The 5 Crucial Interview Questions Of 2021 (And How To Answer Them)
Stepping into the interview room can be daunting, especially when faced with today's most challenging questions. Equip yourself with the knowledge of 2021's crucial interview questions and learn the art of crafting compelling responses to secure your dream job.
Back in the “before times,” when most of my clients expected to be interviewing for jobs in person, my interview coaching looked and sounded a lot different
Nowadays, these conversations go quite differently
- I find myself reminding my clients that they don’t have to yell to be heard just because they are on a webcam, or encouraging them to move away from the window where they are disappearing into a blob of white light
When can you start?.
What is your timeline and availability for this position?
- How to communicate your timeline to a hiring manager even after you have interview
- You may need to have an answer for the first offer before knowing if you have moved onto the final round interview for the second role
You don’t want to go overboard by showing them all of your cards when this question comes up, but it’s definitely time to do some internet sleuthing.
You’re a pretty good online detective when it comes to finding your ex’s new flame on Instagram, so put those skills to work researching for your interview!
Some questions to ask if you’re going to remote work
“I understand that this position is advertised as fully remote. When do you anticipate a time when you expect the person holding this position to transition to in-person work?”
- How do you think that office culture has changed with the shift to more remote work?”
Whoever gives a number first puts themselves at a disadvantage
The best answer to these questions goes a little something like this: “I’m flexible when it comes to salary; my number one priority right now is finding the right fit.”
- They will leave it there, and hopefully you’ll have the chance to discuss things further during a salary negotiation once you’ve received an offer.
Bottom Line
It’s rare to find someone who looks forward to interviewing. Try a few of these answers to see if you connect with them, and feel free to explore some of the other interview questions I’ve unpacked in the past.
Create the perfect humblebrag
Frame your answer using the words of someone else
- Tell a story that is meaningful
- Make sure your answer is well positioned for the job
- Find your “golden skill” – the thing that makes you unique and makes you a perfect fit for the role
Do you have any questions?
Research is crucial
- Get as much information as you can about the company before going into the interview
- If you have received an offer, but are still in the middle of the interview process for a different role, let the hiring manager know about it and that you have a deadline for committing
- Do not come across as rushing or demanding an answer, but rather that you are hoping for clarity
Most importantly, however high-definition and well-lit your Zoom window may appear, you still have to be able to nail the tough questions.
Interviews themselves have evolved with the changing times, so here are the 5 most important interview questions that you can expect to be asked in 2021.
Building professional relationships while working remotely
Employers and employees seem to feel that remote work and hybrid models are the wave of the future, so it should be no surprise when you encounter questions directly related to how you handle engaging in the workplace and building work relationships remotely.
- A few easy tips for making a good impression and demonstrating your interpersonal skills on video before this question even comes up: Look directly at the camera while on a video conference call, lean slightly forward when someone makes an interesting point, nodding and gesturing warmly
- Hide your own video image in the display. You want to show as much attentiveness to the interviewer as you would hope to receive from them.
Specific questions to ask
Come prepared with a few questions related to any initiatives or projects that the company has undergone that you are particularly excited about.
- This is your chance to gather relevant information that will help you make a final decision, should you get an offer, as to whether this job is the right fit for you
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