Common Video Interview Questions
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter. What type of questions are you most likely to encounter during an online interview?
Why are you interested in this job?
Why interviewers ask it:
Hiring managers are looking to hire someone who genuinely wants the position—not someone who just wants to collect a paycheck. This question helps interviewers gauge applicants’ interest in the role and understand what motivated them to apply. It’s also another way of asking why an applicant left a previous employer or is considering leaving their current employer.
How to Answer:
Whatever you do, do not badmouth any of your employers or coworkers in your response. Even if you are pursuing a new job because you are unhappy at work, steer clear of the temptation to rant or gossip. Instead, explain what caught your eye in the job posting. You might mention how you could see yourself fitting into the corporate culture, or list positive things you’ve heard about working there (either from a friend or from online company review sites).
– Max Chan, founder of ChanWithAPlan.com
Don’t limit your questions to these. It’s always a plus to look up the company’s mission statement or interesting projects they’ve worked on recently, and bring those up in your interview. It’s also great to jot down handwritten notes during your interview and ask follow-up questions about a specific topic! The interviewer wants to see that you’ve put in effort to research the company—showing that you’re a self-starter—and that you genuinely want to contribute to their mission.
In the age we live in, it’s easy to be face-to-face with your friends and family even if you’re a world away. Luckily, the same applies to employers and their potential employees!
If you have a virtual interview coming up, it’s key to leave a lasting impression. One way to do this is by asking insightful, thought-provoking questions during your video call! When your interviewer can’t read your body language or make small talk while they walk you around the office, the questions you ask might be their most memorable takeaway from your chat.
Tell me about yourself
Why interviewers ask it:
While this is technically a statement, it can also be asked in question form: “How would you describe yourself?” and the sentiment is the same. This is typically one of the first questions asked during an interview because it’s so broad and open-ended; it acts as a good icebreaker. It allows interviewers to better understand how candidates view themself and what they prioritize. What applicants choose to reveal tells potential employers more about their backgrounds, personality, and values.
How to Answer:
Aim for a mix of 80% professional and 20% personal information in your reply. After all, this is a job interview, so your focus should be on what you can bring to the role and the company as a whole. Mention your skills, work experience, education, and any extracurricular or volunteer activities, especially those that are related to the line of work for which you’re applying. You may also mention professional memberships and/or participation on boards or committees.
Since much of this information may already appear on your resume, consider this a highlight reel conversation. Briefly summarize the main professional points you want to emphasize, and then add some color by sharing one or two personal facts (like a hobby, a little about your family, or where you live).
– Jen Narayan, founder of CareerRealTalk.com