Most Common Interview Questions And Answers – Part 2
How much more confident and prepared would you feel if you could know exactly what the hiring manager was going to ask in the interview?
Well, we’re back with Part 2 of our most common interview questions and answers series!
- How did you hear about this position?
This question gives you the perfect opportunity to stand out of the crowd and truly demonstrate your passion for the job/organization. Whether you found out via a friend, professional contact, local event or online posting, don’t be afraid to name-drop and then describe why you were excited about the job.
Example: “I heard about an opening for this Discipleship Pastor role through a friend of a friend, Sarah, and since I’m a big fan of your church and have been following you online for a while I decided it would be a great role for me to apply for.”
- Why do you want to work here?
It’s easy to give a generic answer when you’re asked this question, so it’s important to do your research and point to something that unique that also appeals to you. Consider talking about a recent sermon series, a community outreach, or new initiative they’ve launched. This type of response not only shows that you’ve been observing, but it also allows you to better speak to how you might fit into the existing vision and mission of the organization.
Example: “I saw on MinistryHub.org that you were hiring for a new position at Grace Church. I saw your discipleship pathway and your recent Life Groups event and was excited by the clarity your church provides to the congregation. I also noticed through your recent Facebook post that you’re launching a new campus soon. I know what it takes to build a discipleship culture from scratch, and would be eager to step up and help support that however I can.”
- What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
When you’re asked this sort of question it can be easy to panic, but employers really just want to gauge how self-aware and honest you are! Try to provide an answer that highlights an area you struggle with, but that can be improved with proper resources and support.
Example: “It can be difficult for me to gauge when the people I’m working with are overwhelmed or dissatisfied with their workloads. To ensure that I’m not asking too much or too little from my team, I’ve established weekly check-ins. Even if they say they’re ‘all good,’ these meetings really lay the groundwork for us building a healthy and trusting relationship.”
