One of the greatest advantages of working with an IT recruiter is how well prepared you will be for any upcoming job interviews. Because they represent the company that’s interviewing you, recruiters will often guide you and role play on subject matters the hiring manager will most likely cover; including common interview questions you should expect during your job interview for the role.

The following are eight of the most commonly asked interview questions recruiters say job candidates should anticipate, along with how to answer them in a way that puts you in the most favorable light with the hiring manager.

Eight Most Common Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

The most important thing to remember is to keep your answer concise. Your response can evolve, but you want to always keep it focused on your professional background and goals, not your personal life.

2. Why should we hire you?

A great response to this question is “Well, if you were to speak to my past managers, some of the things they’d say they appreciate about me are X, Y, and Z.” If you can, find a way to refer to one or more qualities listed in the job description or to something the interviewer said earlier in the process. A good illustration of this is: “You brought up earlier how important it is to be accountable in this job,” and then go on to give an example of how you’ve been trustworthy in a previous position.

3. Tell me about your last job.

Rule #1: never say anything negative, even if it’s true! Instead, stick to the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method that relies on providing concrete examples of your skills and experience that shows you qualify for the job you’re interviewing for.

4. Why are you leaving (or have left) your previous job?

Again, always avoid the negative! The best way to answer is with a simple, “I’m looking for new challenges and growth opportunities that allow me to work with the latest technologies.” That way, you keep the focus on your goals and avoid rehashing previous work grievances.

5. What are your greatest strengths or weaknesses?

This question doesn’t get asked as often as it used to, but a good answer is “I learn quickly on the job.” If the query comes later in the interview, try to respond with something the hiring manager has mentioned is important to them. Describing weaknesses is tricker, but if you stick with things like “I’m sometimes too hard on myself” or “I sometimes keep a messy workspace if I’m involved in a big project, but I always finish on time and under budget,” you’ll come across as authentic and relatable.

6. So, where do you see yourself five years from now?

Be forthright about what your goals are and where you want to go. There’s no point in taking a job that can’t help you get there, no matter how appealing the position is. You and the company you’re interviewing with will be happier and on the same page before you even start the position.

7. What are your salary expectations?

Expect this common interview question to disappear! When interviewing for a job in Nevada, this question is no longer allowed to be asked by any potential employer as of October 1, 2021. Nevada’s New Pay Equity Law is designed to make the job hiring process more equitable. Employers must now proactively disclose the rate, wage or salary range for a position and cannot ask job candidates for any previous salary history.

IT recruiters will continue to place the salary conversation before your first job interview and will vouch to get you a competitive compensated salary, based on the salary range the role provides.

8. Do you have any questions for me?

Always prepare two or three questions to ask your interviewer towards the end of the job interview. Asking things like “how do you measure success” or “what types of projects would I start out on” will keep things simple but show you’re interested in the role.

Connect With IT Recruiters in Las Vegas

Taurean Consulting Group has over 25 years of experience in technology staffing in the Las Vegas area. To learn how an IT recruiter can help you better prepare for common interview questions on your next job interview, visit our resource center for the latest & greatest career tips or browse our job board to find your next job opportunity today!