Career performance reviews aren’t the only metrics you can manage towards your success. If you’re on the job search market, make sure your interview game is top notch.

Curious about how to give interesting interview responses that will make you stand out from the other candidates? Here are ideas on how to approach common interview questions without memorizing a script.  

Answer these interview questions better to stand out from other candidates.   

WHEN TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF 

Recruiters ask this question to get a better sense of the personality and style that the resume achievement describe. It’s time to talk about you – as a person vs just a candidate.  

Don’t just focus on your career and past employers. Show a bit of your human side. Share insights into what motivates you, why you work in this industry and what you’re passionate about in life.  

Example, I’m passionate about learning new things and taking on new challenges. I love working with people and helping to make a difference in their lives. Those are some of the things that motivate me and why I’ve chosen to pursue a career in human resources.’ 

When interviewers ask about you, be sure to share your personality. This will help the interviewer get to know you as a person, not just a candidate.  

WHEN TALKING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE 

This isn’t about confessing guilt or kicking a bruise. Everyone has projects and roles that don’t work out as planned. How you navigate and recovery from them is what recruiters are really looking to learn by asking these types of questions.  

  • When asked about a failure, you can talk about a time when you made a mistake and what you did to try to fix it.  
  • Say what you learned from the experience so that you don’t make the same mistake again.  
  • Highlight any future instances of that lesson or solution working. 

BONUS – Know what you bring to the table by understanding your skills and how they apply to the job.   

If you can spin a negative experience into a positive learning opportunity, you’ll make an impression on potential employers. The best way to answer this question is by giving an example of a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and how you coped with it. Talk about your strengths and weaknesses honestly, but don’t be too negative or boastful. Stay humble, and let the recruiter see the real you.  

WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE ROLE LOGISTICS 

When interviewing for a position, it’s important to be clear on the basic details of the role for everyone involved. This includes the company, the hiring manager, and you as the potential employee. Being clear on what is expected helps to avoid any misunderstandings down the road. It also shows that you’re serious about the job and are willing to put in the effort to make sure things run smoothly. 

  • SALARY EXPECTATIONS – When asked about your salary expectations, do your research on the average salary range for the role you are interviewing for. You don’t want to lowball yourself, but you also don’t want to ask for too much money. Come up with a number that is within the average range and be prepared to back it up with solid reasoning. For example, I’m looking for a position that pays in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. My research shows that this is in line with the average salary for this position. TIP: Expect a $5k – $10k swing.
     
  • COMPANY ENVIRONMENT – When asked about the company’s environment, do your research on the company and what they stand for. Be prepared to talk about why you like what they do and who they are as a company. For example, I really like that this company focuses on sustainability and giving back to the community. I think that’s important, and I’m excited to be a part of it. 
  • HONEST ABOUT WORKSTYLE – When asked about my work style, I explained that I’m a very hands-on person and like to be involved in all aspects of the project. I also mentioned that I’m comfortable working independently, but that I’m always willing to collaborate with my team when needed. I think that my work style will be a good fit for this company, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with the team on future projects.

When talking about the role logistics, it’s important to be clear on the basic details of the role for everyone involved. This includes the company, the hiring manager, and you as the potential employee.   When answering any and all questions: 

  • Be prepared. Make sure you know what the questions will be ahead of time, and have rehearsed some potential answers. 
  • Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not – the interviewer will see through it, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to sustain the act for long. 
  • Be positive. No one wants to hire a Negative Nancy, so stay upbeat and positive throughout the interview. 
  • Be interesting. Share some anecdotes or stories about your experiences, but make sure they’re relevant to the job you’re interviewing for. 
  • Be respectful. Always be respectful to your interviewer, even if you don’t agree with them. Remember, they could be the ones who decide whether or not you get the job!
  • The best way to approach an interview is to be yourself, positive, and interesting. Prepare for common questions in advance, but don’t memorize a script.

CONCLUSION

When interviewers ask about you, be sure to share your personality. This will help the interviewer get to know you as a person, not just a candidate. 

When talking about your experience, it’s important to be honest and highlight both the good and bad. Recruiters are interested in understanding how you navigate difficult situations and what you learned from them.  

Being clear on logistics to avoid any misunderstandings down the road. It also shows that you’re serious about the job and are willing to put in the effort to make sure things run smoothly.  

Follow these tips, you’re sure to make a great impression on your interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job. Good luck!