10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Question 1: Tell Me About Yourself…

This is usually the first question in an interview.

Many people make a mistake by just talking about their resume or job history. But the interviewer wants to know more.

Instead, talk about your achievements, strengths, and a quick summary of your career. Keep your answer short, around 60 to 90 seconds.

 

Question 2: Why Do You Want this Job?

Example Questions:

Why do you want this position/job? Why do you want to work here? For these questions, talk about what interests you about the job. Focus on the job responsibilities or the company's values and mission.

Are you excited about helping clients and solving problems? Do you like working with numbers and saving money for the company? Maybe you love the company’s product and are great at increasing sales.

 

Question 3: Your Job History

Example Questions:

Why did you leave your last job? Why are you leaving your current job? Be careful with this question. Don’t complain about your previous/current company or boss. But be honest.

Common reasons for leaving a job include:

Looking for a new challenge Wanting to grow your career The current company is struggling financially Moving to a new location.

 

Question 4: Describe a Problem You Had at a Previous Job and How You Fixed It

This question is about how you handle tough situations and come up with solutions. Pick a problem that shows off your skills and talk about what you did to solve it. Focus on teamwork, being creative, and any good results.

Example Answer: "At my last job, we had a project with a tight deadline because of some delays. I took charge and organized quick meetings every day to check our progress and see where we were getting stuck. By moving people around and making our work smoother, we got the project done on time and the client was really happy with it."

 

Question 5: What Makes You the Best Choice?

Example Questions:

Why should we hire you? What makes you the best candidate for this job? With this question, the interviewer wants to know how you will help the company. How will your skills or experience benefit the company and its goals?

Focus on your strengths, past successes, and skills. Then explain how you’ll use them in this new job.

 

Question 6: How Do You Take Advice from Others?

Employers want to know if you're open to learning and changing based on feedback. Share a time when you got advice and made things better because of it. Show that you're flexible, willing to learn, and can use feedback to grow.

Example Answer: "Once, my boss gave me some tips on how to make my presentations better. I listened carefully and practiced a lot. I also asked my coworkers for advice. It made a big difference! My presentations got much better and people paid more attention."

 

Question 7: What Do You Know about the Company?

Example Questions:

What do you know about our company? What do you know about our competitors? Why are you a good fit for our company? The interviewer wants to see if you know about the company and its products or services. Don’t just repeat what’s on their website. Show you understand the industry and the company’s role in it. Talk about their competitors and marketing strategies. Mention the company culture and values.

This shows you took the time to learn about the company and that the job is important to you.

 

Question 8: How Do You Decide What to Do First When You Have a Lot of Work?

This question is about how you manage your time and stay organized. Talk about how you figure out which tasks are most important and how you get them done. Mention things like making lists, deciding what's urgent, and asking for help when you need it.

Example Answer: "When I have a lot to do, I start by looking at what's due soonest and what's most important. I use a planner and an app to keep track of everything. I also break big jobs into smaller parts and focus on one thing at a time. If I need help, I'm not afraid to ask for it."

 

Question 9: Job-Specific Details

Example Questions:

What salary range are you looking for? Would you move to a new city? Would you travel often? What’s your availability? What does your ideal workday look like? Be honest with questions about the job requirements. Be clear about your availability and what you’re willing to do.

Salary questions can be uncomfortable. Research common salaries for the position and your qualifications.

 

Question 10: Can You Tell Me About a Time When You Had to Work Hard to Get Something Done?

Employers want to see how you handle pressure and keep going when things get tough. Share a story about a time when you had to work hard to finish something. Show that you can stay calm, think clearly, and get things done even when it's hard.

Example Answer: "Once, we had a big project at work that needed to be finished quickly. There were a lot of problems, but I stayed calm and got everyone together to fix them. We worked really hard, but we got it done on time. It was tough, but it taught me a lot about staying focused under pressure."