Since the pandemic, millions of Americans have quit their jobs. As a result, there are more openings than ever with employers struggling to fill them. That’s good news if you’re searching for a new job in or around the Spokane area. However, you still need to make as strong impression during the interview to get hired. To help you prepare, here are a few job interview questions you can expect to get asked:
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is a hard question to answer only because it’s so expansive. What does the hiring manager want to know, exactly? Instead of getting tongue tied, use the past-present-future formula. Explain a little about your past career history, what you’re doing now, and where you want to go with your career in the future. Don’t talk about any personal or family details; stick to information about your career.
2. How did you hear about the job?
This is often an ice-breaker type question and helps the hiring manager understand what’s working in their recruiting strategy. So just be open about where you saw the posting. If someone in your network shared it with you, then tell the hiring manager their name. Don’t assume they know you were referred. Explain how you know the individual and why they thought you’d be a fit.
3. How do you deal with stress at work?
Hiring managers want to hire candidates who can handle pressure and won’t have a meltdown when problems come their way. When answering this question, make sure you tell a story or give an example of a time when you handled a difficult situation well, whether it was a tricky customer, a last-minute obstacle during a critical project, or with trying to implement a new process at work.
4. Do you work best independently or as part of a team?
Every job will have a mix of both; however, if you don’t like collaborating a lot and prefer to work alone, then you’re not going to be happy in a position that requires a lot of meetings and brainstorming sessions. So you can say something like, “I really enjoy being able to focus alone to get work done in a quiet space. That’s probably when I do my best work. However, I am also comfortable when the job calls for collaborating with teammates to brainstorm ideas.”
5. How do you stay organized when you’re balancing a lot of tasks?
This is another question where providing an example works best. Talk about time when you had a lot to get done and what systems and organizational methods you used to remain on top of all the details. Whether it’s your own unique workflow or an app, calendar or software system, be detailed in explaining how you meet deadlines and deliver on expectations.
6. What do you do to gain new skills or expand your knowledge?
Companies want those who are always learning and growing, even if it’s simply in your own personal life. Perhaps you started volunteering somewhere or began a new hobby, like playing a musical instrument, that inspires you. Talk about this, even if it’s not necessarily related to the job at hand.
Do you need help finding your next job or preparing for interviews?
The team at Provisional is here for you. We work with a variety of employers in Spokane and across the Northwest and can connect you with your next great role. Search our jobs now to begin.