INTERVIEWS · 8 MIN READ
15 Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Most interviews draw from the same pool of questions. If you prepare strong answers to these fifteen, you will be ready for the majority of what you are asked.
The questions
- Tell me about yourself
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you want to work for our company?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Tell me about a challenge you overcame
- Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker
- Describe a mistake and what you learned
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- How do you handle pressure and deadlines?
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your salary expectations?
- Do you have any questions for us?
Use the STAR method for behavioral questions
Questions that start with "Tell me about a time" want a short story. Structure it as Situation, Task, Action, Result. Spend most of your time on the action you personally took and end with a measurable result.
What interviewers are really asking
Behind each question is a simple concern: can you do the job, will you be pleasant to work with, and will you stay motivated? When you answer, tie your example back to one of those three.
For weaknesses, choose a real but non-critical one and explain what you are doing to improve it. For salary, research the market range first and give a range rather than a single number.
Always prepare your own questions
Ask about what success looks like in the first 90 days, how the team works together, and what challenges the team faces. Thoughtful questions signal real interest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the STAR method?
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is a way to answer behavioral interview questions with a clear, concise story.
How should I prepare for an interview?
Research the company, review the job description, prepare stories for common questions using STAR, and have questions ready to ask.
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