Popular Video Interview Questions
If you’re like most candidates, you’re probably researching popular video interview questions in preparation for the real thing. Good news! We have you covered.
Preparing for the Most Popular Video Interview Questions
To market yourself as a top candidate, your video interview answers should be tailored to how you can uniquely help the organization grow, and how your past experiences have molded you into a desirable employee.
Tell us about yourself.
This is a generic, yet very telling question, and one you’ll most likely be asked during a video interview. This question is typically asked at the beginning of the interview and its purpose is to get a feel for your background, so be sure your answer is light, yet informative.
Key examples to include:
- Professional work experience
- Industry-specific knowledge
- Educational background
- Professional extracurricular activities
- Causes you are interested in
Some strong examples include that you are a marathon runner, a volunteer at the local dog shelter, or a board member of an organization related to the job and/or industry.
Further, if you’re applying for a Human Resources role, you might want to include how you are a member of SHRM or a comparable industry group. This may make you appear more well-rounded and provide an interesting topic of discussion, allowing the interviewer to better assess your fit with the organization’s company culture.
Why do you think you’d be a good fit for this position and our organization?
This is your highlight reel! No matter the level of the job, this question will be asked in one way or another, presenting a great opportunity to show off your skills and passion for the industry you are applying for.
Key points to highlight with this question include:
- How have your past experiences prepared you for the position?
- How have you succeeded with similar roles in the past? Provide clear examples.
- What preparations will you take to succeed in this role and how do you plan to execute?
Showing interest in the industry and preparation for this question highlights devotion to the role and that you are likely to succeed in this role, based on past experiences.
Why are you pursuing this job?
This is another way of asking, “Why are you leaving your current position?” so be very careful with your response.
Rather than ranting about a bad experience, explain why you are ready for more responsibility in a new role or that you are looking to advance your skills, both of which focus the interviewee’s attention on your devotion to professional growth rather than your desire to leave another company.
To more effectively answer this question:
- Research the industry and how the company competes within the space.
- Express interest in growing your skills while also growing with the organization.
- Reiterate how your past employment gave you the knowledge and tools you need to take the next step in your career within a new role.
Oftentimes, hiring managers use this question as a way to see if you’ll bring up failed projects, or become defensive or gossip about previous employers. Rather than focusing on negativity toward a past employer, which is a BIG red flag, focus on providing specific examples of how you can help the organization grow as you grow yourself.
Bonus Tips and Answers to the Most Common Interview Questions
Practice these responses with a family member or friend before completing your video interview, and focus on providing answers that are interesting, insightful, and most importantly, natural – no one wants to hire a scripted robot!
A reminder that a solid and polished video interview can be the difference between moving to the next step in the screening process and receiving a kind rejection email.