Even if the prospect of a job interview makes you nervous, with a little preparation you’ll be ready to face even the most meticulous recruiters out there. Instead of guessing what kind of questions you might be asked, here’s a list of 15 most common job interview questions along with some easy tips on how to respond to each one of them.

Tell me about yourself.

This is a tricky classic. Remember that the recruiter already read your resume – say something different. Offer a short pitch of yourself and express what you’re really after when it comes to your career.

Discuss your educational background.

Again, you’ve got this covered in your CV, so say something different – mention specifics: what you’ve learned, what projects you worked on and how is it all relevant to the position.

How did you hear about the position?

This is your time to shine – if someone already working in the industry referred it to you, make sure to mention that. If you simply saw it posted on a job board, say what caught your eye about the offer.

Why do you want this job?

That’s where you need to show your passion for the position – express your interest in the company’s doings and identify key factors that make you a perfect fit for the role.

Why should we hire you?

Now it’s time to sell yourself to the recruiter – emphasize your qualifications, skills and passion for the job.

How do you handle stress?

This is important and you’ll do best if you refer to your actual experience. Do you sweat it out in the gym or have killer prioritizing skills? Talk briefly about your techniques for handling stress.

What are your salary requirements?

Simple – check what the position pays on Glassdoor and just answer. No need to be modest or overly confident here.

What do you know about the company?

This is where you show what you know about the company – and believe me, you should know much more than just the About page info. Know the company’s mission, values and priorities and you’ll nail this question.

What are your greatest strengths?

Be accurate, relevant and specific – always follow up with examples that clearly show those traits.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

Share you track record of previous achievements – if you haven’t experienced a professional success yet, mention those you did in college that are relevant to the competences required for the position.

What do you consider to be your weaknesses?

Talk about something you’re really struggling with and show how you’re on your way to improving it. Don’t act too perfect – that kind of attitude won’t impress anyone.

What type of work environment do you prefer?

Say the truth, but first try to learn whether the company provides the work environment you like. This way you’ll make everyone’s life easier.

What are you looking for in a new position?

Be specific and, ideally, state all the things the position actually offers.

What are your goals for the future?

This is the moment when the recruiter wants to see whether this position is in line with your career goals. If you’re sitting there being grilled, it probably is – just be honest.

Do you have any questions for us?

See if the job is the right fit for you – ask questions about specifics, such as your responsibilities, the number of people in your team or details about the management style.

****For this great post, Campus to Career thanks Isabel Wiliams!!!****

About the author:  Isabel Wiliams is a Human Resources Specialist at  BizDB. She’s a passionate educator, lecturing about leveraging the potential of the Internet for business development.