Prepare for your interview by practicing these common job questions and crafting thoughtful responses. Familiarize yourself with potential queries, understand what hiring managers seek in your answers, and demonstrate that you’re the ideal candidate for the job.Job Interview questions and answers.
Top Common Job Interview Questions and Answers
Tell me a bit about yourself.
To answer this question, walk them through your history, beginning with how you started your career or your current job.Describe your accomplishments, career milestones, and why you’re looking for a new job.
Finally, tell them what you want to do next in your career and why you are looking for a new role.
Sample answer:After graduating in 2011 with a Business degree, I began my career in Marketing. Over the course of my career at Google, I have been promoted three times and received four awards for my outstanding work.
I am now looking to move on to a smaller company and take on more responsibility in terms of leadership and project management.
Job Interview questions and answers
How did you find out about the position?
It’s one of the easiest Q&As in any interview but that doesn’t mean it won’t affect your chances of getting the job if you answer the wrong way.
Sample answer:
“I saw the job posted on a website, and the position seemed interesting so I wanted to learn
more” “I found the position while looking for jobs online “Your company was recommended to me by somebody I worked with in a previous job and had heard good things about your organization”
“I heard about it from a friend”
What do you know about our company?
Our main objective is to demonstrate that we have done our due diligence or have knowledge of their company prior to applying. If we can do that, we are good to go.
If we do not appear to have any knowledge of their company, we will appear desperate – someone who will take any available job. This will make us unattractive to potential employers.
Sample answer:
I have seen on your website that you are one of the top providers of security software to other businesses. Do you mainly work with Fortune 500 companies? I have seen a few big Fortune 500 companies listed on your website, including….
You are one of the biggest investment banks in the United States. You are based in Raleigh, NC and have 25,000+ employees around the world.
Why did you apply for this position?
We need to make it clear that we are looking for the right position and that we are being selective. Companies are looking for the best people and the best people are selective in their job search.
Avoid negative language and complaining.
Don’t complain about your current company or your boss. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of the company you are interviewing with.
Sample answer:I have heard good things about the workplace here from some of my colleagues, and when I saw the job posting, I thought it was a good fit for me. For instance, the job description mentioned that you needed someone who was an expert in MySQL programming, which I had been in both my previous positions and had even done some academic work on it before graduating from university.
I believe I am an expert in MySQL, and it is a skill I plan to continue developing in the future. I have been dreaming of working for a bigger organization in this field since I started my career, and I know you are one of the top companies in this field.
I am very interested in the services you offer, particularly the mobile apps you are building recently, so I am looking forward to coming here and developing my skills with a company like yours.
Why should we hire you?
Let’s talk about them, and how we can help them. What would be more important to them if they hired us? What can we do to make their lives better?
And let’s demonstrate that we have done our homework. Let’s show that we understand what this role entails, and we’re prepared to do the work.
Sample answer: I saw on your job description that you are looking for someone with software programming experience. I have 3 years of experience in software programming and can help you right away with software programming.
Why are you leaving your current job?
If we decided to walk away on our own, keep a smile on your face and think about what you want to get out of it instead of making accusations or focusing on the things you didn’t want to miss.
Sample answer:“I was hired for a project management role, but over time that changed and I was no longer being given the opportunity to do the work I was interested in.
I left to pursue an opportunity that I felt was more aligned with what I’ve chosen to focus on in my career.”
What are your greatest professional strengths?
Select 1-3 strengths relevant to the job.
Sample answer: “My strengths lie in communication and initiative. In a previous internship, I took the lead in managing social media accounts, improving team communication and efficiency.”
Describe a work-related challenge and how you dealt with it.
To answer this question, focus on a particular work-related issue and describe how we overcame challenges, turned it into a learning opportunity, utilized the tools around us (people/co-workers if applicable), and ultimately achieved a positive outcome! Keep it work-related, not personal!
Sample answer: In my last project, my boss was away for the day and we were working on a project that needed to be completed by 5PM. I decided to take charge of the project and delegate tasks to the other four team members so that I could use their strengths to my advantage.
I also rearranged my personal tasks so that I could devote my whole day to contributing to this project. The project was successful and we completed it on time. I then led more projects after that and used the lessons I learned to become an effective project manager.
How much money are you looking to earn?
Unfortunately, this question is missing from many job interview question and answer lists.However, it is very important and a bad answer here could cost you a lot of money in the negotiation later.
Don’t give them the wrong answer. Tell them that you haven’t thought of a number yet, or that you’re not sure.
Sample answer: I am currently looking for a job that is suitable for me and my career. Once I have found what I am looking for, I will be open to making an offer that you think is fair.
I don’t have an exact number in mind right now, and my main focus is finding a position that is perfect for me.
Why do you want to work here?
Show them that you understand what their job entails (at least what you can find out from the job description and the company website) and that you are looking forward to interviewing for this position.
Sample answer: “I’ve been looking for a job since I graduated with a degree in Nursing, and I’m interested in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. I’ve seen that your hospital has one of the top ER’s in the area, and the job description is well-suited to me, as it mentions my strengths in multitasking and working in a fast-paced environment, so I’d love to start my career here.”
What is your dream job?
Good jobs are often described by career counselors as the “middle ground” between your skills, interests and values. This is a great approach for us as well. Speaking about your skills will give you an opportunity to sell yourself a little bit—this is an interview, after all. Your interests will demonstrate where you’re coming from, and your values can help demonstrate how you fit into the company.
Sample answer:
I have already considered this, and I know that I would like to continue developing my abilities as well as learning more about…
When it comes to job content, I’m looking for something that involves… and I’ve been interested in this kind of thing since I was a kid, so I’m sure it would be part of my ideal job.
Based on my abilities and interests, I would like to work in a company that I could… and… these are both very important to me, so I’m excited to see that they seem to be just as important to this company.
Why did you leave your last job?
If we decided to walk away on our own, keep a smile on your face and concentrate on what you want to get out of it, rather than gossiping or focusing on the things you didn’t want to miss.
Answer Sample:I decided to leave my job because I no longer felt like I was being given the chance to do the job that I was passionate about. The new manager had taken over and I didn’t feel like I had the chance to grow or progress in my role, so I decided it was time to make a change. I had been in the company for a long time and wanted to explore a new environment to help my career grow.
What other companies are you interviewing with?
Hiring managers want to know which other companies we are interviewing for a variety of reasons. For example, they want to see what the competition is like, they want to know how serious the industry is, or they want to see how likely they are to land such a high-quality candidate.
Answer Sample:
If we’re interviewing competitors:
I have a few interviews coming up soon for senior marketing positions, but based on my experience, this position has the exact challenges I’m seeking in my next role.
If we’re interviewing in other industries:
I’m interviewing with several companies for a variety of positions, but all of them focus on providing a great customer experience. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to best achieve that, but so far, it looks like this role will give me the opportunity to focus all my energy and attention on customer experience, which I find very attractive.
If we’re not interviewing anywhere else:
I’m still in the early stages of my job search, and I’ve applied to a few opportunities that will allow me to use my data visualization skills to help educate clients. In fact, this position is particularly good for me because I can use my extensive experience working with complex data sets.
What is your greatest weakness?
We don’t want to say that we don’t work well with others, or that we struggle with conflict resolution, or that we can’t take direction from a leader, etc. These things will disqualify us in the interview. So choose a skill, but pick one that doesn’t significantly affect our ability to do the job.
Answer Sample: I don’t have a lot of experience with social media marketing, so for the first couple of years, I mainly focused on email marketing, which is still my area of expertise. That’s why I wanted to apply for your email marketing manager position.
But I also realized that understanding the principles behind social media marketing is important because some of the same strategies that work in social media also work in email. So I started to spend a few hours a week on my own time learning this new area, and it really paid off.
What type of work environment do you prefer?
It’s best if it’s similar to the culture of the company you’re applying to.
Be Specific
Most companies have a “Culture” section on their website, but it’s usually full of things like “We’re passionate about customer satisfaction,” “We support our employees in their growth,” and so on. It doesn’t tell you much.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Choose a job-specific goal of where you want to be in five years’ time, and make it slightly challenging or aspirational.
Share a goal that relates to the kind of position you’re applying for. We want it to sound as though the skills you gain in this position align with your long-term objectives.
Job Interview questions and answers
Answer Sample:
Thank you for asking.Over the next five years, I plan to take on more responsibility, either as a manager or as an individual contributor.
I don’t know which path will be best for me in the future, but right now I am focused on building a strong base and gaining experience that will help me succeed in this industry.
Can you explain why you changed career paths?
Identify your target audience and communicate directly to them. This is essential for all job seekers.
You can’t just list your work history and expect your financial services hiring manager to immediately understand what you’re offering.
Instead, you’ll need to tailor all of your messaging to make it clear what your goal is and why you’re working towards it.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re concerned about how a particular position or experience will be perceived on your resume, it’s likely that someone will make the same assumption you do.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t go on the offensive and manage your message.
Let’s say, for example, that all of the steps you’ve taken over the past few years make you look, on the surface, like a “job hopper.”
Answer Sample: “Following a family relocation to Dallas, I pivoted my career to align with new opportunities in the area.”
Tell me about a time you failed?
This is one of the most common interview questions that employers ask. They want to know if you’re capable of learning from your mistakes and making changes when things aren’t going your way. Ideally, you’ll be able to talk about how you used that experience to get a better result the next time you’re faced with a similar situation (for example, how you changed a negative experience into a positive one).
Answer Sample: “As a supervisor, I mishandled a situation publicly. I learned to address such matters privately, becoming a more effective leader.”
How would your boss and co-workers describe you?
Share positive traits, supported by examples.
Answer Sample:
In my recent performance review, my direct supervisor referred to me as “someone who takes initiative” and “doesn’t hesitate to tackle difficult problems.” This is due to the fact that my role often involves on-site implementation. When something goes wrong, it is my responsibility to fix it, rather than passing the responsibility back to the team. I am confident that my colleagues would describe me as “logical, organized, and meticulous.”
Job Interview questions and answers
One of the things I have noticed is that I am often the one that people turn to for advice on how to handle new events or programs, such as the fundraiser I mentioned earlier. Although I have a great deal of institutional knowledge, I think the reason why people turn to me is because I work through a new program very methodically.
I don’t want to speak for the rest of my colleagues, but I’m pretty sure they would describe me as being very considerate, especially since I’m the only one who remembers everyone’s birthdays. I’m also very hardworking, since I never leave the office until it’s dark outside for a few hours. My boss would say that I’m really good at audience development, which is why I’m always taking on more responsibility in that area.
How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
Describe stress-reduction tactics and share a past example of navigating stress successfully.
Answer Sample: “I maintain composure by creating to-do lists and taking deep breaths. During a tight deadline, I led the team effectively, ensuring project completion.”
If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
Answer with enthusiasm, possibly connecting your choice to your strengths.
Answer Sample: “That’s a great question! I think I’d be an eagle, symbolizing keen observation and strategic thinking.”
What do you think we could do better or differently?
Whether it’s an engineering, sales, or marketing role, it’s important to use the product at least once (and ideally several times) before our first interview. If you’re hired, you’ll want to create value for those who use that product. Being a user is the first step, and it’ll also help you determine whether you can be passionate about your company and product and communicate that passion to your interviewer.
Now that we know the product, be prepared with ideas on how we could improve it in our role. What new features would you be most interested in building? How would you engage users (or reinvigorate existing ones)? How could you help the company improve conversions? How could you improve customer service?
Job Interview questions and answers
When we interview with a new start-up, we want to make sure the job is a good fit for us, and we want to communicate that to our interviewer. Once we’ve done that, we’re better equipped to negotiate the offer and get started—with lots of ideas on how we can hit the ground running.
Answer Sample: “Having used your product, I believe focusing on “X” feature would enhance user experience. I’m eager to contribute to such enhancements.”
Are you planning on having children?
While any questions about our family status are illegal, employers often ask these questions to get an idea of how committed we are to our job and company in the future. Tailor your answer to address that concern, avoid the illegality of the question and refocus the conversation on our job strengths.
This answer sample makes it clear that we are committed to our professional development, but it doesn’t promise anything in regards to our future—and allows us to move the conversation back to a job-related topic.
Answer Sample: “I’m currently focused on my career and eager to explore the growth opportunities your company offers.”
What do you like to do outside of work?
If someone asks about your hobbies, feel free to open up and tell them what makes you tick. (It’s totally fine to be semi-professional and say you like to grab a few drinks at the local hangout on a Saturday night. Just don’t tell them that Monday is a “bad” day for you because you’re always hungover.)
Job Interview questions and answers
It’s important to know as much as you can about your potential employer’s environment. Use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as their website and blog, to get the information you need to go into a job interview feeling confident and ready.
Before you go, try to figure out who you’re going to be meeting with. This could be an HR rep, your potential boss, or even the CEO. Why? Our interview responses and conversation topics should be tailored to the person we’re speaking with, and knowing who we’re talking to will give us time to think about how we can connect with each of them.
What are your salary requirements?
Unfortunately, this question is missing from many job interview questions and answers samples. However, it is very important, and a wrong answer here could cost you a lot of money in the negotiation later on.
They don’t know if you’re a good candidate or if they’re even interested in hiring you, so they can’t pay you a high salary now. If you tell them too low a price, they’ll hold you to it later. Go too high?
You’ll scare them off even before they know what you’re worth! Keep your cool and tell them you don’t know how much you’re worth yet, or you’re not sure.
Answer Sample: : “Currently, I’m focused on finding the right fit for my career. I’m open to considering a fair offer once the right position is identified.”
Job Interview questions and answers
Do you have any questions for us?
Don’t ask about pay, benefits, vacation, or anything else that’s outside of the scope of the job. Wait until they bring it up or until you know they want to give you the job.
If we’re not asking the right questions to every person we interview, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll get the job.
Answer Sample:
“Could you share more about the history of this position? What opportunities for growth have past employees pursued after holding this role?”
