Image source: Tim Gouw on Unsplash
The traditional job interview has changed. While professional qualifications used to be the most important factor in the past, personality, attitude and soft skills are now more important. At the same time, application processes have become more complex, especially in technology-driven industries with a high shortage of skilled workers. HR managers expect applicants to be prepared, reflective and authentic. But which job interview questions are really relevant today - and how do you respond to them confidently?
Questions such as “Tell us something about yourself” or “Why are you applying for this position?” are still standard, but the demands on the answer have increased. It is no longer enough to simply give a CV. The decisive factor is whether you can relate your previous positions to the new role. What experience is relevant? What skills do you want to develop?
Practical tip: Present your career as a line of development. Describe how your previous tasks contribute to the job profile and show that your application is the next logical step in your career.
Recruiters and hiring managers want to know how you think, communicate and deal with challenges. Typical questions in this context are:
“How do you deal with conflicts in the team?”
“What was the biggest challenge of your last position?”
“How do you organize yourself in stressful situations?”
This is about your attitude, not about perfect answers. Those who talk authentically about overcoming crises or resolving conflicts score points.
Example response:
"There was tension in a project team due to unclear responsibilities. I addressed this at an early stage and suggested moderation. This enabled us to create clear structures together."
The question of one's own strengths and weaknesses is a classic - but still an important indicator for self-reflection and development motivation.
Strengths:
Refer to the role. Instead of “I am a team player”, better: “I am good at bringing different perspectives together and developing viable solutions in a team.”
Weaknesses:
Avoid hackneyed phrases. Instead, choose a real development situation, e.g: “I'm struggling with too many parallel projects - that's why I'm working with clearly prioritized weekly goals today.”
In the interview, managers are questioned particularly critically, especially with regard to personal maturity, error culture and leadership qualities. Exemplary questions are:
“How do you deal with criticism from team members?”
“What have you ever failed at as a manager?”
“How do you ensure that your team communicates honestly with you?”
They are aimed at self-image and leadership style. Those who hide behind empty words lose the trust of others.
Our recommendation: Show that you have learned from your mistakes. Give specific examples where you have questioned yourself, obtained feedback or adapted your management style.
Example:
"I used to manage too much via processes and delegated too little. My team addressed this openly in a feedback meeting. Today, I involve my colleagues in decisions much earlier."
Especially at management level, authenticity beats perfection.
Even in times of agile working environments, employers are interested in your perspective:
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“What motivates you - regardless of your salary?”
“What does a good working environment mean to you?”
Here you have the opportunity to position yourself as a reflective and long-term oriented personality who knows what drives them.
Our tip: Combine personal values with strategic goal orientation.
“In the medium term, I would like to take on responsibility for a business unit and develop a team that is characterized by openness and innovation.”
Job interview questions are more than just a questioning tool - they are an invitation to dialog. If you understand them, you can use them as a stage for your own personality, attitude and development potential. This applies all the more to managers: they do not have to appear perfect, but convincing, credible and willing to learn.
Our recommendation: Prepare yourself specifically for questions on self-reflection, leadership and motivation. Use real examples. Also remember that confidence is not reflected in a perfect CV, but in the attitude with which you present yourself.
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