If you going for an interview, you can expect these questions apart from the job specific or technical (if its technical job) questions. These questions are often asked in the interview, so better be prepared for these ones. Sometimes answering these questions in a professional way can make your chances better than other candidates.

What are your strengths & weaknesses?

So what is the best way to answer this question?
Strength: Assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing before any interview. List your skills, dividing them into three categories:

1. Knowledge-based skills: Acquired from work experience and education (e.g., computer skills, language skills, educational degrees, training and technical abilities).

2. Transferable skills: Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills).

3. Personal traits: Your unique qualities (e.g., flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and you are a team player).

After you done the list, choose four to five strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting, and be ready for specific examples to demonstrate why you say those are your strengths.

Weakness: This is the most difficult question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful." Also you can say Sometimes its hard for me to leave office when I get home.

Why should we hire you?

Now its time for you to summarize your experiences. Form one or couple sentences to answer these ones i.e. "In my last four years in the information technology industry and my proven record of saving the company resources, I could make a big difference in your company. I-m confident I would be a great addition to your team."

Tell us what you can do that others cant.

You might be asked, what makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

Why do you want to join us?

The interviewer would like to know, whether you have thought before you even applied for this job or just sent your resume because there was opening. Although the truth might be the second one, you may have to answer the question very carefully. For example, "I-ve selected few companies whose mission and vision statements are in line with my values and my objectives, and your company is very high on my list of desirable choices."

Tell us about one scenario, where you were appraised by your superior.

It-s time to pull out your old good experiences and some situations you handled very well and got appreciation form your superior. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else-s words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."

Why you want to leave or why you left your previous job?

If you-re unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me."
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience." If you leaving a large organization and joining a smaller organization, then it would be better to tell that you are looking for more responsibilities and would like to more range of work than a specific duty in a large organization.

What motivates you?

The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me." But always stay focused on the current job, before you answer please make sure that function is also there in the job you have applied for.

Tell us what you didnt like about your last job?

The interviewer would like to know, what impression you carry of an organization. Even you didnt like your desk and chair, but you dont have to tell all of them. Always remember that you need to show that you are an ambassador of the company. Dont talk about any personnel in that company like, my manager was not good. Rather tell that, the growth opportunities were limited in the field, you were interested. Again remember that your reason matches your job profile of the new job.

What is your goal?

Sometimes it-s best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than telling about distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

What salary are you seeking?

In some cases, you may get this question in the interview. It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"