Stepping into the professional realm as a graduate can be both exhilarating and challenging. As you embark on your job search journey, being well-prepared for interviews is paramount.
Employers often seek not only academic achievements but also the ability to navigate real-world scenarios. In this guide, we explore eight common interview questions tailored for graduates.
From probing your problem-solving skills to evaluating your teamwork and adaptability, these questions aim to uncover the traits that make you a valuable asset to prospective employers.
Sharpen your responses and boost your confidence as we delve into the essential queries that can shape your career path.
8 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR GRADUATES
1. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF ?
The interviewer is not interested in hearing stories; they simply expect to know your academic and professional achievements, your name and the institution you currently work for. Take a minutes to introduce yourself, and state your recent academic qualification and your relevant experience (if any).
”My name is [Your Name] and I am a recent graduate of [University Name] with a Bachelors of Science in [Degree]. I am a highly motivated and adaptable individual with a passion for learning and growth. I thrive in fast-paced environments and constantly look for ways to improve and take on new challenges.
In my previous role as a [Position Name] at [Company Name], I was responsible for [List of Responsibilities]. I have a proven track record of success in [List of Accomplishments].
I am excited to learn more about the [Position Name] position at [Company Name] and believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team.”
2. WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE THE BEST CANDIDATE?
The recruiter expects you to tell them about your professional achievements and the unique skills you possess that will add value to the organization. If you are a Customer Care graduate then you should tell them that you are a good listener and patient; these are the qualities the employer is looking for.
“I believe I am the best candidate for this customer care role because of my skills and experience, as well as my passion for helping others. I have a strong academic background in customer care, and I have also gained valuable experience through my internships and volunteer work. I am a good listener and I am patient, which are essential qualities for a customer care representative. I am also a team player and I am always willing to go the extra mile to help my colleagues and customers.
In addition to my customer care skills, I am also a highly motivated and adaptable individual. I am always willing to learn new things and I am always looking for ways to improve. I am also a quick learner and I am able to grasp new concepts quickly.
I am confident that I have the skills and experience necessary to be successful in this role, and I am eager to learn more about your company and how I can contribute to your team. I am also passionate about helping others, and I believe that my customer care skills would be a valuable asset to your company.”
3. WHAT AREAYOU YOUR WEAKNESSES?
The question is not simple as it looks; most candidates go blank when they face this kind of question. Take your time in explaining why you can’t leave the office before you complete a task. You can also inform them how you are quick to trust a person, which in most cases makes you a victim.
For example, if you are interviewing for a customer care role, you might say that your weakness is that you are a perfectionist, and that you sometimes have trouble letting go of tasks until you are absolutely sure that they are perfect. You could then explain that you are working on this by setting deadlines for yourself and by delegating tasks to others when necessary.
Here are some other examples of weaknesses that you could mention in an interview:
Procrastination: “I sometimes procrastinate on tasks that I don’t enjoy, but I am working on this by setting deadlines for myself and by breaking down large tasks into smaller ones.”
Delegation: “I have difficulty delegating tasks to others, but I am working on this by learning to trust my colleagues and by giving them clear instructions.”
Communication: “I sometimes have difficulty communicating my ideas clearly, but I am working on this by practicing my communication skills with friends and family members.”
Organization: “I can be disorganized sometimes, but I am working on this by using to-do lists and by setting up systems to help me keep track of my work.”
Public speaking: “I get nervous when I have to speak in public, but I am working on this by taking public speaking classes and by practicing giving presentations to friends and family members.”
No matter what weakness you choose to mention, be sure to explain how you are working to improve it. This shows the interviewer that you are self-aware and that you are committed to personal growth.
4. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?
The employer wants to know whether you are ambitious or you’re the kind of a person who secures a job and then you forget about yourself. Answer the question by stating how you intend to further your studies and grow professionally as you strive to meet your employer’s goals.
(It is important to tie your goals to your employer’s goals because no employer would be willing to hire and invest in a rookie who will leave their organization in a year or less after they have invested in training the individual).
“In five years, I see myself working as a customer care manager, leading a team of customer care representatives and helping to ensure that our customers have the best possible experience. I am also interested in developing my training skills and becoming a mentor to new customer care representatives.
I believe that my skills and experience in customer care, as well as my passion for helping others, make me a good fit for this role. I am also a quick learner and I am eager to take on new challenges. I am confident that I can achieve my goals and become a valuable asset to your team.”
5. HOW DO FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU?
The question is testing your personal attributes, when answering it ensure that you don’t over exaggerate. Take the shortest time possible to state the best attribute you possess that you believe will add value to the institution.
My friends would describe me as a good listener and a caring person. I am always willing to help others, and I am always there for them when they need me. I am also a good communicator, and I am able to connect with people easily.
6. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS COMPANY?
Before you enter the interview room, ensure that you go through the company website to read latest news, company profile, goals, management team, objectives, vision and mission; they will help you answer this question.
(where the company is unknown, do your research and be familiar with the business/industry you desire to build your career).
The question expects you to briefly describe what you read on their website and not what you imagine of the company.
Here is an example of how to answer the question “What do you know about our company?” for a customer care role at Google:
“I know that Google is a multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products. It is one of the world’s most valuable companies, and it is known for its innovative products and services, such as the Google Search engine, the Android operating system, and the Google Cloud Platform.
I am also familiar with Google’s mission statement, which is to ‘organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.’ I believe that this mission statement is very important, and I am excited to learn more about how Google is working to achieve it.
I am particularly interested in working for Google because I am passionate about customer service. I believe that Google is a company that values its customers, and I am committed to providing them with the best possible experience.”
7. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION TO ASK THE PANEL?
This is usually the last question that the interview panel asks interviewees; if you fail to ask them questions, you will lose some marks, always have a question to ask no matter what. Ask them whether they have plans to expand their business, whether they support employees to further their studies and how they motivate employees. You can pull a surprise by asking when you would start, it shows confidence.
Here are some questions you can ask the interviewer at the end of your interview:
– What are the biggest challenges facing your team right now?
– What opportunities are there for professional development and growth in this role?
– What is the company culture like?
– What are your expectations for the first 90 days in this role?
– What are the next steps in the hiring process?
You can also ask more specific questions about the company’s plans, products, or services. For example, you could ask:
– Do you have any plans to expand your business into new markets?
– Are there any new products or services in the pipeline?
– How do you measure success in this role?
Here is an example of how to ask the question “When would I start?” in a confident way:
“I am very excited about the opportunity to work at your company, and I am eager to learn more about the role. When would I start if I were offered the position?”
8. WHAT IS YOUR SALARY EXPECTATION?
The question is tricky because as a fresh graduate you don’t have a clue what to be paid; simply ask them what they pay others of your level, if they fail to give a satisfactory answer then give them a reasonable range. Ensure you do your research before you go for interview room because you must be asked this question.
“I have researched salaries for similar positions in the area, and I have found that the average salary range is between Ksh. 30,000 and Ksh 40,000 per month. I am flexible on my salary expectations, but I would like to be compensated fairly for my skills and experience.”