3 questions to expect at your next job interview

Congrats on landing a job interview!

Considering your rèsumè was picked from dozens or even hundreds of applicants, you should feel quite good about yourself. But in order to land the position and take the next step in your career, you’ll need to ace the interview.

Sounds stressful, doesn’t it?

Though there’s no way to predict what questions a recruiter or potential employer will ask, there are some common inquiries you can prepare for. We’ve provided some tips below to ensure your responses stand out from the crowd.

1.) Why did you pursue a career in this field?

What made you interested in your current profession? Instead of listing your degrees or work experience, take the time to walk the interviewer through the steps you took to get where you’re at today. What causes you to roll out of bed in the morning? If possible, try to include personal stories or anecdotes. For example, if you’ve applied for an SEO strategist position, you might discuss your passion for the organization of information or website design.

2.) Can you tell us about a time you disagreed with a co-worker or supervisor?

No matter the type of job you’re applying for, conflict is bound to arise. This question isn’t to make you feel uncomfortable, but to see how you handle disagreements.

When answering this type of question, try to use the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. It’s a simple and convenient way to organize stories in an easy-to-understand way.

• First, explain a past experience where you and a co-worker had a disagreement.
• Second, describe your responsibility in the situation.
• Third, explain what actions you took to make things better.
• Finally, share how your actions helped achieve a resolution.

It can be hard to think of this information on the spot. In the days and weeks leading up to your interview, practice telling the story to a friend, spouse or the mirror. That way you’re prepared if the question comes up.

3.) Where do you see yourself in five years?

For many of us, it’s difficult to predict what we’re having for lunch tomorrow. Five years?! That’s impossible!

Don’t worry; the interviewer isn’t testing your fortune-telling abilities. Instead, they want to see if you’re committed to the position at hand. Think about how the job you’re applying for could help you achieve your career goals. For example, you could say “I’m really excited about this SEO optimization position because I want to gain expertise in data analytics and website design. I know that’s something I’ll be able to do here.”

Regardless of the responses that you come up with, it’s important to answer these questions in a friendly and enthusiastic manner. Good luck. You’ve got this!