Ace Your First Interview With These 9 Commonly Asked Questions

When you step into an interview, you have to be prepared for the questions you will be asked. Yes, the interviewers can throw you curveballs, but there are some fairly common questions that are asked in most interviews. What can set you apart and give you an edge over your competition is the ability to bring a strong point of view, personality and thoughtfulness to a run-off-the-mill question -- without being misleading or dishonest. And while there are no right or wrong answers, and no guidebook you can memorise things from, here are some guidelines to help you prepare for what is to likely to come.

1. 'Can you tell us a bit about yourself?'

They have your resume, yes. But they want to hear what you are all about from you. Maybe they want to see your confidence and your ability to 'sell' yourself. Maybe they want to gauge if you've fibbed on the resume. Either way, this is the most common question in interviews, and you need to be able to be coherent, articulate and confident while answering. Give them a brief summary of your life and qualifications, but do mention your other interests too - specially if you're very passionate about them.

2. 'What do you know about our company?'

Can't emphasise this enough. DO your research. You can't afford to walk into an interview absolutely clueless about the company and expect to get the job. Know when they launched, which milestones they've recently hit. Memorise the names of the senior management and what they're best known for. Also, have a point of view or a question about something they may have recently shared on LinkedIn.  

3. 'How did you hear about this position?'

You're still easing into the interview and this is just another way to get to know a little about how you ended up sitting across your interviewers. If someone in the company referred you, this is the time to mention it. Most interviewers want to hear that you applied to the company because you want to work for it, not as a back-up or because it was the only one that was hiring.

4. 'Why do you want this job?'

Now you're getting to the real stuff. Talk about why you would be a good fit, how your personal goals align with the position you've applied for and why you're excited about it. Don't just talk about your excitement for the company here, but more specifically about what work you'll be doing there.

5. 'What are the challenges you've faced while working in a group?'

A smart interviewer can learn a lot about your personality with this answer, so use it to make a good impression. Talk about a time -- either in college, while working on a group project, or better still, during an internship -- when you faced a challenge that you had to break down and solve, bit by bit. But do not exaggerate your own contribution. Tell them about how you sought your seniors' help and what you learned from the process. Remember, at the end of the day, it is your first job, so you don't want to sound like a pompous know-it-all. Show them that you're a team-player and give credit where it is due.

6. 'How do you handle work stress and problems?'

They need to know that you won't crumble under pressure and that you'll address any issues that are bothering you before it's too late. When they ask you this question, talk about how you de-stress at home and what extracurricular hobbies help you keep going when work gets tough.

7. 'What should we hire you?'

You've got to know how to pitch yourself here. Tell them everything you have to offer to them and how it will be beneficial for both parties concerned.

8. 'What is your expected salary?'

As a fresher, you are unlikely to have a lot of negotiating power and most companies have a fixed package for entry-level jobs in all departments. You might not be asked this question, but on the off-chance that you are, it's important that you know what industry standards are and get your employers to match or top that. Do not accept an offer far below the acceptable industry standard -- it will be the base salary on which you negotiate your next salary hike.

9. 'Would you like to ask us anything?'

Admit it - there are a million things running through your head. Don't feel shy and confidently ask them the things you want to know. They're definitely not going to mind - interviewers are usually impressed if you ask them relevant questions about the company and its work culture at the end of their interview.