Top video interview questions/answers
It is common to feel pressured when it’s about cracking a video interview without knowing the video interview questions to get that ideal job. But it’s not that difficult if you know how and where to hit the hammer. You look for resources and tips from all possible sources. It’s an art to turn every video interview in your favor. In this blog, we will cover some video interview questions. It will help you understand the ideal way to answer similar questions that are not covered in this discussion.
With that understanding in mind, let’s get started.
Here is the list of the Most Common Video Interview Questions
1. Tell me something about yourself
This is often one of the first questions recruiters may ask you to start up the conversation. Recruiters are not interested in your life story or something you did in childhood. Instead, they are looking for a good pitch.
How to Answer
Try to present yourself as an ideal candidate for the job by remaining friendly and professional. Introduce yourself briefly by giving your name, last job position, and previous company’s name. Recruiters are looking to get to know you, so make your interview memorable by briefly listing some personal interests or hobbies. If you can connect them to your professional development, that is even better.
Example:
I love interacting with people and their culture. It gives me immense pleasure to know what exactly people want and offer them a suggestion to take them by surprise.
2. How did you hear about this position?
Employers usually ask this question to find out whether you have an internal connection within their organization. Knowing someone inside the organization may give you a competitive edge as employers might ask those employees about your qualities and personal experience. If you sought out the job of your own accord, just say how you did so, and, if applicable, mention why the job stood out to you.
How to answer:
1. I heard about this job position from (your friend’s name and position in the company). They think I have the proper knowledge and personality to fit into the team. When looking at the job requirements, I felt I was the right person for it. Besides, this job comes with an extensive learning curve that I have always wanted.
2. I came across this post on an online job-seeking platform. I was looking for the position ‘x’ and found your company right away. While all posts looked almost the same, your posting stood out from the rest.
3. I have been following your website’s career page for a while now. When I finally saw an opening in my field, I applied for it right away. I have been following your company because I have read some great employee reviews on ‘glassdoor’ or any relevant website.
4. I have been working with ‘the recruiter’s name, to find a suitable job for me. They connected me with your hiring manager as they think I would be the right fit for it.
Example:
I heard about this job position from (your friend’s name and position in the company). They think I have the proper knowledge and personality to fit into the team. When looking at the job requirements, I felt I was the right person for it. Besides, this job comes with an extensive learning curve that I have always wanted.
3. Why do you want to work here?
A company looks for a candidate who strongly believes in their core values and missions and can positively impact their clients or customers. Your answer should revolve around the company’s success, work culture, and future.
- Tell them the knowledge or experiences you bring to the table.
- Tell them about some of your notable involvements in your past job.
- Tell them how you can contribute to their company’s work culture.
Example:
I had the experience of organizing international seminars. I was part of my company’s organization team to conduct international seminars for the product launch.
What not to say:
- Don’t tell them you chose them for a better pay scale and benefits
- Don’t tell them that their company is your stepping stone to success
Example:
- I want to leave my current company because the pay scale is not as good as yours.
- I want to join your company because this could be a big break in my career.
4. Why did you decide to apply for this position?
Employers ask this question to see whether you have researched their company and the job you have applied for. They are not likely to hire an employee who settles with just any job. They need an employee with well-thought-out career goals and job preferences.
How to answer:
Take your time to research their company and answer them by saying a specific part/s you like in their job requirements. It shows you are targeting particular needs in your job search, which means you might work hard and put more effort into learning. Finally, tell them how you can help them with your experience.
Example:
I want to become a part of your esteemed organization because I see you have been actively involved in ______ fields, which have always been my area of interest for excelling in _________ career.
5. What is your greatest strength?
Make a list of your skills and put them in three categories.
Knowledge-based skills are acquired through experience and education such as degrees, training, computer skills, etc.
Personality-based skills are your unique qualities such as being punctual, a team player, dependable, etc.
Transferable skills are the traits you bring from one job to another, such as planning, analytical problem-solving, communication, etc.
Example:
My greatest strength is my ability to stay focused on work. It helps me finish critical tasks under the deadline. It is very hard to get distracted, which allows me to deliver strong job performance.
6. What are your weaknesses?
Recruiters ask this question to know how you handle uncertainty in your job. Explain your weaknesses in a way that helps you get the job rather than lose it.
How to answer:
Don’t say you have no weakness, or the recruiter will think you are someone with no self-awareness or overconfidence.
Avoid statements like, “I am over-focused or obsessed over perfection.” It’s a trick that everyone has tried, and recruiters know that.
Instead, what you can do is tell them a weakness (avoid words like failure, incapable, etc.) and explain the steps you are taking to better yourself.
Example:
Although I always deliver before deadlines, I used to procrastinate on my work. As a result, I would end up working extremely long hours towards the last minute. As it started affecting my health, I started taking project management and time management, classes. I learned how to organize my projects into smaller and more manageable chunks. Now onwards, I put together a plan whenever I get a new assignment.
7. What are your salary expectations?
Hiring managers may ask this question for a few reasons to check:
- Whether you are overqualified for the job
- Whether your requirements line up with the company budget
- Whether you know your value
How to answer:
- Research about the ongoing salary in the market
- Factor in your expenses such as traveling, rent, utilities, savings, etc.
- Open to compensation such as health benefits, additional vacation days, bonuses, etc.
- Avert the question
(In case the hiring manager drops the question between the interview, deflect it by saying, let me know more about my roles and responsibilities so that I can provide accurate salary expectations.)
Example:
As per current market standards, I think the ____ package would be the ideal bet for this position.
8. Why should we hire you?
This question gives you a perfect chance to sell yourself to the recruiter.
How to answer:
While preparing for the interview, review the job description, and make a list of requirements for the position such as skills, qualifications, traits, etc.
Example:
Based on your job requirements, you are looking for a “job position” with strong interpersonal and technical skills. I believe my experience perfectly aligns with your requirements. I worked in a (position) for X years. I had the opportunity to work under supervision and also supervise others. I am also fluent in “Y and Y” (technical skills). I would love to bring my diverse skill sets to your company.
9. Are you considering other positions in other companies?
Interviewers ask these questions mainly for three reasons: they want to know,
- How is your job search going?
- The types of job you are searching
- If you are expecting any job offers?
How to answer:
Your main goal is to show them you are looking for a job similar to theirs.
Example:
I am in the early stage of my job search and have interviewed with other technology-based companies like yours. I am focusing on my job search primarily in the (specified) field.
Also read: One-way video Interview questions and how to excel
10. What’s something positive your boss would say about you?
Behavioral examination interview questions can be tricky. The interviewer is looking to see what kind of relationship bond you’ve built with your management team and your boss to get an impression of how you may fit in with their management team.
How to Answer:
This is a good time to use someone else’s words. Mention something a previous boss said about your work performance, teamwork, or other notable achievement. You should know positive things about yourself and state them honestly. Stay humble, and calm, and try not to sound arrogant.
11. What are your future goals?
With this question, the interviewer is looking for commitment and motivation in your personality.
How to Answer:
Focus on your career goals that grow your career as well as the company. So be clear about your understanding of the company’s mission, and how you can grow the company with your approach.
Example:
Eventually, I would like to make my career into a project managerial position. Because I’m already familiar with many aspects of the work and have good team-leading skills.
I loved working with people and helping to resolve conflicts, so I can see myself moving up in project management eventually.
12. Describe a difficult work situation and tell me how you overcame it.
This is another typical interview question. The interviewer is looking for a candidate who can work in difficult situations.
How to Answer:
Share how you react to difficult work situations. Divide it into parts, giving a detailed overview of how it was fixed, especially your role in solving the issue. Make sure to provide measurable metrics and a logical approach to the interviewer.
Example:
We were down to 6 staff members before a charity event we organized for a client who generates roughly 75% of our annual business. They expect a flawless evening every time we put the event on so missing 6 key staff members who had prominent roles was crucial. I ran through all options immediately after receiving the news and began coming up with another game plan. (Talk about what you did and how you did it). The evening went without a hitch and the client continued doing business with us the following year.
13. How do you handle disagreements with team members?
The purpose is to know your diplomatic and constructive approach. Interviewers want to know that you can handle disagreements professionally.
How to answer:
Start by acknowledging that disagreements are a natural part of any team dynamic. This sets the stage for a positive and realistic discussion about conflict resolution. Emphasize your commitment to active listening as a crucial step in understanding the viewpoints of team members. This shows your openness to different perspectives.
Example:
I recognize that disagreements are a normal part of working in a team. Diverse perspectives can lead to healthy discussions that, when managed well, contribute to better decision-making. In the face of a disagreement, I prioritize active listening. Taking the time to truly understand the concerns and viewpoints of my team members is essential for finding common ground.
14. Describe a challenging situation you faced at work and how you handled it.
It showcases your problem-solving skills and ability to navigate difficult scenarios. Interviewers are looking to see your ingenuity at work.
How to answer:
Choose a challenging situation that is relevant to the job you are interviewing for. This ensures that your response demonstrates your suitability for the position. Provide context to help the interviewer understand the background and significance of the challenge. Describe the circumstances leading up to the situation. Clearly articulate the specific challenge you faced. Be concise and focus on the key aspects of the situation.
Example:
We were working on a critical project with tight deadlines and high expectations from stakeholders. The team was under considerable pressure to deliver quality results within a compressed time frame. Midway through the project, a key team member unexpectedly had to take extended leave due to a family emergency. This left us with a skills gap that needed immediate attention. As the project manager, I was responsible for ensuring the project stayed on track. The sudden absence of a key team member required me to step in and take swift action.
15. Tell us about a time when you had to adapt to change.
It’s essential to provide a clear and concise example that showcases your flexibility, resilience, and ability to thrive in dynamic environments.
How to answer:
Select a specific situation where you faced a significant change. Preferably, choose an example that is relevant to the job you’re interviewing for or aligns with the organization’s needs. Briefly provide context for the change, explaining the reasons behind it and how it impacted your role or the team. Share your initial thoughts and emotions when you first learned about the change. This adds a personal touch to your response.
Example:
The restructuring involved merging departments, redistributing responsibilities, and implementing new processes. As a result, my team and I had to adapt to a new organizational structure and redefine our roles. Naturally, the news initially brought about uncertainty and concerns. However, I recognized the importance of adapting quickly to maintain productivity and support the overall success of the company. To adapt, I proactively sought information about the new structure, engaged in cross-functional collaboration to understand the changes in other departments, and participated in relevant training programs to enhance my skills in areas impacted by the restructuring.
Also read: Phone screening interview questions
Conclusion
Sitting in a room and answering questions is overwhelming, even for seasoned professionals. However, research, and preparation in advance with a dash of confidence can surely help you ace the challenge. Don’t forget to ask some good questions to your interviewers as well. It shows your genuine interest in the position. Try not to trip over unusual questions, but think of them as an opportunity to sell yourself. Keep your tone polite and your answers crisp. Also, the questions mentioned above are asked by recruiters in one-way video interviews which are conducted via one-way video interview software.
