250 Top Common excel interview questions and answers free download pdf

Are you prepared for getting shortlisted after your next job interview? The interview preparation part is one of the most crucial parts that will help or hinder you to win the job of your dream. Studies that were conducted before established that qualified candidates stand a higher probability have higher likelihood of being offered the job. In this interview preparation tips guide, we will go further deep into the Most frequently asked questions of the interviewers in 2024 and how you can answer the questions perfectly. Get prepared and make your next potential employer wonder how they’re going to make you an offer. 

 Apart from the six volley structures, there are knowledge enhancement areas which may encompass the following as identified below: 

Understanding the Interview Process

What are those questions they ask us?  Why do employers ask those questions?

When you are attending an interviewer session, you may come along the question; “Why are they asking me all those questions?” In fact, employers use interviews as a baseline to gauge your level of skills, experience and compatibility with their job opening or organizational culture. They want to confirm if you can:

They want to confirm if you can:

• Solve problems: Are you analytical and can you use your reasoning to devise particular strategies in their company for multiple issues that may arise? 
• Work well with others: Are you an Excellent teamwork or you can well be described as a team player? 
• Communicate effectively: Will you state your ideas effectively and briefly in order to prove that you have very good communication skills? 
• Align with the company's values: Do they meet the specifications, skills and goals as well as values with the company’s company mission?

Types of Interviews 

There are various types of Interviews which are available, each of them having its own benefits apart from the drawbacks and limitations of the same. Here's a quick overview of some of the interview types:

Here's a quick overview of some of the interview types: 

• Phone Interviews: Nowadays these are being used more often as the first stage of the recruitment process. They provide the employers in a quickly way information about the candidate and the employers are allowed reduce candidates according to some criteria such as qualification and language ability. Especially here, they will review your ability to communicate, Your Interpersonal skills, and how you argue your points. 

• In-Person Interviews: This is the traditional methods of job interviews that both you and the employer are given a chance to have a face-to-face interview hence exposing both of you to the best understanding. The given kind of interview model may take any of the following formats: one-on-one interview, panel interviews, and/or interview sessions involving a group of people.

 

• Video Interviews: This is another prospective interview types because it is one of the formats that benefited from the enhancing trend of working from home. Video interviews have now increasingly so popular, they are conducted similar to face-to-face interviewing but with an added advantage and flexibility since they can be conducted from anywhere thus reducing some of the costs that are incurred during the recruitment process or by the candidate as he/she travels for the interview session. 
  

It is quite obvious that, when you understand the above different types of interviews, you will then know how to prepare for it and equally prepare more effectively in return increasing your chances of landing the job of your dream.

3.The easiest of the lot is to list down the Top 10 Common Interview Questions.

1.Tell Me About Yourself

 Purpose: 

Sometimes it is always the first question This is a typical initial interview question which ensures the employers hear about your personality, history and your plans in your career. In other words, your interviewer just wants to determine if you can effectively communicate your experiences and relate THEM to the job you are applying for. 

 How to Answer Tell Me About Yourself: 

This is the systematic approach that will help you and give the accurate and proper answer to the interviewer. Consider using the Past, Present, Future format when answering the question: Consider using the Past, Present, Future format when answering the question: 

• Past: In a nut shell highlight your working experience especially your achievements. 
• Present: Reflect on the present position and some benefits they have received when being in that position. 
• Future: Show your plans with your career and how this Job position will help you achieve them. 

 Example of the Answer (Tell Me About Yourself): 

Dear Sir/Madam, I am Dr John Patek, a Director of Health services, WHO (World Health Organization) I have served my organization for the last five years and currently I am in charge of overall co-ordination of all service delivery in health sector all over the world. (Just state briefly of what your main duties) Through my work experience, I have acquired sound skills in health economics, healthcare management and health advocacy among others Is it not simple?

 

2. Why Do You Want to Work here: 

Purpose: 

This question is a direct shot from employers’ side to test your level of interest and how much you have studied about the respective company or how much you are much in sync with its organizational culture. This is the only chance showcase that you’re not searching for any job in the firm, but this specific position. 

How to Answer Why Do You Want to Work here: 

While responding to this question, it is important to be unique and to give concrete examples and indicate that you have actually researched. Details of the organization’s culture and the essence of its mission statement that resonates with you or remarkable organizational achievements in the recent past that are in harmony with you. 

 
Example Answer of Why Do Want to Work here Interview question: 

I have been a follower of The Red Cross Society for some time now and admired your goal of giving affordable first line health care services to people (State a company VALUE/ACCOMPLISHMENT) The work you are doing in the Zero Hunger Initiative (Mention Project/Initiative) Thank you for the opportunity to apply at a company that is making a positive impact in the health sector [industry or field].

3. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses

 Purpose: 

It is one of those typical applicant tricks through which the applicant is evaluated on his or her character and integrity of the candidate, based on self-assessment. When politicking, it means that one should be bold enough to come out and boast of his/her merits and at the same time be humble enough to demonstrate that he/she has worked on some of his/her vices. 

 How to Answer What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses: 

What To Do When The Question What Are Your Strengths and weaknesses Is Asked 

 Strengths: 

• Be specific: The second one is relevant to education the third one is crucial but don’t say something like ‘’I am a hard working person’’ provide Accomplishments and achievements and skills obtained. 
• Relate to the job: Of these skills, the candidate should choose those that will can easily be used in the job they would like to be offered in the company. 

 Weaknesses: 

•  Be honest: Whenever one tends to confess of having a weakness it only portrays a humble and indeed a self-aware person only. 
•  Offer a positive spin: Indeed you have to explain how you are trying to cover that weakness or how that particular weakness has benefited you in shaping your career. 

 Example of the Answer What Are Your Strengths and weaknesses: 

• Well, maybe the one of weakness is sometimes I focus on the level of details too much. Although it is generally a good thing to be precise, this has potential to create the vice within me because besides being precise, I end up, well wasting much time on trivial tasks. As for this, I have been trying to develop the priorities and arrange tasks more efficiently. 

4. Can You Describe a Challenging Situation and How You Handled It?  

 Purpose: 

This question is the most formulated to see your critical thinking, your ability to persevere as well as your resilience in the event of failure. When addressing this kind of question one of the most commonly used frameworks is STAR. 

 STAR Method: 

• Situation: During your spare time use an example to briefly explain the complex situation you encountered. 
• Task: In this case, describe what was necessary to be done in an effort to help deal with the situation at hand. 
• Action: To achieve this, explain how the challenge was met by listing down all the process that have been encountered. 
• Result: Describe the event, what did you do and what was the outcome of your actions and your greatest failure or something you regret or something that was a strong lesson for you. 

 Example of Answer Can You Describe a Challenging Situation and How You Handled It? 

In my previous working station I was faced with a challenge of managing a team in a new product which was due for launch shortly. However, because of some technical difficulties which emerged, we have faced pressure to release the product. I had to create the meeting involving people from all the departments which encountered the above challenges; we assessed the problem discussed and came up with appropriate solutions to ensure that the organization was able to launch the product on time , to my surprise, after 

 

 5. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years: 

 Purpose 

In this question, the interviewers are able to see your vision of the future and are able to ask you questions to see if you are in line with the company. This is your chance to assert yourself towards promotion and concern in one’s career. 

 How to Answer Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years:

Where to Focus When Preparing for the Interview Question ‘Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?’ 

• Research the company: Examine the history of the company and differentiate between the company’s current strategy and the plans for further advancement.
• Align your goals: justify why you will fit into the company’s planned projection in the next few years towards achieving your career objectives. 
• Be specific: Avoid using generalized information and when approaching general concepts, provide specific case of what one intends to achieve. 

 Example of Answer Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? 

In five years’ time, I am best placed to work as a [position] at [Company Name]. Below are the three biggest personal values for me: Loyalty to the company and its [mention a specific area of interest within the company]. I think that my knowledge in the sphere of [relevant skills] will a significant contribution to the team. I feel very encouraged to join [Company Name and be part of the success story that the institution has been enjoying lately. 

 

 6. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

 Purpose: 

This question helps the interviewer to get information about your reasons for leaving your previous job and also find out how much satisfied you are with your previous job. This is true some extent because honesty must be communicated diplomatically concentrating on the positive aspects of the decision made. 

How to Answer Why Did You Leave Your Last Job:

•  Avoid negativity: Be careful not to use any comment in your new organization that is bad or disrespecting to your past employer or any employer’s staff. 
• Highlight growth: Describe why the new position is of interest to you and how it will help you to advance in your profession. 
• Be specific: It is useful also documenting practical reasons why one may wish to change – for instance, in order to challenge oneself. 

 Example of the Answer Why Did You Leave Your Last Job

I resigned from my last job because I wanted to look for other challenges and career advancements [Company Name] is in tune with my career progression hence the chance to join such a team excites me, moreover I will be able to develop my skills in [mention specific skills], therefore the new position will be an added step in my career path. 

 

 

 7. How do You Deal with Stress and Pressure? 

 Purpose: 

This question will help the interviewer to determine how you behave or handle delicate situations and even during the interview process. One must make sure that such examples illustrate one’s ability to overcome adversity and problem-solving abilities. 

 How to Answer How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure: 

• Be specific: Tell us about one stress experience you have gone through in your life. 
• Highlight coping mechanisms: It is essential to outline the actions, which have been applied in order to minimize stress and to deal with the difficulties arisen. 
• Focus on positive outcomes: Explain how you were able to manage and overcome the situation in order to end up with favorable outcomes. 

 Example of the Answer How to Answer How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure: 

In past roles, I have faced my share of stressors at workplaces Stress management has therefore been an enormous challenge for me, but I must say that when working at organization X, I had faced a stressful situation where I was working under pressure to meet tight deadlines in a functional project while at the same time supervising junior employees During the pressure, I made sure to prioritize on tasks to be accomplished, make assignments among my junior employees and take short breaks 

 

 

 8. Based on the research, what are your expected compensation or salary? 

 Purpose: 

This is usually a rather tender question that requires thinking and sometimes, time for its response. One mustn’t leave it to chance and give a competitive, yet credible range of salaries one can afford. 

 How to Answer What Are Your Salary Expectations? 

• Research the market: Here you can gather more information regarding average salaries for persons holding similar job in your region. 
• Be flexible: Don’t give a number or a cost estimate of the project. Don’t give a specific figure and instead give a range of the salary expected and this depends on the value that you will be offering to the company. 
• Consider the company's budget: This should be done with the awareness of the size and nature of the company you are working for before you set high expectations. 

 Example of the Answer What Are Your Salary Expectations: 

So from the research and being in touch with the job market i estimate my salary to range from [salary range] Though I am willing to negotiate any other remunerations which the company may deem to offer me, my prime concern is to get placed in an organization where I can enhance both personally and professionally. ” 

 

 9. Tell Me Why Should I Hire You.

 Purpose: 

This is your last chance to say things to the interviewer that would make him/her decide to hire and promote you. This means that, unnecessary embellishment, extraneous embellishments and other such aspects only serve to cloud your message and distract from the central theme, which is that you, the applicant, have qualifications, and experiences, which make you suitable for the position. 

How to Answer Why should we hire You 

• Be specific: Make sure to go back to the job description and point out on how you fit in with the necessary skills and the experiences that are needed in the job. 
• Quantify your achievements: To support your argument, convince the employer that you’ve achieved a lot in your previous positions by linking the goals to measurable achievements. 
• Show enthusiasm: Finally state your interest in the company and how you wish to help it succeed in its endeavors. 

 Example of the Answer Why should we hire You: 

For these reasons, I believe that I would be the best fit for this role because of my [insert relevant skills here] and [insert experience here] that matches the requirements of this position I have acquired in my most recent job at [Company Name] where I was able to [mention an accomplishment here]. I am excited to work for a company that value [mention a company core value here] and bring my skills in a progressive and vibrant 

 

 

 

 10. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

 Purpose: 

And this is the moment when you can show your concern about the company and to ask the last questions if any. I hope you have gained some good tips on preparing for and planning on how to ask good questions that will deem you ready to take up the role. 

 Ways of Answering Do You Have Any Questions for Us? 

•  Ask thoughtful questions: Do not ask questions which could have been answered by a simple research. 
• Show genuine interest: Stay tuned to the questions that will reflect that you know the firm and what it is seeking to achieve. 
• Be specific: Questions should be made specific to the position being applied for as well as the organization it self. 

 Best questions to Ask interviewers: 

• Company Culture: One has to wonder more about the company and how it is to work in the company, specifically, about the company culture.
• Team Dynamics: Such as; “How is the team structured within this department?” 
• Career Growth: They can ask some questions as, for instance: “What sort of career progression or advancement or learning is available in this firm?” 
• Project Details: Finally, one question which we should all learn to keep off from asking during an interview is “How much are you willing to pay me?” 

 By asking sensible questions to the interviewer, you can demonstrate your interest, enthusiasm, and fitness for the position.

4. The Best Rubrics and Strategies for ‘A+’ Interviews Success 

 Interview Preparation Strategies 

• Research the company: General information about the company: the company’s mission and values, recent events. 
• Practice common interview questions: Those are questions which the candidate should prepare for and practice over so as to be confident when answering them. 
• Prepare stories: Anticipate a few questions like, ‘Give me an example of…’, or ‘Describe a situation when you…’. 

 Body Language in Interview 

• Maintain eye contact: Listen and do not appear to be distracted. 
• Smile and nod: Act and speak in a friendly way. 
• Use open body language: It is also important not to fold your arms or legs because this will make you look rude or indifferent. 
• Practice good posture: Stand tall and properly when standing, sitting, and walking. 

Follow-Up After Interview 

•  Send a thank-you note: Thank the interviewer for the time and then explain once again you are interested in the position. 
• Personalize your note: I suggest that you intrude during the interview and refer to something specific which was said in order to prove that you are actually listening. 
• Follow up within 24 hours: Ideally, this is followed by sending your thank-you note to make your application fresh in the interviewer’s mind. 

 

 5. Top Mistakes You Should Avoid During Interviews 

 Over-Preparation 

• Sounding rehearsed: Even as you prepare for an interview, do not be too formal or mechanical in your bid to deliver the pre rehearsed lines. Rehearse your answers but do not memorize the answers word for word. 
• Losing your naturalness: Be less guarded and let your personality come out as this will help you find a suitable partner. Simplicity kills speech; but more than that, spontaneity makes more of an impression than the best preparation. 

 Negativity 

•  Speaking poorly of past employers: Never badmouth your past employers at any given opportunity no matter the reason given to you. Keep your outlook on the reality positive and point to the good things happening in your life or the motivation for the career change. 
• Creating a negative impression: This is because a negative attitude puts an employee’s image in a wrong perception especially when placing an offer and therefore the possibility of obtaining a job offer may be affected. 

 Lack of Focus 

• Not aligning answers with the job description: In answering these questions, please make sure that you answer the questions based on the requirements of the position you’re applying for. Emphasize on the positive attributes applicable to the job in question. 
• Missing the mark: Lack of concentration will make others to notice that you are not serious with the job at hand. 

6. Resources and Tools 

 Books and Articles 

•  "Cracking the Coding Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell: An all time favorite for any general technical interview which includes a large number of problems and discussion on the problem solving strategies. 
•  "Ace the Interview" by Susan Ireland: An extensive source that provides information about the several types of interviews and useful tips. 
• "The Interview Guide" by Karen Cleveland: An article providing guidelines on how to best prepare for an interview, how to answer some of the most challenging questions and how to deal with an offer. 

 Practice Tools 

•  Pramp: A practice platform for peer-to-peer whereby you can interview with other users seeking employment. 
•  Interview Cake: Provides a systematized framework for practicing the technical interviews through coding questions and their evaluation. 
•  LeetCode: A website that has become the go-to site for working through coding problems and being ready for a technical interview. 

 Templates 

•  Resume Template: You can download any other professional resume template that will help you present your skills and experience in the best way possible. 
•  Cover Letter Template: For purposes of writing a good cover letter, therefore, it is recommended that one uses a cover letter sample. 
•  Interview Preparation Checklist: Below is a list of things that will help you to organize yourself sufficiently to impress your interviewer. 

 

 8. FAQs 

 Brief Responses to Frequently Asked Questions In Relation To 

 Q: What if I have been asked a question that I have no idea about how to respond to or answer. 

 

 A: You can ask questions that you don’t know the answer to that is very normal. Instead of freaking out, it would be wiser to take some time out to gather one’s thoughts. Some suggestions of how you can respond are: “Well, that is an interesting question, I have never personally dealt with it, however if I had to tried solving it using [related skill or experience] I would try do it by [brief description on how you would go about it]. ” 

 

 Q: What is the best way I can be able to prepare myself when answering interview questions on my own? 

 

 A: Some of the ways to prepare for an interview is by getting familiar with the questions asked through mock interview tools, recording yourself, or by asking someone to take turns and interview you.