Are you looking for the most asked job interview questions and answers that will help you secure your desired job in Nigeria? If your answer is yes, here below is list of the 10 most asked job interview questions and answers that work perfectly!
After searching for current job vacancies on our Jobs/Recruitment page and other relevant job search websites and you apply, the next step is to prepare for an aptitude test. If you pass the aptitude test, the last step is to face an interview. Getting to the job interview stage is one big opportunity for you to prove to your employer that you’re competent and best fit for the job. You need solid preparation that will give you the very best chance to land on that job. The best solid preparation you can make is to get use to how to answer common interview questions. In the light of this, let’s look at the 10 most asked interview questions and how to answer them.
10 most asked Interview Questions and Answers
Here are 10 most asked job interview questions; if you were able to answer them correctly you will be hired.
- Introduce yourself or tell us about yourself?
- Why Do You Want This Job?
- What Can You Contribute To This Company?
- How Long Do You Expect To Remain Employed With This Company?
- Are You A Team Player Or A Higher Flyer?
- What Is Your Greatest Strength?
- How much do you want us to pay you?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
- Rate yourself over ten
Wait! You’re preparing job interview, right? I will suggest you check out how to prepare for an interview in Nigeria
Let’s continue, please…………….
10 most asked interview questions and how to answer them
- Question: Why Do You Want This Job?
Answer: When you are asked in an interview, “Why do you want this job?” you can answer using the following steps as a guide:
- Show how your skills match the job;
- Show your enthusiasm for the job;
- And show how you fit into the culture of the organization or company.
For example, you are seeking for the post of an accountant in a firm. Your responses to the interview question, “why do you want this job” might be:
I want this Accounting job because I will be good at it. I am good at speaking to people and handling cash, I would like a job with regular hours and I am always on time.
Or Answer: I want this job because it seems tailored to my competencies, which include sales and marketing, in my previous position, I created an annual growth rate of 22 percent in a float industry.
- Question: What Can You Contribute To This Company?
Answer: Here are some suggestions on how to answer the question, “What Can You Contribute to This Company?” for a job interview.
Outline what you’ve Accomplished in your past job(s)
Provide concrete examples from your past jobs to show how you have contributed to other companies. Past examples show employers the kind of work you will likely do for them.
Describe specific examples of how effective you have been in your other positions, changes you’ve implemented, and goals you’ve achieved.
Illustrate with Data
Interviewers usually ask this question because they want to know how you will add value to the company. To show this, you might want to use digits to show how you have added value in the past. For example, did you increase a sales record by a certain percentage? Did you raise a certain amount of funds for an organization?
Link Your Answer to the Employer’s Goals and objectives
Whatever examples you focus on, make sure they are related to the particular job position you are seeking for. You will want to let the interviewer know that you have the skills necessary to do the job they are hiring for, the ability to meet challenges effectively, and the flexibility and diplomacy to work well with other employees and with management
I have the experience, contacts and knowledge to contribute to the rapid growth of this business.
- Question: How long do you Expect to remain Employed with this Company?
Answer: This interview question is usually asked to uncover those people who often move between jobs. Since the hiring process costs a lot, companies are looking for those who plan on staying a long time.
Companies that are looking for long-term employees aren’t likely to be impressed with those who only want a job that they’ll leave within a few months.
I believe that this company has the capacity to offer me a rich and satisfying career and I would like to remain employed here as long as I am having positive impact.
- Question: Are You A Team Player Or A Higher Flyer?
Answer: In this Interview question, the hiring manager expects that you will be able to cope as a team as well as an individual.
So, you might answer this way, “I am happy working alone, but if there is need I enjoy working with a group for greater output”.
- Question: What Is Your Greatest Strength?
Answer: My greatest strength is my ability to work with different people, I enjoy learning from everyone I meet and in this position and I believe that will enhance my ability to perform on the team.
- Question: Introduce yourself or tell us about yourself?
Answer: This is an open-ended job interview question and it can take other forms like: ‘Who are you?’, “May we know you”, ‘Describe yourself’ etc. for a marketing job, you could respond with:
“I’m an experienced marketer with extensive knowledge of CRM and CTA techniques. I have carry out comprehensive marketing plans for small scale businesses and I’ve created educational programs for these business owners. I’ve always improved myself to learn cost effective methods that will boost productivity. My goals are to complete my……… (mention a professional exam in the marketing line if you’ve enrolled in one) and broaden my knowledge and experience”.
If it is a teaching job you could respond with:
“I have passion for teaching, I have the inclination to teach and I have been putting this into play throughout my university education by organizing tutorials for other student, etc. I know how to determine the best teaching technique so as to carry my students along, reaching into their minds as I impart knowledge”.
- Question: How much do you want us to pay you?
Answer: You have to smart in answering this kind of interview question. This interview question can throw you out if you are not careful. Being able to answer this kind of interview questions about salary will give you an edge over other applicant seeking this position with you.
First, you need to research the salary scale for the position you’re applying for. This will help you bargain more effectively and confidently.
At the interview, never bring up salary issues. Wait for the interviewer to bring it up. When asked this question, you have to act smart.
If you have the exact figure, do not mention that figure at the job interview panel. Give them the range of your discovery.
If you discovered the organization pays N150,000 for the position you wish to take, tell the recruiters you’re looking at a salary between N130,000 and N180,000.
You could also respond with:
“The current salary scale published by our professional body indicates a range of N130,000 to N180,000 per month. Although I’m not certain how your salary compare to, my feeling is that my value would be in the upper half of this national range”.
- Question: Why are you leaving your current job?
Answer: Your respond could be, “After five years, I feel like I want to take on new challenges; I was really excited about this particular opportunity and wanted to take a new step in my career.
Another response you might give is, “I’m not looking to get away, I’m looking to move up – I feel your company offers a great chance for me because…. and I feel I could be a valuable part of your team because”. (From Yahoo answer )
Here is the secret about the “why are you leaving your current job” question that every interviewer asks: It is totally fine if the real reason you are leaving is because of a wicked boss, unpleasant co-workers or a toxic culture working environment. You just can’t say that because, if you tell the truth, the interviewer will start to worry about things like: Is your boss really a wicked or you just hard to get along with him? Are you a troublemaker? Are you going to be impossible to please here too? (Coin from Askmanager )
- Question: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Answer: This interview question is a bit of a tricky. Sometimes the answer is, “not in this job,” or, “in your job,” or something like, “at a better opportunity elsewhere.
The truth is that you can be honest while still telling them what they really want to know. Do you have realistic expectations for your career? Are you ambitious? And does this particular position align with your career growth and goals overall?
You might say, “I’m really excited by this position at XYZ Institute because in five years, I’d like to be seen as someone who is an expert computer programming, and I know that is something that I’ll have an opportunity to do here. I’m also really excited to take on more programming languages in the next few years and potentially even take the lead on some projects. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing expert programmer, and so developing into an expert programmer myself is something I’m really excited about.”
So, what if this position is not a one-way ticket to your professional aspirations? It is okay to say you don’t really know what the future holds, but you see how this experience could really help in making that decision.
- Question: Rate yourself over ten
Answer: Your question will help interviewer to build perception about you. While some answers reflect of you being over confident, others give an impression of you being overmodest The right approach is to balance between different parameters in a way that the interviewer thinks you are confident and honest about yourself when asked “how would you rate yourself over ten?” in an interview.
Top answer samples for “How would you rate yourself over ten?”
Sample 1
“I would like to answer it based on some parameters. As far as hard work is concerned, I would like to rate myself as 8/10. I reckon 8/10 as I would never like to think that there is no room left for putting in more efforts. That will keep me going forward always. When it comes to creativity, I will tag myself with 9/10. I have designed banners and brochures in the past which were termed as quite creative by the clients. I feel they are the best judge.
To talk about the patience, I feel I would give myself 6/10. It is because I am an entry level professional. Just like the personal life, even professional life needs more experience for more patience. This is probably why senior management in most companies look more patient than the entry level or even middle level. Overall, I would rate myself as 7/10.”
Sample 2
“I would like to take the help of a few variables here to rate myself over ten. As far as IT Skills are concerned, I would rate myself as 9/10. At my last organization, most of my team members approached me for solving tough bugs in the PHP and Java coding. When it comes to dedication to work, I will rate myself as 8/10. I feel it will grow more once I climb the ladder and get to shoulder more responsibilities.
As they say, with more power come more responsibilities. I reckon responsibilities get you to work even harder. For team management, I would be honest. I would be giving myself 5/10. Even though I have managed my team a few times in the absence of my line manager, I feel there is way more scope to improve. Team management skills take the time to get better. Leaders are not born overnight. On the whole, I would be happy considering around 8/10 for myself.”
Sample 3
“As far as HR generalist activities are concerned, I would reckon myself as 8½ over 10. The lion’s share of my experiences pivots around generalist activities. The job profile for which I am being interviewed here involves some recruitment as well for the senior management roles. I did recruitment for the first few years in my employment at an executive search firm. When it comes to recruitment, I would rate myself 6/10.
All I need would be a few days to brush up popular interview questions being asked in the firms at this stage in time. When it comes to going the extra mile for work, I am confident about giving myself 9/10. There were quite a few instances in the past when I stretched my shift from regular 8 hours to 9 or even 10. I was more than happy doing it. Overall I would rate from 7 and ½ to 8 over 10.”
Sample 4
“When it comes to sale skill acquisitions, I would rate myself as 9/10. The reason why I am rating myself as 9/10 is that I have always loved to sell. I take it as an exciting challenge. I was also able to add a few feathers to my cap by being the top performer in my last job. However, concerning customer service, I would honestly give myself 6/10. My previous process was blended, but it was just 20% client servicing. Since I did not have a significant exposure to customer service, so, I would honestly rate myself 6/10.
Regarding work ethics, I would give myself 9/10. I enjoy my job and it is my only source of income. I make sure my performance speaks along with the professional manner and behaviour. To me, the best way to get respected is to give respect. Lastly, concerning passion for work, I would rate myself as 8/10. So, in general comprising the parameters that I talked about, I would rate myself around 8 to 8 and ½.”
Most asked Interview Questions and Answers in Nigeria (Summary)
Interview questions and answers in Nigeria are of several categories:
- Behavioural interview questions
- Tough interview questions
- Competency/Experience based interview questions
- Analytical interview questions
And the list of the categories keeps going…
A solid interview preparation involves avoiding most common job interview mistakes and taking time to practice the most common interview questions and answers you will most likely be asked.
PLEASE NOTE: this review of 10 most asked job interview questions and answers may not be asked at your next job interview. Employers may decide to ask you questions on your area of study (discipline/profession) and general knowledge questions.
Make sure you’re updated in your area of study and try as much as possible to keep your manners and physical structure in the best possible ways.
Good question