30 Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Walk into any interview and you will face a familiar set of questions. Knowing the common interview questions in advance — and what employers are really listening for — is the difference between fumbling and shining. This guide lists the 30 most likely questions with sample answers and the thinking behind each one, so you can prepare with confidence. To organise your prep alongside your applications, track your interviews with ApplicantGrid.
The 5 questions you will almost always be asked
If you prepare nothing else, prepare these:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want this job?
- What are your strengths?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Master these five and you will handle the opening of nearly every interview. Below, we cover all 30 across four categories.
Opening and "about you" questions
1. Tell me about yourself
What they want: a concise, relevant summary, not your life story. Sample answer: "I'm a marketing executive with four years in B2B SaaS. I specialise in content and SEO — at my current role I grew organic traffic by 60%. I'm now looking to lead a content team, which is what drew me to this position."
2. Why do you want this job?
What they want: evidence you have researched them and see a genuine fit. Tip: name something specific about the company and connect it to your goals.
3. Why are you leaving your current role?
What they want: a positive, forward-looking reason. Never criticise a past employer. Frame it as moving towards opportunity.
4. What do you know about us?
What they want: proof you did your homework. Mention their products, recent news or values.
5. Why should we hire you?
What they want: a confident match between your strengths and their needs. Pick two or three relevant achievements.
Strengths, weaknesses and self-awareness
6. What are your greatest strengths?
Choose strengths relevant to the role and back each with a brief example.
7. What is your biggest weakness?
Name a real but non-fatal weakness, then show how you are managing it. Avoid the cliché "I'm a perfectionist".
8. How do you handle criticism?
Show maturity: you welcome feedback and act on it. Give a short example.
9. What motivates you?
Be honest and specific — solving problems, hitting targets, helping customers. Match it to the role where you can.
10. How would your colleagues describe you?
Pick two or three credible qualities and, ideally, reference real feedback you have received.
Behavioural and competency questions
These are best answered with the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result. For a full walk-through, see our STAR method guide.
11. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge.
12. Describe a time you worked in a team.
13. Give an example of when you showed leadership.
14. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
15. Describe a time you had to meet a tight deadline.
16. Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult colleague or customer.
17. Give an example of when you used data to make a decision.
18. Describe a time you went above and beyond.
Sample STAR answer (question 14):
Situation: I sent a client report with an error in the figures. Task: I needed to correct it before a key meeting that afternoon. Action: I owned the mistake immediately, reissued the corrected report and added a verification step to my process. Result: The client appreciated the honesty, the meeting went ahead, and the new check meant it never happened again.
Role, fit and future questions
19. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Show ambition that fits the company. You want to grow with them, not through them.
20. Why do you want to work in this industry?
Connect a genuine interest to your experience.
21. What are your salary expectations?
Research the market first. Give a researched range and stay flexible.
22. How do you prioritise your work?
Describe a method — to-do lists, urgency-impact matrices — and a quick example.
23. How do you handle pressure?
Show you stay calm and structured. Give an example of a high-pressure success.
24. What are you looking for in a role?
Align your answer with what this role actually offers.
25. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be honest but non-committal: yes, but this role is a priority because of a specific reason.
26. What is your management style? (for leadership roles)
Describe your approach and adapt it to the team's needs.
27. How do you deal with failure?
Show resilience and a learning mindset.
28. Describe your ideal working environment.
Match it, honestly, to the company's culture.
29. What would you do in your first 90 days?
Show a sensible plan: learn, build relationships, deliver an early win.
30. Do you have any questions for us?
Always say yes. Asking sharp questions signals genuine interest — our guide to questions to ask in an interview gives you 20 to choose from.
How to prepare for typical interview questions
Knowing the typical interview questions is only half the job. To turn knowledge into performance:
- Write bullet answers, not scripts. You want to sound natural, not rehearsed.
- Prepare 5–6 strong STAR stories that you can flex across behavioural questions.
- Practise out loud, ideally with a friend or recording yourself.
- Research the company and role so your answers are specific.
- Match your examples to the job advert, just as you tailored your CV. Our guide on how to write a CV shows how to identify the key requirements.
Prepare smarter for your next interview
These 30 interview questions and answers cover the vast majority of what you will face. Prepare your stories, practise aloud, and walk in ready. Use ApplicantGrid to track your applications and interview stages in one place, so you always know which role to prepare for next and what you told them last time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I answer "tell me about yourself"?
Give a 60–90 second summary of your professional background, a relevant achievement and why you want this role. Keep it focused on your career, not personal details, and connect it to the job.
What is the best way to answer behavioural questions?
Use the STAR method: describe the Situation and Task, then the Action you took and the Result you achieved. Lead with a real example and end on a measurable outcome.
How do I answer "what is your biggest weakness"?
Name a genuine but non-critical weakness, then explain the steps you are taking to improve. Avoid clichés and never claim you have no weaknesses, which sounds evasive.
What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?
Always ask at least two. Good options cover the team, success measures for the role and next steps. Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and helps you assess fit.
How many interview answers should I prepare?
Prepare answers to the five core questions plus five or six flexible STAR stories. Those stories can be adapted to most behavioural questions, so you are not memorising a separate answer for each.