{"id":14364,"date":"2026-06-05T15:40:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T13:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/?p=14364"},"modified":"2026-06-05T16:09:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:09:57","slug":"erzahlen-sie-etwas-uber-sich","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/erzahlen-sie-etwas-uber-sich\/","title":{"rendered":"\"Tell me about yourself\" \u2014 and 9 other job interview questions you underestimate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\nThe job interview is the most nerve-wracking stage of the job search. But: Behind most questions lies a very specific intention \u2014 and if you understand this, the interview will stop being a lottery.<\/i>\n\n

Why you can actually prepare for interviews<\/h2>\n\nIn almost all companies, hiring managers ask roughly the same questions. This seems random \u2013 but it isn't. Every question has a purpose. If you understand what's really being assessed, you can not only answer appropriately but also avoid typical pitfalls.\n\nIn this guide, we'll walk through ten questions you're highly likely to encounter in any interview.\n\nFor each question:\n
    \n
  • What is really being checked?<\/li>\n
  • How do you reply well?<\/li>\n
  • What mistakes should you avoid?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    Question 1: \"Tell us something about yourself.\"<\/h2>\n\nAlmost every conversation starts with that.\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Can you speak about yourself in a structured way? How relevant is your experience for this role?\n\nWhat no one wants to hear:<\/strong> Your career history from nursery school onwards. A detailed account of all your previous jobs.\n\nA clear structure in four steps:\n\n
      \n
    1. I am a product analyst with six years of experience in the fintech sector.<\/li>\n
    2. Key experience \u2013 where and in what roles you have worked.<\/li>\n
    3. One to two main achievements, with figures.<\/li>\n
    4. Optional: a brief bridge to the point \u2014 \"This is precisely why I applied for this role.\"<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\nThe answer should take one to two minutes \u2013 maximum. Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t fit everything in. There will be many more questions ahead of you to complete your professional profile.\n\n
      A personal statement is not an autobiography. It is a brief summary of why you are the right person for this particular role.<\/div>\n\n

      Question 2: \"Why are you leaving your current job?\"<\/h2>\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Your ambitions. Your career stability. Your ability to handle conflict. And most importantly: Can you speak neutrally about a former employer?\n\nThe most important rule: Never bad-mouth your previous company, boss, or colleagues. Even if everything there was truly awful. Any criticism of your old job will be used against you.\n\nThe logic of the person interviewing you is simple: Someone who talks about their last role like this will be talking about the new one in exactly the same way in a year's time.\n\nDon't focus on what was bad in the past, but rather on what you wish for in the future.\n\n
        \n
      • I've outgrown my current tasks and want to take on more responsibility.<\/li>\n
      • \u201cI\u2019m looking for a new challenge and a different scale of operation.\u201d<\/li>\n
      • My priorities have changed and I want to develop professionally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nIf you are changing jobs because of salary, frame it around the value of your work, rather than dissatisfaction.\n\n
        Talk about the future, not the problems of the past.<\/div>\n\n

        Question 3: \"Tell us about your most important professional achievement.\"<\/h2>\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Can you quantify your contribution? Do you have tangible results to show? Do you think in numbers?\n\nA good answer is a specific case with a measurable outcome:\n\nThere was a situation. The task was this. I did the following. This was the result.\n\nWhat doesn't work: General statements like \"I always did good work\" or \"We were often praised.\"\n\nIf you don't have exact metrics, provide a measurable qualitative effect.\n\nFor example:\n\n\"After I joined the department, staff turnover decreased significantly. In the following six months, no one left the team.\"\n\nNumbers or clearly recognisable impacts make your performance tangible.\n\n
        Prepare two or three success stories. That way, you can choose the most appropriate example depending on the role.<\/div>\n\n

        Question 4: \"Tell us about your biggest professional failure.\"<\/h2>\n\nThis question sounds awkward, but is simpler than many think.\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Honesty, self-reflection and the ability to learn.\n\nThe worst answer is:\n\n\"I haven't had any failures.\"\n\nYou should talk about failures in the same structured way as you talk about successes:\n\n
          \n
        • What happened?<\/li>\n
        • What was your role in that?<\/li>\n
        • Where did the mistake lie?<\/li>\n
        • What lessons have you learnt from this?<\/li>\n
        • What are you doing differently today?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nDon't choose a catastrophic error, but rather a medium-sized incident with a clear learning curve.\n\nThe most important message isn't that an error happened, but that you grew from it.\n\n

          Question 5: \"What are your strengths and weaknesses?\"<\/h2>\n\n

          As for the strengths<\/h3>\n\nWhat is being checked<\/strong> How well do your strengths match the requirements of the position?\n\nMention two to three relevant strengths and back them up with examples where possible.\n\nAvoid standard phrases such as:\n\n
            \n
          • I am responsible.<\/li>\n
          • \u201cI\u2019m a good communicator.\u201d<\/li>\n
          • I am determined.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nWithout examples, such statements come across as interchangeable.\n\n

            As for the weaknesses<\/h3>\n\nThe most common mistake is camouflaged strengths:\n\n
              \n
            • \u201cI\u2019m a perfectionist.\u201d<\/li>\n
            • I'm working too much.<\/li>\n
            • I'm too demanding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nA good answer consists of two parts:\n\n
                \n
              • A real weakness.<\/li>\n
              • What you are actively doing about it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nExamples:\n\n
                  \n
                • I need a bit of time to get to grips with new tasks, so I break them down into small steps.<\/li>\n
                • Public speaking isn't easy for me. That's why I prepare presentations particularly thoroughly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
                  Do not choose a weakness that is critical to the role.<\/div>\n\n

                  Question 6: \"Why specifically our company?\"<\/h2>\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Your motivation.\n\nThe weakest answer is:\n\n\"Large company. Good conditions. Well-known name.\"\n\nBe specific:\n\n
                    \n
                  • What have you researched about the company?<\/li>\n
                  • What do you like about the product or business model?<\/li>\n
                  • Which tasks particularly appeal to you?<\/li>\n
                  • How does this role fit with your career goals?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nShow that you have actually engaged with the company.\n\n

                    Bewerber: \u201eIch sehe mich in drei bis f\u00fcnf Jahren in einer Position, in der ich meine F\u00fchrungsqualit\u00e4ten besser entwickeln und meine F\u00e4higkeiten weiter ausbauen kann, w\u00e4hrend ich gleichzeitig einen bedeutenden Beitrag zum Erfolg des Unternehmens leiste. Ich bin auf der Suche nach einer Rolle, die mich herausfordert, und ich bin zuversichtlich, dass ich, indem ich mich auf die Ziele des Unternehmens konzentriere, diese M\u00f6glichkeit finden werde.\u201c<\/h2>\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Goals, ambitions and stability.\n\nBad answers:\n\n
                      \n
                    • I've never thought about that.<\/li>\n
                    • On your mark.<\/li>\n
                    • I want to start my own business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nGood answers describe a direction of development:\n\n
                        \n
                      • I want to deepen my expertise and take on leadership responsibility in the medium term.<\/li>\n
                      • I want to expand my skills in related subject areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nNobody expects an exact five-year plan. A plausible development path is perfectly sufficient.\n\n
                        Demonstrate that the advertised position is a logical next step in your career.<\/div>\n\n

                        Question 8: \"What are your salary expectations?\"<\/h2>\n\nFor many applicants, this is the most difficult question.\n\nPrepare:\n\nBefore the interview, look at 20 to 30 similar job advertisements and determine the market rate.\n\nIn the interview:\n\n
                          \n
                        • Always state a salary range instead of a fixed figure.<\/li>\n
                        • Don't sell yourself short.<\/li>\n
                        • Ask about the budget for the position if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nA possible phrasing:\n\n\"What salary range have you budgeted for this position?\"\n\nThis is perfectly acceptable \u2013 especially in the first interview.\n\n

                          Question 9: \"Are you currently speaking with other companies?\"<\/h2>\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Your demand in the market and the urgency of the decision.\n\nA good answer:\n\n\"Yes, I am exploring several options in parallel.\"\n\nYou don't need to name names or reveal details.\n\nIf asked, you can politely reply:\n\n\"I would prefer not to disclose the names of the companies and hope for your understanding.\"\n\nIt's important to appear professional and confident.\n\n

                          Question 10: \"Do you have any questions for us?\"<\/h2>\n\nAlmost every conversation ends with this question.\n\nWhat is actually being checked:<\/strong> Your interest in the role and your professionalism.\n\nNever reply:\n\n\"No, everything is clear to me.\"\n\nPrepare three to five questions.\n\nGood topic areas:\n\n
                            \n
                          • About the role:<\/strong> What are the goals for the first few months?<\/li>\n
                          • About the team:<\/strong> How is the team structured?<\/li>\n
                          • Regarding the processes:<\/strong> How are decisions made?<\/li>\n
                          • For development<\/strong> What are the growth opportunities?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nQuestions about holidays, working from home, or overtime are also legitimate \u2013 but only at the end of the conversation.\n\nThese questions not only help the company, but also you in your decision.\n\n

                            The one principle that simplifies everything<\/h2>\n\nGood interview preparation involves preparing three to four key stories from your experience and using them flexibly.\n\nFor example:\n\n
                              \n
                            • A success story.<\/li>\n
                            • A story about a failure.<\/li>\n
                            • A story about teamwork.<\/li>\n
                            • A story about conflict resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\nWith these few examples, you can answer the majority of all standard questions.\n\nAnd most importantly:\n\nAn interview is not an interrogation or an exam. It is a dialogue.\n\nThe company doesn't just decide about you.\n\nYou also decide about the company.\n\nAnyone who goes into an interview with this attitude automatically appears calmer, more confident, and more professional.\n\nEditorial note:<\/strong>\n\nThis article summarises best practices for preparing for job interviews, following the typical interview processes of modern companies.\n\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              The job interview is the most nerve-wracking phase of the job search. But: most questions have a very specific intention behind them \u2014 and if you understand this, the interview will stop being a lottery. Why you can actually prepare for interviews In almost all companies, hiring managers ask roughly the same questions. This seems random \u2014 it is [\u2026]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14365,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ohne-rubrik"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14364"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14370,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14364\/revisions\/14370"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manualjobsearch.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}