Congratulations. You made it to the interview and passed the hardest hurdle of your job-hunt.

Now the real work starts, because job interviews are never easy. But if you prepare ahead of time, you'll feel (and be) much more confident.

Here are the 7 most important interview questions you're likely to be asked in a job interview, and how to answer them. Make sure to download the free Cheatsheet with all questions and a guide so you avoid the traps

But before, I want to share with you why getting to the interview stage is so huge...

Why the interview can be THE opener for a top job

While every step in your job-hunt is important, especially prepare for the interview. The hiring manager will only invite you if they believe you can be the right candidate for the position. So take a moment to pad yourself on the back as getting your dream-job just became a real a possibility.

Unfortunately, there are countless ways (proven by psychology) how you can shine in the interview (and later case study) and thus many candidates struggle a lot with their interviews. In fact, during the last 10 years I saw so many professionals fail their interview  (even the ones with most impressive backgrounds) just because they got the basics wrong.

Luckily you can easily avoid these traps as most interviews will follow a similar structure: A few questions that are asked in nearly all job interviews.

Getting these questions right can really make the difference how you can get you your dream-job.

Remember: Most candidates use a random approach in preparing for the interview. But if you spend a few hours in preparing for these most 7 important interview questions you can put yourself far ahead of the competition.

So I created this cheat sheet with the 7 most important questions so you get the upper hand in your interview. Let me know your questions or feedback in the comments.  

The Essential Questions

I call them the essentials as for sure the hiring manager will ask them in some or the other form. 

From all the interview questions, make sure you really prepare for them as they will make or break your interview. Or in other words: If the hiring manager sees you struggle with these starter questions you likely won’t even make it to the next questions.

When I ask this question it is to open the conversation. 

Also it invites you to talk about yourself and so are comfortable in the interview.

You for sure know this question

It can feel quite stupid to answer it as no one is really 100% honest.  Yet it does not help here to underplay your strengths and for sure it will harm you if you can not name any weaknesses:

This question is especially important, if you apply to top jobs or position with a career track.

The hiring manager wants to make sure that it is worth investing into you and that you will not leave for the next better position.

The Tricky Questions

The hiring manager normally asks these questions once you are more settled in the interview.

Now they want to see if you have what it takes and if you really stack up to the competition.  So if you get these questions congratulations it probably means that you are doing well!
However, these questions are a bit tricky as they will require you to do the pre-work. A generic answer won´t make it.

But you can truly shine if you prepare well. In fact, acing these questions can be THE booster if you just have an average profile.

Although it seems harmless, it is one of the classic questions many candidates get wrong!

Surprisingly many candidates never prepare for this question. 

They somehow focus only at the position, company and job but overlook the bigger picture. But for more advanced, senior or competitive positions your boss wants to make sure you understand the trends that impact your industry. In the end they will pay YOU to come up with a solution in your expertise in your field.

Also with ever-increasing change they want to know if you can adapt fast to new innovations/ challenges/ market trends.

The Underestimated Questions

These questions normally come at the end. They seem very easy BUT be careful. Once you answered the tricky questions well YOU MUST stay focused and professional to answer them. I saw several candidates that had a great interview but then messed it all up because the underestimated the last questions. 

We then reconsider them as a candidate or they lost $$ of their salary in the later negotiation.

Some sneaky HR person may ask you this in the first half of your interview. 

They often do this to see how you react under stress. 

YES. You always have questions.

Asking the right questions at the end will not only show you know their company well but can also give you a last chance to show your future boss you are an expert in you industry.

If anything your future boss will remember these smart questions when they make their decission and thus it can turn a mediocre impression into a great one.

In fact I was once interviewing for a Chief Human Resource Officer position at a global Consultancy.

While I did not get the job, years later the managing partner invited me to propose a 10k workshop because of "he remembered the very interesting discussion we had at the end of our interview".

Conclusion: Acing the 7 most important interview questions can be The Way to get a top job if you have a ´normal profile´

I hope you see that it is pretty simple to prepare well for you interview. 

Yet the interview is not easy as you must make sure you prepare your responses in a way that shows the hiring manager:

 “Yes I want this candidate, maybe they don’t have the best credentials but they really know what it takes to work here, understand out industry and from the previous work it will be easy to give them work they will do well from day one”

Let me know me answer you questions or help you with custom advise in the comments!