Typical questions in a job interview

If we have the preparation, experience, and qualities, the interview is the time to convey it. That's why it's important to know the typical questions of a job interview and the most suitable answers and be able to prepare them. Moreover, preparing for the interview in advance will help us to feel more comfortable and have greater confidence.

These are some of the typical questions of a job interview that you may come across:

• “Tell me about you”
• “Why do you want to work here?”
• “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
• “What is your biggest weakness?”
• “What has been your greatest professional achievement?”
• “How do you handle pressure or stress?”
• “What do you know about our company?”
• “Tell me about a professional challenge you faced and how you solved it”
• “Why should we hire you instead of another candidate?”

Below we address some of these typical questions of a job interview in more detail and answers you should and shouldn't give, and why.

This very generic question opens the job interview in many cases. It seems simple and harmless, but it's not so easy to respond to it in the right manner. What the recruiter is pursuing with it is to assess your capacity to summarize relevant information, your experience, and your achievements, and how you can apply it to the job role.

The most appropriate way to answer this typical question in a job interview is to present in a summarized manner your work experience, your achievements (in a measurable way), your most relevant aptitudes, and why the company's job offer motivates you. It is common, and an error, that when responding to this question we do so in a general manner, and that instead of focusing on the professional aspect, we answer with generic or more personal matters, such as our hobbies or what we studied.

• An example of a more appropriate answer would be: "I'm a telecommunications engineer with four years of experience in project management. In my last job, I led a team of four people and I managed to reduce project implementation costs by 20%. Moreover, I have experience in the development of innovative solutions. I am very interested in this job because it offers the chance to apply my skills in a company that values efficiency and innovation."
• An example of a less suitable answer would be: "I was born in a town in Valladolid and I came to Madrid when I started university. I graduated five years ago and I have since worked in two companies. I like sport, music, and traveling, and I think I can bring a lot to the company."

This question not only serves to assess how much you know about the company (and if you have done work to research it), but also your expectations and values and if these fit with those of the organization.

• A suitable answer would be one that shows knowledge of the company and the company’s culture, which demonstrates interest, and which connects our skills with the company’s values. For example: “I would like to work here because the company has a clear commitment to sustainability and is a leader in technological innovation, two aspects that I extremely value. Moreover, I think that my experience can contribute to some of its latest projects, such as that of solar energy.”
• On the contrary, a less suitable answer would be one that addresses the candidate’s needs and not the company’s, or that shows scarce enthusiasm or little commitment. For example: “I would like to work here because they offer a good work schedule and a good salary, and I need a stable salary with a higher wage than I currently have.”

This is another of the typical questions in a job interview that it's likely we may come across. The aim of the recruiter that asks you this question is to value your commitment, your midterm aspirations, and if these expectations coincide with what the company expects from you.

When asked, the correct thing would be to show interest in growing within the company and in aligning with the company's objectives. Also ambition, without this seeming excessive in relation to the job role being offered. It would be inappropriate, however, to give the impression that there is no clear commitment or direction, or that there is a lack of interest in professional evolution.

• A desirable answer would be: "Within five years, I see myself with greater responsibility in my area of work, and with new skills that contribute to improving both my professional performance and the company's results."
• A less correct answer would be: "I'm not sure, because I always wanted to work away. It's possible I try to work in another country or in a different sector."

Embarking on the professional path isn't always easy. At Repsol, we are committed to young talent. That's why we have internship and first-job access programs in our company, for different profiles of young people who seek to join the job market.

On the one hand, Talent Energy Internships are aimed at undergraduate or Master's students in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Cybersecurity, Big Data, Business Administration and Management, Economics, Law, or Marketing. They can be carried out at Repsol's offices and facilities in Madrid, Puertollano, A Coruña, Cartagena, and Tarragona. Registration is open until December 31.

For Vocational Training students, we also have a VT and Dual VT Internship program, focused on students studying Administration, Marketing, Laboratory, Industrial Chemistry, or Mechatronics. Currently, around 35% of students who do internships at Repsol come from Vocational Training, and there is an increasing demand for higher education profiles.

For recent graduates, Repsol offers the possibility to find their first job with a competitive work contract, supervised development, flexible schedule, and work benefits, among other advantages.