64 Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Job interviews can be stressful, but knowing the questions that are likely to come up can help you feel prepared. While it’s impossible to know exactly what an interviewer will ask, we’ve compiled a list of 64 of the most common interview questions along with advice on how to craft your responses.
These questions are commonly used to gauge your skills, personality, and whether you’re a good fit for the role and the company. Although you don’t want to memorize “canned” answers, practicing responses to these questions will help you feel confident and ready to tackle the interview process.
1. Tell me about yourself/your work experience
This is often the first question asked in interviews, and while it may seem easy, many candidates fail to prepare for it. Instead of listing your job history, focus on a brief, compelling pitch that highlights why you’re a good fit for the role. Use the present, past, future formula to organize your answer.
Example
“I’m currently an account executive at Smith, where I handle our top-performing client. Previously, I worked at an agency on major healthcare brands, and I’m excited about this opportunity at Metro Health Center because I’m looking to focus on a specific healthcare company and deepen my expertise in the industry.”
2. Walk me through your resume
This question gives you the opportunity to walk the interviewer through your career journey. It’s important to frame your story by highlighting relevant skills and experiences that directly relate to the job at hand. Focus on your most impactful roles and how they shaped you for the next step.
Example:
“I started my career in sales, moved into sales training, and then transitioned into teaching. My experience with building processes and guiding new hires successfully helped me identify my passion for education. That’s why I pursued my teaching certificate, and now I’m eager to bring my skills to the classroom.”
3. How did you hear about this position
This question gives you a chance to show your enthusiasm for the company and the job. Whether you found out through a friend, an article, or a job board, explain why you’re excited about the position and how you came across it.
Example:
“I heard about the position through a friend of a friend, Akiko, and after following your company for a while, I realized that your mission really aligns with my values. That’s why I’m excited to apply for this role.”
4. Why do you want to work at this company
Answer this question by doing your research on the company. Focus on what makes the company unique and why it excites you. Don’t just give a generic answer.
Example:
“I’ve been following your growth, especially the expansion into new markets like Mexico. I speak Spanish fluently and would love to contribute to the growth of your international presence by bridging the communication gap for your new teams.”
5. Why do you want this job
This is where you demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role. Highlight what excites you about the position and how it aligns with your goals and interests.
Example
“I’ve always admired your games for their unique storytelling, and I’ve spent hours engaging with your products. With my experience growing social media accounts, I’m excited about the opportunity to bring the same success to your TikTok presence.”
6. Why should we hire you
This is your chance to showcase your skills, fit, and potential contributions. Answer by connecting your strengths with the company’s needs and how you stand out from other candidates.
Example:
“I have over ten years of experience working with sales teams during times of rapid growth. I can implement sales training strategies that ensure your team will feel confident in selling new products and achieving growth.”
7. What can you bring to the company
This question asks how your skills can help solve the company’s challenges. Tailor your answer by referencing the job description and focusing on the impact you can make.
Example:
“I’ve helped other companies grow into new markets, and I see that PopCo is expanding into small businesses. My expertise in selling to this segment can help your team develop the right strategies to build a strong customer base.”
8. What are your strengths
Focus on a key strength that directly aligns with the job. Make sure to provide examples to demonstrate how that strength will help you excel in the role.
Example:
“One of my greatest strengths is organizing chaotic environments. In my current role, I implemented efficient systems for everything from scheduling meetings to preparing for big events. These systems reduced stress and helped everyone know exactly what to expect.”
9. What are your weaknesses
This question gauges your self-awareness. Be honest but strategic—choose a real weakness and show how you’re actively working on improving it.
Example:
“I sometimes struggle to gauge when my team is feeling overwhelmed. To address this, I’ve started holding weekly check-ins to make sure everyone feels supported and has the opportunity to ask for help.”
10. What is your greatest professional achievement
Choose an accomplishment that directly showcases your skills and how you’ve had a positive impact on past employers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly outline the achievement.
Example:
“My greatest accomplishment was leading a campaign that convinced a small town to switch to energy-efficient lighting. Despite the higher initial cost, I educated the community and got public buy-in. As a result, we secured new contracts, and my approach received national media attention.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I answer the question, “Tell me about yourself?”
Use the present-past-future formula: Start with your current role, explain how you got there, and wrap up by talking about why you’re excited about the opportunity at hand.
2. How can I prepare for behavioral questions in interviews?
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Focus on providing specific examples that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
3. How do I explain a career gap during an interview?
Be honest about your gap, and frame it as a period of personal growth or reflection. If you used the time to develop new skills or pursue a passion, mention that.
4. What’s the best way to answer, “Why should we hire you?”
Show how your skills directly match the company’s needs. Offer concrete examples of how you’ve delivered results in past roles that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
5. What should I avoid when answering, “What are your weaknesses?”
Don’t provide weaknesses that could undermine your suitability for the job. Instead, choose something genuine but minor, and focus on how you are actively working to improve it.
Conclusion
Job interviews can be daunting, but with the right preparation, you can turn them into an opportunity to showcase your skills and potential. Practicing these common questions and crafting your responses thoughtfully will not only boost your confidence but also increase your chances of impressing hiring managers. Remember to be authentic, highlight what makes you unique, and focus on how your experiences and strengths align with the job at hand.