questions that are specific to the company and the job. For example, if I’m hiring for a marketing position, I might ask, Can you give me an example of a successful marketing campaign that you’ve run in the past? This question allows the candidate to showcase their skills and knowledge in a way that is relevant to the job.

One of my favorite interview experiences was when I was asked to give a presentation on a topic related to the job. This allowed me to showcase my public speaking skills and my knowledge of the industry. It also gave me a sense of the company culture and what it would be like to work there.

FAQs

What are some other good interview questions?

Some other good interview questions include:

What are your long-term career goals?
Can you tell me about a time when you had to work under a tight deadline?
How do you handle constructive criticism?
Can you tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation?

What are some bad interview questions?

Some bad interview questions include:

What is your age?
Are you married?
What is your religion?
Do you have any disabilities?

How should I prepare for an interview?

To prepare for an interview, you should:

Research the company and the job
Practice answering common interview questions
Dress appropriately
Bring copies of your resume and any other relevant documents
Arrive on time

Remember, the interview is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experience. Be confident, be yourself, and be prepared.