How to Best Answer the 29 Most Common Interview Questions

Going on a job interview feels like you’re taking a test with no definite right and wrong answers. So the best thing you can do is find common interview questions and answers recruiters look for.

This article will serve as your cheat sheet for any creative professional looking for a job. I'll share the best answers I could find for common interview questions. We'll also cover common second interview questions. So you can go into your next interview well-prepared.

How to Answer Interview Questions About Yourself

Here are some of the most common job interview questions and answers that you'll need to be prepared for. They are about yourself. It's helpful to know your strengths and why you should be hired for the position.

1. Tell Me About Yourself

One of the most common interview questions in the book. It’s such a friendly and welcoming question, but in reality, the recruiter just wants to see how you present your best self. 

It’s not an offer to recite your resume. Michele Mavi, Director of Internal Recruiting at Atrium Staffing, adds, 

“As it’s a broad and open question, candidates tend to ramble. They talk about their professional lives in generic terms and end up rehashing their resume.”

Tell a story, but make sure it's got a clear beginning, middle, and end.

• Beginning. A one-sentence summary of your career highlights.
• Middle. A three-point list of your top skills and achievements that are also relevant to the role.
• End. Conclude your story on a high note with a brief explanation of why you’re looking to make a move.

2. Why Should We Hire You?

This question comes in a form similar to this:

“We received applications from lots of well qualified candidates. So, why should we hire you?”

Be careful with this one. It’s a trap! Don’t let this ruin your confidence. They interviewed you, so that means you’re one of those ‘well qualified candidates.’

Take this question as an opportunity to share a success story. Share how you solved one of their current challenges for a previous employer or one that explains how your skills fit their job description to a T.

3. What Is Your Greatest Professional Achievement?

This is one of the most common interview questions asked because it shows the interviewer what you think is important. It also tells your interviewer how you approach setting and accomplishing goals. It also tells them your definition of success.

According to Timothy Thomas, an executive at Coaching Technology Group,

“The best interview stories have a clear starting point, a high point, a low point, and a definitive ending. It’s important to have a story that has both a high and low point because you can use the contrast to give your story some stakes—something that was at risk.”

The story of your professional achievement should have a straightforward narrative and be definitive throughout. Remember, when you think about this common interview question about achievements, you want to show them your definition of success.

4. What Is Your Greatest Strength?

Share a story of you displaying the number one strength the company values. You should’ve obtained this information while researching the company.

An example answer is from Michelle Riklan, a certified professional resume writer and career coach:

“I love talking to people. I’ve learned how to handle different customer personalities after five years in customer service. While other sales reps shy away from hard-to-convince leads, I take it as a challenge to step up my game.”

5. How Do People Describe You?

This is another one of those job interview questions you shouldn’t take at face value. The interviewer doesn’t want you to talk about what your friends think of you.

This question is your chance to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Good communication skills are common, but how are you as a listener? Tell the interviewer how your listening skills helped you make a sale or pacify an irate customer.

Hard work is another commonplace skill. But most applicants only share stories of how grit paid off in their own careers. Stand out from the pack by sharing how you helped lighten the workload of your teammate or boss.

6. How Do You Handle Stress?

Candidates often take this question lightly with answers like, “I eat stress for breakfast” or “I thrive under pressure.” While those answers sound correct, it doesn’t answer the question.

Tell the interviewer exactly what you do. Do you meditate, stuff your face with chocolate, or exercise? Your chosen method doesn’t matter. The interviewer is just confirming that you've got a healthy way of dealing with stress.

7. What Gets You Up in the Morning?

This question tells the interviewer if you've got an overarching plan in life.

Jimi Shabir, Managing Director at Bootcamp Media, gave this example:

“I wake up every morning with a renewed goal, be it in my personal or work life. One day my goal could be improving our website’s design, next day that might change into improving our marketing funnel. Smaller goals come together to deliver value for money for our customers.”

Learn more about goal-setting in this tutorial:

• How to Set Goals With No Room For Excuses in 2021

  David Masters

  23 Dec 2020

8. What Do You Like to Do in Your Spare Time?

Your answer shows if you’re a workaholic or have a healthy work-life balance. The correct answer shows both dedication to work and other hobbies that refresh your mind and body on your days off.

Spending too much time at work is unhealthy and unproductive. So, many employers prefer hiring someone who knows when to unplug. Evan Harris, Investor Relations for SD Equity Partners, says,

 “It’s important to show that you have other interests outside of work. And it also shows if you’d be a good fit for the company’s existing corporate culture.”

How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Qualifications

In this section, we've got more common job interview questions and answers. These are specific to your qualifications, such as your training, skillset, and comparison to other candidates being interviewed for this position. 

9. Walk Me Through Your Resume

One of the most common interview questions answers is the question:

"Why are you applying for this job? Walk me through."

This question isn’t where you just state what's on your resume. You should bring up an anecdote or bring up the next step in your career.

Don’t make your answer all about you, though. This is a chance to tell the hiring manager what sets you apart from your competition.

When answering this question, make sure you don’t answer the obvious. Walk through your resume and tell them why you're qualified for the role.

10. What Kind of Training or Qualifications Do You Have?

This question is often asked when an interviewer doubts you meet their minimum requirements.

Here's how to answer this if you've got no educational qualifications but lots of hands-on work experience:

“While I don’t have formal school training for this work, I have more than made up for it in my X years of work in the field. I’m a fast learner, and I’m willing to undergo more training if I’m offered the job.”

In contrast, if you’re a fresh graduate but have little to no experience, try this answer:

“I just completed a X-month internship at (CompanyName), which gave me hands on experience in (work related task 1) and (workrelated task 2). I also completed my (degree) in (School Name), where I learned about (industry).”

Learn about how to get the training you need in your job: 

• How to Convince Your Boss to Pay for Your Training (With Scripts and Email Template)

  Charley Mendoza

  15 Nov 2021

11. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?

Don’t compare yourself directly to other candidates. There’s no way to know for sure if you're better than them. Instead, sum up your main strengths and how they match the position’s requirements.

Share a good mix of three to four soft and job-related skills, followed by backup evidence demonstrating those skills to help you stand out. Include: 

• specialized skills that set you apart
• industry knowledge gained from years of experience
• industry contacts—a perfect selling point for sales and executive positions
• growth or savings earned in past employment
• special courses or certified training you've completed

How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Career

Now, let's look at the most common interview questions and answers about your career. You need to have good answers ready for questions that are likely to arise about your salary, why you left your last job, and what your career goals are. 

12. Why Should We Hire You?

A common phone interview question is:

"Why should we hire you?"

This question is a great way to show off your knowledge of the company you're applying to.

Tell them what you agree with about the company's mission. Show a connection that you have with the company's values and goals. This shows your excitement and how prepared you are.

13. What Was Your Salary in Your Last Job?

This is a tough question. On one hand, you want to be honest and find out if the job pays within your target salary range. On the other hand, you don’t want to be removed from their candidate pool too early.

Try This Two-Step Strategy

First, deflect the question and say you’re more concerned about finding the right job.

“Right now, I’m more concerned about finding the right fit. If I can help you grow this company while learning new skills in this role, I’m sure we can negotiate a salary that’s fair for both of us.”

If the interviewer insists, give them your salary range along with information about other job offers, if any. This makes you seem more valuable as a candidate, and it’s a great way to take advantage of companies that don't want to lose talent to their competitors.

“My salary range is $55,000 to $60,000, but I’m currently in talks with a company that pays (job title) $58,000.”

In the second part of this sentence, you’re not saying you've got a job offer. Instead, you’re just saying the interview went well and that their job posting says it pays $58K. Learn about how to negotiate your job salary: 

• How to Negotiate Your Salary via Email (+ Killer Tips, Examples, Video)

  Charley Mendoza

  18 Apr 2022

14. Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Position?

The interviewer wants to know if you’re a job hopper or if you were terminated in your last role.

You’ll look better if your response doesn’t make you look desperate—that you’re leaving your current role in search of new challenges, instead of needing a paycheck. Don’t bad mouth your last employer though.

How to Answer Interview Questions About Your Last Role:

“I’m happy with my current role. But because I want to grow, I always keep my eyes open for new challenges and opportunities. This role seems like it fits that criteria.”

If you were laid off, be honest. Interviewers know this happens. In most cases, it’s not your fault. Tell them what you learned because of it and how you’re looking forward to working with a new team.

Cherry Palmer, former Career Counselor at the Department of Labor and Certified Career Coach, suggested this script:

“Because of the difficult economy, my company was forced to lay off 10% of its workforce, and I was one of the ones impacted.”

15. When Can You Start?

It doesn’t mean you got the job, so don’t be too confident.

Interviewers often ask this question because the position they’re hiring for needs to be filled on or before a certain date.

If you’re currently employed, be honest and say if your employer needs a two-week notice or a 30-day notice.

16. Tell Me About Your Career Path. How Did You Get Here, and Where Are You Going Next?

Christy Hopkins, HR Consultant at Fit Small Business, says,

“Candidates should be prepared to explain why they moved companies, changed roles, or have any gaps in employment.”

Ideally, your answer should form a clear narrative that highlights your growth from one role to another, ending with what you plan to do next.

If you moved because of employer squabbles or a bad boss, skip it. Focus on what you learned in your role, even if it’s a lesson in handling disagreements with your boss.

17. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

Be honest. This question isn’t just to test your loyalty to a potential employer. The interviewer also wants to know if you've got realistic career goals, given your current skill set and performance.

If you say you want to be a Regional Director in five years but have no promising achievements or initiative to take a leadership course, that’s a clue that you’re likely to resign if not promoted within a year or two.

Before answering the question, think about the career path of the job you’re applying for. What’s the realistic time for people in that position to get promoted?

How to Answer Interview Questions About Your 5-Year Career Plan:

“I’m excited about this Graphic Designer role at ABC Company because, in five years, I’d like to have an impressive portfolio from different kinds of clients. I know that’s something I can do if I work here. I’m also looking forward to the possibility of taking on more responsibilities and even taking the lead in some new design projects.”

18. What's Your Dream Job?

When asked about 5-year plans, many candidates are quick to talk about their goals to get promoted with the company they’re interviewing for. This question reveals if that’s true or not.

The interviewer is trying to see if this job is part of your professional goals, or just a way to pay the bills. Your passion for the job affects your performance and loyalty to the company, after all.

For some applicants, the role they’re applying for isn’t often their dream job but a stepping stone toward it. If that’s the case, here’s how you can answer this question:

“I’ve mentioned my experience with [skills you love but are also required for your target role]. My dream job will certainly be about using and improving those skills.”

19. Why Are You Interested in This Job?

Common answers to this focus on how the job fits into a candidate’s career goals. It’s good that you've got a plan, but interviewers are more interested in how you’d add value to the company.

Sarah Dowzell, COO at Natural HR, says,

“It’s always interesting to see if the responses just focus on the role itself, or extend to include information and research the candidate did on our company.”

Tailor your answer to the organization’s goals, and how you’re going to help them achieve those goals once you become part of the team. If you can, share examples of how you contributed to meeting your last employer’s goals.

Other Questions

There are a number of additional common job interview questions and answers that you'll need to be prepared for, which can vary. We've got a few examples below. You also need to be prepared to ask your own questions during the interview. 

20. Describe When You Disagreed With a Decision That Was Made at Work?

This common interview question is where you can tell of a time that you handled a disagreement professionally and learned something from that experience. According to Lily Zhang, who is a career counselor at MIT Lab,

“So, when it comes to these behavioral interview questions, have some stories prepared and then practice framing them based on the question you’re asked. The final piece of the puzzle is wrapping up your answers well.”

You should always wrap up your answer in a professional way. You don’t want to end in an awkward way.

21. Why Is There a Gap in Your Resume?

One of the most common interview questions if you've got a gap in your resume is about the gap. According to Sharon Armstrong, Career coach and author of The Essential HR Handbook

“Don’t hide it; explain it. During the entire process of conducting a job search, maintain your integrity and demonstrate it. Jobs come and go, but being known for being truthful—and conversely, deceitful—can last a lifetime.”

You could have a gap on your resume because of health issues or taking care of family. Be honest and be prepared to say what skills you learned or improved that gap that'll help you with the job you applied to.

22. What Do You Think of Working in a Group?

The interviewer wants to know if you can get along with your potential teammates. Share an example of you working and succeeding in a group setting.

Explain how your teammates had different skills and personalities, and describe how those differences complemented each other’s work.

23. How Did You Learn About the Opening?

Candidates often learn about job openings through job boards and fairs. It’s normal. But it also shows you've got no real passion for the company. You just applied because they've got a vacancy in your target role, but you know nothing about them.

It’s okay to admit that you found the job posting online. Just don’t stop there. Tell the interviewer you researched the company’s values, products, and projects. And that made working in the company more interesting for you.

24. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?

Ending the interview without asking any questions shows a lack of genuine interest in the job. But asking questions that are answerable by reading the company’s website is even worse. It reveals how little you prepared for the interview.

Instead, prepare a couple of questions to ask the interviewer towards the end of your discussion. That’s aside from the routine “What’s the next step?” questions, of course.

Here's a tutorial that can help you come up with questions to ask: 

• What Questions Should You Ask in a Job Interview?

  Charley Mendoza

  13 Jan 2023

Second Interview Questions

If you get a second interview, the questions are typically more focused on the job you're applying to. Here are common second interview questions:

25. What Does Customer Service Mean to You?

Instead of looking up this common interview question on Reddit, you should prepare by showing them that you can professionally deal with customers. They want people who will make their company look good. According to Career Coach Kristine Knutter,

“Interviewers want to understand the value you place on customer service and how you define it...”

Every company has a different value, philosophy, and approach to dealing with customers. When interviewing, they want to know if you can follow that approach.

26. Walk Me Through a Project You Led and What Made It Successful

This is a common situational interview question that's often asked in job interviews where you would manage people. Interviewers are looking for your knowledge of people, projects, and communication skills for this question.

So, you want to tell a story showcasing all those abilities. You should include specifics in your story so the interviewer can clearly see your talent and skills.

27. Looking Back, What Could You Have Done to Improve a Challenging Workplace Relationship?

This common technical interview question is meant to see how well you get along with others.

If you're bitter in your answer, the interviewer will think you can’t get along with others and hold grudges. They want people who learn from the past and rise above unpleasant situations. The hiring manager most likely wants someone who is tactful and diplomatic.

28. Can You Describe a Typical Day at Work in Your Last Job?

For this common second interview question, the interviewer wants to see how your last job routine matches the job you're applying for.

So, make a list of tasks at your current job, compare it to the list in the job description, and focus on the overlap. You can also include any tasks that'll help the job you're applying to. Your answer needs to show the reasoning behind your doing your important tasks.

29. What Would You Do in Your First Year to Establish Yourself If You Got the Job?

This is a common technical interview question where the interviewer wants to see how you work and what your goals are.

To prepare for this interview question, do research on the company you’re applying to. Next, be clear about how you can make an impact within the time frame.

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You’re the one getting interviewed, but in reality, it’s not about you. There are many common interview questions that you can prepare answers for ahead of time. It’s about the company you want to work for—their needs, goals, and challenges. Talk about your experience, but always tie it to the job at hand. 

For more information about job interviews, check out these guides:

• How to Prepare the Best Answers to Any Interview Questions

  Charley Mendoza

  20 May 2021
• How to Prepare for an Internal Interview: 8 Tips to Get a Promotion

  Charley Mendoza

  21 May 2021

Also, if you're gearing up to apply for new jobs, then take a look at our comprehensive guide to creating a great resume, or jump over to Envato Elements to browse through our professional resume templates or discover more resume designs on Envato Elements. That way, you can put your best foot forward when sending out job applications.

Editorial Note: This content was originally published in 2016. The tutorial has been completely reviewed for relevancy and accuracy by Sarah Joy. Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+.