COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Example answer: “I am a [positive adjectives] [x] professional with [x] years of

1. “Tell me a little about experience. I’m excited to find a role where I can [accomplish this goal] and
yourself.” expand on my current skillset while also learning, growing and contributing to a
great organization that aligns with my values.”

2. “What are your biggest Example answer: “I’m very proud of my strengths in [learning new concepts and
strengths?” tools quickly / communicating clearly with others / focusing on goals and
outcomes] and even though these are strengths I’m always trying to build on
them.“

Example answer: “I’m very self-aware of the things that I can improve on, which
3. “What are your biggest some would call “weaknesses” and those would be [proficiency with X tool or
weaknesses?” program / giving feedback to colleagues or manager(s) / multi-tasking under
pressure]. I’m actively working on this, though, and am always getting better.”

Example answer: “Because I have all of the skills you’re looking for in this role
4. “Why should we hire you?” and the enthusiasm about the company that will help me thrive here. I also
(similar question also asked: “What can you
offer that someone else can not?”)
believe I can contribute positively to the company culture by [X]….”
*The key is to be specific to THIS role and THIS company, and what you can offer
them rather than just what you can get out of the role.
 Example answer: “I want this job because the role matches what I am looking
5. “Why do you want this job?” for the next step in my career growth and also because I am very drawn to
(similar question also asked: “Why are you the mission and values that this company stands for [such as X, Y, Z]. I feel like I
interested in this company?") can provide a lot of value to the company but also grow with it.”

Example answer: “What motivates me is [making customers happy / creating

6. “What motivates you?” campaigns from scratch, from strategy to execution / tackling different
(similar question also asked: “What are problems and coming up with meaningful solutions to them]. I believe that I’d
you passionate about?") be able to do that here.”

Example answer: “I think I would fit really great into this role. From what I’ve
7. “How do you think you will fit learned so far about the role and the company, I think there is a natural fit
in this role?” when it comes to needs on both sides and it makes me excited to think about
getting to know the team and all the things I can learn and can contribute.”

Example answer: “I know that this company is known for [X] and is in the [X]
8. “What do you know about our
industry. The company is based in [X] and has about [X] total employees. I also
company?” (similar question also asked:
“How did you learn about the opening?”) know that it’s an attractive place to work for people like me who want [ X].”
*you have to have actually done research on the company to answer this well!

9. “Describe 10. “What type of 11. “What are you 12. “What about this
SIMILAR QUESTIONS your ideal role.” environment are you looking for now?” role / company attracts
looking to step into?” you?”
 Example answer: “There are a couple of main reasons I’m looking to move on
13. “Why do you want to leave from my current job and that includes [wanting to gain X new skill or grow
your current job?” (similar question current skill in X / more career growth in the direction I’m interested in].
also asked: "Why are you looking?”) *The key is to focus on positives and be future-focused, rather than focusing on
negatives things about the present or past at your current role.

Example answer: “In five years I’d like to be an established team member of a
14. “Where do you see yourself company like this where I [will have mastered skills that I’m just learning now /
in five years?” will take on new responsibilities and learn the next level of skills I’d need to
continue my career path / will have taken on a leadership role where I am
helping manage and grow others]”

Example answer: “I deal with pressure or stressful situations by [reminding

15. “How do you dealwith myself that things are temporary / making sure I stay grounded and
pressure or stressful understand what I can and cannot change / knowing when and how to ask for
situations?” help from my team members or manager] and taking things one step at a
time.”
*This is a chance to demonstrate your ability to stay calm and work through any
tough situation, and also your emotional intelligence.

16. “Tell me about a challenge or 17. “Tell me about a time you 18. “What would your
SIMILAR QUESTIONS conflict you've faced at work disagreed with a decision. last boss / colleagues say
and how you dealt with it.” What did you do?” about you?”
 EVEN MORE COMMON QUESTIONS
WHAT THE INTERVIEWER QUESTIONS THE INTERVIEWER MIGHT ASK
REALLY WANTS TO KNOW: TO FIND THE ANSWER:

Previous work relationships / 19. “What would your previous boss or colleagues say you excelled
self-awareness most at / needed most improvement in?”

Leadership skills 20. “Describe a time you exercised leadership?”

Teamwork skills 21. “Can you give an example of how you worked on a team?”

Your specific skills for the role 22. “How familiar are you with working with X (tool, language, etc.)?”

How serious your job search is 23. “What other companies are you interviewing with?”

Your personality / culturefit 24. “What do you like to do outside of work?”

Your loyalty / commitment 25. “Why was there a gap in your employment between these dates?”

Your loyalty / whether you 26. “Can you explain why you’ve bounced around to many different
actually know what you want types of roles (in unrelated areas)?”