There are some interview questions that you should always be prepared for like “Tell me about yourself” or “why do you want this job?” but today I wanted to share three interview questions you didn’t think to prepare for. These questions might be a little bit more unexpected, but your answers to them can show a great deal about you and how well you’ll fit in with the company.
What is your biggest personal achievement?
This questions is a great way to learn more about the candidate on a personal note. Studies show that company culture is more important than ever, and one study found that 84% of recruiters surveyed agree that cultural fit is one of the most important recruitment factors. Additionally, nine out of 10 have reported passing on applicants who didn’t feel aligned with their companies’ cultures.
Getting a better understanding of what is important to you personally can help employers gauge how you’ll fit into the company culture and how you’ll work with the other employees.
Think about sharing a goal you reached (maybe you met a persona fitness goal) or a side project you recently worked on.
How do you evaluate success?
Again, this question is a good indicator of your values. There isn’t a right answer to this question because it’s so personal. This will give employers a better understanding of what you want from a role. Additionally, this could help you down the road if you’re trying to negotiate a flexible schedule. If that is one of your goals, mention something about it when answering this questions.
For example, you could say something along the lines of “I see success as a product of multiple parts; working at a job that challenges and fulfils me, while also allowing me to take the time to be with the people I love. I want to be able to prioritize my work and my loved ones so I can create a lifestyle that allows me to put my very best into both worlds.”
Where do you see yourself in x years?
A lot of people get tripped up by this question and fall into the trap of saying “I’d love to grow with the company” even if that’s not true. Do not fall into that trap and say something that is disingenuous.
Instead, focus on the big picture and potentially think about what kind of impact you’d like to make in your industry. Would you like to improve client satisfaction? If you work with a product, would you like to help bring the product to a larger market? Answering in these terms allows you to talk about your goals, but also leave the company or parameters open so you don’t feel the need to say anything that’s untruthful.
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When it comes to interviews, preparing for them can be tough. It’s hard to say what exactly an interviewer will ask you, but these three interview questions you didn’t think to prepare for will help you get a better grasp on how to answer unexpected questions so you come in as prepared and confident as possible!