Here is the definitive guide to common interview questions. These are the typical questions that interviewers ask and how to answer them, as well as how not to answer them. A job interview is not something you should wing it, and hence, it is imperative to prepare well for the standard interview questions, as well as some trick questions that may come your way. (Please check out this article if you wish to read up on inane questions interviewers ask.)
Job interviews pose a power dynamic that is unequal and the questions you face may range from essential to the ridiculous. Job applicants who show poise and perspective will perform well.
Tips for answering Common Job Interview Questions:
- Research and prepare well.
- Practice your answers to interview questions and rehearse in front of a mirror.
- Jot down the critical points you want to cover in your answers to the job interview questions but do not memorialize and recite the answers. Don’t come across as you are giving canned responses.
- Even if you have well-practiced answers, articulate them based on how the interview phrased the question.
- Wherever possible, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in answering job interview questions.
- Even if the questions are standard, the answers need to conform to the context and vary in time, delivery, and content.
Let’s dive into the common interview questions and how to answer and how not to answer them. The structure of the article is as follows:
- Standard questions interviewers ask.
- A broad and high-level overview of how to answer the common questions in an interview.
- Sample answers to the most common questions interviewers ask.
- How not to answer the question.
List of Common Interview Questions:
Please click on any of the specific standard interview questions and jump to the respective section.
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Why are you interested in this position?”
- “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
- “Why do you want to work for our company?”
- “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
- “Tell me about an instance when you had to deal with an irate customer/stakeholder?”
- “What are your salary expectations?”
- “Why are you planning on leaving <your current employer>?”
- “Please tell us why we should hire you?”
- “Tell me about a conflict at work and how you dealt with the situation?”
- “What other Companies and Roles you are looking at?”
- “Tell me a time you disagreed with a decision at work and how you dealt with it?”
- “If you were an animal, which one would you be?”
- “What do you do outside of work?”
- “How would your co-workers describe you?”
- “What is the most recent book you read?”
- “What questions do you have for me?”
Common Interview Questions: How to answer them and how not to answer them.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Many interviewers ask a variation of this question to break the ice as well as allow the prospective employee to articulate their high-level profile.
How to answer the job interview question, “Tell me about yourself.”
Think of “Tell me about yourself” as an elevator pitch for yourself. Do not take more than minute or two and focus on achievements and impact rather a historical summary. The interviewer has access to your resume, and hence you don’t have to start back when you were flipping burgers during high school years.
Example Answers to the “Tell me about yourself” interview question:
Administrative Assistant Candidate: “I am an integral contributor to the success of the senior executives that I support as an administrative assistant. I have great organizational skills and pay attention to detail. I act as a conduit to information and access to the executives I support and try to optimize their day around critical issues and projects.”
Business Analyst Candidate: “In my ten plus years as a business analyst, I worked on over a dozen mission-critical projects and have a track record of success. I work well with subject matter experts as well as the technical team and act as a bridge between business and technology. I am well versed with project management methodologies and can grasp the big picture as well dive into the nitty-gritty details.”
How not to answer the “Tell me about yourself” interview question:
- Do not tell your life story.
- Do not try to summarize the chronological history of all your jobs. The interviewer already has access to your resume, and you are there since they already like what they see.
- Do not go on and on for more than two minutes as it is an elevator pitch, not a biography.
“Why are you interested in this position?”
Interviewers ask this question to ascertain the rationale for why the applicant is interested in that particular position.
How to answer the question, “Why are you interested in this position?”
The key here is to show enthusiasm and your fit for the position. The specific way you answer the question depends on whether it is a lateral move, a higher-level position, a personal choice, or some other factor.
Sample Answers to “Why are you interested in this position?” question:
An applicant going from an individual contributor to a supervisor position: “I have been a developer for 7-years, and In the last 3-years, I have not only been a lead developer on many complex software projects, but I also have been a mentor and guide to many other colleagues. I enjoy leading a team to accomplish our goals through coordination and collaboration. Hence, I believe I am ready to take on the position of a development manager and do well while helping others do well.”
An applicant who is switching fields from customer support to sales: “I worked in customer success for 3-years and during that time I have time and again facilitated sales of allied products and services. I developed an innate sense of understanding client needs and offering solutions to their problems, not a hard sell. So, after these string of successes, I feel like a sales position that involves consultative selling is the natural next step in my career.”
How not to answer the “Why are you interested in this position?” question:
- Don’t try to force fit your profile to the position.
- Don’t feign over-enthusiasm that may wreak of desperation.
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
The primary purpose of this common interview question is to gauge how you see your career progression and whether you have a career plan.
How to answer the “Where do you see yourself in five years?” question:
Demonstrate that you are a career-minded person who is interested in career progression and have clearly defined goals and aspirations. It is not always about higher-level titles even though most often career progress entails a more significant position.
Example answer to the job interview question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
A Project Manager Candidate: “I intend to continue my career trajectory in the project and program management space. In five years, I see myself overseeing and successfully delivering large and complex programs which are mission critical to the enterprise. Also, I would like to lead a community of practice in project management to help upcoming project analysts and managers to learn the craft and become successful in their own right.”
An HR Manager Candidate: “As a part of my general rotation in HR I have worked in several fields, and I am keen on developing myself into a succession planning specialist. In five years, I see myself as an HR professional managing succession planning as a structure and methodical discipline by creating a talent pipeline, identify opportunities to promote people from within, and ensure effective knowledge transfer.”
How not to answer the “Where do you see yourself in five years?” question:
- Don’t express a desire for a title alone without context such as: “I want to be a vice president in five years.”
- Don’t just make it all about yourself but also try to articulate your future vision as an integral part of the company success.
“Why do you want to work for our company?”
Hiring managers and recruiters want to know if you are joining their firm for the right reasons.
How to answer the “Why do you want to work for <insert company name>?”
Research the company and get to know the products, services, markets, culture, and values and then map your skills, competencies, career aspirations, and values to the company.
Example answers to the “Why do you want to work for our company?” question:
A Management Consultant Candidate: “In working for my clients as a consultant over the last 5-years, I have come across <XYZ Consulting> several times, and I have been impressed at how you can deliver data-driven and actionable advice. Given my own analytical and quantitative background I feel <XYZ Consulting> is the right place for me to contribute and grow my consulting career.”
A Marketing Analyst Candidate: “One of my college mates is presently at <ABCDEF Inc.> and referred me here. In talking to her, I understand you are building out a PPC (Pay per Click) team. Given my expertise in the search marketing space, I can add tremendous value in developing the discipline and create a winning program.”
How not to answer the “Why do you want to work for our company?” interview question:
- Don’t say something like, “I learned that you offer the highest salaries in my field and hence I want to work for your company.” While that may be true, it does not help your cause.
- Don’t make it one-sided – either the company or yourself – but try to juxtapose how you fit with who the company is and what it offers.
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
This is a common interview question which can flummox you if you are not prepared. Interviewers ask this question to gauge how you self-evaluate and articulate your core attributes. There are several variations of this interview questions staple: “What is your weakness and how you have overcome the same?” “Tell us a situation where your harnessed your strength in your job?” etc.
How to answer the “What are your strengths and weaknesses” question:
Try to sound believable and relatable. Exaggerated claims don’t fly well, and you don’t have to be brutally honest. Try to find a middle ground that demonstrates that you are aware of your positive and negative attributes.
Example answers to the “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” question:
Marketing Analyst: “My greatest strength is the ability to look at disparate data and see the holistic picture. My weakness, which probably owes to my being an English major, is I tend to correct grammar in any document that goes through my review.”
Salesperson: “My strength is my ability to empathize and think from a client perspective. My biggest weakness is I can’t sit still in a place for longer than an hour, and it helps me in my sales career as I go from account to account.”
How not to answer the “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” interview question:
- Don’t be brutally honest and spill your guts. Please remember this is a job interview situation and not your therapist’s couch.
- Don’t try the “Perfectionism is my weakness” line as it is timeworn and does not work.
“Tell me about an instance when you had to deal with an irate customer/stakeholder?”
This interview question is to assess your ability to deal with unhappy stakeholders. The question is more common for specific jobs that are either customer facing or have several stakeholders.
How to answer the “Tell me about an instance when you had to deal with an irate customer/stakeholder?” job interview question:
Set a brief context but focus on your role in dealing with and defusing the situation. Try to balance your answer between the approach to the case and the outcome.
Example answer to the “Tell me about an instance when you had to deal with an irate customer or stakeholder?” question:
Consultant: “One of our clients was upset as a member of our consulting team was spending a lot of time on what seemed like personal calls. The client felt for the amount they are paying for the consultants; they deserve every minute of value. I talked to the consultant who was taking personal calls and understood that he is dealing with realtors and mortgage bankers to close on the purchase of his home. While the reason may be justifiable, given the optics of the situation, I had to advise the consultant to inform of such needs in advance so that we can brief the client beforehand. And then I compiled the work output of the consultant before my discussion with the client. In the conversation with the client, I was able to appraise the specific situation and also showcase the hard work the consultant is putting in on the project to assure the client that we are delivering value. That cooled the situation, and at the end of the project, the client was all praise for the consultant. And of course, the consultant was able to purchase his dream home.”
How not to answer the “Tell me about an instance when you had to deal with an irate customer or stakeholder” interview question:
- Don’t place blame on the customer and call them names.
- Don’t go into arcane details and minutiae that are not essential to the high-level story.
“What are your salary expectations?”
The compensation question can range from premature – that is too early in the interview process – to pertinent (when both the company and you are happy with each other, and there is an offer in the offing.)
How to answer the “What are your salary expectations?” interview question.
First, do your research. Go to places like Glassdoor.com or Payscale.com to get company specific and role-specific salary information. Document the compensation information and use it in your interviews as a guide. Your answer should depend on what stage you are in the interview process. For example, if it is a preliminary phone screen, try to be vague or evasive. An answer like “I think we are too early in the process for the compensation conversation. I would love to get to that stage as soon as we both feel there is a mutual fit.”
If it is somewhere at a stage where there is initial interest, but you are not at an offer stage, then try to provide ranges with wiggle room. BTW, this is where your salary research should come in handy.
Sample Answers for the “What are your compensation expectations?” interview question:
Financial Analyst: “For me, the right job with great career prospects is the primary motivating factor. However, given my education, experience, and expertise I am looking at $75,000-90,000 base plus bonus, stock options, and benefits commensurate with the position. “
Production Manager: “I bring a lot of intangibles to the table beside my 10-years of experience on the shop floor for a sophisticated manufacturing plant. I would be looking at north of $150,000.” This type of answer sets the floor but does not cap the ceiling.
How not to answer the “How much salary are you expecting?” interview question:
- Do not be rigid and box yourself. Leave room for negotiation.
- While companies can be flexible, do not way beyond the norms for your role based on your research. For example, if the highest salary for a position is $60,000, asking for $120,000 may not fly.
“Why are you planning on leaving <your current employer>?”
Why are you leaving your current employer can be a difficult question to answer if you are leaving under duress or distress or bad terms. However, for most job applicants their answer should focus on the ultimate choice.
How to answer the job interview question: “Why are you planning on leaving <your current employer>?”
Try to answer the question in an aspirational tone without bad mouthing the current employer. Make the reasons sound benign unless the whole world knows that it is a sinking ship. The answer to this question should be believable and relatable.
Sample answers to the job interview question: “Why are you planning on leaving <your current employer?”
IT Architect Candidate: “I had a great run at <my current company>, and I had a rewarding career. I feel like I am ready for new horizons and different challenges. My potential job change is with an eye on the future rather than any specific dissatisfaction with my present employer.”
Public Relations Manager Candidate: “My spouse and I want to return to our hometown to be closer to our family and <my current employer> has no operations in this part of the country. Hence, we are exploring other great employers where we can build a rewarding career.”
“Please tell us why we should hire you?”
For those who are prepared, this can be a great interview question.
How to answer the “Please tell us why we should hire you?” job interview question.
The question provides an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, expertise, and fit for the job in question. Please remember that this is about why the company should hire you for a specific position. For example, you may be a remarkable cowboy, but if the company is hiring for a stonemason, it may not be the right fit.
Sample answers to the “Please tell us why we should hire you?” interview question.
Product Manager: “In my tenure as a product manager, I have launched five global products successfully which are category leaders. Furthermore, I managed the entire product lifecycle from ideation to sunset. I know <the prospective company> is focused on global growth. I believe I can be a great fit within your product organization and fuel your global aspirations.
Technical Architect: “I have over ten years of experience in the technical architecture field. During the last 3-years, I have been a leader in the open source standards movement in the <XYZ field>. Given your commitment to the setting, contributing, and harnessing technical standards in the <XYZ field>, I can add tremendous value to your endeavors.”
How not to answer the “Tell us why we should hire you?” job interview question.
- Avoid showing desperation.
- Don’t make it a recitation of your entire CV. (The interviewer already has a copy of your resume.)
“Tell me about a conflict at work and how you dealt with the situation?”
In any work environment challenges and conflicts are inevitable, and hiring managers want to know how employees deal with such situations.
How to answer the “Tell me about a conflict at work and you dealt with the situation?”
The STAR method is a great structure to answer this question. The key here is to focus on how you dealt and made things better but not on the gory details of the conflict itself.
How to answer the “tell me about an instance where you had a conflict at work and how you dealt with the situation?” job interview question.
Even if you have faced several conflicts at work, pick one that is benign and where you come out of it relatively unscathed. If you never disagreed, however unbelievable it may sound, please state that fact and why it was so. Maybe it is your sunny personality or the culture of the company.
Example answer to the “Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work?” interview question:
Development Manager: “In one of my recent projects, there was a conflict between developers and the testers. The developers thought the testers are not doing a thorough job or nitpicking. The QA team felt that the developers are throwing bad code over the wall. After several discussions with both the teams as well as stakeholders of the project, I realized the situation was more macro than these particular teams. So, working with the head of technology, I reorganized teams into cohesive units rather than segregate them into different groups based on roles. So, now each development team is a cohesive unit of developers, testers, UX designers, business analysts, systems analysts, and architects. We changed the structure of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) with team level success contributing more to the performance measurement. Thus, instead of resolving the conflict at a micro level, I was able to effect change at a macro level.”
How not to answer the “Tell me about a time you were involved in a conflict at work?” job interview question.
- Avoid any conflict that is personal, unethical, or borderline illegal.
- Do not mention specific names or identifiable roles.
- Limit the gory details and on the nuances of the situation and the contribution you made to alleviate the situation.
“What other Companies and Roles you are looking at?”
This is standard question interviewers ask is aimed at gauging how active you are in the job hunt.
How to answer the “What other companies and roles you are pursuing?” job interview question.
The critical thing here is to show you are active in the job market but not show desperation by pursuing dozens of opportunities. You can also keep this at a relatively high level without naming names. Show that you have options and opportunities at various stages which seeds the perception that you are a hot candidate and if the company does not act fast, you may not be available.
Sample Answers to the “What other companies and roles are you pursuing?” job interview question.
Business Systems Analyst Candidate: “At the moment, I am in active conversations with a few IT systems integrators for roles that leverage my skills of translating business needs into software requirements.”
HR Manager Candidate: “While I am not super active in the job market, I am selectively pursuing opportunities to be a part of a growth story to build out the talent and set up the HR processes and systems. At this moment, I am talking to another firm that recently received their Series C venture funding.”
How not to answer the “What other companies and roles you are looking at?” job interview question.
- Don’t name specific company names. It is unnecessary and unwise to reveal such details.
- Don’t sound desperate. Companies will not want to hire someone who is applying all over the place.
“Tell me a time you disagreed with a decision at work and how you dealt with it?”
The question goes to the heart of disagreement versus being disagreeable. Not every decision goes your way and how you deal with such situations indicates a lot about your personality.
How to answer the “Tell me a time you disagreed with a decision at work and how you dealt with it?”
Understand that the question is not about your analytical prowess and decision making skills. So, you don’t have to pick a scenario where your point of view was proven to be correct at the end. The issue at the core of this question is how you respond to situations where decisions are not to your preference.
Example answer for the “Tell me a time you disagreed with a decision at work and how you dealt with it?”
Social Media Strategist: “In a situation a few years ago, when Instagram was coming up, I suggested an aggressive strategy and campaign to leverage the visual social media platform. My manager at that time felt we could not communicate our brand value proposition without a lot of words and a visual medium is just for consumer brands that are amenable to visual imagery. Of course, I disagreed with the decision. But as an integral part of the team, I followed the strategy to focus on other social media platforms with all my vigor even at the same time keeping tabs of Instagram. After two years, even though we were no longer an early bird, we still were able to launch campaigns on Instagram and Tumbler and make headway.”
The answer here shows that her strategy was not followed, but yet she was able to follow along with the corporate consensus and however ultimately be able to persuade the team to her line of thinking. This shows one can disagree on a specific item but yet be a collaborative team member and execute the collective will.
How not to answer the interview question: “Tell me a time you disagreed with a decision at work and how you dealt with it?”
- Don’t try to prove that your path was right, even though it may have been so.
- Don’t complain: “Like they always do, they ignored my suggestion,”
- Do not belittle others: “The clowns had their way.”
“If you were an animal, which one would you be?”
This is a question that is meant to make you think on your feet as well as glean insights into how you can articulate your attributes based on which animal you select as your other incarnation.
How to answer the job interview question, “If you were an animal, which one would you be?”
Think and prepare beforehand. There is no right answer, but the answer has to be cogent and pass the basic smell test. One risk is if the animal you choose is not on the favorite list of the interviewer, then it may not fly well. One way to answer is to research your animals and pick something obscure, which means it may not make the animals that the interviewer does not like.
Example answers to the interview question: “If you were an animal, which one would you be?”
Salesperson: “I think it has to be a chameleon. A chameleon blends into the environment and evades predators. I also can blend into the sales situation and then identify what is that the customer truly wants to present it accordingly.”
Accountant: “I believe I am like an owl. I observe and listen. I take in the big picture. And I have a keen eye for details and spot things easily.”
How not to answer the “If you were an animal, which one would you be?” job interview question.
- Try to avoid animals that are fairly or unfairly considered bad – like cockroaches or mosquitoes or rats.
- Be mindful of religious connotations and cultural preferences of your interviewers.
- Avoid picking an animal that does not have anything to do with the job.
“What do you do outside of work?”
The question is meant to elicit who you as a person and your interests outside work that may provide insights about your personality.
How to answer the interview question, “what do you outside of work?” or “What are your hobbies and interests?”
Focus on hobbies that are not controversial and portray you in a positive light. Try to be brief and communicate the essence without going into too much detail.
Example answers for the interview question: “What do you do outside work?”
Example answers for the interview question: “What do you do outside work?”Legal Analyst Candidate: “I enjoy spending time with my family and reading historical biographies.” This type of answer is simple and not controversial.
Advertising Creative Director Candidate: “I try to cook recipes from different countries. Also, I love monitoring cultural trends.” The first hobby shows that you are an open person and welcome variety and diversity. The latter indicates that even in your hobbies you do things that will come to benefit your career.
How not to answer the interview question, “What do you do outside work?”
Avoid any topics that are socially taboo or have negative cultural connotations. For example, even if that is what you do, don’t mention, “I spend every spare minute swiping right on dating sites.” Or while social drinking may be acceptable, an answer like, “I like to get wasted on weekends,” may not fly well.
Also, don’t like just thinking that such hobbies will impress your interviewer. If you have no idea about how to play the piano, don’t say that is your hobby. Heavens forbid if the interviewer is an accomplished pianist and asks a follow-up question, you will be flummoxed, and it will be curtain time.
“How would your co-workers describe you?”
Such questions are in the genre of determining your cultural fit with the company you are interviewing with and ensure that you will be able to work collaboratively with the teams.
How to answer the “How would your co-workers describe you?” job interview question.
This is about what others feel about you and describe you and not about your reciting your attributes. Try to keep the answer at a high-level without raising the alarm or making people snicker.
Example answer for the question, “How would your co-workers describe you?”
Restaurant Manager: “My coworkers rely on me for their livelihood, and I take that responsibility seriously. If you asked any of them, they would say that I am always there for them, willing to step in and help out during busy times, and collectively ensure our customer satisfaction.”
This answer shows that the person knows the gravity of his/her job and is not afraid to roll up the sleeves and help, and they know the purpose of their existence – the satisfaction of the customers who eat at the restaurant.
How not to answer the job interview question, “How would your co-workers describe you?”
Do not touch upon any attributes or adjectives that are controversial. For example, don’t say, “My colleagues think I am a lone wolf who can get things done by burning midnight oil.” First of all, wolves are known to travel in packs and secondly being a lone wolf, or lone ranger is not a way to work as a part of a team.
Similarly, do not say something that may raise doubts about your personality such as, “My colleagues call me slick willy.” Whatever that means, it does not sound right.
“What is the most recent book you read?”
There is dual purpose in a question like this – a) do you read books, which are a way to self-development and b) what type of books do you read, which is an expression of your personality.
How to answer the “What is the most recent book you read?” job interview question.
First of all, if you don’t read books in general, try to at least read 1 or 2 books as a part of your interview preparation. Remember, these do not have to be about work. But what books you read is a reflection of your innate curiosity and your personality. So, pick well the books you read and try to jot down the summary points about the book. You don’t have to go into the detailed plot or content synopsis, but a sentence or two about the book and either the content or the lessons would go well in the conversation.
Example answers for the typical job interview question, “What is the most recent book you read?” or something similar.
VP Candidate: “Even though it is a bit old, one of the books I read recently is “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It is about Abe Lincoln and his leadership style and how he formed a cabinet of divergent people most of who are his rivals to accomplish an amazing transformation for our country.” This type of answer shows how you are and also the summary reflects well on your potential approach as a leader in the new company.
Digital Transformation Consultant: “I have two teenage boys, and I love to read books along with them and have fun discussions about the books. Right now, we are reading the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.”
An answer like this addresses the questions and also portrays the person as a loving family person and the books are famous and loved by millions of readers across the world.
How not to answer the “What is the most recent book you read?” job interview question.
If you have never read a book in your life, don’t acknowledge it. Instead, try to weave in something that is equally cerebral and is a window into your personality. For example, don’t say, “I don’t read books.” Instead, you may say, “These days I don’t have much time to go through books, so it’s been a while. But I love watching documentaries while working out on my treadmill.”
“What questions do you have for me?”
This is an excellent opening for you to ask intelligent questions that showcase your intellect and also your curiosity. So, use it well as a bookend to the conversation.
How to answer the job interview question: “What questions do you have for me?”
Take advantage of this question and be prepared with a few items that will help advance your candidacy. Ask questions that show your knowledge and then ask a pointed follow-up query.
Example questions to ask when the interviewers offer you a chance:
IT Manager Candidate: “I have read in the media that <Company Name> is in the middle of a massive integration in the aftermath of the recent merger. May I ask you know things are going on the application portfolio rationalization front?”
This question shows that the candidate is following the company and is aware of significant events that are shaping the future of the company.
In-house Counsel Candidate: “How is <company name> responding to the GDPR in Europe?”
This question shows that the candidate is aware of what is happening in her field.
How not to answer the job interview question, “What questions do you have for me?”
Don’t waste it on a yes or no question or ask something that you could have googled and found out. For example, do not ask a question such as, “How many employees do you have?”.
Or don’t ask a controversial question unless it is something that is a make or break issue for you. For example, “What is the <company name> stance on doing business with <country name>?”
In Summary:
The definitive guide to common job interview questions is a comprehensive overview of the typical questions interviewers ask and how to answer them and how not to answer them.
Job interviews are something that you will need to prepare well. Rehearsing the potential questions and answers and being ready to a variety of standard interview question as well as tricky questions and occasional curve balls is essential to success.
You may also find the top ten tips for job interviews helpful.