Preparing for Modern Job Interview Questions

If you’ve been in the professional world for a while, you’re probably familiar with the usual interview questions like “What is your greatest weakness?” or “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss.” But as the job market evolves, so do the questions that recruiters ask.

Here are some of the newer or more refined questions you might encounter in interviews, and how you can prepare for them:

1. What’s your favorite part of your current position?

Prepare to discuss:

• What aspects of your current job you enjoy the most.
• How these aspects align with the role you're applying for.

2. What’s your least favorite part of your current position?

Prepare to discuss:

• Challenges or less enjoyable aspects of your job.
• How you handle or have managed these challenges.

3. How would your manager describe you?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your strengths and qualities from your manager’s perspective.
• Provide examples or feedback you've received.

4. What areas of improvement would your manager mention?

Prepare to discuss:

• Constructive feedback you've received.
• Steps you’ve taken to address these areas.

5. What happened at your last company? Were you laid off? Terminated?

Prepare to discuss:

• The context of your departure.
• Focus on the positive aspects and what you learned from the experience.

6. What are you looking for in your next role?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your career goals and what you seek in your next position.
• How this aligns with the role you're applying for.

7. Why do you think you’re a fit for this position?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your skills, experience, and how they match the job requirements.
• Highlight specific achievements and qualifications.

8. What projects/tasks are you looking to do more of in your next job and what are you looking to do less of?

Prepare to discuss:

• Projects and tasks that excite you.
• Areas you prefer to move away from.

9. What is it that excites you about XYZ Company? Why XYZ Company?

Prepare to discuss:

• Research on the company’s values, culture, and goals.
• How these align with your own career objectives and interests.

10. Please tell me more about your experience, mostly from your most recent/relevant company. I’d like to hear more about the projects you’ve worked on, technologies you’ve worked with, and any challenges that you helped the company overcome.

Prepare to discuss:

• Detailed examples of your work, technologies used, and challenges faced.
• Quantify your achievements where possible.

11. What drives and motivates you?

Prepare to discuss:

• What inspires you in your work.
• How your motivations align with the role and company.

12. Tell me about a time when you utilized your emotional intelligence.

Prepare to discuss:

• Examples of how you managed relationships and emotions in a professional setting.
• Situations where emotional intelligence led to positive outcomes.

13. What’s your current salary?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your current compensation and be ready to justify it if needed.
• Consider your salary expectations and market rates for the role.

14. Which other companies are you interviewing with, if any?

Prepare to discuss:

• Be honest but tactful about your job search.
• Highlight how the position you're interviewing for is a strong fit for you.

15. Can you share your references — four to six of your colleagues and managers along with their contact information? Can you get that to me by the weekend?

Prepare to discuss:

• Have a list of references ready.
• Ensure they are aware and prepared to provide a reference if contacted.

16. Are you willing to relocate?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your flexibility and willingness to move if required.
• Any conditions or preferences you may have regarding relocation.

17. Are you willing to travel? If so, how often?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your openness to travel.
• Any limits or preferences for travel frequency.

18. What is your time-frame?

Prepare to discuss:

• Your availability to start the new position.
• Any notice period or commitments with your current employer.

For more insights and preparation tips, you can visit Glassdoor to explore additional interview strategies.

Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments!