Introduction

Before diving into the specific questions, it's important to have a solid understanding of the purpose of pre interview questions. These are questions that are typically asked before the official interview begins, and they serve a few different purposes. First and foremost, pre interview questions are a way for the interviewer to get to know you and learn more about your background and experience. They can also help to break the ice and create a more relaxed atmosphere, which can be beneficial for both the interviewer and the interviewee. Finally, pre interview questions can provide valuable insight into your personality and how you think, which can be useful for the interviewer in determining whether you're a good fit for the role.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

This is perhaps the most common pre interview question, and it's one that you should be prepared to answer. This question is open-ended, which means you have a lot of flexibility in how you respond. That said, it's important to stay focused and avoid rambling. A good way to approach this question is to think about your background, education, and career goals, and how they align with the role you're applying for. You might also consider highlighting any relevant skills or experiences that make you stand out as a candidate.

Why do you want to work for this company?

The interviewer wants to know if you've done your homework and if you're genuinely interested in the company and the role. It's important to do some research before the interview so that you can speak intelligently about the company's values, mission, and products or services. You should also be able to explain how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the company and the role.

What are your strengths?

This is your chance to talk about your skills and accomplishments. Be sure to choose a few strengths that are relevant to the role you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a sales position, you might mention your ability to close deals or your excellent communication skills. It's also a good idea to provide specific examples to illustrate your strengths.

What are your weaknesses?

This is a tricky question, but it's important to be honest. It's okay to admit that you have weaknesses, as long as you also talk about what you're doing to improve in those areas. For example, you might say something like, "One of my weaknesses is that I can sometimes be too detail-oriented, which can slow me down. However, I'm working on becoming more efficient by using tools like Trello to manage my tasks and prioritize my workload."

How do you handle stress and pressure?

This question is designed to gauge your ability to handle difficult situations and maintain your composure under pressure. It's important to be honest and authentic in your response, but also to emphasize your ability to stay calm and focused when things get tough. You might talk about specific strategies you use to manage stress, such as taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, or seeking support from colleagues or mentors.

How do you handle conflict or disagreement with a colleague or supervisor?

Disagreements and conflicts are inevitable in any workplace, so it's important to have a plan for how to handle them. In your response, it's a good idea to emphasize your ability to communicate effectively and work through conflicts in a productive and professional manner. You might talk about specific strategies you use to resolve conflicts, such as seeking out a mediator or taking the time to listen to the other person's perspective.

How do you stay organized and manage your time?

Effective time management and organization are important skills in any role, and the interviewer wants to know how you prioritize your tasks and manage your workload. In your response, you might talk about specific tools or techniques you use to stay organized, such as using a planner or task management software. You might also mention any strategies you use to prioritize your tasks, such as setting goals or using the 80/20 rule.

Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge or obstacle and how you overcame it.

This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to change. In your response, you should describe a specific challenge or obstacle that you faced, and then explain the steps you took to overcome it. It's important to focus on the actions you took rather than the outcome, and to highlight any skills or qualities that helped you succeed.

What are your long-term career goals?

The interviewer wants to know if you're committed to growing with the company and if your career goals align with the role you're applying for. In your response, you should be specific and realistic about your career goals, and explain how the role you're applying for fits into your long-term plan. You might also talk about any steps you're taking to achieve your goals, such as taking additional courses or seeking out new opportunities for growth.

What are your salary expectations?

This is a sensitive subject, and it's important to handle it with care. It's a good idea to do some research before the interview to get a sense of the typical salary range for the role you're applying for. You might also consider any benefits or perks that are important to you, such as vacation time or health insurance. In your response, you should be honest about your salary expectations but also be open to negotiation. It's a good idea to emphasize your value as a candidate rather than focusing solely on the money.

Conclusion

Pre interview questions are an important part of the interview process, and they provide an opportunity for the interviewer to get to know you and learn more about your background and experience. By preparing and practicing your responses to these questions, you can increase your confidence and show the interviewer that you're a strong and capable candidate. Remember to stay focused and authentic in your responses, and don't be afraid to highlight your skills and accomplishments. Good luck!

How Can Hume Help

Hume is an innovative platform designed to help hiring teams streamline and improve their interview process. One of the key features of Hume is its ability to record, transcribe, and summarize interviews, which can be a huge time-saver for busy hiring teams. With Hume, you can easily access detailed summaries of each interview, as well as the full transcript, which can be useful for comparing candidates and making more informed hiring decisions.

Another way Hume can help is by providing training and feedback to interviewers. The platform includes a library of best practices and guidelines, as well as tools for analyzing and improving interview performance. This can be especially useful for organizations that are looking to standardize their interview process and ensure that all interviewers are following the same protocol.

Overall, Hume is a powerful tool that can help hiring teams save time, make more objective decisions, and improve the interview process for both candidates and interviewers.

In addition to helping hiring teams, Hume can also be a valuable resource for candidates preparing for an interview. By accessing the transcripts and summaries of past interviews, you can get a better sense of the types of questions that may be asked and the types of responses that have been successful. This can give you a leg up in your own interview preparation and help you feel more confident and prepared on the day of the interview.

Additionally, Hume's training and feedback tools can be useful for candidates looking to improve their interview performance. By reviewing your own transcripts and getting feedback from experienced interviewers, you can identify areas for improvement and develop strategies for answering questions more effectively.

Overall, Hume is a great resource for candidates looking to prepare for an interview and increase their chances of success. So, it can be a good idea to use Hume to practice and prepare for your upcoming interviews.