Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly what questions a hiring manager will ask in your next job interview? While we can’t read minds, we can provide the next best thing: a list of the most common interview questions, along with advice for crafting your own responses. While we don’t suggest memorizing canned replies to every question, we do recommend familiarizing yourself with the most common interview questions, understanding what hiring managers are looking for, and learning how to show you’re the ideal candidate. Consider this list your study guide for job interviews.
Here are the 20 most common interview questions for your next job:
1. Tell me about yourself
This seems like an easy question, but many people struggle to answer it effectively. Instead of giving your full employment or personal history, offer a concise and engaging pitch that highlights why you’re a great fit for the role. Career counselor Lily Zhang suggests a “present, past, future” approach: start by discussing your current role (including scope and a key achievement), briefly touch on your past experience, and conclude with why this role is a perfect next step for you.
2. Walk me through your resume
Similar to “Tell me about yourself,” this is a common opening question. Instead of emphasizing your skills for the position, walk through your career path, highlighting roles that led you to this point. Whether you take a chronological approach or start with your current job, make sure to connect your past experiences to why you’re the ideal candidate for this role.
3. How did you hear about this position?
This question offers an excellent opportunity to show your enthusiasm. If you heard about the job through a connection, mention that person and explain why it excited you. Even if you found the listing through a job board, focus on what about the role or company intrigued you.
4. Why do you want to work at this company?
Avoid generic answers that could apply to any company. Zhang recommends doing your research and pointing out what specifically appeals to you about this company, whether it’s their growth, mission, or how you can contribute to their future success. Show that you’ve taken the time to understand the company and why it’s the right fit for you.
5. Why do you want this job?
Companies want to hire people who are passionate about the role. Identify a couple of key reasons why the position excites you and how it aligns with your skills and values. Also, share why you’re drawn to the company and its mission.
6. Why should we hire you?
This can feel like an intimidating question, but it’s a great chance to highlight your value. Structure your response around three points: you can do the work and deliver strong results, you’ll fit well with the team and culture, and you bring unique skills or experience that set you apart from other candidates.
7. What can you bring to the company?
The interviewer wants to know how your skills will solve the company’s challenges. Show that you understand their needs by connecting your past achievements with the job requirements, and provide a specific example of how you’ve tackled similar challenges in the past.
8. What are your greatest strengths?
Instead of listing off a string of adjectives, pick one or two strengths that are particularly relevant to the job and back them up with examples. Focus on qualities that will make you stand out for this specific role. This is one of the most common interview questions for a good reason.
9. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
The key here is self-awareness. Choose a genuine weakness, but also emphasize how you’re working to improve. Avoid clichés like “perfectionism” and opt for a thoughtful answer that shows growth and a willingness to learn.
10. What is your greatest professional achievement?
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Results) to structure your answer. Start by setting up the context, describe your actions, and share the results. Focus on achievements that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
11. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it
Don’t shy away from discussing conflicts, but be mindful of how you present the situation. Focus on how you handled the challenge professionally and what you learned from it, and keep the emphasis on resolution rather than the conflict itself.
12. What’s a time you disagreed with a decision at work?
The best answer shows that you handled a disagreement professionally and grew from the experience. Briefly introduce the situation, explain your perspective, and describe how you resolved the conflict or learned from it.
13. Tell me about a time you made a mistake
Be honest about a past mistake, but focus on what you learned and the steps you took to ensure it didn’t happen again. Employers are looking for candidates who are self-aware and capable of growth.
14. Why are you leaving your current job?
Keep your answer positive, focusing on what excites you about the new opportunity rather than criticizing your current or past employer. If you were let go, keep your response brief and straightforward. This is one of the most common interview questions for a reason.
15. What’s your current salary?
If asked, it’s important to handle this question tactfully. You can deflect by emphasizing that you want to learn more about the role before discussing salary or offer a range based on market research if you feel comfortable doing so.
16. What do you like least about your job?
Avoid going negative. Focus on a gap or opportunity that the new role offers that your current position does not, and tie it into why you’re excited about the opportunity.
17. What’s your work style?
This is an opportunity to show how you’ll fit with the team. Discuss how you approach collaboration, communication, and productivity in ways that align with the role and company culture.
18. How would your boss and coworkers describe you?
Be honest and highlight strengths or traits that haven’t come up yet in the interview, such as your work ethic or your ability to contribute to team success.
19. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
Instead of claiming you never get stressed, share strategies you use to manage stress, such as staying organized or taking time to recharge. If possible, give an example of how you’ve successfully handled a stressful situation.
20. What do you like to do outside of work?
This is one of the most common interview questions for a good reason. Interviewers may ask about your hobbies to get a sense of your personality. Be honest, but keep it professional, and avoid discussing anything that might raise concerns about your work-life balance.
21. How do you stay organized?
Show that you can manage your workload effectively. Share a system or method you use to stay on top of tasks, and if possible, tie it to the role you’re interviewing for.
22. How do you prioritize your work?
Discuss how you balance multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. Provide a real-life example to illustrate how you’ve managed competing priorities in the past.
23. What are you passionate about?
This is an opportunity to highlight something that energizes you, particularly if it relates to the role. Whether it’s a personal passion or professional interest, show how it drives you to excel.
24. What motivates you?
Think about what has inspired you in previous roles, and tie that motivation to the position you’re interviewing for. Show that you’re genuinely excited about the role and the company.
25. How do you like to be managed?
Focus on what has helped you succeed in the past, whether it’s regular feedback, autonomy, or collaboration. Highlight positive aspects of management styles that align with the company culture.
26. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Show that you’ve thought about your long-term goals and how this role fits into them. It’s okay to admit you’re unsure about the exact path but make sure to connect your aspirations to the company’s potential.
27. What are your career aspirations?
Talk about the bigger picture of what drives you and how this role will help you reach your career goals. Show that this job aligns with your ambitions and values.
28. What should I know that’s not on your resume?
Use this as an opportunity to share something personal or professional that showcases your unique qualities. Whether it’s a passion, a project, or a skill, give the interviewer a reason to remember you.
29. When can you start?
Be realistic but flexible. If you’re currently employed, mention the notice period you need to give, but also express your eagerness to start as soon as possible.
30. Are you willing to relocate?
If you’re open to relocating, say so. If not, be honest, but express flexibility and enthusiasm for the role, perhaps suggesting alternatives like remote work if applicable.
At Smartspace, we hope that this list of most common interview questions will help you achieve your next career goals.
