Interview Questions in English
Your Big Opportunity to Impress a Hiring Manager in an Interview
How do I answer the most common job interview questions?
For jobseekers worldwide, the hiring process and dreaded job interview can be a gut-wrenching experience. It is one in which hiring managers attempt to get to know you by asking questions designed to bring out the best and worst in you.
Before we get started on the best answers for job interview questions, it is vital to remember that interviewers are not looking for specific answers. They are looking for how your personality traits and your perception of events line up with their perceptions.
Every interview is ultimately a conversation between two people, so don't take an interview question too seriously.
Must Know Job Interview facts & Statistics
- Doing 2-3 interviews is normal before receiving an offer of employment.
- The average time for face-to-face job interviews is 45 to 90 minutes.
- 24 working days isthe average wait time between a first interview and a job offer.
- Around 80% of hiring managers and recruiters ask behavioral interview questions to job applicants to evaluate their soft skills.
- Most hiring managers or recruiters (73%) are averse to hiring applicants who appear arrogant or conceited.
What are the top tips for crushing your next job interview?
- Do your research! Find out everything you can about the company and the role you’re interviewing for. Doing this will help you ask intelligent questions and appear interested in the company and the position.
- Dress to impress! Wear something professional and put your best foot forward.
- Arrive on time – or even a little early! Punctuality is key, and it shows that you’re organized and respectful of the interviewer’s time.
- Be prepared – Have questions ready to ask the hiring manager or interviewer, as well as answers to common interview questions like “tell me about yourself” or “why are you interested in this role?”
- Give an honest answer - When you respond to any interview question, be honest and make sure to tailor your response to the specific job you're interviewing for. For example, if you're interviewing for a management position, you may want to emphasize your experience leading and developing teams. If you're interviewing for a customer-facing role, you may want to highlight your excellent communication skills.
Tackling Job Interviews
These are just a few examples of interview questions and answers. There are many common questions that you can expect in a typical job interview. Try using our job interview question guide for more helpful hints and interview preparation ideas!
An interview is a conversation with a purpose. Instead of worrying about having the perfect response to an interview question, focus on being engaged in the conversation and communicating your qualifications and skills effectively in an authentic way.
Don't be afraid to ask your interviewer questions - this is an opportunity for both of you to determine if you're interested in the job. It also allows you to get more information about the position and the company culture.
Interview questions with sample answers
What kind of work environment do you prefer?
I like open office environments where I can easily collaborate with others on projects while at the same time focusing on my tasks.
In my current company, we have a flat organizational structure, and I have a lot of direct reports. I prefer this type of environment because it allows me to be more hands-on with each team member and provides more opportunities for mentorship.
Tell me about yourself.
Well, I'm interested in this position and was immediately drawn to the job advertisement. The company culture seems like a good fit for me, and I think my skills and qualifications would be valued.
As a person, I think most people I know would say that I'm punctual and reliable. I like to be productive, and sometimes that means putting in a little extra time at the end of the day if my work isn't complete as I had hoped, but it's important to me to get things done as promised.
What are your salary expectations?
TIP: this is one interview question where you might have no idea what to say, so you could answer it with another question.
"What do you think would be a fair salary for someone with my qualifications and experience?"
Why did you leave your last job?
My last company was acquired by a multinational conglomerate. As a result, the new management wanted their employees to fill the positions, so many old employees were laid off following the acquisition.
What do you know about our company?
I've researched the company, and it's clear that you're helping your clients with really challenging complex issues. And I know how much we need people with those kinds of problem-solving skills here at Company X - which is one of the reasons why I'm so excited about this opportunity.
How did you hear about this job opening?
I was recruited for this position by Jane Doe from HR. She thought that my experience would make me a great candidate.
What is your greatest strength?
My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I'm a thorough person, and I carry out my tasks as thoroughly as possible.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope to have advanced further into a management position. In this role, I'd be responsible for overseeing many employees or departments and ensuring the team was working efficiently toward a common goal.
Tell me about a weakness that you overcame.
I used to have difficulty asking for help from co-workers or even my managers. But after being encouraged by my manager to work with some colleagues, I learned to work more collaboratively with others.
What's your greatest strength?
I'd have to say communication skills or being very thorough in my interview answers. I've always had a knack for speaking clearly and concisely. It's something that is appreciated by interviewers and colleagues alike.
Why do you think this position is open?
It could be because the previous candidate did not meet expectations. It might also mean that the company is growing in a way that requires additional organizational support.
Why did you leave your last job?
My last job was not a good fit for my skills, and I did not feel like the culture was a good fit either.
What do you think we can improve about our interview process?
It could be helpful to provide interviewees with more information about the role and department. For example, what kind of projects will interviewees be working on? Where would they be reporting if hired? What is the timeline for hiring decisions?
What was your greatest accomplishment at your previous job?
My greatest accomplishment at my last job was securing new clients and building great relationships with them over time. Also, I managed three other employees and their tasks, which I was successful in doing.
What are you passionate about?
My great passion is travel. I love jet-setting around the world and experiencing new cultures. Tony Robbins said that every day should feel like a vacation at work. So I am hoping to bring my passion for travel into this job as well.
What is your dream job?
My dream job would be a supervisory or upper management position. A role where I oversee a team of people who are all highly efficient and thriving doing their jobs. I'd like to enjoy flexibility in my schedule, which would allow me to take vacations when possible.
What are some interview questions you may ask me as an interviewer?
I think I might ask whether or not the position allows me to develop and grow professionally. That's something my last job didn't offer me. I enjoy having room to grow and learn new things, so I think interviewers should be willing to explore future growth opportunities.
What are your weaknesses?
One of my weaknesses is that sometimes I can be a little hard on myself when completing tasks or projects. Sometimes, even though a project is completed on time, the quality may not be what I had hoped. This makes me sad because my expectations were high.
But after some self-reflection, it's always easy to see where else you could have improved your work or why the outcome doesn't matter as much as you thought it might have.
Why should we hire you?
The best thing about me is my ability to work well with others, take control and get the job done. These skills would help me succeed in a management position where hiring an efficient team is necessary for successful outcomes. I have been interviewed often enough, so I know how it feels for an interviewee. I will bring my patience and understanding of what is needed for successful hiring.
I understand what goes into running a successful business, and I feel like this makes me the best candidate for the job. I'm always up for learning new things. So if there is some aspect of the business that I don't know much about, I'll learn quickly to do well at my job.
What makes you unique?
If I had to choose just one thing, it would be my ability to get along with others. People tend to talk about how I'm a good team player, and it's something that they look for when hiring new employees.
Behavioral Job Interview Questions
Can you tell me about a time when you took a risk at work, but it didn't work out?
I once took a risk at work by proposing a new project to my boss. I had seen other companies do this same project and it had been successful, so I thought it would be a good idea for our company.
Unfortunately, my boss wasn't impressed and rejected my idea before I could even get started on it as a project.
I learned two things from this experience: first, not everything that works in other companies will work in your company; second, always consult with a colleague who knows the company better than you before proposing any new projects.
Taking risks is always a gamble, but if you can minimize the risks by doing your homework first, then the odds are in your favor.
Can you tell me about a time when you failed at something?
I once failed in a project at work at my first job. It was a very humbling experience, but I learned a lot from it.
At first, I was upset and felt like I had let myself and my team down. But after some time to reflect, I realized that it was a great learning opportunity. I learned how to face adversity and persevere, how to stay positive in the face of defeat, and how to be more humble. These are all lessons that have served me well in my career.
Looking back on that experience, I am grateful for it because it made me into the person I am today. And I know that if I never failed at work, I would never have grown as much professionally.
FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions
How can I optimize my skills to the job description before my next job interview?
The best way to optimize your skills for a job description before a job interview is to research the company and the position you are interviewing for as part of your job search before you send your resume.
Try to get a sense of what the company is looking for in terms of skills and experience. Then tailor your resume and cover letter to match those requirements as closely as possible.
Also, be prepared to discuss your skills and experience in detail during the interview. The interviewer will likely ask about specific examples of how you have applied your skills in past roles, so make sure you have rehearsed some good answers that highlight your strengths.
Finally, be prepared to ask questions about the job and the company. You want to see if the role and the company are a good fit for you.
How can I best explain why I want to leave my current job?
There can be a lot of reasons why you might want to leave your current job, but you must be able to communicate that in a way that doesn't sound negative or like you're just trying to bail on your employer. Frame your departure as a positive change that will benefit you and your future employer.
For example, you might say something like this:
Example Answer"I've enjoyed my time at my current job, but I'm looking for an opportunity where I can have more responsibility and contribute more to the company. I feel like I've learned a lot during my current job, and I'm confident that I can bring those skills and value to this new position."
Or:
"I've been doing [x] for [y] years, and I think it's time to move on to something new. Part of this transition is to gain new skills and experiences, but I also want to expand my network in the industry as part of my career goals."
Even though you're excited about your future, don't forget to be respectful about leaving your current role. Avoid being disrespectful or bad-mouthing your current employer - even if you have a good reason!
What are the best tips for answering a behavioral job interview question?
Behavioral interview questions help a recruiter or hiring manager assess a candidate's past behavior to predict how they might behave in future job-related scenarios. There is no right or wrong answer.
Some common behavioral interview questions include:
- "Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client."
- "Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team through a difficult project."
- "Tell me about your experience with giving and receiving feedback?"
- "Tell me about a challenging situation you faced at work, and how you coped with it."
The best way to answer tell me about interview questions is by giving specific, real-world examples. For instance, if the interviewer asks you about your experience with feedback, you might share an anecdote about how you successfully gave and received feedback as part of a team project.
By providing examples, you show the hiring manager that you have experience with such situations and know how to handle them effectively.
What is the best technique for answering a job interview question?
Be honest, and tailor your response to the specific job you're interviewing for when you answer questions. Use the same approach - tailoring your answer - for most questions. That is why researching the job and company beforehand is vital.
For example, if you're interviewing for a sales management position, emphasize your experience leading and developing a sales team. If the position is for a project manager, focus on your experience overseeing and coordinating complex projects, and the achievements of your existing team.
It's also important to be aware of the company's culture and values when answering interview questions. For instance, if the company emphasizes teamwork, you may want to highlight a time when you successfully led a team to achieve a common goal.
Job Interview Tips Dos & Don'ts
When it comes to acing a job interview, preparation is key. Here are a few tips to help you make the best impression during a job interview:
Do:- Research the company in advance and be familiar with its products, services, and mission statement.
- Dress appropriately for the position you're interviewing for.
- Arrive early for your interview.
- Smile and make eye contact with your interviewer.
- Speak clearly and confidently.
- Be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications and experience.
- Ask thoughtful questions about the company and the position you're interviewing for.
Don't:
- Bad mouth your current or previous employers.
- Ask about salary or benefits during the first interview.
- Share too many personal details.
- Appear disinterested or bored.
- Neglect to send a thank-you note after the interview.
How do you see your career path developing in this role?
Ideally, it would involve continuing to develop my project management skills while also taking on more responsibility for larger and more complex projects. I would also like to continue building my knowledge in other areas of web development so that I can contribute even more to the team's success. Ultimately, I see myself in a leadership position within the company, helping to guide and shape the direction of our web development projects.
How would you describe your management style?
My management style could be described as hands-off but supportive. I try to give my team members the freedom to work independently and figure things out for themselves, but I'm always available to offer help or guidance if needed. I believe this approach fosters creativity and innovation while still ensuring that tasks are completed effectively.
Tell me about a stressful situation in your previous job, and how you coped with it.
Working on web development projects can often be stressful, especially when deadlines are tight and there are a lot of moving parts.
One situation that comes to mind is when we had to completely redesign and redevelop our website in just six weeks.
To cope with the stress, I made sure to stay organized and focused, and I communicated regularly with our team to make sure everyone was on the same page.
I also took some time each day to step away from the project and clear my head, so that I could come back fresh and ready to work.
In the end, we were able to successfully launch the new website on time and under budget.