Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions a hiring manager would be asking you in your next job interview?
We can’t read minds, unfortunately, but we’ll give you the next best thing: a list of more than 40 of the most commonly asked interview questions, along with advice for answering them all.
While we don’t recommend having a canned response for every interview question (in fact, please don’t), we do recommend spending some time getting comfortable with what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your responses, and what it takes to show that you’re the right person for the job.
Consider this list your interview question and answer study guide.
- Tell Me About Yourself.
- How Did You Hear About This Position?
- Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?
- Why Do You Want This Job?
- Why Should We Hire You?
- What Are Your Greatest Strengths?
- What Do You Consider to Be Your Weaknesses?
- What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?
- Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You’ve Faced at Work, and How You Dealt With It.
- What’s a Time You Exercised Leadership?
- What’s a Time You Disagreed With a Decision That Was Made at Work?
- Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake.
- Tell Me About a Time You Failed.
- Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?
- Why Were You Fired?
- Why Was There a Gap in Your Employment?
- Can You Explain Why You Changed Career Paths?
- What’s Your Current Salary?
- What Do You Like Least About Your Job?
- What Are You Looking for in a New Position?
- What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?
- What’s Your Management Style?
- How Would Your Boss and Coworkers Describe You?
- How Do You Deal With Pressure or Stressful Situations?
- What Do You Like to Do Outside of Work?
- Are You Planning on Having Children?
- How Do You Prioritize Your Work?
- What Are You Passionate About?
- What Motivates You?
- What Are Your Pet Peeves?
- How Do You Like to Be Managed?
- Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
- What’s Your Dream Job?
- What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?
- What Makes You Unique?
- What Should I Know That’s Not on Your Resume?
- What Would Your First 30, 60, or 90 Days Look Like in This Role?
- What Are Your Salary Requirements?
- What Do You Think We Could Do Better or Differently?
- When Can You Start?
- Are You Willing to Relocate?
- How Many Tennis Balls Can You Fit Into a Limousine?
- If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?
- Sell Me This Pen.
- Is There Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know?
- Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
- Bonus Questions
Classic Questions
These frequently asked questions touch on the essentials hiring managers want to know about every candidate: who you are, why you’re a fit for the job, and what you’re good at. You may not be asked exactly these questions in exactly these words, but if you have answers in mind for them, you’ll be prepared for just about anything the interviewer throws your way.
1. Tell Me About Yourself.
This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it’s crucial. Here’s the deal: Don’t give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead give a pitch—one that’s concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. Muse writer and MIT career counselor Lily Zhang recommends using a present, past, future formula. Talk a little bit about your current role (including the scope and perhaps one big accomplishment), then give some background as to how you got there and experience you have that’s relevant. Finally, segue into why you want—and would be perfect for—this role.
2. How Did You Hear About This Position?
Another seemingly innocuous interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name drop that person, then share why you were so excited about it. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.
3. Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?
Beware of generic answers! If what you say can apply to a whole slew of other companies, or if your response makes you sound like every other candidate, you’re missing an opportunity to stand out. Zhang recommends one of four strategies: Do your research and point to something that makes the company unique that really appeals to you; talk about how you’ve watched the company grow and change since you first heard of it; focus on the organization’s opportunities for future growth and how you can contribute to it; or share what’s gotten you excited from your interactions with employees so far. Whichever route you choose, make sure to be specific. And if you can’t figure out why you’d want to work at the company you’re interviewing with by the time you’re well into the hiring process? It might be a red flag telling you that this position is not the right fit.
