50 Common Interview Questions
When you only have 60 minutes with a potential new hire, much as you would like to ask lots of deviously revealing questions, there are too many basics that you need to cover first. Most hiring managers will fall back on the most common interview questions.
Therefore, at least 80% of the interview will likely be spent on some variant of the following 50 questions. It’s well worth considering how you might answer them.
While you should seek to respond to the question directly, consider which other aspects of your candidature you can incorporate into your answers. Slipping a little extra into each answer is an excellent way of steering the narrative in the desired direction. Your responses will guide the interviewer – subsequent questions will build on what you mentioned.
These questions might seem straightforward (and they are), but your answers can be anything but. That is the beauty of a simple question. They are open to interpretation.
Common questions
How would you answer these 50 common interview questions? Your answers might vary for each role.
Tell me something about yourself?
How did you hear about this role?
What do you know about the company?
Why are you in the market for a new role?
How do you like to be managed?
Why do you want to work here?
Do you currently have other opportunities?
Why do you come to work in the morning?
What is your greatest weakness?
Tell me about a time when you handled pressure effectively.
How would your previous boss describe you?
Why should we hire you?
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
What sort of work culture do you thrive in?
How has your education contributed to your career?
What motivates you to go above and beyond?
What do you know about our culture?
Tell me about a time when your leadership was tested.
What interests you about the job?
What makes you unique?
Why have you changed jobs so many times?
How do you prioritise your time?
What are your salary expectations?
What was the last book that you read?
How would you act differently in your new role?
Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
Is there anything else that you would like to know?
What is your greatest strength?
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
What role do you play in a team?
Tell me about your hobbies and interests.
How do you handle shifting deadlines?
What does success mean to you?
Sell me this pen.
How would you describe yourself?
Why did you lose this job?
What would your first 30 days look like in the role?
What do you like least about your job?
Why did you decide to leave this role?
What should I know that isn’t on your CV?
Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.
Tell me about this large gap in your work history.
Have you ever had a mentor?
Give me an example of your greatest risk – that paid off.
What is your management style?
Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to new technology.
What are your interests outside of work?
What makes you uncomfortable in the office?
Who are our competitors?
When can you start?
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This blog is shared with Job Seeker Duetists.
Written by former recruitment ghostwriter Paul Drury (not AI).
