1. "Can you tell us something about yourself?"
The classic opening question. This is your chance to give a powerful, professional pitch. The interviewer wants to gain insight into your background, motivation and how you see yourself in relation to the position.
- Good answer: Start with a brief introduction of your name and current role/situation. Then focus on your relevant work experience, key skills and what drives you in your career. Link this directly to the job you are applying for. "I am [Your Name], a [your expertise] with X years of experience in [sector]. I am passionate about [relevant aspect of the job] and achieved [significant result] in my previous role. This position appeals to me greatly because [specific match with company/role]."
- TRIXXO Tip: Ask colleagues or friends which three keywords best describe you professionally. This will help you formulate an authentic and focused answer.
2. "Why do you want to work for us and what do you know about our company?
A prepared m/f/x is worth two. Recruiters want to see that you are not just applying, but have made an informed choice. And have already looked up information about the company.
- Good answer: Do thorough research about the company beforehand: its mission, values, recent projects, and corporate culture. Talk about what specifically attracts you and how your values match these. "I have been impressed with [specific project, product or company value] for some time. Your focus on [X] aligns seamlessly with my belief that [Y]. I really see myself contributing to [a concrete company goal]."
- TRIXXO Tip: Go beyond the 'About Us' page. Check their social media, read press releases or look for interviews with employees. The more you know, the more sincere your interest comes across.
3. "Why are you interested in this particular position?"
The interviewer wants to know whether you have understood the job description correctly and why exactly this role appeals to you over others.
- Good answer: Make the direct link between your skills and experience and the requirements of the job. Highlight the aspects of the job that motivate you and energise you. "This position is extremely appealing to me because [specific task or responsibility] is directly related to my expertise in [specific skill]. I am especially excited about the opportunity to [specific aspect of the job] and thus [contribute to the company]."
- TRIXXO Tip: Avoid generalities. The more specific you are about what triggers you in THIS job, the more convincing you will come across.
4. "What are your greatest strengths?"
This is your chance to shine and highlight your most relevant qualities.
- Good answer: Choose 2-3 strengths that are directly relevant to the job. Substantiate each point with a short, concrete example of how you have applied this quality in the past, and what positive result it produced. "One of my biggest strengths is [strong point], which became apparent when I took [specific action] in [previous job/project], resulting in [concrete result]. In addition, I am very [other strong point], which helps me to [benefit the team/company]."
- TRIXXO Tip: If necessary, use the STAR method to structure your answers: situation, task, action, result.
5. "And what are your development points (weaknesses)?"
Another classic that tests your self-insight and eagerness to learn. The interviewer wants to know if you can look at yourself critically and are willing to grow.
- Good answer: Choose a 'weak' point that is not essential to the job and that you actively address. Formulate it as a development point. Explain what you are doing to work on this and how you have already made progress. "A development point for me is [development point]. However, I have found that I can improve this by [specific action, e.g. taking a course, asking for feedback]. For example, I recently started [example of improvement] and am already seeing positive results."
- TRIXXO Tip: Avoid clichés such as 'perfectionist'. Choose a point that really suits you, but one that you can control and work on.
6. "Why are you looking for a new challenge / Why are you unhappy with your current job?"
This question can be treacherous. It is crucial to remain professional and focus on the future without slagging off your previous employer.
- Good answer: Emphasise your need for growth, new challenges or the search for a better match with your ambitions. "I am grateful for the opportunities I had at my previous employer, but I am now looking for a position that gives me more room to develop [specific skill/ambition] and where I can take [a certain kind of responsibility]. This role here offers exactly those growth opportunities."
- TRIXXO Tip: Avoid gossip, complaints or negativity about your previous employer. That comes across as unprofessional. Keep it positive and focused on your development.
7. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
The interviewer wants to gauge your ambition and see if your long-term plans match the opportunities within the company.
- Good answer: Demonstrate that you have a vision for your career, and that this vision is realistic within the context of the organisation. Discuss how you want to grow in skills and responsibilities, and possibly how you want to contribute to the company's goals. "In five years, I see myself as a valued expert within this team, actively contributing to [specific business area or project]. I want to deepen my knowledge in [field] and possibly [e.g. take up a mentor role or lead a project]."
- TRIXXO Tip: Do research on the opportunities for advancement within the company. This shows that you are making a considered choice for a long-term relationship.
8. "Do you have any other applications pending?"
A legitimate question that requires honesty, coupled with proper prioritisation.
- Good answer: Answer "yes" honestly, as this is the reality of the job market. However, immediately emphasise that your preference and greatest interest lies with this particular job and organisation, and why. "Yes, I currently have some interviews ongoing, but I would like to emphasise that this position is my absolute preference. The [specific aspect of the job/company] best suits what I am looking for in my next step."
- TRIXXO Tip: Be strategic and don't reveal too many details about other job applications. Focus on what makes this job so appealing to you.
9. "What were your key responsibilities and achievements in your previous role?"
This question is your chance to bring your CV to life with concrete examples of your impact.
- Good answer: List your main responsibilities and combine them with specific successes. Where possible, quantify your achievements with figures or percentages. Again, use the STAR method if necessary: describe the situation, the task you had, the action you took, and the result you achieved. "In my previous job as [position], I was responsible for [tasks]. A key achievement was that I tackled [specific project/challenge] by [action]. This resulted in [concrete result, e.g. X% efficiency improvement or Y euro savings]."
- TRIXXO Tip: Keep your story concise and powerful. The interviewer does not want a life story, but a clear picture of your contribution and impact.
10. "Do you have any questions for us?"
This question is as important as any other, if not more important. It shows your interest, commitment and strategic thinking skills.
- Good answer: Always prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions. Avoid questions whose answers can easily be found on the website. Ask questions about team dynamics, company culture, job challenges, growth opportunities or next steps in the process. "I was wondering: what are the biggest challenges for someone in this role in the first six months? And how do you measure success within this team?"
- TRIXXO Tip: This is also a good time to ask a question to help you determine whether the company is a good fit for you. The conversation is a two-way street!
A good preparation gives confidence
Practise your answers out loud, and remember: be yourself, be enthusiastic and show your passion. At TRIXXO Jobs, we help you not only with job offers, but also with the best preparation for your dream job. Because we believe in the person behind the candidate.