TOP 60 Popular Job Interview Questions You Should Prepare For

When a company interviews potential applicants, they are not only looking for someone who has the skills needed for the position but also has the personality traits that will make them a good fit for the company in the long term. Job interview questions are designed to determine if you have all the competencies needed for the job for which you are applying. So when you answer these questions, your goal is to show that you are the best candidate out of all the applicants being interviewed for the job.

With that in mind, here are the 60 target job interview questions commonly asked of applicants. Granted, hiring managers are not going to ask you all of these 50 questions in your job interview, but it helps to formulate answers for all of them in your mind so you can feel confident and articulate with your answers. Both of these qualities are highly valued in the workplace, and they help ensure your job interview is a memorable one in the eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager.

Job Interview Questions about You

1. Can you tell me more about yourself?

2. Can you describe yourself in three to five words?

3. What do co-workers say about you?

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

5. Can you describe your working style?

6. Are there any professional aspects that you feel you need to improve on?

7. Are you a team player?

8. What is your philosophy towards work?

9. What motivates you?

10. What irritates you about your colleagues?

How to Answer Questions about Yourself

All these questions should be answered from a personal point of view, but they are not overly personal. You’re still attending a job interview, so you should stay professional all the time. With that in mind, these tips will help you give good answers:

• Be authentic! Answer in a genuine way that reflects your personality. Still, you should frame your answers in a way that conveys your professionalism and suitability for the role.

• Keep all answers positive. Even when you’re discussing the reasons why you left your previous job, the answer should have a positive connotation. If you’re discussing areas for improvement, you can talk about challenges you handled constructively. 

• All your answers should be related to the role. For example, when you’re describing yourself in a few words, the qualities you mention should be valuable for the position. For example: team player, motivated, and adaptable. 

• When answering questions about yourself, you should show self-awareness. Let’s say you get this question: Are there any professional aspects that you feel you need to improve on? You should show that you understand your own areas for growth. This shows humility and a willingness to improve.

• This is the hard part: you need to balance confidence with humility. Of course, you’re proud of your achievements, no matter how many and how big they are. But you should never come across as arrogant.

Job Interview Questions about Your Work Ethic

1. What would your direct reports say about you?

2. Could you tell us about your career to date?

3. Has anyone given you difficult feedback? How did you handle it?

4. What have you done to improve your knowledge/skills/experience in the past year?

5. What would you (or your old boss) say are your strongest points?

6. What would you (or your old boss) say are your weakest points?

7. Have you had any problems with your previous boss/manager? What is it, and how was it resolved?

8. Can you explain the gap in your employment (if any)?

9. How do you fit with company culture?

10. How would you handle it if your boss was wrong and you were right?

How to Answer Questions about Your Work Ethic

Interviewers ask these questions to evaluate your professionalism, dedication, and ability to face a challenge. You have to give them a strong answer since your employment depends on it. These tips will help:

• Show integrity! You should be honest when answering these questions. When discussing feedback, weaknesses, or past challenges, you should demonstrate accountability. Although it may be difficult to talk about your weaknesses, an employer will value a candidate who owns their actions and learns from mistakes.

• When answering a question about your strongest points, you should provide some evidence. You can mention examples of times when you’ve taken the initiative to improve your skills or resolve conflicts. The point is to show your proactive mindset. If you relied on academic CV writing help to complete your resume, refer to it to get inspired for an answer. 

• When discussing the difficulties you’ve faced in your career so far, you should focus on a positive outcome. For example, if you’re talking about employment gaps, you can mention the constructive steps you took, such as online courses or even traveling, that helped you learn. 

• Always align your answers with the company’s values. Before the interview, you should research the company culture. Then, you’ll give your answers in a way that shows how your values align with theirs. For example, when the interviewer asks how you fit with the company culture, you can discuss qualities like collaboration, innovation, or customer focus. Think about the skills that make you the right fit.

• Always be honest. That’s the highest level of professionalism. Don’t give generic or insincere responses since they don’t make you stand out. Think about your genuine work habits and express them, but keep your tone professional.

Job Interview Questions about Your Previous Work Experience

1. Why did you leave your last job?

2. When were you most satisfied at work?

3. What are the useful lessons you learned at your job?

4. What are the mistakes you learned from?

5. Have you ever been fired or forced to resign?

6. Can you tell us about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between co-workers?

7. Can you tell us about any suggestions/solutions you gave? How did your previous company use it?

8. What has disappointed you at your old job?

9. How does your past work experience prepare you for the job you’re now applying for?

10. Do you think your previous work experience matches the needs of this new role?

How to Respond to Questions about Your Previous Work Experience

When attending an interview, you’ll most definitely get a question about your background. Employers use these questions to evaluate your problem-solving skills. They want to know how well you learned from previous challenges. They also want to assess your professionalism. Here’s what to keep in mind when answering:

• Be transparent. If a potential employer asks about your reasons for leaving a job, share them. Be candid, but be careful not to speak negatively about previous employers. Always focus on the learning opportunities you have. For example: “I left to pursue new challenges and opportunities for growth. I felt that my potential was limited in that role.”

• Mention the positive contributions you made. You can focus on achievements and valuable lessons, too. Wherever you’ve worked before, you added value. Tell your potential employer about it. 

• Make a link between your experience and the new role. How are your previous responsibilities connected to the job you’re applying for? The interviewer wants to see if you can fit in without too much investment in the onboarding process. 

• The employer may ask you what disappointed you at your old job. It’s a tough question to answer, but you still have to be honest. The way you frame the disappointment is important. You should still use positive language and mention the steps you took to resolve or move beyond the disappointment. 

Questions about the Job Position

1. What experience do you have in this field?

2. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

3. If hired, can you describe your strategy for the first 90 days?

4. How do you plan to establish yourself quickly in the team?

5. What are the strengths that you bring to the team?

6. What do you see are your weaknesses?

7. What kind of salary are you expecting?

8. Are you willing to relocate?

9. Are you willing to travel?

10. Are you okay with working overtime/weekends/holidays?

How to Answer Questions about the Job Position

Employers will ask different questions to see how you understand the role you apply for and how you would fit into it. They want to see what you expect and how well your skills align with the company’s needs. There’s a right way to approach these questions:

• Focus on the most relevant experience you have. Mention the skills and knowledge that are directly related to this role. You can show how your background makes you a strong fit. Let’s say you get this question: “What experience do you have in this field?” This is an example of a good answer: “I’ve spent two years working in digital marketing. I developed skills in SEO, content strategy, and social media management. I believe those skills align closely with this role’s responsibilities.”

• Show your enthusiasm for the role when the interviewer asks about your expectations. This is not the time to talk about money. Instead, express how excited you are to get started and make an impact. 

• When asked about your strengths and weaknesses, be honest and on-point. Talk about the qualities that are relevant to the role. When mentioning a weakness, you can explain what steps you’re taking to improve it and turn it into a strength. 

• You should be very clear about your long-term commitment. Do you have a desire to grow within the company? The employer will be interested in your plans for development in this role. 

• When the interview gets to the point of discussing salary, you should clarify your expectations. If you’re flexible, it’s OK to ask about the company’s range so you can negotiate on the full benefits package. 

Questions about the Company You’re Applying For

1. What do you know about our company?

2. What do you know about our industry

3. Why do you want to work for this company?

4. Do you know anyone who works in our company?

5. Do you know who our competitors are?

6. Do you have any idea how we can overtake our most successful competitors?

7. Are you willing to put the interests of the company before your own? What are the situations in which you would say no?

8. What position do you want to take on a team? Leader or follower?

9. Do you have any areas of concern we should know about?

10. Do you think you are overqualified/underqualified for this position?

How to Answer Questions about the Company

This is an important part of the interview. The hiring manager wants to see if you’ve done your research. They want to hire someone who understands the company’s values, culture, and industry position. These tips will help you shine:

• Research extensively before the interview! You need to know what the company’s mission is. You’ll also inform yourself about its values and recent projects. Go even further by reading industry news, which you can refer to during the interview. Your goal is to appear as someone informed and genuinely interested in their work. 

• Most interviews include questions about your reasons. Why do you want to work for this company? This is the right moment to speak about the way their values align with yours. Talk about how the product/service aligns with your career goals. 

• Understand the entire industry! Being knowledgeable of the market landscape shows you see the bigger picture. You can explain why you think this company is better than its competitors and why you chose it for your application. 

• If you have any preferences about your role, feel free to express them when asked. You can explain that you can lead and collaborate effectively, depending on the role’s needs. This is how a good answer sounds: “I value both leadership and collaboration. I’m comfortable leading when needed, but I also believe in being a strong team player. I can definitely follow the lead of others when it’s for the sake of the organization.”

• If you have any concerns about this job, you can express them constructively. You can ask for clarification, so there will be no unpleasant surprises afterward. 

• Be straightforward about your qualifications. If the interviewer asks if you’re overqualified or underqualified, give them an honest answer. But you should also tell them that you can adapt and contribute according to the position’s needs. 

Questions about Your Future Plans

1. Are you applying for other jobs?

2. What are you looking for in this job?

3. What are you looking for in your next job?

4. What are your long-term goals with your career?

5. Where do you see yourself in three/five/ten years?

6. How do you want your career to progress?

7. Can you tell us about your dream job?

8. Do you think you would do well at this job?

9. What is more important to you: the money or the job?

10. What will you do if you don’t get the job?

How to Answer Questions about Your Future Plans

The hiring manager wants to hire someone who would contribute to the company’s growth in the long term. These questions give you a chance to show you’re focused, motivated, and invested in your personal growth in context with this position. This is the right way to approach them:

• As always, you should be honest. But at the same time, you should have a strategic approach. You don’t have to be too specific here; just focus on growth within the company and industry. Like this: “In the long term, I aim to take on leadership responsibilities, continue expanding my expertise in online marketing, and contribute to this company’s strategic goals.”

• You want to show that you’re not just looking for any job. You’re focused on a long-term career path, and this role fits perfectly. Discuss how you plan to continue your professional development over time. 

• If you’re asked about the importance of money and job satisfaction, find the right balance with your answer. Of course, you’re after job satisfaction and growth opportunities, but you should also acknowledge that fair compensation is important for your long-term commitment. 

• If you’re asked what you’ll do if you don’t get this job, handle the situation with grace. You can say that you’ll continue looking for opportunities to learn and grow, and you’ll maintain your interest in the company for future opportunities. An answer like this will open the door for valuable networking opportunities. 

Aside from answering these best job interview questions to ask in your mind, it also helps to practice answering them aloud. This way, you’ll observe if you convey the right amount of confidence, energy, and ambition in your replies.

Need More Job Interview Tips?

Want to know more tips relating to job interview questions and answers? Or perhaps you’d like to know the right questions to ask a CEO in a job interview (Wiki). Our Career Advice section offers plenty of valuable insights about these topics and many others. Also, feel free to send us your resume for a free, no-obligation evaluation. You can also rely on our professional resume writing services to make sure you’ll get that interview!

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