20 common interview questions and answers
Most interviews draw from the same core set of questions. You won’t know the exact wording in advance, but you can prepare a strong answer to each of these and adapt it on the spot — that preparation is what separates confident answers from rambling ones.
Questions about you
1. Tell me about yourself.
Give a 60-90 second summary: your current role, one or two key achievements, and why you’re interested in this position. Don’t recite your whole resume.
2. What are your greatest strengths?
Pick one or two strengths that matter for this role, and back each with a specific example or result.
3. What is your greatest weakness?
Name a real, moderate weakness and describe the concrete step you’re taking to improve it. Avoid disguised strengths like “I work too hard.”
4. Why do you want to leave your current job?
Focus on what you’re moving toward (growth, scope, mission fit), not what you’re running from. Never speak negatively about a current employer.
Questions about the role and company
5. Why do you want to work here?
Reference something specific about the company’s product, mission, or recent work, and connect it to your own goals.
6. Why should we hire you?
Summarize the two or three things that make you a strong fit, backed by results relevant to this specific role.
7. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Show ambition that’s realistic and aligned with a path this company could offer.
Behavioral questions (use the STAR method)
For behavioral questions, structure your answer as Situation → Task → Action → Result. Keep the situation brief and spend most of your time on the action you took and the measurable result.
8. Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult coworker.
9. Describe a time you failed. What did you learn?
10. Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline.
11. Give an example of a goal you reached and how you achieved it.
12. Describe a time you disagreed with your manager.
For each, pick a real example, keep the setup to two sentences, and end with a specific, quantified result whenever possible.
Salary and logistics
13. What are your salary expectations?
Give a researched range rather than a single number. See what salary to request in an interview for a full breakdown.
14. When can you start?
Be honest about your notice period; two weeks is standard if you’re currently employed.
15. Are you interviewing elsewhere?
A brief, honest answer is fine — it can also create positive urgency.
Questions to ask the interviewer
- What does success look like in this role after 6 months?
- What’s the biggest challenge someone in this role would face right now?
- How would you describe the team’s working style?
- What are the next steps in the process?
Before you go in
Pair your answers with the right look and materials — see what to wear for an interview, and bring a printed copy of your resume. After the interview, a short thank-you letter keeps you top of mind.
More guides
See how to find an interesting job, learn why companies don’t always get back to you, or browse resume examples by job to prep your materials before the interview.
FAQ
What is the STAR method?
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result — a structure for answering behavioral interview questions with a real example and a measurable outcome.
How do I answer "What is your greatest weakness?"
Name a real, moderate weakness and describe the concrete step you're taking to improve it, rather than disguising a strength as a weakness.
Should I ask questions at the end of an interview?
Yes — always have 2–3 questions ready. It signals genuine interest and gives you information to evaluate the role.
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