During job hunting interviews, various questions are asked depending on the company and industry, but there are actually ``royal questions’’ that are asked in common by many companies. These questions are important indicators of your personality, values, and logical thinking ability. In this article, we will explain the intentions of frequently asked questions in interviews and examples of answers that will leave a good impression (points on how to answer them).

1. “Please promote yourself”

This is a question that is almost always asked at the beginning of an interview.

• Purpose of the question: To find out what your strengths are and how they can be utilized in your company. We also look at whether you can summarize the main points and speak concisely (presentation skills).
• Answer Keys: “My strength is ____. I was able to make use of it through the experience of ~ when I was a student. When I join your company, I would like to make use of this ~ strength and contribute in ~.” Summarize it in about 1 minute (approximately 300 characters) in the order of Conclusion → Evidence (Anecdote) → How to use it at the company.

2. “What did you put the most effort into when you were a student?”

• Purpose of the question: To find out what motivates people, how they think when faced with challenges, and how they act to overcome them (reproducibility).
• Answer points: “Great achievements (such as winning a national tournament)” are not required. It is important to specifically talk about the process by which you thought and acted on your own, such as I took these measures to increase the sales of my part-time job,'' or I took these measures to increase the participation rate in my club.’’ (Let’s be aware of the STAR Act)

3. “Please tell us your motivation for applying to our company.”

• Purpose of the question: To gauge the company’s enthusiasm and seriousness about joining the company and why they chose our company rather than another company (competitor).
• Answer points: Merely saying I sympathize with your company's philosophy'' or I like the product’’ is not enough. Be persuasive by linking your career vision with the company’s characteristics, such as, ``My future goal (vision) is 〇〇, and your company’s strength (environment) is the most suitable for achieving it.''

4. “What are your weaknesses?”

• Purpose of the question: To find out whether you are able to objectively analyze yourself, and how you are facing your weaknesses and making efforts to overcome them (problem-solving ability).
• Answer points: “I have no weaknesses” can be interpreted as a lack of self-analysis. Also, fatal things such as being loose with time'' and lying’’ are not acceptable. ``My weakness is that I’m too anxious and it takes too long to prepare.‘‘However, I’m currently trying to prioritize, manage tasks, and work on them by dividing my time in advance.‘‘Acknowledge your weaknesses honestly and then come up with positive improvement measures (follow-up) in your answer.

5. “Do you have any final questions? (Reverse question)”

• Purpose of question: To confirm the level of aspiration to the company and the strength of curiosity.
• Answer points: Avoid asking things like “Nothing in particular” or things that you can easily find out (salary, holidays, etc.). Questions that show motivation, such as “Is there anything I should study before joining the company?” and “Please tell me about the most rewarding moment while working at your company,” and questions that ask about the interviewer’s personal experience leave a good impression.

Summary

An interview is not a place to read out a memorized manuscript, but a place for communication (dialogue) with the interviewer. Even if you receive an unexpected question, you will be most appreciated if you don’t panic, answer honestly and say, ``That’s what I mean,’’ and answer honestly. Prepare well and face the event with confidence!