Getting a well paid job in Saudi Arabia goes through various stages. First, you submit a CV attached with a cover letter. Then, you get invited for a meeting to get interviewed about your application. What questions and answers can you expect during a job interview? To help you reach your dream job, here is an exclusive article including the top 10 common job interview questions and explained answers.

Saudi Job Interview Preparations:

Whatever is the field you have applied for, you need to prepare yourself for the day. In Saudi Arabia, a job interview can be conducted either in English, Arabic or both languages. You need to work on your appearance, body language and professional motives. If you are a fresh applicant, you need to prepare the common interview question to know how to structure your answers. Fratres will show you how to prepare perfect answers and pass this meeting.Here are  the Best Tips for A Successful Saudi Job Interview

Despite the various professional fields in Saudi Arabia, there are many common interview questions to ask. These questions can be divided into these categories:

• Questions related to the candidate: Employers will ask questions related to you. They want to know whether your personality is suitable for the job, or your skills and expertise can work for the position.
• Questions related to the job you have applied for: Employers need to know your motives behind this application, whether you are going to work for an extensive period or not or you are just looking to expand your CV and gain experience.
• Questions related to your reaction/behavior towards certain situations: situational questions are an expected part in the job interview plot. You need to prepare common question and answers in case you wanted to pass the interview:
• Question related to the job offer negotiation: there is a stage in your interview where employers want to know your expected salary or your opinion about the work environment. You need to know how to react in these diplomatic situations.

If you are looking for the questions related to your target job in your dream destination, sign up to Fratres. 

Common Job Interview Questions and Answers

1. Can you introduce yourself/ Tell me about yourself?

This question shows employers how candidates can structure their professional journey. It allows employers to know more about the candidate's personality (talkative, reserved ...) and his current state ( a fresh graduate, an experienced employee, a volunteer). Try to introduce yourself in a brief way without bragging too much about your studies or experience.

2. What do you know about us?

The candidate should gather information on the job before coming to the interview. Your answer should reflect a good hold of the job description and an interest in the company in general.

3. Why do you want to work with us?

Employers want to know about your reasons for your application. You should always reveal your interest in shaping your career life with an interesting position ( like the one you have applied for). You should also state that you have the necessary requirements that can serve the industry. For example, you  can talk about relevant skills in your CV and the job offer.

4. What grabbed your interest in this job offer?

Recruiters want to know the candidate’s interest in this job. A similar question can be why this job? You can answer this question by listing your likes in the job offer. For example, you can talk about your favorite professional tasks, what attracts you to the job offer, the motivating work environment and team. Do not limit your answers to self-centered advantages such as, the salary is motivating, the job involves free accommodation and flight tickets, the job includes huge commission, etc..

5. Tell me about a situation where ...

This question is open to many scenarios such as, Tell me about a situation where you managed  a complex problem, where you managed to bring a project to the end ... where you experienced professional failure. The aim of these questions is to focus on certain skills you need to deal with a specific situation. If the situation is based on the person's personality or overcoming a problem, you need to focus on skills like teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to listen and communicate. If the situation is about failure, you need to show that you have learned from this failure and you have more organizational skills.

6. What skills have you obtained in your previous experiences?

Experience is not about seniority at work or the knowledge of a specific field. It is about gaining skills. You should project what you have gained from previous experience on your target jobs. For example, if you have applied for a Customer-service Agent position, you should mention skills available in your previous job and in the potential job you aspire to have.

7. How do you organize your commercial prospects?

This question is for employers, who are looking for candidates with a commercial sense. This question allows candidates to better imagine the daily professional life in meeting the company’s target. Your answer should include the way you would handle the job, once you are hired.

8. What is the most constructive criticism that anyone has pointed at you?

This question is about self-assessment and the way candidates’ can deal with constructive criticism. You can structure your answer by showing that you have an open personality. Do not insist on having a criticism-friendly attitude. You should rather focus on having the spirit to learn, develop, and improve. Give examples of constructive criticism such as you have a great creativity, but still you need to work on technical devices and programs that can better illustrate your creativity.

9. If you could go back in time, would you do things differently?

This question might seem disconnected with the professional field. But, employers use it to test your satisfaction with your academic and career choices. Were you determined to do this specific degree, or dragged by your parents to obtain it? The perfect answer to this question is showing confidence, consistency. Avoid answers expressing regret and reproaches.  Take a look at; What are the Problems in Working in Saudi Arabia?

10. What do you expect from your manager?

Employers want to know what is expected from them. They want to see if your expectations meet the arrangements that will be mentioned in the work contract or not. Your answer should include a favorable environment for work, such as you are expecting a safe and professional work environment. Here are 5 essential expectations of a good manager

These were the top 10 common interview questions and answers for Saudi Arabia’s recruitment. These questions are general. Changes depend on the field and the type of work. Prepare these common questions and structure your answers in reference to your job situation.