Common Interview Questions For Graduates

Did you just finish college and it is time to get to work out there in the professional world. Here are the common interview questions for graduates that you will come across.

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 minute to introduce yourself, and state your recent academic qualification and your relevant experience (if any)  

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.

3. What are your weaknesses?

The question is not as 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.

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)

5. How do friends describe you?

The question is testing your personal attributes when answering it ensures 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.

6. What do you know about this company?

Before you enter the interview room, ensure that you go through the company website to read the 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.

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.

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 these questions

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