Answers to the smart questions interview

Tell me about yourself?

One of the most common questions in an interview is “Tell me about yourself.” It is not even a question – it is an invitation.
Your answer to this question is your opportunity to share with the interviewer whatever you think is important about you in their hiring decision.
More importantly, it is your chance to differentiate yourself from other candidates. In most cases, the standard questions offer the same opportunity.

What do you want?

Don’t interpret this as a philosophical question about your plans for family, retirement, or dinner. The reality is that a potential employer is looking to see if your career aspirations and professional work satisfaction are achievable within their framework. If you want to be a CEO within five years, that may not be a good match for them.
Focus on them: With that in mind, you will want to know if this job and their organization are a good fit for you. So, instead, share the qualifications, experience, and desires you have that fit this opportunity. Make it clear that this job has all the elements you’re looking for in a role (know what these are).

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Employers don’t necessarily care to hear that you expect to climb the corporate ladder and be supervisors.
If the job you’re interviewing for is not a supervisor, they probably are not concerned about your management skills. You can share how you have been a mentor to others and led projects with little to no supervision. That should indicate you have leadership potential.

Why should we hire you?

It would help if you shared how you meet almost all the criteria they seek and have two to three additional abilities that they might not know they need yet. They need to know you are a candidate who can meet their needs now and be valuable for where they want to go in the future.

Why do you want this job?

If the reason is about money, location, work schedule, benefits, and other factors not tied to the actual role, you may want to think a little more about your answer. None of those reasons are important to the hiring manager.

What is your greatest weakness?

When you give a real answer, you are genuine. You are admitting you have some growth opportunities and are not perfect. You can include that you already plan to overcome this weakness through training or practice (or have already started down this road).

What is your greatest strength?

You have many strengths, but pick the one they need help with the most. Is it your expertise in a particular skill or technology? Is it your ability to turn low-performing teams into high performers? Share something that makes them think they need to hire you right now.

What is your greatest achievement?

Consider this question an invitation to bragging about what you have achieved in your career that can benefit this new employer. By asking this question, the interviewers are inviting you to share an achievement/accomplishment which provides proof that you are the best candidate for this job

Why do you want to leave your current job?

Your current company or department may have become unstable. Hopefully, the interviewer’s company is very stable.
Your current employer may not be able to offer you any professional growth.

What are your salary expectations?

When you answer, provide a salary range rather than a specific number, and indicate that it is variable depending on the benefits they offer. Be sure you are comfortable with a salary at the bottom of this range.