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What Are the Final Interview Questions? (And How to Prepare)

What Are the Final Interview Questions? (And How to Prepare)

So, you got called in for a final interview to help hiring managers zero in on who they want for the position. Congratulations on achieving this positive step towards landing the job of your dreams!

candidate having final interview

This article will help you prepare for that final interview so that you not only know what to expect but have the confidence to ace it.

Does a Final Interview Mean You Have the Job?

A call for a final interview does not necessarily mean you have the job. However, it is a major step in the process and one that you want to make sure you ace.

The final interview is your opportunity to show the hiring managers what you’re made of and what makes you stand out from the other candidates vying for the job.

What to Expect from the Final Round Interview with the CEO

You are wondering what to expect from the final round interview. The CEO is very busy, so they are going to keep this meeting short and sweet.

ceo asking questions

Most of their time will likely be spent on asking you questions about what makes you the best candidate for the open position at hand, what your goals are with the company, what you like most about working there (if interviewing for an internal spot), or why you want to work in that particular field.

Suppose it’s not an internal job but rather one looking externally for new employees. In that case, they will ask what sets them apart from other companies where people have applied online or handed over resumes during networking events/meetings, etc.

The CEO is simply narrowing down their decision to choose the best individual that fits in with their company’s culture to meet and exceed their job expectations. You may not even meet with the CEO and be a part of a panel interview instead. Once you understand that, you can start preparing.

How to Prepare for a Final Interview

The best way you can prepare for the final interview is to be yourself! You don’t want to waste your time pretending to be something you aren’t just to land a job. In this case, you aren’t being true to yourself, which will likely result in dissatisfaction and burnout.

Be completely honest with the hiring manager and let them know where you stand. Remember, you are interviewing for them just as much as they are interviewing for you. So don’t allow yourself to feel desperate for a job that you don’t want.

Final Interview Questions and Answers

woman attending a final interview

While there isn’t a set list of questions that are always asked in a final interview, there are some common ones that you can expect. Some of these questions might include:

Why Are You Interested in This Position?

You’ll want to do more than just recite the job listing to answer this question. Reflect

on what spoke to you about the role and what excites you about it. Be sure to mention how your skills and experience make you a perfect fit for the position.

What Are Your Long-Term Career Goals?

This is another question where preparation is vital. Be ready to share what appeals to you about the company, and its mission aligns with your personal values. Plus, talk about how this position can help you reach your professional goals down the road.

What Do You Know About Our Company?

It is essential to know about the company you are planning to spend 40 hours of your time at each week. Do your homework on the company before you step in for what will likely be a final interview.

You want to know about the company’s culture and what they offer their workers outside of their job descriptions. Most of this information will be on the company’s website or even by looking at employee reviews on Indeed or a related site.

What Are Some of Your Strengths?

You don’t need to go into too much detail about what makes you great, but they must know what sets you apart from other candidates.

girl telling her strengths and weaknesses to the interviewer

Describe how this position aligns with what you’re looking for in your career path and why? This question gives hiring managers an opportunity to drill down further, so take advantage of it!

You might have already touched upon what appeals most to you about the role, but now’s your chance to let them know what else draws interest by sharing additional information or examples of specific job responsibilities you dazzled at. How does it meet those goals?

What Are Your Weaknesses?

This question seems cliche but understanding your weaknesses is just as important as what you are good at.

If your weakness is something that the company values, then they will see it as a positive trait for them to have someone who can recognize their shortcomings and work on fixing them! Not to mention being honest is a great way to receive favor in the hiring manager’s eyes.

How Would You Describe Yourself?

This question is an excellent opportunity for you to share what makes you unique. Are you the go-getter type? The creative one?

Talk about what personality traits set you apart and make you the perfect candidate for this position. Even speak about your hobbies and the causes you like to donate your time to.

What Motivates You?

Again, this question is a great opportunity to share what makes you unique and passionate about your work. Do you like working towards tangible goals? Does receiving public recognition for your work make you feel appreciated?

What about knowing that you are making a positive impact in someone’s life? Sharing what drives you will help hiring managers see why you would benefit from having you on their team.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, it is essential to be prepared for what the hiring manager has in store, but that doesn’t mean being nervous about what they have planned.

The more information you share with them from your experience and insight into what makes you a strong candidate, the better your chances of landing the job.

Also, remember to update your resume and have two to three questions for the hiring manager to amplify your perceived seriousness and interest in landing the position. Good luck with your final interview.