Looking for mock interview questions and answers to help you prepare for that upcoming interview?
You’ve come to the right place.
Yes, interviews can be intimidating. It puts a lot of pressure on you because there is a lot at stake and you get only one chance at it.
But the good news here is that you can always prepare yourself for it and it really is not that complicated.
Your level of preparedness can very well determine the outcome of your interview.
While some of the recruiters may ask you unusual interview questions, most of the recruiters stick to basic interview questions which are about you or the position.
This blog will elaborate on the following FAQs about mock interview questions and answers:
- What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- What are the best interview questions to ask?
- What are the mock interview questions and answers for freshers?
- How to answer interview questions?
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 10 most common mock interview questions and answers.
- Why do you want to work for us?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- What motivates you?
- How would you deal with an angry client/customer?
- Why are you looking for a new job?
- Why was there a gap in your employment?
- Do you have any questions for us?
- How do you lead your team?
- What are the areas where you think you need to improve?
- What are your hobbies?
Why do you want to work for us?
Intending to put your best foot forward during an interview requires you to do quite a bit of research on the company you are aiming to work for.
Especially when it comes to explaining your reasons for wanting to work for that particular company.
Your choice could’ve been based on financial reasons but your answer shouldn’t be limited to that alone.
Read about the company’s work culture, values, and vision so that you can talk about what you like and respect about the same.
Talk about how you can see yourself grow by becoming a part of a company that is making such a difference in the industry and so on.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This is a classic interview question that tells the recruiter about your goals and vision.
This question also checks the candidate’s dedication and seriousness about their professional career.
You see, a man with a plan and a vision is more likely to succeed than a man without any goals.
Frame your answer in a way that tells the interviewer about your vision and how your actions align with your goals.
Sample answer: “I would like to be a CPA and work my way up to a controller position within the next 5 years. I plan to take the CPA exam in the next year and will continue to learn accounting software and business processes so I can be an asset to any company I work for.”
This is a very straightforward question that varies based on individual perspectives.
However, don’t make your answer just about financial stability. Your answer needs to have more depth than that because when things get tough, money can’t be the only thing that pushes you.
Sample Answer: I'm motivated by my desire to always evolve and grow. I don’t like to be stagnant and I wish to be a part of something bigger than myself.
How would you deal with an angry client/customer?
This is a common question asked by recruiters if the position you are interviewing for relates to customer service or client management.
Employers want to know if you are capable enough to meet the challenges that come with the position.
This question allows them to know how you handle conflicts and if you can remain calm under pressure.
You can see more sample interview questions and answers for customer service representative here.
Why are you looking for a new job?
Your reasons for leaving your previous job can be because of less pay, an unhealthy work environment, or maybe you just couldn’t deal with the management style.
When you give your reasons for looking for a new job, it’s best to give a diplomatic answer rather than an honest one because you can’t sit in an interview and narrate your personal reasons.
However, it’s best to let the recruiters know if you were fired from your previous job and talk about what you have learned from the experience and how you’ve grown.
Don’t forget to link back your answer to the company and include your reasons for choosing them.
Sample Answer: "After I worked my way up to the senior product manager position in the previous company I worked with, I felt that I need some more challenges and growth in my job. And this position in your company felt like the perfect opportunity for me because it would allow me to manage multiple projects and work with a diverse team."
Why was there a gap in your employment?
If your resume shows a gap in your career, the interviewers would likely want to know your reasons.
Employment gaps in your career can be due to voluntary or situational reasons.
Maybe you took a year off from work to focus on your studies and training which accounts for voluntary reasons.
Or maybe the situation was such that you had to prioritize other things like family issues and so on.
Whatever your reason may be, frame your answer in a way that again, connects back to the company.
Sample Answer: “I had to take a year off from my career because I wanted to be home with my son and look after him. He has now started with his school and I’m super excited to start working again, especially for your company because of the flexible schedules that you provide in your company.”
Do you have any questions for us?
At the end of the interview, most interviewers will ask this question to see if you are eager to join the company and to see if you really see yourself working with them.
Asking good questions is quite important because it shows your interest in the company.
Here are some mock interview questions that you can ask the interviewer:
- What is the strength of the team?
- How is the work-life balance?
- What will my typical day at work look like?
- Who will I be primarily reporting to?
- Do you have a fixed performance review schedule for the employees?
- What type of management style do you follow?
- On what factors will my work be assessed?
- Do you offer any incentives to the employees?
- Are there ample amount of growth opportunities for the employees?
- Do you offer flexible working schedules and remote working opportunities?
- What is the best thing about working at your company?
Recruiters ask this question to assess if the candidate has a solid understanding on what it takes to be a good leader.
You must answer this question by talking your experiences in successfully leading teams and you need to show your willingness to adjust your leadership style as and when needed.
Sample Answer: "I like to think of myself as a coach. I want my employees to feel like they can come to me with any questions or concerns. I also believe that it's important to set an example for my team by being the first person in the office and the last person to leave."
What are the areas where you think you need to improve?
This question is a great way for interviewers to see if the candidate is self-aware and open to feedback.
Thus, you must honest and answer accordingly.
Sample Answer: "I think I could improve my ability to delegate tasks. I tend to take on too much myself, which can be overwhelming at times. I'm working on breaking down my work into smaller chunks so I can delegate more effectively."
To see how well a candidate can communicate outside of their professional life, recruiters ask this question during interviews.
Your answer must showcase your personality and give them an insight into who you are as an individual.
Sample Answer: "I like to go running in the mornings, and I'm a big fan of the New York Yankees. I also like to read books on history and politics, and I'm a member of the local library."
Mock Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers
Interview questions for freshers are mostly the same as for candidates with experience, except for questions relating to previous jobs and companies.
If you are a fresher, it’s best to focus on your academic achievements and internship experiences, if you have any.
Possessing extra certifications and training is always a bonus if you are just starting your career.
In case you don’t have that, you can always talk about a voluntary project that you were a part of or any extracurricular activities that you’ve participated in.
When introducing yourself to the interviewers, make sure to highlight the skills that you have accumulated from those experiences.
Some of the most common mock interview questions and answers for freshers are as follows:
Tell me about yourself
Sample answer: “I am a Science major graduate with internship experience in Data Science. I’m passionate about making my career in this field and I'm looking forward to learning more and growing with this position at your company.”
What are your strength and weaknesses?
Sample answer: “I think my greatest strength and weakness is that I’m very detail-orientated. I take my time while performing tasks because I like to ensure that every small detail is taken care of. I aim to complete my work efficiently.”
What makes you different from other candidates?
Sample answer: “I’m a great fit for this position because of my analytical skills. I am confident that I can help your company grow because I am familiar with the type of work you do here.”
The Best Way to Frame Interview Answers
When preparing for an interview, always try to see things from the recruiter’s perspective.
Before you answer interview questions, ask yourself what would you want to hear if you were the interviewer.
And of course, answering interview questions in this manner needs practice and preparation before the interview.
That’s why you must always go through mock interview questions and answers and practice it with your family members or friends.
This will boost your confidence and help you answer every question with the right understanding.
However, this doesn't mean that you need to mug up your interview answers.
Simply work on your presence of mind and be crafty with your answers.
Frame your answers in a way that tells the interviewer about your situation, task, action and the result. (Also known as the STAR method)
When talking about your achievements and results, use a set number or percentage. Doing so will leave a stronger impression on the interviewers.
And try to link your answers back to the company.
For instance, when framing why should we hire you answers, you don't need to go into details about your education, work experiences, and all that jazz that you've already told them during the interview.
The answer to this question should highlight your background and must be focused on the needs of the company.
Your answer should revolve around the requirements listed in their job listing and must portray how you can meet these requirements if they hire you.
Similarly, when answering interview questions, ensure to always keep the company in the loop.
Hiration Interview Prep
To help you find the best mock interview questions and answers that are profile-specific, all in one place, Hiration offers a comprehensive interview prep that will help you excel in any interview.
You can get a proper understanding of what the interviewers are trying to assess with their questions with Hiration’s in-depth breakdown of the questions with sample answers.
Ace that interview with Hiration Prep!
Key Points from the Blog
- Research the company before you go for the interview
- Make your answers professional and to the point
- Link back to the company whenever possible
- Do not base your answers on financial reasons or talk about personal conflicts or bad mouth your previous employer during an interview
- Be honest if you were laid off or fired from your previous job
- Highlight your skills and achievements in your answers
- Use numbers to talk about your achievements
- Practice mock interview questions and answers with your friends or family
- Think from the interviewer’s point of view while answering the interview questions
- Ask the right questions to the interviewer when they ask you if you have any questions for them
- If you are a fresher, focus on your academic achievements, certifications, and voluntary work
Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at support@hiration.com and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.
