Common Interview questions asked in Nigeria
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1. Tell me about yourself?
This should be about the simplest question there is to answer because all they really want you to say is a summary of what you have on your CV. Select key work and education information that shows your prowess in certain fields and of course, is related to the job.
2. Can you tell us about your weakness?
This is a question most people answer improperly. The best way to answer this question is to tell the interviewer about an activity or skill you have a problem with and how you are taking the necessary measures to combat this weakness. For example, you can say – “I have had trouble in the past with time management, however, I have employed the use of an application that runs on my phone and helps keep me in check”.
3. Why should we hire you?
When answering this, your principal focus should be on the company and not yourself. They need to know that you can meet almost all their needs as well as the required output they seek. This is also the best time to chip in two to three additional abilities that distinguishes you from others. They need to know you are a candidate who can meet their needs.
4. What do you know about our company?
Before going for the interview, you should do your homework on the basics. Who is the current MD/CEO, the key officers, location of the head office, what the company is into and the kinds of services they render should be at your fingertips.
5. What are your salary requirements?
The best way to answer this question is to use sites that have salaries of most companies on their database. Come up with a range and pick the highest number based on your experience, education, and skills. Flexibility is key. Make them know you’re willing to negotiate.
6. Why Do You Want To Work Here?
Again, your primary focus should be on the company. Make them understand that you have carried out some research on the company and its the best place for you to fit in because of how they(mention the company’s strong points you gathered along the course of your research). Make them understand that you and the company are a great match.
7. How are you when you’re working under pressure?
Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working under pressure. If you say you crumble like a pack of cards, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.
8. What’s your greatest strength?
This is your chance to shine. You’re being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don’t hold back and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone under the table or beat your opponent in a game of FIFA11, keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.
9. What do you like to do outside of work?
Interviewers ask personal questions in an interview to “see if candidates will fit in with the culture [and] give them the opportunity to open up and display their personality, too,” says longtime hiring manager Mitch Fortner. “In other words, if someone asks about your hobbies outside of work, it’s totally OK to open up and share what really makes you tick. (Do keep it semi-professional, though: Saying you like to have a few beers at the local hot spot on Saturday night is fine. Telling them that Monday is usually a rough day for you because you’re always hungover is not.)”
10. What do you think we could do better or differently?
Hiring managers want to know that you not only have some background on the company, but that you’re able to think critically about it and come to the table with new ideas. So, come with new ideas! What new features would you love to see? How could the company increase conversions? How could customer service be improved? You don’t need to have the company’s four-year strategy figured out, but do share your thoughts, and more importantly, show how your interests and expertise would lend themselves to the job.
11. What is your long-range objective?
Make my job easy for me. Make me want to hire you. The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”
12. Finally, do you have any questions to ask me?
I’ll finish the way I started, with one of the most common questions asked in interviews. This directly relates to the research you’ve done on the company and also gives you a chance to show how eager and prepared you are. You’ll probably want to ask about benefits if they haven’t been covered already. A good generic one is “how soon could I start, if I were offered the job of course.” You may also ask what you’d be working on. Specifically, in the role you’re applying for and how that affects the rest of the company. Always have questions ready, greeting this one with a blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview.
1. Tell me about yourself?
This should be about the simplest question there is to answer because all they really want you to say is a summary of what you have on your CV. Select key work and education information that shows your prowess in certain fields and of course, is related to the job.
2. Can you tell us about your weakness?
This is a question most people answer improperly. The best way to answer this question is to tell the interviewer about an activity or skill you have a problem with and how you are taking the necessary measures to combat this weakness. For example, you can say – “I have had trouble in the past with time management, however, I have employed the use of an application that runs on my phone and helps keep me in check”.
3. Why should we hire you?
When answering this, your principal focus should be on the company and not yourself. They need to know that you can meet almost all their needs as well as the required output they seek. This is also the best time to chip in two to three additional abilities that distinguishes you from others. They need to know you are a candidate who can meet their needs.
4. What do you know about our company?
Before going for the interview, you should do your homework on the basics. Who is the current MD/CEO, the key officers, location of the head office, what the company is into and the kinds of services they render should be at your fingertips.
5. What are your salary requirements?
The best way to answer this question is to use sites that have salaries of most companies on their database. Come up with a range and pick the highest number based on your experience, education, and skills. Flexibility is key. Make them know you’re willing to negotiate.
6. Why Do You Want To Work Here?
Again, your primary focus should be on the company. Make them understand that you have carried out some research on the company and its the best place for you to fit in because of how they(mention the company’s strong points you gathered along the course of your research). Make them understand that you and the company are a great match.
7. How are you when you’re working under pressure?
Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working under pressure. If you say you crumble like a pack of cards, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.
8. What’s your greatest strength?
This is your chance to shine. You’re being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don’t hold back and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone under the table or beat your opponent in a game of FIFA11, keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.
9. What do you like to do outside of work?
Interviewers ask personal questions in an interview to “see if candidates will fit in with the culture [and] give them the opportunity to open up and display their personality, too,” says longtime hiring manager Mitch Fortner. “In other words, if someone asks about your hobbies outside of work, it’s totally OK to open up and share what really makes you tick. (Do keep it semi-professional, though: Saying you like to have a few beers at the local hot spot on Saturday night is fine. Telling them that Monday is usually a rough day for you because you’re always hungover is not.)”
10. What do you think we could do better or differently?
Hiring managers want to know that you not only have some background on the company, but that you’re able to think critically about it and come to the table with new ideas. So, come with new ideas! What new features would you love to see? How could the company increase conversions? How could customer service be improved? You don’t need to have the company’s four-year strategy figured out, but do share your thoughts, and more importantly, show how your interests and expertise would lend themselves to the job.
11. What is your long-range objective?
Make my job easy for me. Make me want to hire you. The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
For example: “Within five years, I would like to become the very best accountant your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. For example, here is what I’m presently doing to prepare myself . . .”
12. Finally, do you have any questions to ask me?
I’ll finish the way I started, with one of the most common questions asked in interviews. This directly relates to the research you’ve done on the company and also gives you a chance to show how eager and prepared you are. You’ll probably want to ask about benefits if they haven’t been covered already. A good generic one is “how soon could I start, if I were offered the job of course.” You may also ask what you’d be working on. Specifically, in the role you’re applying for and how that affects the rest of the company. Always have questions ready, greeting this one with a blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview.
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