Every kind of organization – no matter its size, no matter its type – has one thing in common – and that is the set of standard job interview questions its management ask interview candidates. Organizations will always ask specific questions, relevant to the advertised job or the industry they are in, but you can bet many of the standard job interview questions will be the same.

Here then are some of those standard job interview questions you can expect to be asked at every interview, along with advice on how to answer.

1. Tell us about yourself.

Most interviewers ask this question to start with as a way to get candidates to introduce themselves in their own words. Your answer must be honest, to the point and mainly focus on how you have acquired the skills required for the job. So before going for the interview make sure you research the job thoroughly and then subtly talk about how you are that someone who has what it takes.

2. What are your strengths?

A good reply to this would be audio visual. To show off your strengths, display your portfolio that you have brought along and speak about your strengths. You have to ensure that you talk about your strengths as they relate directly to the job’s responsibilities, so don’t riff-raff too much about unconnected skills.

3. What are your weaknesses?

A very common job interview question. Be honest and lay your weaknesses on the table. But don’t stop there – go on to mention how you overcome your weaknesses to enable you to perform effectively. If the employer gets a whiff you are withholding information you’re as good as out before you started.

4. What’s wrong with your current employer/job?

One of the awkward job interview questions – one that you have to handle with composure. You should not talk about low pay or hostile working conditions or personality clashes. Instead, you must say you want to develop your career and take on more responsibilities. But if the new job requires relocation, then it’s an easy question to answer.

5. Where will you be x years from now?

This question is to flesh out your ambitions. You can be honest here and mention how you expect to contribute to the job, enhance the work environment, be more productive, loyal, and try to create a bright future for yourself in the organization. You also have to convince them you won’t leave the organization the minute a new offer comes along. In order to convince them, you must emphasize you believe in a steady job that advances your career, a steady life, a steady family, and so on.

6. Why us? What is it about us that makes you want to work here?

Your reply to this job interview question must show-off your knowledge about the company, its heritage, its mission and vision and how it reconciles with yours. Research the company beforehand and you will be able to answer these type of job interview questions well.

7. You have anything to ask?

If you don’t, they will think you are disinterested, and if you do, you have to ask intelligent questions. You can ask intelligent questions by researching more about the requirements of the job or the nature of the company. Ask about development opportunities, training, performance appraisal and so on.

Catherine Jones is a leading authority on recruitment and, with 3 colleagues, has written a how to snag a job website in which she shares her secrets on getting hired. Catherine works as a senior manager for a large financial services organisation and recruits new employees on a regular basis.