The number of questions and interview topics that the interviewer, recruiter or hiring manager can ask you are unlimited. However, some job interview questions are more common than others. So what are these frequently asked interview questions? Read all about it in this blog.
Your goal, of course, is to make a positive and memorable impression on the interviewer. You should be able and prepared to answer commonly asked interview questions efficiently. During the interview the interviewer expects you to answer basic interview questions without hesitation.
Interview preparation
There are several points to take into account when you’re preparing for a job interview. Make sure you follow all the points as mention on our job interview preparation checklist.
This checklist contains a number of essential questions you should be able to give an answer to during a job interview. The answers to the checklist questions will give you a better understanding of the position and the company. If you know this information you can include them in your answers during the interview. It is, of course, better to give answers that establish a match between your abilities and experience and the job description and the company’s goals and values. It’s simple, if you fit into the company culture well you are more likely to get hired than if you don’t.
Most common job interview questions and answers
These are the most common job interview questions that you expect during your interview. Make sure that you have answers ready in STAR-format to provide the interviewer with as concrete information as possible. When thinking about a job interview try to place yourself in the shoes of the recruiter or hiring manager. What questions would you ask job candidates to find the best suitable one for the job? Would you hire the one that can clearly and concretely explain why he wants to work for the company or someone who is not really sure why?
Job interview questions about you
What are your greatest strengths?
What are your greatest weaknesses?
How would co-workers describe your personality?
What will you miss most about your last job?
Why should we take a risk on you?
Job interview questions about qualifications
How are you qualified for this job?
What applicable experience do you have?
How does your experience qualify you for this job?
What abilities do you have to succeed in this job?
Which part of the job is the least challenging for you?
Which part of the job is most challenging for you?
What makes you more qualified than the other candidates?
What steps have you taken in the last year to improve your qualifications?
Job interview questions about work history
Why do you want to leave your current job?
Tell me about your current job?
What were your responsibilities?
Why did you quit your previous job?
What do you love about your job?
What have you learned from past failures or mistakes?
Why do you want to change jobs?
What do you dislike about your job?
Describe the gap in your employment history
How do you think you will fit into the company?
What was your biggest accomplishment in your previous job?
What was your biggest failure in your previous job?
Why did you leave your last job?
Job interview questions about teamwork
How would you describe your ability to work as part of a team?
Describe a team project you worked on
Describe a negative team experience. What could you have done to prevent it?
Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict within the team
Tell me about a time you resolved a problem with an employee
Describe a team experience that you found rewarding
Are you easy to get along with?
Can you motivate people to perform?
Tell me why you consider yourself a team player
Tell me about a team that you fulfilled a leadership role
Describe a time when you had to mediate a disagreement? (conflict resolution)
Are you more energized by collaborating with colleagues or by working alone?
Tell me about a time you were involved with a team project that failed
Job interview questions about management
Tell me about your best boss and your worst boss
Tell me about a time you led by example?
Tell me about a time you had a team member who constantly opposed your ideas? How did you handle it?
Describe your management style
What’s your approach to delegating work to employees? How do you ensure that tasks are completed?
Tell me about a time you managed an important project. How did you prepare for it?
Had you ever had difficulty working with a manager?
Job interview questions about job performance
What is the most challenging assignment you’ve worked on? What was the outcome?
Where do you feel there’s room for you to improve?
Give me an example of how you work in a fast-paced environment that is always changing?
What is your greatest accomplishment at work?
When have you dealt with a difficult customer to come to a successful resolution?
Tell me about a time when you took a meaningful and specific action to resolve a problem?
To what position at the company do you want to move next?
Do you have the skills needed to succeed in this position?
When was the last time you got promoted?
Tell me about the goals you have set for yourself, and how you accomplished them?
Give me an example of a time when a manager hindered your work performance.
How do you deal with criticism?
What do you hope to accomplish in the next two years?
Tell me about a time you had to work on a tight deadline, what was the outcome?
Job interview question about why you should be hired
What can you do better for us than the other candidates for the job?
Job interview questions about the company and the new job
What do you know about this company?
What specifically interests you about this job?
What is your ideal company culture?
Are you willing to travel for work?
What challenges are you looking for in your work?
Is there anything you don’t know about the job or company that you would like to know?
Job interview questions about your future
What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve your goals?
How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
What are you looking for in your next job?
Where are you currently in your career, and where do you want to go next?
What will you do if you do not get this position?
Are you having any other interviews?
Why do you want to leave your current job?
What is your professional development plan?
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Job interview questions about leaving your job
Why did you leave your last job?
Why do you want to change jobs?
Can you please explain your employment gap?
Why did you resign from your previous job?
Why have you been out of work for so long?
Job interview questions about salary
What are your salary expectations?
Would you take a job for less money? Why?
What are your salary requirements?
Job interview questions that YOU should ask
Do you have any questions for me? (Questions you ask the interviewer)
Common Job Interview Questions & Answers
Below you can find a list of common job interview topics. Each link will direct you to an article regarding the specific topics that discuss commonly asked interview questions. Furthermore, each article discusses why the interviewer asks these questions and how you answer them!
- Accomplishments
- Adaptability
- Admission
- Behavioral
- Career Change
- Career Goals
- Communication
- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Creative Thinking
- Cultural Fit
- Customer Service
- Direct
- Experience
- Government
- Graduate
- Growth Potential
- Honesty & Integrity
- Illegal
- Inappropriate
- Job Satisfaction
- Leadership
- Management
- Entry-Level & No experience
- Performance-Based
- Personal
- Prioritization & Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Salary
- Situational & Scenario-based
- Stress Management
- Teamwork
- Telephone Interview
- Tough
- Uncomfortable
- Work Ethic
