How to overcome interview anxiety | 10 common questions and answers that could help

It is easy to get scared and not know the possible answers to some questions during an interview. Interviewing for jobs can be nerve-wracking. What are the possible interview questions and answers? How do I prepare? What if I mess up? The questions can seem endless.

Whether you are a student about to graduate or someone looking for a full-time job, interviewing for jobs is one of the most intimidating experiences which is why this article will come in handy. The questions and answers you are about reading will prepare you for the battle ahead.

Common interview questions and answers you should know

The following are some typical interview questions and possible answers

Tell me about yourself

This is your chance to make a first impression, so be prepared to give a confident answer. If you’re not sure how to answer this question, start by giving an overview of your current career status and what led you to apply. Then mention a few of your best qualities that can help you perform well in the role.

You can say: I’m a strong problem solver with great attention to detail. I have a great team spirit and enjoy working with others.

What’s your greatest strength?

Make sure you relate your strengths to the job description during the interview process. It’s important that your strengths align with those listed in the job description and that they are quantifiable. Back up these claims with examples from past experiences or projects that further demonstrate these strengths.

This is the best time to mention your job history.

You can say: that I have an excellent work ethic. I don’t just work towards meeting deadlines, and I finish the project ahead of schedule.
I have exceptional writing abilities and strong attention to detail because I have worked as a copy editor for five years.
I’ve also written for several magazines, so I understand how to adapt my writing style to the work and audience.

What motivates you?

Motivation is the key to success. It’s why you wake up in the morning and go to work. If your interviewer asks this question, they want to know what drives you to succeed.

You can say: I’m very motivated by my achievements. I prefer having a specific objective to work toward and enough time to devise a solid strategy for achieving it.

I was in charge of various projects in which I led development teams and built repeatable procedures in my previous work. The teams delivered software packages on schedule every time.

I was inspired by the challenge of completing projects ahead of schedule and leading teams that accomplished our objectives.

What do you like most about your current job?

This question is all about finding out if the job candidate will be a good fit for the corporate culture. The interviewer wants to know if you’ll be excited about coming to work every day or if you’ll be another face in the crowd.

You can say: I like working with my teammates. A lively atmosphere encouraged me to come to work every day. I was responsible for processing consumer bills using our booking software.

After a while, I was able to prepare for certain situations by making notes in another program that I could later copy and paste into. This enabled me to continue working and showed management that nothing could stop me from meeting deadlines on time.

Why should we hire you over other candidates?

The interviewer wants to recognize how confident you are in your abilities and whether or not interviewing with them was a good decision on their part. If they ask why they should hire you over other candidates, they have more than one person interviewing for the same position and are trying to narrow it down by asking this question.

You can say: I have all of the information and credentials you’re looking for. I am certain that I would shine in this project management position.

It’s not only my expertise in directing projects for leading global corporations — or my communication abilities — that have allowed me to form close bonds with engineers, vendors, and senior management, but my passion for what I do. I plan on giving this my all if given the opportunity.

Why are you applying for this position?

This is the most common question that you will be asked during an interview, and it’s important to have a good answer ready. The best way to prepare is by practising your answer ahead of time.

If you’re interviewing for a job as a banker, tell them what attracted you to the company, why you’d like this particular role and how your skills match what they’re looking for. Mention anything specific about the firm that has piqued your interest.

The more personal and authentic your response feels, the better it will be appreciated by the individual conducting the interview.

You can say: I applied for this position because I will be proud to work for a company like this which I believe will challenge and help me optimize my potential

Can you cope with stress?

This question shows how well an applicant handles stress under pressure and gives employers insight into how well applicants communicate under pressure and their ability to think and solve problems under stressful conditions.

You can say: that I like working in a challenging environment, so I find stressful situations to be more of a challenge needed to be overcome.

Who is your hero? Why?

This question gives you a chance to show off some personality and show how well you think on your feet. It also allows you to share something about yourself that may not come up otherwise during an interview.

You can say: My hero will is my mum. She has always been so supportive of my dreams and why I’m where I am today.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?

Suppose you’re interviewing for a position that involves sales or customer service. This question may not come up as often as others.

However, firms searching for someone self-motivated with a lot of drive and ambition can also be asked, especially if your past doesn’t show much of those traits.

This is the time to say much about your achievements in your former jobs. Tell them how you helped seize that big contract in your previous work. Tell them as much as you can but do it humbly.

You can say: My greatest accomplishment will be graduating at the top of my class.

What does your ideal job look like?

The interviewer is trying to get a sense of how well you know yourself by asking this question. They are trying to determine if you have a clear sense of your strengths and weaknesses.

The best way to answer this is by describing a real job that fits your personality, skills and experience. Don’t be afraid to throw in some details about the working environment or company culture — even if it’s not the one you’re applying for.

This indicates that you’ve given the position careful thought and are interested in the work rather than just the money.

You can say: that I have always dreamed of working in an environment where I can share my ideas easily without being criticized.