When you participate in a job interview, one of the questions you can get at the interview is: What do you intend to gain from your new job? Find out how to answer it and what kind of answers can bring you extra points.

What do you expect from work? Frequently asked questions in interviews.

When you receive this question at the interview, there are a few things an employer may want to learn from you. What they want to find out in your answer varies depending on the context of the question. When you receive this question, what you may want to know is:

  • What were your expectations from your previous job, and how did you meet or exceed them?
  • What are your expectations of us as an employer concerning work conditions, culture, and evolution?
  • What is your knowledge of our expectations for this job?

When you answer this inquiry, it is best to think about what this inquiry means, what the recruiter wants to know from you, and answer honestly with what you want to achieve.

How to answer this question and why

To successfully answer this question, it is best to consider the following steps:

#1 Understand the purpose of this question

It is vital to comprehend the objective of this question - if it refers to what you need from the work environment or if it refers to how you will achieve and fulfill the role. 

#2 Be honest

When responding to questions, the most important thing is to be honest. Giving a genuine answer can help the interviewer figure out if you are suitable for their team, and it certainly builds trust.

If the employer asks you about your expectations from the previous role, avoid the temptation to exaggerate with your last responsibilities. If the recruiter asks you what you expect from him as an employer, identify the most important things to be satisfied with your job. If you are asked to understand your expectations for this role, use your own words to explain the job's responsibilities based on the description of that role.

#3 Be positive

It is essential to keep all your optimistic answers during an interview. You should reflect on the positive experiences and the things you liked most about the previous jobs and evade discussing areas of stress or worries of earlier roles. 

If you stay positive when talking about your previous experiences, show the interviewer that you can reflect on the positive aspects of any situation and assure them that you will not speak negatively about their company later.

#4 Be specific

It would be best to answer questions about your job expectations directly and specifically. Answering this question using precise details ensures a clear understanding between you and your employer, both about your expectations and their expectations. 

If the employer asks you about your expectations from the previous job, identify a specific scenario that reveals how you fulfilled or exceeded your expectations. If the employer asks you what you expect from them, briefly explain why your chosen factors are essential to you.

Answers that bring you extra points

To answer this question successfully, we give you some examples to inspire you, below, divided into several categories of answers: 

You are questioned about what your expectations are from the job.

Here are some ways you can answer this question to be successful, divided into several categories of answers that you can use to inspire you:

Use your skills

Focus on what you have to offer. Tell the employer that you have a lot to offer the organization so that your future boss will recognize your skills and use them. Illustrate one or two aptitudes or areas where you display success and connect them with the job you are applying for.

Example: "I am fluent in English and German, and at my last company, working with clients in Germany, I would like to use these skills to increase sales and provide a quality customer experience."

Professional Development

Professional development is a worthy goal for anyone looking for a job. If you applied to that company because you found out it has taken on professional development, explain this when answering questions about your future career. Tell the interviewer what you learned about the company and your goals. But do not focus only on the benefits of those training, but also mention that you want to develop how you bring value to the company.

Example: "I want to develop professionally, both through the company's training, which I have heard have an impressive reputation in the development of new employees, and through the application of these concepts in my daily work, in which to add value to the job."

Teamwork

Many employers are looking for candidates who can work independently. However, the ability to collaborate, both within your department and between teams and departments, will help you in virtually any work environment. When asked what to expect from your future job, you can explain the value of working together. Gives the interviewer examples of situations in which teamwork has been crucial to project-based work. You can also provide examples of your ability to manage conflicts because being part of a team involves and includes some obstacles and challenges. 

Example: "I would like to use my teamwork experience, which includes my ability to resolve conflicts and challenges naturally when people work together."

Company size

Some people prefer to work in larger or smaller companies, seeing certain advantages in these situations. Suppose you are interviewing for a job in a larger company. In that case, it shows that you like a hierarchical and well-structured company, that this helps you learn, and that the organization has the resources to help you advance in your career. 

Example: "I would like to work for a large company with the resources and people to help me implement larger projects and grow."

Instead, if you are interviewing a smaller employer/business, express your interest in working for a company with the opportunity for inter-departmental work and explain that you expect your new job to encourage good relationships and collaborations.

Example: "I can't wait to ask myself various questions, use my different skills, and build working relationships where we know we can rely on each other for help and support. That's why I prefer to work in a company with fewer employees. "

If you are asked what your expectations were from previous jobs

Example: "An expectation from my previous employer as a senior sales representative was that I would use my leadership skills in special projects and tasks. I have satisfied this expectation. For example, my employer picked me to be an onboarding coach for new workers. In this role, I provided feedback and coaching to new sales representatives while continuing to live up to my expectations."

This answer is vital because it shows that you met your employer's expectations for your tasks and that he was confident in choosing you for special projects and functions that allowed you to show leadership skills. Keep the response with a specific example of the expectation and how you fulfilled it.

If the question is about what you understand about your company's expectations

Example: "My understanding of the expectations of this role, based on the job description and our conversation, is that the organization wants me to achieve certain specific sales goals while providing support to existing customers. I have demonstrated my ability to fulfill and exceed sales expectations in my previous role as a top performer while maintaining strong and loyal customer relationships to prevent cancellations."

Such an answer is vital because it shows that you understand what the employer expects from a successful candidate and provides information that shows how you have demonstrated your ability to meet those expectations in a previous role.

Mistakes you can make when asked this question.

Try to avoid the mistakes you can make when answering this question. Here are some of them:

Don't be realistic enough.

Try to set realistic expectations for both the job and the employer. If the employer asks you about your expectations for previous positions, you want to respond in a way that sets realistic expectations for you in your new role. If he asks you what you expect from your employer, you must have realistic expectations that he can meet and achieve.

Not knowing the responsibilities of the job well.

Try to know the job's responsibilities well enough, prepare well for the interview, and show that you did your homework well before. This can help you plan your answers and show that you know your job and duties.

Talk about money

The question of salary expectations will undoubtedly arise at some point, but it is not in its place here. So instead, when asked about your job expectations, talk about things you can do to add value to the company and what it would take to be fulfilled and happy at work. 

Other frequently asked questions in interviews

During the job interview, you will receive several questions adapted, of course, to the job. But some of them will be common. Here are some of them: 

  • Tell us more about yourself.
  • Why do you desire to work for this organization?
  • Why do you want this job?
  • Why hire you?
  • What can you bring to the company?
  • What are your most vital strengths?
  • What skills do you recommend?
  • What are your weaknesses?
  • What is the most significant professional accomplishment?
  • What makes you desire to leave your current position?
  • Tell us about a challenge you met and successfully overcame.
  • How would your bosses and colleagues describe you?
  • Tell us when you've proven your leadership skills and how.
Category
Country

Similar Articles