The job search process is truly one of the most bizarre cultural rituals we’ve all agreed to participate in. From how roles are described to the final offer negotiation, instinct and human connection are replaced with how well you perform in the game. People dread it, no matter which side of the table they’re on.
As strange as it may be, the good news is that there are straightforward ways to play, formulas to follow, and obstacles to be certain about. Among them, are some of the most common questions you’re likely to face in interviews. Love them or hate them, it’s almost inevitable you’ll be asked to respond to three basic questions. Here’s how to get ready to answer with confidence.
Tell me about yourself.
This request doesn’t mean reciting the first draft of your autobiography or reading your resume. It’s also not an invitation to talk just about yourself. The unspoken part about this classic interview introduction is “Tell me about yourself to make me believe you’re right for this position at this organization.” Your answer started to formulate the moment you read the job description and decided to apply. And if you wrote a customized cover letter, you already know what to say. What you come up with here will also set you up for a whole bunch of other questions.
To prepare, consider the following:
What drew you to the position and what does that mean about you? It may be the next step in rising the corporate ladder, the company’s reputation, or the type of work, but something made this position desirable to you.
What candidate qualities in the job description do you relate to? These are the soft skills and personality traits alluded to with phrases like “collaborative,” “strategic,” and “process-oriented.” Pick a few and think of how you can quickly elaborate with a story or explanation that’s a theme of your career.
What are you expected to accomplish in the role? Think about similar accomplishments you’re proud of and how they showcase the way you work.
What’s the company all about? Get on that company’s website, peruse LinkedIn posts from employees, and read news stories to determine an aspect of their product, mission, or values that resonates with you.
If I were applying to a communications position at a women’s health startup, it might sound like this, “I’m a storyteller at heart so I was excited to see this job with the emphasis on telling stories that inspire. It’s always been really easy for me to take important, complex concepts and make them compelling for all kinds of audiences. Over my career, I’ve done that with everything from hot-button issues to organic food.
My favorite example is when I created a totally out-of-the-box press event for a new product in the US refrigerated foods category that really got editors excited and earned a feature in the Wall Street Journal business section. Personally, I’m really passionate about women’s health and that’s what drew me to apply.”
Why do you want to work here?
If you’ve prepared your “Tell me about yourself” response, you’re ready for this one, too. This response also works for variations on “Why are you looking to leave your current job?” Once again, this one isn’t all about you. Remember those qualities and accomplishments in the job description you have examples for? Now’s the time to address them straight on, along with what you found in the company research that resonated with you.
“This job feels like a great next step in my career at a company I can grow with. I have a lot of experience with overseeing internal and external communications and when I learned more about your product I felt like these are stories I’d be excited to tell.”
What’s your greatest weakness?
There are two directions you can take for this response. Either direction should include not just the weakness but also your plan to overcome it. Try to stay away from personality traits and lean into skills relevant to the role. And don’t sweat this one too hard. I’ve been a part of a lot of hiring decisions and even though this question comes up in interviews, someone’s self-identified weaknesses are rarely the deciding factor, but it is a great opportunity to highlight self-awareness and willingness to learn.
A challenge you’re already working to overcome. “I love the idea of project management tools, but have struggled with learning to use them while also working with other people on timely projects, and it’s always tempting to avoid using the tool as a result. I recently set up a personal Notion account to manage my household projects and am working on how to make the most of the tool in ways I can bring back to my work life.”
A skill you’d like to develop in the role. “In relation to this role, I think my greatest area of growth will be deeper learning about the product and industry. But that’s nothing I haven’t faced before, so with support, I’ll be able to bridge that gap quickly.”
Now practice, practice, practice
The trouble with having prepared responses is that they can come off sounding unnatural. And even though you’re supposed to be prepared for a Q&A session, you’re also supposed to pass it off like an organic conversation where every powerful point you make is easily on the tip of your tongue. For most people, that’s out of their comfort zone. That’s where practice comes in. And since these questions are among the most common, time spent practicing will almost certainly pay off.
Ideally, you’ll be able to find a willing partner to pose as your interviewer who will listen and provide feedback while you work out what feels most natural to you. But if that isn’t an option, turn on your camera and record yourself until you have a video that meets your expectations. Can’t bear recording yourself? Just say it out loud. To make it easier and ensure you sound like a human, create a list of the talking points you want to hit, rather than writing the full response as a script.