Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

background image of people sitting, waiting for a job interview

How to Answer Common Job Interview Questions

Congratulations! You’ve landed a job interview. Are you feeling nervous about how to answer common interview questions? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many job seekers struggle with knowing how to respond clearly and confidently.

It’s time to prepare for the big day and ensure that you’re fully equipped to impress your potential employer. But, where do you start?

Here, we’ll guide you through how to answer some of the most frequently asked interview questions.

With our expert advice, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, experience, and personality in the best possible light and increase your chances of landing the job you’ve been dreaming of. Complete with tips and examples to help you shine in your next interview, let’s dive in and prepare you for interview success!

Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Tell Me About Yourself.

Can you walk me through your resume?
What can you tell me about your work history and achievements?

“Tell me about yourself” is often an interviewer’s first question. It’s a simple question but one of the most difficult to answer. How do you answer it without sounding arrogant or boring?

How to Answer This Question

What Makes You the Best Candidate for the Job?

Why should we hire you?
Why do you deserve this job?

How you answer this one question can make or break the entire interview. Answer it well, and you’ve got the job. Stumble over your words or freeze, and your job search will continue.

How to Answer This Question

What Makes You Unique?

What makes you the perfect choice for this position?
If we hire you, what can you do for us that another person can’t?

Employers want to know what talents and strengths you feel you can bring to their open job position. Asking applicants this question can help interviewers narrow their list of top candidates, so you better have a solid answer.

How to Answer This Question

Why Are You Interested In This Position?

Why do you think you’re a good fit for this role?
Why do you want to work here?

This question is one of the most common interview questions that hiring managers ask and is intentionally vague and open-ended.

How to Answer This Question

Are You a Great Match for This Role?

What do you bring to this position that sets you apart from other candidates?
Why do you think you’re the best candidate for this job?

It’s not enough to just think of your strengths and weaknesses. To answer this question well, the key to any successful interview is methodical research.

How to Answer This Question

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

Why are you no longer with your previous employer?
Tell me about your reasons for job hunting.

The reason for leaving a job may be hard to explain to a potential new employer, but you have to find the right words to use so you don’t ruin your chance of getting the job.

How to Answer This Question

EQ or Emotional Intelligence Questions

Tell me about a time when…
Describe a situation where you…
How do you handle…

You’d be wrong if you think your IQ is the only thing interviewers care about. Employers increasingly use EQ questions in the interview to assess your EQ or emotional intelligence.

How to Answer This Question

Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

What would you like to know about our organization or the position you’re interviewing for?

The questions you ask during a job interview are just as important as your answers. They show the interviewer that you are interested in the position. But what should you ask?

How to Answer This Question

What Are Your Salary Expectations?

What kind of compensation are you aiming for?
What is your salary requirement for this job?

Learn how to negotiate salaries confidently without seeming pushy. The following salary negotiation tips will help.

How to Answer This Question

Sell Me This Pen.

How you would sell this pen to a customer?
Pitch this software solution to me.

If you’re interviewing for a sales position, you probably already know that the hiring manager may give you a pen (or another item) to sell them. How you perform on your first unofficial practical assignment will matter greatly.

How to Answer This Question

More Job Interview Tips

Should You Do Free Work For A Job Interview?

Is being asked to complete an interview project a reasonable request or simply a way for a company to get free work from as many people as possible before filling a position?

What To Bring To a Job Interview

Do you know what to bring to an interview (aside from your abundant charm and appealing grin)? With these essentials on hand, you can feel less stressed and more confident.

11 Tips To You Ace Your Next Interview

Most hiring managers can distinguish between good candidates and bad ones almost instantly. These 11 tips help ensure you come across confident, reliable, and motivated and ace your interview.

Video Interview Tips For Your Next Job Interview

Your next job interview has a high chance of being online, so why not be prepared? There’s no need to panic about being on camera.

Proven Techniques to Nail Your Phone Interview

The phone might seem old-fashioned. But, the phone is still used today for important business like conducting job interviews and phone-screen calls.

Rock Your Next Behavioral Job Interview

Behavioral interview questions generally start with “tell me about a time when.” Here is a solid step-by-step process you can use to prepare.

How to Explain a Firing in a Future Job Interview

It happens even to the best employees. A blemish or two on your record (presented honestly and as a learning experience) shouldn’t deter you from getting that position.

Creating the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Have you ever watched the TV shows Shark Tank or Dagon’s Den? If so, you are already familiar with what a pitch is. But unlike the show, you are not pitching a business idea – you are pitching yourself.

Detail-Oriented Skills Are Non-Negotiable in Your Job Search

Employers want to hire detail-oriented people. They know that employees with this skill will hand in accurate and quality work and will follow policies and instructions.