Interview Preparation
Job interview questions can be relatively unpredictable. They will depend on the position you are applying for, and your interviewer’s preferences. There are, however, several common questions which are frequently used, and should therefore be well rehearsed.
1. "Tell me about yourself"?
This question may also be rephrased as “Could you give me brief self-introduction”? or “Tell me about your background”.
It is important to be ready to answer this question. It is a chance for the interviewer(s) to get to know you on a personal level before discussing your skills or abilities. Try to rehearse a monologue that lasts around two minutes. There are several ways to approach this question as some employers may want to hear some personal information, while others may not. To be safe, try to include a mix of both leaning more towards relevant information for the position rather than personal tastes or hobbies. Include:
1. Your current situation. Briefly describe what you are doing academically, and/or your current position and responsibilities.
2. Your past experiences. Connect what you have achieved in the past with what you are doing now.
3. Your future. Explain how the position you are applying for matches your career path so far, and why you are interested in the position.
There are other ways to convey this information without using the above formula. Consider what works for you personally, and practice delivering it smoothly.
2. “Why do you want to work for this company”?
It is important to prepare for this question by doing some research on the position and the company in question. Show that you care enough to have “done your homework”. For example, if you were applying for a position at Google, it would be prudent to be able to express clearly which aspects of the company you admire. These might include the opportunity to work on innovative projects that have a global impact, or the chance to collaborate with talented employees. By researching the company’s mission statement and vision, you can formulate a response that connects your preferences and goals to that of the company.
Google’s vision statement “To provide access to the world’s information in one click”.
Google’s mission statement “To organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”.
Example Answer:
“I hope to work for Google foremost because I admire and use the company’s technology on a daily basis. I see Google as a company which creates opportunities for everyone to learn, improve themselves, and connect with each other. I believe access to knowledge can empower individuals and help transform societies for the better. I want to be a part of a company that continues to innovate in crucial technologies such as A.I, and tools that help billions of people in their daily lives. I want to contribute to a company where the work I do can have a direct, positive impact on a global scale, while also challenging me to learn and grow alongside some of the most talented people in the industry”.
Other research you might consider doing before the interview would be to know some basic information such as the name of the CEO, the company’s organisational structure, and the names of other positions related to the one you are applying for.
Some international companies, such as Google and Bloomberg, will openly help you prepare for the interview by providing example questions and tips. Consider researching this online to help you prepare.
3. "What are your strengths and weaknesses"?
Answering questions about your strengths should be relatively straightforward. This is a chance for you to connect your skill set to the position. Answering questions about weaknesses should be treated more carefully. Ideally, you should choose an inoffensive and common weakness, and be prepared to explain how you have taken steps to improve on it.
Example Answer:
"I can be a little unorganised at times, but recently I have started using an application on my phone that helps me prioritise tasks and improve my time management skills. Using the app has helped me to realise the importance of organising my time more efficiently at an early stage, rather than falling into my old habit of leaving things to the last minute”.
Don’t be tempted to state something positive and try to pass it off as being a weakness. "I work too hard", or "I care too much about my colleagues" may be seen as disingenuous.
4. Interview / Application Questions Encountered by Hitotsubashi University Students in Previous Interviews
Below is a list of actual questions that previous students have encountered in job interviews and on job applications.
Feel free to use them as a reference, and to support us by adding to the list via email
1. "Tell me about yourself"?
This question may also be rephrased as “Could you give me brief self-introduction”? or “Tell me about your background”.
It is important to be ready to answer this question. It is a chance for the interviewer(s) to get to know you on a personal level before discussing your skills or abilities. Try to rehearse a monologue that lasts around two minutes. There are several ways to approach this question as some employers may want to hear some personal information, while others may not. To be safe, try to include a mix of both leaning more towards relevant information for the position rather than personal tastes or hobbies. Include:
1. Your current situation. Briefly describe what you are doing academically, and/or your current position and responsibilities.
2. Your past experiences. Connect what you have achieved in the past with what you are doing now.
3. Your future. Explain how the position you are applying for matches your career path so far, and why you are interested in the position.
There are other ways to convey this information without using the above formula. Consider what works for you personally, and practice delivering it smoothly.
2. “Why do you want to work for this company”?
It is important to prepare for this question by doing some research on the position and the company in question. Show that you care enough to have “done your homework”. For example, if you were applying for a position at Google, it would be prudent to be able to express clearly which aspects of the company you admire. These might include the opportunity to work on innovative projects that have a global impact, or the chance to collaborate with talented employees. By researching the company’s mission statement and vision, you can formulate a response that connects your preferences and goals to that of the company.
Google’s vision statement “To provide access to the world’s information in one click”.
Google’s mission statement “To organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”.
Example Answer:
“I hope to work for Google foremost because I admire and use the company’s technology on a daily basis. I see Google as a company which creates opportunities for everyone to learn, improve themselves, and connect with each other. I believe access to knowledge can empower individuals and help transform societies for the better. I want to be a part of a company that continues to innovate in crucial technologies such as A.I, and tools that help billions of people in their daily lives. I want to contribute to a company where the work I do can have a direct, positive impact on a global scale, while also challenging me to learn and grow alongside some of the most talented people in the industry”.
Other research you might consider doing before the interview would be to know some basic information such as the name of the CEO, the company’s organisational structure, and the names of other positions related to the one you are applying for.
Some international companies, such as Google and Bloomberg, will openly help you prepare for the interview by providing example questions and tips. Consider researching this online to help you prepare.
3. "What are your strengths and weaknesses"?
Answering questions about your strengths should be relatively straightforward. This is a chance for you to connect your skill set to the position. Answering questions about weaknesses should be treated more carefully. Ideally, you should choose an inoffensive and common weakness, and be prepared to explain how you have taken steps to improve on it.
Example Answer:
"I can be a little unorganised at times, but recently I have started using an application on my phone that helps me prioritise tasks and improve my time management skills. Using the app has helped me to realise the importance of organising my time more efficiently at an early stage, rather than falling into my old habit of leaving things to the last minute”.
Don’t be tempted to state something positive and try to pass it off as being a weakness. "I work too hard", or "I care too much about my colleagues" may be seen as disingenuous.
4. Interview / Application Questions Encountered by Hitotsubashi University Students in Previous Interviews
Below is a list of actual questions that previous students have encountered in job interviews and on job applications.
Feel free to use them as a reference, and to support us by adding to the list via email
| hitotsubashi_interview_questions.pdf |
