help with resume questions

50+ Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions a hiring manager would be asking you in your next job interview ?

We can’t read minds, unfortunately, but we’ll give you the next best thing: a list of 53 of the most commonly asked interview questions and answers, along with advice on how to come up with your own responses.

While we don’t recommend having a canned response for every interview question (in fact, please don’t), we do recommend spending some time getting comfortable with what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your responses, and what it takes to show that you’re the right person for the job.

Land more interviews by looking for more open jobs on The Muse »

Consider this list your job interview answer and question study guide. (And don’t miss our bonus list at the end, with links to resources on specific types of interview questions—about emotional intelligence or diversity and inclusion , for example—and interview questions by role, from accountant to project manager to teacher.)

50+ most common job interview questions and answers

1. tell me about yourself..

This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it’s crucial. Here's the deal: Don’t give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead, give a pitch—one that’s concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. Muse writer and MIT career counselor Lily Zhang recommends using a present, past, future formula. Talk a little bit about your current role (including the scope and perhaps one big accomplishment), then give some background as to how you got there and experience you have that’s relevant. Finally, segue into why you want—and would be perfect for—this role.

Possible answer to “Tell me about yourself.”

“ Well, I’m currently an account executive at Smith, where I handle our top-performing client. Before that, I worked at an agency where I was on three different major national healthcare brands. And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I’d love the chance to dig in much deeper with one specific healthcare company, which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity with Metro Health Center.”

Read More: A Complete Guide to Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)

2. Walk me through your resume.

Like “Tell me about yourself,” this question is a common interview opener. But instead of framing your answer around what qualities and skills make you best for the position, your answer should group your qualifications by your past jobs and tell your career story. You might choose to tell this story chronologically, especially if there’s a great anecdote about what set you on this path. Or, as with “Tell me about yourself,” you can begin with your present job then talk about what brought you here and where you’re going next. But regardless, when you speak about your “past” and “present,” highlight your most relevant experiences and accomplishments for this job and wrap up by talking about the future, i.e. connect your past and present together to show why this job should be the next one you add to your resume.

Possible answer to “Walk me through your resume.”

“Well, as you can see from my resume, I took a bit of a winding road to get to where I am today. In college, I double majored in chemistry and communications. I found early on that working in a lab all day wasn’t for me and at some point I realized I looked forward to the lab class I TA’ed the most.

“So when I graduated, I found a job in sales for a consumer healthcare products company, where I drew on my teaching experience and learned even more about tailoring your message and explaining complex health concepts to people without a science background. Then, I moved into a sales training role at a massive company where I was responsible for teaching recent graduates the basics of selling. My trainees on average had more deals closed in their first quarter than any of the other trainers’ cohorts. Plus, I got so much satisfaction from finding the right way to train each new hire and watching them progress and succeed. It reminded me of my time as a TA in college. That’s when I started taking night classes to earn my chemistry teaching certificate.

“I left my full-time job last year to complete my student teaching at P.S. 118 in Manhattan, and over the summer, I worked for a science camp, teaching kids from the ages of 10 to 12 about basic chemistry concepts and best practices for safe experiments. Now, I’m excited to find my first full-time teaching job, and your district is my top choice. The low student-to-teacher ratio will let me take the time to teach each student in the best way for them—which is my favorite part of the job.”

Read More: How to Respond to “Walk Me Through Your Resume”—and Get Your Interview Started on the Right Note

3. How did you hear about this position?

Another seemingly innocuous interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name-drop that person, then share why you were so excited about the job. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.

Possible answer to “How did you hear about this position?”

  “I heard about an opening on the product team through a friend of a friend, Akiko, and since I’m a big fan of your work and have been following you for a while I decided it would be a great role for me to apply for.” Read More: 3 Ways People Mess Up the (Simple) Answer to “How Did You Come Across This Job Opportunity?”

4. Why do you want to work at this company?

Beware of generic answers! If what you say can apply to a whole slew of other companies, or if your response makes you sound like every other candidate, you’re missing an opportunity to stand out. Zhang recommends one of four strategies: Do your research and point to something that makes the company unique that really appeals to you; talk about how you’ve watched the company grow and change since you first heard of it; focus on the organization’s opportunities for future growth and how you can contribute to it; or share what’s gotten you excited from your interactions with employees so far. Whichever route you choose, make sure to be specific. And if you can’t figure out why you’d want to work at the company you’re interviewing with by the time you’re well into the hiring process? It might be a red flag telling you that this position is not the right fit.

Possible answer to “Why do you want to work at this company?”

“I saw on The Muse that you were also hiring for new positions on the West Coast to support your new operations there. I did some more reading about the new data center you’re building there and that excites me as I know this means there’ll be opportunities to train new teammates. I also learned through a Wall Street Journal article that you’re expanding in Mexico as well. I speak Spanish fluently and would be eager to step up and help liaise whenever necessary.”

Read More: 4 Better Ways to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?”

5. Why do you want this job?

Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don’t? You probably should apply elsewhere.) First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem”), then share why you love the company (e.g., “I’ve always been passionate about education, and I think you’re doing great things, so I want to be a part of it”).

Possible answer to “Why do you want this job?”

“I’ve always been a fan of X Co’s products and I’ve spent countless hours playing your games. I know that your focus on unique stories is what drew me and other fans into your games initially and keeps us coming back for more. I’ve followed X Co on social media for a while, and I’ve always loved how you have people in different departments interact with users. So I was psyched when I came across this posting for a social media manager with TikTok experience. At my last job, I was responsible for launching our TikTok account and growing it to 10,000 followers in six months. Between that experience, my love of gaming, and my deep knowledge of your games and fanbase, I know I could make this TikTok account something special and exciting.”

Read More: 3 Steps for Answering “Why Do You Want This Job?”

6. Why should we hire you?

This interview question seems forward (not to mention intimidating!), but if you’re asked it, you’re in luck: There’s no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, but also deliver great results; that you’ll really fit in with the team and culture; and that you’d be a better hire than any of the other candidates.

Possible answer to “Why should we hire you?”

“ I know it’s been an exciting time for General Tech—growing so much and acquiring several startups—but I also know from experience that it can be challenging for the sales team to understand how new products fit in with the existing ones. It’s always easier to sell the product you know, so the newer stuff can get shortchanged, which can have company-wide ramifications. I have over a decade of experience as a sales trainer, but more importantly, most of those years were working with sales teams that were in the exact same boat Gen Tech is in now. Growth is wonderful, but only if the rest of the company can keep up. I’m confident I can make sure your sales team is confident and enthusiastic about selling new products by implementing an ongoing sales training curriculum that emphasizes where they sit in a product lineup.”

Read More: 3 Better Ways to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

7. What can you bring to the company?

When interviewers ask this question, they don’t just want to hear about your background. They want to see that you understand what problems and challenges they’re facing as a company or department as well as how you’ll fit into the existing organization. Read the job description closely, do your research on the company, and make sure you pay attention in your early round interviews to understand any issues you’re being hired to solve. Then, the key is to connect your skills and experiences to what the company needs and share an example that shows how you’ve done similar or transferable work in the past.

Possible answer to “What can you bring to the company?”

“As Jocelyn talked about in our interview earlier, PopCo is looking to expand its market to small business owners with less than 25 employees, so I’d bring my expertise in this area and my experience in guiding a sales team that’s selling to these customers for the first time. In most of my past roles, this segment has been my focus and in my current role, I also played a big part in creating our sales strategies when the business began selling to these customers. I worked with my managers to develop the sales script. I also listened in on a number of sales calls with other account execs who were selling to these customers for the first time and gave them pointers and other feedback. In the first quarter, our 10-person sales team closed 50 new bookings in this segment, and I personally closed 10 of those deals. I helped guide my last company through the expansion into small businesses, and I’m eager to do that again at PopCo. Plus, I noticed you have a monthly karaoke night—so I’m eager to bring my rendition of ‘Call Me Maybe’ to the team as well.”

Read More : What Interviewers Really Want to Hear When They Ask “What Can You Bring to the Company?”

8. What are your greatest strengths?

Here’s an opening to talk about something that makes you great—and a great fit for this role. When you’re answering this question, think quality, not quantity. In other words, don’t rattle off a list of adjectives. Instead, pick one or a few (depending on the question) specific qualities that are relevant to this position and illustrate them with examples. Stories are always more memorable than generalizations. And if there’s something you were hoping to mention because it makes you a great candidate, but you haven’t had a chance yet, this would be the perfect time.

Possible answer to “What are your greatest strengths?”

“ I’d say one of my greatest strengths is bringing organization to hectic environments and implementing processes to make everyone’s lives easier. In my current role as an executive assistant to a CEO, I created new processes for pretty much everything, from scheduling meetings to planning monthly all hands agendas to preparing for event appearances. Everyone in the company knew how things worked and how long they would take, and the structures helped alleviate stress and set expectations on all sides. I’d be excited to bring that same approach to an operations manager role at a startup, where everything is new and constantly growing and could use just the right amount of structure to keep things running smoothly.”

Read More: 3 Smart Strategies for Answering “What's Your Greatest Strength?”

9. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?

What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question—beyond identifying any major red flags—is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, “I can’t meet a deadline to save my life” is not an option—but neither is “Nothing! I’m perfect!” Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you’re working to improve. For example, maybe you’ve never been strong at public speaking, but you’ve recently volunteered to run meetings to help you get more comfortable when addressing a crowd.

Possible answer to “What do you consider to be your weaknesses?”

“It can be difficult for me to gauge when the people I’m working with are overwhelmed or dissatisfied with their workloads. To ensure that I’m not asking too much or too little from my team, we have weekly check-ins. I like to ask if they feel like they’re on top of their workload, how I could better support them, whether there’s anything they’d like to take on or get rid of, and if they’re engaged by what they’re doing. Even if the answer is ‘all good,’ these meetings really lay the groundwork for a good and trusting relationship.”

Read More: 4 Ways to Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” That Actually Sound Believable

10. What is your greatest professional achievement?

Nothing says “hire me” better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs, so don’t be shy when answering this interview question! A great way to do so is by using the STAR method : situation, task, action, results. Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., “In my last job as a junior analyst, it was my role to manage the invoicing process”), then describe what you did (the action) and what you achieved (the result): “In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 person-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%.”

Possible answer to “What is your greatest professional achievement?”

“My greatest accomplishment was when I helped the street lighting company I worked for convince the small town of Bend, Oregon to convert antiquated street lighting to energy-efficient LED bulbs. My role was created to promote and sell the energy-efficient bulbs, while touting the long-term advantage of reduced energy costs. I had to develop a way to educate city light officials on the value of our energy-efficient bulbs—which was a challenge since our products had an expensive up-front cost compared to less efficient lighting options. I created an information packet and held local community events aimed at city officials and the tax-paying public. There, I was able to demo the company product, answer questions, and evangelize the value of LED bulbs for the long term. It was crucial to have the public on board and I was able to reach a wide variety of community members with these events. I not only reached my first-year sales goal of $100,000, but I was also able to help us land another contract in a neighboring city. Plus, the community-focused strategy garnered attention from the national media. And I’m proud to say I got a promotion within one year to senior sales representative.”

Read More: The Perfect Formula for Answering “What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment” in an Interview

11. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.

You’re probably not eager to talk about conflicts you’ve had at work during a job interview. But if you’re asked directly, don’t pretend you’ve never had one. Be honest about a difficult situation you’ve faced (but without going into the kind of detail you’d share venting to a friend). “Most people who ask are only looking for evidence that you’re willing to face these kinds of issues head-on and make a sincere attempt at coming to a resolution,” former recruiter Richard Moy says. Stay calm and professional as you tell the story (and answer any follow-up questions), spend more time talking about the resolution than the conflict, and mention what you’d do differently next time to show “you’re open to learning from tough experiences.”

Possible answer to “Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.”

“ Funnily enough, last year I was part of a committee that put together a training on conflict intervention in the workplace and the amount of pushback we got for requiring attendance really put our training to the test. There was one senior staff member in particular who seemed adamant. It took some careful listening to understand he felt like it wasn’t the best use of his time given the workload he was juggling. I made sure to acknowledge his concern. And then I focused on his direct objection and explained how the training was meant to improve not just the culture of the company, but also the efficiency at which we operated—and that the goal was for the training to make everyone’s workload feel lighter. He did eventually attend and was there when I talked to the whole staff about identifying the root issue of a conflict and addressing that directly without bringing in other issues, which is how I aim to handle any disagreement in the workplace.”

Read More: 3 Ways You’re Messing Up the Answer to “Tell Me About a Conflict You’ve Faced at Work”

12. Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.

You don’t have to have a fancy title to act like a leader or demonstrate leadership skills. Think about a time when you headed up a project, took the initiative to propose an alternate process, or helped motivate your team to get something done. Then use the STAR method to tell your interviewer a story, giving enough detail to paint a picture (but not so much that you start rambling) and making sure you spell out the result. In other words, be clear about why you’re telling this particular story and connect all the dots for the interviewer.

Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.”

“I think that a good leader is someone who can make decisions while also listening to others and being willing to admit when you’re wrong and course correct. In my last role, my team and I were responsible for giving a big presentation to a prospective client. I quickly assigned different tasks to members of my team, but the project never really got moving. I gave everyone an opportunity to share their input and concerns, and it turned out that they were struggling in the roles I’d given them. I ended up switching a few people around. Meanwhile, the employee I’d assigned to give the presentation was nervous, but still wanted to give it a try. I worked with them to make sure they were ready and even held a practice session so that they could rehearse in a more comfortable environment. When the time came for the real thing, they nailed it! We landed the client and the company still has the account to this day. And that employee became a go-to person for important client presentations. I’m really glad I took the time to listen to everyone’s concerns so that I could re-evaluate my approach and help my team be the best it could be.”

Read More: The Best Way to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Demonstrated Leadership Skills” in a Job Interview

13. What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?

The ideal anecdote here is one where you handled a disagreement professionally and learned something from the experience. Zhang recommends paying particular attention to how you start and end your response. To open, make a short statement to frame the rest of your answer, one that nods at the ultimate takeaway or the reason you’re telling this story. For example: “I learned early on in my professional career that it’s fine to disagree if you can back up your hunches with data.” And to close strong, you can either give a one-sentence summary of your answer (“In short…”) or talk briefly about how what you learned or gained from this experience would help you in the role you’re interviewing for.

Possible answer to “What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?”

“In my job as a finance assistant, I was in charge of putting together reports for potential company investments. It was important to get the details and numbers right so that leaders had the best information to make a decision. One time, my boss asked me to generate a new report on a Wednesday morning and wanted it done by Thursday at 5 PM. Because I’m committed to high-quality work and I wasn’t sure my boss fully understood what goes into each report, I knew I needed to speak up. At her next available opening, I sat down with my boss and explained my concerns. She was firm that the report would be completed by Thursday at 5 PM. So I decided to ask if there was anyone who could help out. After thinking about it, my boss found another assistant who could put in a few hours. While it was a tight timeline, we got the report done, and the committee was really pleased to review it at the meeting. My boss appreciated my extra efforts to make it happen and I felt good that I hadn’t let the quality of the report slip. It was a good experience of being a team player but also knowing when and how to ask for help. And once I explained how much time and work goes into each report, my boss was careful to assign them further in advance.”

Read More: Here’s the Secret to Answering “Tell Me About a Time You Had a Conflict With Your Boss” in an Interview

14. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.

You’re probably not too eager to dig into past blunders when you’re trying to impress an interviewer and land a job. But talking about a mistake and winning someone over aren’t mutually exclusive, Moy says. In fact, if you do it right, it can help you. The key is to be honest without placing blame on other people, then explain what you learned from your mistake and what actions you took to ensure it didn’t happen again. At the end of the day, employers are looking for folks who are self-aware, can take feedback, and care about doing better.

Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you made a mistake.”

“Early in my career, I missed a deadline that ended up costing us a really big account. There were a lot of factors that contributed to this, but ultimately, I was the one who dropped the ball. From that experience, I went back and thought really hard about what I could’ve controlled and what I would’ve changed. It turns out that I was not nearly as organized as I thought I was. I sat down with my boss, asked for suggestions on how to improve my organizational skills, and a few months later I was able to score an even bigger account for the department.”

Read More: 3 Rules That Guarantee You'll Nail the Answer to “Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake”

15. Tell me about a time you failed.

This question is very similar to the one about making a mistake, and you should approach your answer in much the same way. Make sure you pick a real, actual failure you can speak honestly about. Start by making it clear to the interviewer how you define failure. For instance: “As a manager, I consider it a failure whenever I’m caught by surprise. I strive to know what’s going on with my team and their work.” Then situate your story in relation to that definition and explain what happened. Finally, don’t forget to share what you learned. It’s OK to fail—everyone does sometimes—but it’s important to show that you took something from the experience.

Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you failed.”

“ As a team manager, I consider it a failure if I don’t know what’s going on with my staff and their work—basically if a problem catches me by surprise then I’ve failed somewhere along the way. Even if the outcome is ultimately fine, it means I’ve left a team member unsupported at some point. A somewhat recent example would be this training we do every year for new project managers. Because it’s an event that my team has run so many times, I didn’t think to check in and had no idea a scheduling conflict was brewing into a full-on turf war with another team. The resolution actually ended up being a quick and easy conversation at the leadership team meeting, but had I just asked about it sooner it would never have been a problem to begin with. I definitely learned my lesson about setting reminders to check in about major projects or events even if they’ve been done dozens of times before.”

Read More: 4 Steps for Answering “Tell Me About a Time When You Failed”

16. Why are you leaving your current job?

This is a toughie, but one you can be sure you’ll be asked. Definitely keep things positive—you have nothing to gain by being negative about your current employer. Instead, frame things in a way that shows that you’re eager to take on new opportunities and that the role you’re interviewing for is a better fit for you. For example, “I’d really love to be part of product development from beginning to end, and I know I’d have that opportunity here.” And if you were let go from your most recent job? Keep it simple: “Unfortunately, I was let go,” is a totally acceptable answer.

Possible answer to “Why are you leaving your current job?”

“I’m ready for the next challenge in my career. I loved the people I worked with and the projects I worked on, but at some point I realized I wasn’t being challenged the way I used to be. Rather than let myself get too comfortable, I decided to pursue a position where I can continue to grow.”

Read More: 4 Better Ways to Answer “Why Are You Leaving Your Job?”

17. Why were you fired?

Of course, they may ask the follow-up question: Why were you let go? If you lost your job due to layoffs, you can simply say, “The company [reorganized/merged/was acquired] and unfortunately my [position/department] was eliminated.” But what if you were fired for performance reasons? Your best bet is to be honest (the job-seeking world is small, after all). But it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Frame it as a learning experience: Share how you’ve grown and how you approach your job and life now as a result. And if you can portray your growth as an advantage for this next job, even better.

Possible answer to “Why were you fired?”

“After working for XYZ Inc. for four years, there were some changes made to the amount of client calls we were expected to process per hour. I used the techniques we were taught after the change took effect, but didn’t want our customer service to slip. Unfortunately, I wasn’t consistently completing the required number of calls, and, as a result, I was let go. I felt really bad about this and in retrospect I could have done better sticking to the process that would have let me meet the per hour quota. But you’ve told me about the customer service standards and the volume expectations here, and I believe it won’t be a problem.”

Read More: Stop Cringing! How to Tell an Interviewer You've Been Fired

18. Why was there a gap in your employment?

Maybe you were taking care of children or aging parents, dealing with health issues, or traveling the world. Maybe it just took you a long time to land the right job. Whatever the reason, you should be prepared to discuss the gap (or gaps) on your resume. Seriously, practice saying your answer out loud. The key is to be honest, though that doesn’t mean you have to share more details than you’re comfortable with. If there are skills or qualities you honed or gained in your time away from the workforce—whether through volunteer work, running a home, or responding to a personal crisis—you can also talk about how those would help you excel in this role.

Possible answer to “Why was there a gap in your employment?”

“I spent a number of years working at a company in a very demanding job, in which—as you’ll see from my references—I was very successful. But I’d reached a stage in my career where I wanted to focus on my personal growth. The time I spent traveling taught me a lot about how to get along with people of all ages and cultures. Now I feel more than ready to jump back into my career with renewed energy and focus and I feel this role is the ideal way to do that.”

Read More: How to Explain the Gap in Your Resume With Ease

19. Can you explain why you changed career paths?

Don’t be thrown off by this question—just take a deep breath and explain to the hiring manager why you’ve made the career decisions you have. More importantly, give a few examples of how your past experience is transferable to the new role. This doesn’t have to be a direct connection; in fact, it’s often more impressive when a candidate can show how seemingly irrelevant experience is very relevant to the role.

Possible answer to “Can you explain why you changed career paths?”

“Ever since my brother was diagnosed with a heart condition, I’ve been training and running with him in your annual Heart Run to raise money for your organization and help support patients with expenses not covered by insurance. Each time, I’ve been struck by how truly dedicated and happy to be there your employees have been. So when I saw this posting for a fundraising role, it felt like it was meant to be. For the last 10 years of my career I’ve been an account executive for various SaaS companies, and I’ve really honed my skills when it comes to convincing organizations to make regular payments for something over the long-term. But I’ve been looking for a position in fundraising where I can use these skills to really help people and I’m highly motivated to do that with your organization.”

Read More: How to Explain Your Winding Career Path to a Hiring Manager

20. What’s your current salary?

It’s now illegal for some or all employers to ask you about your salary history in several cities and states, including New York City; Louisville, North Carolina; California; and Massachusetts. But no matter where you live, it can be stressful to hear this question. Don’t panic—there are several possible strategies you can turn to. For example, you can deflect the question, Muse career coach Emily Liou says, with a response like: “Before discussing any salary, I’d really like to learn more about what this role entails. I’ve done a lot of research on [Company] and I am certain if it’s the right fit, we’ll be able to agree on a number that’s fair and competitive to both parties.” You can also reframe the question around your salary expectations or requirements (see question 38) or choose to share the number if you think it will work in your favor.

Possible answer to “What’s your current salary?”

“Before discussing any salary, I’d really like to learn more about what this role entails. I’ve done a lot of research on [Company] and I am certain if it’s the right fit, we’ll be able to agree on a number that’s fair and competitive to both parties.”

Read More: Here's How You Answer the Illegal “What's Your Current Salary” Question

21. What do you like least about your job?

Tread carefully here! The last thing you want to do is let your answer devolve into a rant about how terrible your current company is or how much you hate your boss or that one coworker. The easiest way to handle this question with poise is to focus on an opportunity the role you’re interviewing for offers that your current job doesn’t. You can keep the conversation positive and emphasize why you’re so excited about the job.

Possible answer to “What do you like least about your job?”

“In my current role, I’m responsible for drafting media lists to pitch. While I’ve developed a knack for this and can do it when it is necessary, I’m looking forward to a job that allows me to have a more hands-on role in working with media partners. That’s one of the things that most excited me about your account supervisor position.”

Read More: What Interviewers Really Want When They Ask, “What Do You Like Least About Your Job?”

22. What are you looking for in a new position?

Hint: Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.

Possible answer to “What are you looking for in a new position?”

“I’ve been honing my data analysis skills for a few years now and, first and foremost, I’m looking for a position where I can continue to exercise those skills. Another thing that’s important to me is the chance to present my findings and suggestions directly to clients. I’m always very motivated by being able to see the impact of my work on other people. And I’m definitely looking for a position where I can grow since I hope to take on managerial responsibilities in the future. To sum it up, I’d love a position where I can use my skills to make an impact that I can see with my own eyes. Of course, the position is only part of the equation. Being at a company where I can grow and work toward something I care about matters, too. DNF’s goal of being at the intersection between data and education inspires me, and I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

Read More: 4 Steps for Answering “What Are You Looking for in a New Position?”

23. What type of work environment do you prefer?

Hint: Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.

Possible answer to “What type of work environment do you prefer?”

“I really like the environment in my current position. My manager is a great resource and always willing to help out when I run into an issue, but they trust me to get my work done so I have a lot of freedom in how I schedule and prioritize, which is very important to me. Everyone has their own cubicle, so it’s often pretty quiet to get our work done, but we all get lunch together and our team has a lot of check-in meetings and communicates frequently via Slack so we still get a lot of opportunities to bounce ideas off each other. So I like both individual and more collaborative work. How would you describe the mix here?”

Read More: 3 Steps to Answering “What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?”

24. What’s your work style?

When an interviewer asks you about your work style, they’re probably trying to imagine you in the role. How will you approach your work? What will it be like to work with you? Will you mesh well with the existing team? You can help them along by choosing to focus on something that’s important to you and aligns with everything you’ve learned about the role, team, and company so far. The question is broad, which means you have a lot of flexibility in how you answer: You might talk about how you communicate and collaborate on cross-functional projects, what kind of remote work setup allows you to be most productive, or how you approach leading a team and managing direct reports. Just try to keep it positive. And remember, telling a story will almost always make your answer more memorable. 

Possible answer to “What’s your work style?”

“I tend to do my best work when I’m collaborating with colleagues and we’re working together toward a common goal. I was that rare student who loved group projects and now I still get a rush of excitement when I’m planning marketing campaigns with a team and bringing new and different voices into the fold. When I was working at XYZ Agency, I made it a habit to extend invitations to folks in different departments to join certain brainstorming and feedback sessions. Some of our most successful campaigns grew out of the ideas we generated together with coworkers in IT, HR, product, and customer success. That’s why I was so excited to learn that this role would have me working closely with the product and sales teams as well as with a talented marketing team. The other thing I find is crucial to making these collaborations successful is organization and documentation, so I’m also really big on creating one central home for all materials related to a project, including meeting notes, action items, drafts of campaign copy and visuals, and timelines.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Is Your Work Style?” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)

25. What’s your management style?

The best managers are strong but flexible, and that’s exactly what you want to show off in your answer. (Think something like, “While every situation and every team member requires a bit of a different strategy, I tend to approach my employee relationships as a coach...”) Then share a couple of your best managerial moments, like when you grew your team from five to 15 or coached an underperforming employee to become the company’s top salesperson.

Possible answer to “What’s your management style?”

“ Management style is so hard to put your finger on, but I think in general a good manager gives clear directions and actually stays pretty hands-off, but is ready and available to jump in to offer guidance, expertise, and help when needed. I try my best to make that my management style. I also go out of my way to make sure I know when my team needs help. That means plenty of informal check-ins, both on the work they’re doing and on their general job satisfaction and mental well-being. I remember one project in particular at my most recent position that involved everyone working on a separate aspect of the product. This meant a lot of independent work for my team of seven people, but rather than bog everyone down with repetitive meetings to update me and everyone else on progress made, I created a project wiki that allowed us to communicate new information when necessary without disrupting another team member’s work. I then made it my job to make sure no one was ever stuck on a problem too long without a sounding board. Ultimately, despite the disparate project responsibilities, we ended up with a very cohesive product and, more importantly, a team that wasn’t burnt out.”

Read More: How to Answer “What’s Your Management Style?”

26. How would your boss and coworkers describe you?

First, be honest (remember, if you make it to the final round, the hiring manager will be calling your former bosses and coworkers for references!). Then try to pull out strengths and traits you haven’t discussed in other aspects of the interview, such as your strong work ethic or your willingness to pitch in on other projects when needed.

Possible answer to “How would your boss and coworkers describe you?”

“Actually, in my most recent performance review in April, my direct supervisor described me as someone who takes initiative and doesn’t shy away from hard problems. My role involves a lot of on-site implementation, and when things go wrong, it’s usually up to me to fix it. Rather than punting the problem back to the team, I always try to do what I can first. I know she appreciates that about me.”

Read More: 3 Strategies for Answering “How Would Your Boss or Coworkers Describe You?”

27. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

Here’s another question you may feel the urge to sidestep in an effort to prove you’re the perfect candidate who can handle anything. But it’s important not to dismiss this one (i.e. don’t say, “I just put my head down and push through it,” or, “I don’t get stressed out”). Instead, talk about your go-to strategies for dealing with stress (whether it’s meditating for 10 minutes every day or making sure you go for a run or keeping a super-detailed to-do list) and how you communicate and otherwise proactively try to mitigate pressure. If you can give a real example of a stressful situation you navigated successfully, all the better.

Possible answer to “How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?”

“I stay motivated by thinking about the end result. I’ve found that even in the midst of a challenging situation, reminding myself of my goals helps me take a step back and stay positive.”

Read More: 3 Ways You’re Messing Up the Answer to “How Do You Deal With Stressful Situations?”

28. What do you like to do outside of work?

Interviewers will sometimes ask about your hobbies or interests outside of work in order to get to know you a little better—to find out what you’re passionate about and devote time to during your off-hours. It’s another chance to let your personality shine. Be honest, but keep it professional and be mindful of answers that might make it sound like you’re going to spend all your time focusing on something other than the job you’re applying for.

Possible answer to “What do you like to do outside of work?”

“I’m a huge foodie. My friends and I love trying new restaurants in town as soon as they open—the more unusual the better! I love discovering new foods and cuisines, and it’s also a great activity to share with friends. I try to go out with the same group at least once a week and it’s a fun way to make sure we keep in touch and share experiences even when we’re busy with other things. We even took a trip to New York City and spent each day in a different neighborhood, buying something to share from a few restaurants.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Are Your Hobbies?” in an Interview (It’s Not a Trick Question!)

29. Are you planning on having children?

Questions about your family status, gender (“How would you handle managing a team of all men?”), nationality (“Where were you born?”), religion, or age are illegal—but they still get asked (and frequently). Of course, not always with ill intent—the interviewer might just be trying to make conversation and might not realize these are off-limits—but you should definitely tie any questions about your personal life (or anything else you think might be inappropriate) back to the job at hand. 

Possible answer to “Are you planning on having children?”

“You know, I’m not quite there yet. But I am very interested in the career paths at your company. Can you tell me more about that?”

Read More: 5 Illegal Interview Questions and How to Dodge Them

30. How do you stay organized?

Would you want to work with a hot mess? Yeah, we didn’t think so. Neither does anyone else. A disorganized worker doesn’t just struggle in their own role, they can also create chaos for peers, managers, direct reports, clients, customers, and anyone else they interact with. So interviewers will often ask about how you keep yourself organized to make sure you’d be able to handle the workload and gauge what you’d be like to work with. In your answer, you’ll want to reassure them you’d have things under control (both in what you say and how you say it), describe a specific system or method you’ve used (bonus points if you can tie it to the role you’re interviewing for), and explain how it benefited you and your team. Just make sure your answer is succinct and, well, organized.

Possible answer to “How do you stay organized?”

“I take pride in my ability to stay organized, and it’s really come in handy in my past roles and especially the social media assistant job I’m in now. First, I keep a really meticulous calendar for each of the platforms I’m responsible for using Hootsuite—which I noticed you use here as well—and I try to block off time twice a week to get ahead on creating and slotting in posts. 

“ Second, I’m a big fan of Trello, where I have one personal board I use as a to-do list color-coded by type of task and marked with priority level and one shared marketing team board that we use to coordinate campaigns launching across social, email, and other channels. We pay very close attention to the news in case we need to pause a campaign. If needed, I’d tag all the relevant stakeholders on Trello, immediately suspend all scheduled content in Hootsuite, and start a discussion on Slack or suggest a meeting to reassess strategy.

“Finally, I created a shared folder on Google Drive with subfolders by campaign that I update with one-pagers on goals and strategies, assets, a record of the actual posts deployed, performance analyses, and retros. That way, there’s a go-to place for anyone on the team to refer back to past projects, which I’ve found really helps us learn from every campaign and incorporate those learnings into what we’re working on next.”

Read More: What Interviewers Really Want to Know When They Ask “How Do You Stay Organized?”

31. How do you prioritize your work?

Your interviewers want to know that you can manage your time, exercise judgement, communicate, and shift gears when needed. Start by talking about whatever system you’ve found works for you to plan your day or week, whether it’s a to-do list app you swear by or a color-coded spreadsheet. This is one where you’ll definitely want to lean on a real-life example. So go on to describe how you’ve reacted to a last-minute request or another unexpected shift in priorities in the past, incorporating how you evaluated and decided what to do and how you communicated with your manager and/or teammates about it.

Possible answer to “How do you prioritize your work?”

“I’d be lost without my daily to-do list! At the beginning of each workday, I write out tasks to complete, and list them from highest to lowest priority to help keep me on track. But I also realize priorities change unexpectedly. On one particular day recently, I had planned to spend most of my time making phone calls to advertising agencies to get price quotes for an upcoming campaign. Then I did a quick check-in with my manager. She mentioned she needed help putting together a presentation ASAP for a major potential client. I moved the more flexible task to the end of the week and spent the next few hours updating the time-sensitive presentation. I make it a point to keep lines of communication open with my manager and coworkers. If I’m working on a task that will take a while to complete, I try to give a heads-up to my team as soon as possible. If my workload gets to be unmanageable, I check in with my boss about which items can drop to the bottom of the priority list, and then I try to reset expectations about different deadlines.”

Read More: A Foolproof Method to Answer the Interview Question “How Do You Prioritize Your Work?”

32. What are you passionate about?

You’re not a robot programmed to do your work and then power down. You’re a human, and if someone asks you this question in an interview, it’s probably because they want to get to know you better. The answer can align directly with the type of work you’d be doing in that role—like if, for example, you’re applying to be a graphic designer and spend all of your free time creating illustrations and data visualizations to post on Instagram.

But don’t be afraid to talk about a hobby that’s different from your day-to-day work. Bonus points if you can “take it one step further and connect how your passion would make you an excellent candidate for the role you are applying for,” says Muse career coach Al Dea. Like if you’re a software developer who loves to bake, you might talk about how the ability to be both creative and precise informs your approach to code.

Possible answer to “What are you passionate about?”

“One of my favorite pastimes is knitting—I love being able to create something beautiful from nothing. Of course, knitting also requires a keen attention to detail and a lot of patience. Luckily, as an accountant I have cultivated both of those qualities!”

Read More: 3 Authentic Ways to Answer “What Are You Passionate About?” in a Job Interview

33. What motivates you?

Before you panic about answering what feels like a probing existential question, consider that the interviewer wants to make sure you’re excited about this role at this company, and that you’ll be motivated to succeed if they pick you. So think back to what has energized you in previous roles and pinpoint what made your eyes light up when you read this job description. Pick one thing, make sure it’s relevant to the role and company you’re interviewing for, and try to weave in a story to help illustrate your point. If you’re honest, which you should be, your enthusiasm will be palpable.

Possible answer to “What motivates you?”

“I’m driven primarily by my desire to learn new things—big or small—and take on new responsibilities so that I’m constantly growing as an employee and contributing more to my team and organization. I spent several summers working as a camp counselor and felt most fulfilled when I volunteered to lead planning for a talent show, jumped in to help with scheduling logistics, and learned how to run pickups efficiently. All of that experience helped immensely when I took a step up to become the lead counselor last year focused on operations, and that’s what excites me so much about the opportunity to take on this managerial role for the after-school program.”

Read More: 5 Easy Steps to Answer “What Motivates You?” in an Interview

34. What are your pet peeves?

Here’s another one that feels like a minefield. But it’ll be easier to navigate if you know why an interviewer is asking it. Most likely, they want to make sure you’ll thrive at their company—and get a glimpse of how you deal with conflict. So be certain you pick something that doesn’t contradict the culture and environment at this organization while still being honest. Then explain why and what you’ve done to address it in the past, doing your best to stay calm and composed. Since there’s no need to dwell on something that annoys you, you can keep this response short and sweet.

Possible answer to “What are your pet peeves?”

“It bothers me when an office’s schedule is really disorganized, because in my experience, disorganization can cause confusion, which can hurt the motivation of the team. As a person who likes things to be orderly, I try to help keep my team on task while also allowing for flexibility.”

Read More: 6 Tips for Answering “What Are Your Pet Peeves?” in an Interview

35. How do you like to be managed?

This is another one of those questions that’s about finding the right fit—both from the company’s perspective and your own. Think back on what worked well for you in the past and what didn’t. What did previous bosses do that motivated you and helped you succeed and grow? Pick one or two things to focus on and always articulate them with a positive framing (even if your preference comes from an experience where your manager behaved in the opposite way, phrase it as what you would want a manager to do). If you can give a positive example from a great boss, it’ll make your answer even stronger.

Possible answer to “How do you like to be managed?”

“I enjoy having my hands in a lot of different projects, so I like working with managers who allow their employees to experiment, be independent, and work cross-functionally with other teams. At the same time, I really welcome it when a boss provides me with support, guidance, and coaching. No one can do anything alone, and I believe when managers and employees collaborate together and learn from one another everyone comes out on top.”

Read More: 3 Easy Steps to Answer “How Do You Like to Be Managed?” in an Interview

36. Do you consider yourself successful?

This question might make you uncomfortable. But you can think of it as an opportunity to allow the interviewer to get to know you better and to position yourself as an excellent choice for this job. First off, make sure you say yes! Then pick one specific professional achievement you’re proud of that can be tied back to the role you’re interviewing for—one that demonstrates a quality, skill, or experience that would help you excel in this position. You’ll want to explain why you consider it a success, talk about the process in addition to the outcome, and highlight your own accomplishment without forgetting your team. Zooming in on one story will help if you feel awkward tooting your own horn!

Possible answer to “Do you consider yourself successful?”

“I do consider myself successful, even though I’m early in my professional career. I took a full load of classes in my junior year of college because I wanted to take that summer to volunteer for a human rights organization overseas. I knew that I needed to make sure I was on track with my major, minor, and graduation requirements. It was difficult to juggle it all with my part-time job, which I kept to help account for the fact that I wouldn’t be earning money over the summer, and there were a few sleepless nights. But it was worth the hard work: I ended the year with a 3.9 GPA and the opportunity to volunteer for the agency in Ghana without falling behind my graduation timeline. For me success is about setting a goal and sticking with it, no matter how hard it is, and this experience was proof that I could be successful even when there’s a lot to balance, which I know there always is at a nonprofit like this one.”

Read More: How to Answer “Do You Consider Yourself Successful?” Without Feeling Like a Show-Off

37. Where do you see yourself in five years?

If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you’re considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

Possible answer to “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“In five years, I’d like to be in a position where I know more about my longer-term career aspirations as a designer. I will have gotten experience working for a design agency and know more about the industry overall. I’ll have grown my technical skills and learned how to take feedback from clients and incorporate it. And the way your agency is set up, I’ll also have gotten the opportunity to design different kinds of deliverables—including websites, branding, and ad campaigns—for different kinds of clients to see where I really feel at home before settling on a focus.”

Read More: How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

38. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

Having goals shows interviewers you care, are ambitious, and can think ahead. Having a plan for how you’ll achieve your goals demonstrates your self-motivation as well as organizational and time management skills. Finally, the fact that you’ve accomplished past goals you’ve set for yourself is proof of your ability to follow through. All together, these are indications that you can not only set and achieve goals of your own, but also help your prospective boss, team, and company do the same. To craft your answer, make sure you focus on one or two goals in detail, explain why the goals are meaningful, communicate what milestones are coming up, highlight past successes, and connect back to this job. 

Possible answer to “How do you plan to achieve your career goals?”

“My current goal is to earn the CPA license so that I’m fully certified and prepared to contribute in a junior staff accounting job. My undergraduate degree is in finance and I completed an accounting internship with XYZ Company last summer. While I was there, I decided that each week I’d ask one person from a different team to coffee to learn about their job and career path. Not only did those conversations impress upon me the importance of getting my CPA as soon as possible, they also helped me realize I was eager to pursue forensic accounting, which is why I’m so excited about the opportunity to join this team. In order to ensure I earn my CPA this year, I enrolled in NASBA workshops, created a study schedule to keep myself on track, and will be taking my first trial test in three weeks. I plan on taking the actual test within the next three to six months.”

Read More: How to Answer “How Do You Plan to Achieve Your Career Goals?” in an Interview

39. What are your career aspirations?

Career aspirations are bigger and loftier than career goals. With this question, interviewers are asking: What kind of career would make you happiest (while also being realistic)? Your aspirations might revolve around what kind of company you’d like to work for, what tasks you’d like to do, who you’d like to help, or how you’d like to be seen by your colleagues. So to answer this question, talk about what would energize and fulfill you and connect it to the position you’re interviewing for. Be specific about how this job will help you achieve your career aspirations.

Possible answer to “What are your career aspirations?”

“After growing up in a food desert, my biggest professional aspiration is to help make healthy food more widely available and accessible regardless of where you live. I also love solving complex problems. Currently, as a project manager, I specialize in strategic planning and combine it with a natural ability to engage critical stakeholders—resulting in on-time and under-budget delivery. This role would help me use those skills to work on a mission I’m passionate about. I am determined to use these skills to help your organization guarantee our community has access to affordable, nutritious food and information to make healthy decisions. In the next five or so years, I would love to take on additional responsibility and be in a decision-making role to drive the mission beyond our community and support even more families in gaining access to nutritious food options.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Are Your Career Aspirations?” in an Interview

40. What’s your dream job?

Along similar lines, the interviewer wants to uncover whether this position is really in line with your ultimate career goals. While “an NBA star” might get you a few laughs, a better bet is to talk about your goals and ambitions—and why this job will get you closer to them.

Read More: The Secret Formula to Answering “What's Your Dream Job?” in an Interview

41. What other companies are you interviewing with?

Companies might ask you who else you’re interviewing with for a few reasons. Maybe they want to see how serious you are about this role and team (or even this field) or they’re trying to find out who they’re competing with to hire you. On one hand, you want to express your enthusiasm for this job, but at the same time, you don’t want to give the company any more leverage than it already has by telling them there’s no one else in the running. Depending on where you are in your search, you can talk about applying to or interviewing for a few roles that have XYZ in common—then mention how and why this role seems like a particularly good fit.

Possible answer to “What other companies are you interviewing with?”

“I’m interviewing with a few companies for a range of positions, but they all come down to delivering an excellent customer experience. I wanted to keep an open mind about how to best achieve that goal, but so far it seems that this role will really allow me to focus all of my energy on customer experience and retention, which I find very appealing.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?”

42. What makes you unique?

“They genuinely want to know the answer,” Dea promises. Give them a reason to pick you over other similar candidates. The key is to keep your answer relevant to the role you’re applying to. So the fact that you can run a six-minute mile or crush a trivia challenge might not help you get the job (but hey, it depends on the job!). Use this opportunity to tell them something that would give you an edge over your competition for this position. To figure out what that is, you can ask some former colleagues, think back to patterns you’ve seen in feedback you get, or try to distill why people tend to turn to you. Focus on one or two things and don’t forget to back up whatever you say with evidence.

Possible answer to “What makes you unique?”

“I basically taught myself animation from scratch. I was immediately drawn to it in college, and with the limited resources available to me, I decided to take matters into my own hands—and that’s the approach I take in all aspects of my work as a video editor. I don’t just wait around for things to happen, and when I can, I’m always eager to step in and take on new projects, pick up new skills, or brainstorm new ideas.”

Read More: A Simple Way to Answer “What Makes You Unique?” in Your Job Search (Plus, Examples!)

43. What should I know that’s not on your resume?

It’s a good sign if a recruiter or hiring manager is interested in more than just what’s on your resume. It probably means they looked at your resume, think you might be a good fit for the role, and want to know more about you. To make this wide-open question a little more manageable, try talking about a positive trait, a story or detail that reveals a little more about you and your experience, or a mission or goal that makes you excited about this role or company.

Possible answer to “What should I know that’s not on your resume?”

“Well, one thing you won’t find on my resume: the time I had to administer emergency CPR. Last year, I was at the lake when I saw a young girl who looked like she was drowning. I was a lifeguard in high school, so I swam out, brought her to shore, and gave her CPR. Although this was—hopefully—a one-time event, I’ve always been able to stay calm during stressful situations, figure out a solution, and then act. As your account manager, I’d use this trait to quickly and effectively resolve issues both within the team and externally. After all, obstacles are inevitable, especially in a startup environment. And if anyone needs CPR at the office beach party, well, I’m your woman.”

Read More: The Right Way to Answer “What Should I Know That’s Not on Your Resume?”

44. What would your first few months look like in this role?

Your potential future boss (or whoever else has asked you this question) wants to know that you’ve done your research, given some thought to how you’d get started, and would be able to take initiative if hired. (In some interviews, you might even get the more specific, “What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?”) So think about what information and aspects of the company and team you’d need to familiarize yourself with and which colleagues you’d want to sit down and talk to. You can also suggest one possible starter project to show you’d be ready to hit the ground running and contribute early on. This won’t necessarily be the thing you do first if you do get the job, but a good answer shows that you’re thoughtful and that you care.

Possible answer to “What would your first few months look like in this role?”

“It’s been exciting to hear about some of the new initiatives the company has started in our previous conversations—like the database project and the company-wide sync, but I know there’s still a lot for me to learn. The first thing I’d do is line up meetings with the stakeholders involved in the projects I’d be tackling to help me figure out what I don’t know and then go from there. Hopping into a database project halfway through can be tricky, but I’m confident that once I know what all the stakeholders are looking for, I’ll be able to efficiently plot out our next steps and set appropriate deadlines. From there, I’ll be focused on hitting the milestones that I’ve set for the team.”

Read More: The 30-60-90 Day Plan: Your Secret Weapon for New Job Success

45. What are your salary expectations?

The number one rule of answering this question is: Figure out your salary requirements ahead of time. Do your research on what similar roles pay by using sites like PayScale and reaching out to your network. Be sure to take your experience, education, skills, and personal needs into account, too! From there, Muse career coach Jennifer Fink suggests choosing from one of three strategies:

• Give a salary range: But keep the bottom of your stated range toward the mid-to-high point of what you’re actually hoping for, Fink says.
• Flip the question: Try something like “That's a great question—it would be helpful if you could share what the range is for this role,” Fink says.
• Delay answering: Tell your interviewer that you’d like to learn more about the role or the rest of the compensation package before discussing pay.

(And here’s some more info on responding to a question about your salary requirements on an application form .)

Possible answer to “What are your salary expectations?”

“Taking into account my experience and Excel certifications, which you mentioned earlier would be very helpful to the team, I’m looking for somewhere between $42,000 and $46,000 annually for this role. But for me, benefits definitely matter as well. Your free on-site gym, the commuter benefits, and other perks could definitely allow me to be a bit flexible with salary.”

Read More:  3 Strategies for Answering “What Are Your Salary Expectations?” in an Interview

46. What do you think we could do better or differently?

This question can really do a number on you. How do you give a meaty answer without insulting the company or, worse, the person you’re speaking with? Well first, take a deep breath. Then start your response with something positive about the company or specific product you’ve been asked to discuss. When you’re ready to give your constructive feedback, give some background on the perspective you’re bringing to the table and explain why you’d make the change you’re suggesting (ideally based on some past experience or other evidence). And if you end with a question, you can show them you’re curious about the company or product and open to other points of view. Try: “Did you consider that approach here? I’d love to know more about your process.”

Read More: How to Answer the “How Would You Improve Our Company?” Interview Question Without Bashing Anyone

47. When can you start?

Your goal here should be to set realistic expectations that will work for both you and the company. What exactly that sounds like will depend on your specific situation. If you’re ready to start immediately—if you’re unemployed, for example—you could offer to start within the week. But if you need to give notice to your current employer, don’t be afraid to say so; people will understand and respect that you plan to wrap things up right. It’s also legitimate to want to take a break between jobs, though you might want to say you have “previously scheduled commitments to attend to” and try to be flexible if they really need someone to start a bit sooner.

Possible answer to “When can you start?”

“I am excited for the opportunity to join your team. I have several projects to wrap up in my current role at [Company]. I plan to give them two weeks’ notice to make a smooth transition for my coworkers and will be happy to come onboard with the team here after that time.”

Read More: 4 Ways to Answer the Interview Question “When Can You Start?”

48. Are you willing to relocate?

While this may sound like a simple yes-or-no question, it’s often a little bit more complicated than that. The simplest scenario is one where you’re totally open to moving and would be willing to do so for this opportunity. But if the answer is no, or at least not right now, you can reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, briefly explain why you can’t move at this time, and offer an alternative, like working remotely or out of a local office. Sometimes it’s not as clear-cut, and that’s OK. You can say you prefer to stay put for xyz reasons, but would be willing to consider relocating for the right opportunity.

Possible answer to “Are you willing to relocate?”

“I do love living in Raleigh and would prefer to stay here. However, for the right opportunity I’d be willing to consider relocating if necessary.”

Read More: The Best Responses to “Are You Willing to Relocate?” Depending on Your Situation

49. How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?

1,000? 10,000? 100,000? Seriously? Well, seriously, you might get asked brain-teaser questions like these, especially in quantitative jobs. But remember that the interviewer doesn’t necessarily want an exact number—they want to make sure that you understand what’s being asked of you, and that you can set into motion a systematic and logical way to respond. So take a deep breath and start thinking through the math. (Yes, it’s OK to ask for a pen and paper!)

Read More: 9 Steps to Solving an Impossible Brain Teaser in a Tech Interview (Without Breaking a Sweat)

50. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There’s no wrong answer here, but you’ll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say…”

Read More: 4 Steps for Answering Off-the-Wall Interview Questions

51. Sell me this pen.

If you’re interviewing for a sales job, your interviewer might put you on the spot to sell them a pen sitting on the table, or a legal pad, or a water bottle, or just something . The main thing they’re testing you for? How you handle a high-pressure situation. So try to stay calm and confident and use your body language—making eye contact, sitting up straight, and more—to convey that you can handle this. Make sure you listen, understand your “customer’s” needs, get specific about the item’s features and benefits, and end strong—as though you were truly closing a deal.

Read More: 4 Tips for Responding to "Sell Me This Pen" in an Interview

52. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Just when you thought you were done, your interviewer asks you this open-ended doozy. Don’t panic—it’s not a trick question! You can use this as an opportunity to close out the meeting on a high note in one of two ways, Zhang says. First, if there really is something relevant that you haven’t had a chance to mention, do it now. Otherwise, you can briefly summarize your qualifications. For example, Zhang says, you could say: “I think we’ve covered most of it, but just to summarize, it sounds like you’re looking for someone who can really hit the ground running. And with my previous experience [enumerate experience here], I think I’d be a great fit.”

Read More: How to Answer “Is There Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know?”

53. Do you have any questions for us?

You probably already know that an interview isn’t just a chance for a hiring manager to grill you—it’s an opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit from your perspective. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team? You’ll cover a lot of this in the actual interview, so have a few less-common questions ready to go. We especially like questions targeted to the interviewer (“What's your favorite part about working here?”) or the company’s growth (“What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?”) If you’re interviewing for a remote role, there are some specific questions you might want to ask related to that.

Read More: 57 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview in 2022

Bonus questions

Looking for more common interview questions and answers examples? Check out these lists of inquiries for different types of jobs.

• Behavioral interview questions
• Phone interview questions
• Remote interview questions
• Second interview questions
• COVID-related interview questions
• Diversity and inclusion interview questions
• Emotional intelligence interview questions
• Internship interview questions
• Manager interview questions
• Account management interview questions
• Accounting interview questions
• Administrative assistant interview questions
• Brand management interview questions
• Customer service interview questions
• Data science interview questions
• Digital marketing interview questions
• Financial analyst interview questions
• IT interview questions
• Nursing interview questions
• Product marketing interview questions
• Project management interview questions
• Retail interview questions
• Sales interview questions
• Software engineering interview questions
• Teaching interview questions

Want even more advice for answering common interview questions?

If you are looking for more in depth advice about these 53 interview questions and how to answer them, here's a list of articles with detailed guides to teach you how to approach your responses.

• Tell me about yourself.
• Walk me through your resume.
• How did you hear about this position?
• Why do you want to work at this company?
• Why do you want this job?
• Why should we hire you?
• What can you bring to the company?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
• What is your greatest professional achievement?
• Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.
• What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
• Tell me about a time you failed.
• Why are you leaving your current job?
• Why were you fired?
• Why was there a gap in your employment?
• Can you explain why you changed career paths?
• What’s your current salary?
• What do you like least about your job?
• What are you looking for in a new position?
• What type of work environment do you prefer?
• What’s your work style?
• What’s your management style?
• How would your boss and coworkers describe you?
• How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
• What do you like to do outside of work?
• Are you planning on having children?
• How do you stay organized?
• How do you prioritize your work?
• What are you passionate about?
• What motivates you?
• What are your pet peeves?
• How do you like to be managed?
• Do you consider yourself successful?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
• What are your career aspirations?
• What’s your dream job?
• What other companies are you interviewing with?
• What makes you unique?
• What should I know that’s not on your resume?
• What would your first few months look like in this role?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What do you think we could do better or differently?
• When can you start?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?
• If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
• Sell me this pen.
• Is there anything else you’d like us to know.
• Do you have any questions for us?

81+ Job Interview Questions and Answers for 2024 [Full List]

You applied for a job.

After you’ve created a killer resume and cover letter and passed the first screening, it's time to face the final challenge:

Your job interview.

That’s something that scares even the best of us.

Being judged by someone who has your future in their hands is one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences out there.

And, to calm you before an interview, you might have heard the interviewers and hiring managers say that there are no right or wrong answers.

But here’s the thing:

They are almost always looking for the right answers.

This is where this guide comes in.

We’re going to cover some of the most common job interview questions and answers, and turn you into a bona fide interview expert by the time you get to the end.

This guide is going to include:

22 Most Common Job Interview Questions

• 18 Most Common Situational Interview Questions
• 10 Most Common Behavioral Interview Questions
• 50 Sample Answers for Different Professions and Levels of Experience

So, let’s get started!

Job interview questions are designed to let the interviewer learn more about you and how well you would fit in with their company. That being said, there are a few questions out there that you can expect during just about any interview you go to.

Some of these include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Describe yourself in three words.
• What do you know about this company/organization?
• How did you hear about this position?
• Why did you decide to apply for this position?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• What motivates you in your professional life?
• What skills are you currently working on improving?
• What are you looking for in a new position?
• Can you describe your ideal job?
• Are you considering other positions at other companies?
• What is the professional achievement you’re most proud of?
• What kind of working environment do you work best in?
• What are your career goals?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your salary requirements?
• Do you have any questions for us?

18 Situational Job Interview Questions

A subset of job interview questions you can expect are situational interview questions .

Typically, these questions either reference something from your resume, like an employment gap or a career change, or they present you with a hypothetical situation and ask how you would handle it.

Some of the most popular questions in this category include:

• Why haven’t you gotten your degree?
• Why have you switched jobs so many times?
• Why did you change your career path?
• Why did you decide to leave your previous job?
• Why is there a gap in your work experience?
• Why were you fired?
• How do you feel about working weekends or late hours?
• How would your boss describe you?
• What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?
• Are you a team player?
• Are you a risk-taker?
• How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
• If you had a choice, would you rather innovate a process or follow the established procedures for it?
• Do you think there is a difference between hard work and smart work?
• How quickly do you adapt to new technology?
• What are your interests outside of work?
• If you had to choose between a high-paying job you don’t enjoy and a lower-paying job you are passionate about, what would you choose?
• What do you think our company/organization could do better?

10 Behavioral Job Interview Questions

• How have you handled a challenge in the workplace before?
• Can you give me an example of a time when you performed well under pressure?
• What was a time when you showed leadership qualities?
• Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a difficult coworker. How did you manage it?
• Tell me about a time you had to quickly adjust your priorities to meet changing demands. What did you do?
• Have you ever had to deal with a dissatisfied customer? How did you resolve the situation?
• Can you talk about a time when you had to go above and beyond your regular duties to get the job done?
• Describe a moment when you had to make an unpopular decision. How did you handle the feedback?
• Tell me about a time when you used data or analytics to make a decision. What was the outcome?
• Describe a time when you had to learn a new skill to complete a task. How did you approach it?

How to Answer 22 of the Most Common Job Interview Questions [+ Sample Answers]

These questions are the ones you’re bound to hear at just about any job interview - whether you’re an intern or a senior professional with a decade of work experience.

All of these questions are used to learn more about you, both as a person and as a professional.

If you understand what the interviewer is looking for with each of these questions, you’ll be able to give the right answer and rock that interview!

Now, we’re going to go through 22 of the most common job interview questions and sample answers for each.

Let’s get started!

#1. Tell me about yourself

This is usually the first question asked in an interview, so it acts as your introduction.

How hard can it be to talk about yourself? We do it on a daily basis, without much thought.

However, hiring managers aren’t looking for your whole life story, your third-grade achievements, or what you had for dinner last night. Instead, they are looking for a pitch.

Make sure your answer is relevant to the position you are applying for. Aim to present yourself as the ideal candidate for the job in a few words.

A good rule of thumb is to structure your talking points as follows:

• Briefly introduce yourself: What’s your name? How long have you been working in the field?
• What do you love about your job?
• What are your top 2-3 skills or achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for?

Now, let’s go through some sample answers:

“Hey! So, my name is John Doe and I’ve worked as a business analyst for 5+ years in Company X and Company Y.

I have some background in data analysis, having studied Information Systems at ABC University.

Throughout my career, I’ve done some pretty impressive stuff, if I do say so myself, haha.

For example, at Company X, I led a project to migrate all operations data to a new data warehousing system to cut down on costs. The new solution was a much better fit for our business, which eventually led to savings of up to $200,000 annually.”

Not bad, right? But if you don’t have a lot of work experience, you can still make a stellar introduction:

“I am Jane Doe, a recent college graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I have just graduated with honors in Biochemistry. I know my way around a lab and have had multiple opportunities to put my knowledge into practice as a chemistry research assistant.

The lab felt like home, which is why I’d love to work as a lab assistant. I am passionate, hard-working, and extremely responsible. I am also looking forward to putting into practice all the things I learned during my time at university.”

Learn more about how to introduce yourself in an interview in our dedicated article.

#2. Describe yourself in three words.

There are tons of different versions of this question, like “What word would you use to describe yourself?” and “What five words would people use to describe you?” but the same idea applies to all of them.

The interviewer uses this question to test how well you can summarize your key strengths and if you can make a convincing elevator pitch in a few choice words.

So, make sure to choose words that are positive, relevant to the job, and actually reflect your personality or work ethic.

Here are a few examples to inspire you:

"Innovative, reliable, and adaptable. I tend to bring creative solutions to any challenge I’m up against. I also consistently deliver on my commitments, and I easily adjust to changes, so unfamiliar situations don’t phase me at all."

"Collaborative, diligent, and enthusiastic. The first is because I thrive in team environments, and I love working with others. Then the next one is because I pay really close attention to the details in my work; it’s almost compulsive for me. And I’m also, well, enthusiastic - I’ve been told I bring positive energy to every project I work on."

Learn more about words to describe yourself in our dedicated article.

#3. What do you know about this company/organization?

A quick search on the company’s about page should be enough information, right?

Well, yes and no.

Think of this as an open-ended question. There’s no real wrong answer here, except maybe:

“I don’t know anything about this organization.”

However, the more you actually know about the company, the better your chances of getting hired.

Imagine two equally competent candidates:

• One who doesn’t particularly care much about your company and is only applying because they know you pay a good salary.
• One who’s been following your company’s blog for ages, loves your product, and has several friends already working at the company.

Which one would you pick? The second one, obviously.

So, with this job interview question, your goal is to convince the hiring manager that you’re the right candidate for their company.

Now, how do you do that? Well, a rule of thumb here is to do some research on the company before the interview and learn the following:

• What does their product or service do?
• What impact does the product / service have?
• What’s the company's culture like?
• What is the latest news about the company? How are they performing?

...and pretty much whatever other type of information you can dig up.

Here are some possible answers to this question:

“I hadn’t heard about you until recently, actually. I found out about Company X through your job ad on RandomJobBoard.

After doing some brief research on you guys, I ended up falling in love with your software and your mission.

Now, I’ve worked with a ton of different project management software, like Software 1 and Software 2, but none of them were as intuitive as Software 3.”

“Well, I know that you’re one of the biggest investment banks in Middleton. Company X pops up on the news pretty often, and I’ve read that you’ve invested in some of the hottest tech IPOs and have several up-and-coming biotech companies in your portfolio.

I was particularly interested in your recent investment in Startup X. I found that interesting because I love robotics and it’s cool that you’re expanding in that direction.”

#4. How did you hear about this position?

Although at first glance this might seem like a straightforward question, you should use this opportunity to highlight your interest in the company.

Even if you haven’t been continuously refreshing the company’s website for job listings, you should more or less make it seem like you have. 

Start by telling the hiring manager what you like about the company or what excites you about the job opportunity.

Additionally, if someone inside the company told you about the position or recommended that you apply, definitely make sure to mention that.

You’ll have a much better chance of getting hired if someone credible can vouch for your skills.

So, mention their name and their position inside the company and give their reasoning - why do they think you’re a good fit for the position?

Some possible answers to this question might be:

“I’ve known about XYZ Tech for a long time - I’m a big fan of your products. I even own one of your latest phone models!

I love the company’s passion for creating super intuitive, beautiful hardware, and I would love to be a part of it.

So, when I saw your job ad on JobBoard Website, even though I wasn’t actively looking for a job at the time, I couldn’t help but apply!”

“I heard from Jim Doe, my old coworker and college friend, that Company X was looking for a new sales director. He encouraged me to apply and said that my experience managing a sales team at Company Y would be helpful here.

I’ve heard a lot about Company X from Jim, and I’m a big fan of the way you do things there. I’ve always wanted to work for a company with a flat organizational structure.”

#5. Why did you decide to apply for this position?

This question is something interviewers ask to see how passionate you are for the role.

And no, the answer isn’t:

“Well, I’m very passionate about not starving to death.”

“Well, I needed the money, and you guys tend to pay a lot.”

What the interviewer is looking for here is to see how passionate you are about the job or the company.

After all, job performance is directly linked to job satisfaction. The happier you are about your position at the company, the more productive you’ll be.

And here’s the kicker - your enthusiasm will be very evident during the interview.

When you’re talking to a person who’s genuinely interested in something, you can pretty much feel them glow as they talk. And if you’re a hiring manager who’s interviewed hundreds of people, this will be a good sign to hire the candidate.

So, use this knowledge to your advantage. 

When asked this question, your answer should include two things:

• What exactly motivated you to apply for this position?
• Why this specific company? Have you heard of them before?

Let’s look at some sample answers to get the point across:

“I’m very passionate about sustainability and renewable energy. In fact, I minored in Environmental Science at XYZ University.

I’ve always wanted to put my engineering degree towards a good cause - and the position as a Sustainability Coordinator at Company XYZ is just what I’ve been looking for.

I’ve been following your company for the past few years, and I love how you’re changing the renewable energy landscape in the USA.”

Keep in mind, though, that if you don’t know much about the company or the position, that’s okay, too. Just be honest and let your genuine interest in the job shine through.

That being said, we always recommend you do your homework before going to an interview.

Let’s look at an example where the candidate doesn’t know too much about the company:

“I’ve always wanted to get into marketing. I’ve done promotional jobs here and there, but I’ve never had the opportunity to do something more serious.

I do think I have just the right skills to get started, though: copywriting, basic Photoshop, and, of course, lots of creativity.

So, I thought that an internship at Company X would be an awesome start to my career in marketing.”

#6. Why do you want to work here?

This is another great question that the interviewer can use to see how much you know about the company and whether you’re genuinely interested in the role.

Here, the interviewer wants to see if you've done your research. Do you have any specific reasons for applying?

It's crucial to let your enthusiasm shine through and align your answer with the company's values and goals. 

So, avoid generic or self-centered answers like: 

"I just need a job and your company seemed okay. Plus, the salary is good." 

Saying something like that will just tell the interviewer you’re not actually interested in the job - you’re just a random applicant.

We recommend focusing on what attracts you to the company and how you can contribute to its success.

Here are a couple of examples of how to answer this question:

"I'm impressed by your company's commitment to sustainability and innovation in the tech industry. Your recent project on renewable energy actually aligns perfectly with my passion for environmental conservation. I also think my skills in software development could contribute to the upcoming green initiatives I read you’re planning." 

"Well, your company's reputation for fostering employee growth appeals to me a lot. I also read about your collaborative work culture and that sounded like a great fit for my work style. I saw that you recently expanded into some emerging markets, too, so that looks like an exciting opportunity. I actually have some experience with international business, so I think I could help out with that." 

Learn more about how to answer “ Why do you want to work here? ” with our dedicated article.

#7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, that goes without saying.

But the reason hiring managers use this question is because they want to evaluate your honesty and self-awareness. They want to see if you can give yourself a realistic assessment and if you're actively working on improving yourself.

For strengths, choose a few qualities relevant to the job and be ready to back them up with examples.

For weaknesses, on the other hand, focus on showing how you're addressing them.

Make sure you avoid any cliché answers, such as presenting strengths as weaknesses.

"My strength is that I'm a perfectionist, and my weakness is that I work too hard." 

Something like that is going to come across as insincere and it won’t provide real insight into you as a candidate.

Instead, be genuine. Show the hiring manager that you’re self-aware and give them real strengths and weaknesses with your answer.

Here are a couple of possible answers:

"One of my key strengths is my ability to lead cross-functional teams. I’m great at bringing diverse groups together to achieve a common goal. As for weaknesses, I sometimes struggle with delegating tasks. I'm addressing this by trying to consciously empower my team members. I’m trying to focus on mentoring them instead of micromanaging." 

"I'd say my strength lies in my analytical skills. I can quickly interpret data and translate it into actionable insights. My biggest weakness is public speaking, though. I've been trying to work on it by taking a Toastmasters course and volunteering to present more often in team meetings." 

Learn more about how to answer “ What are your strengths and weaknesses? ” with our dedicated article.

#8. What is your greatest strength?

Here, you want to strike a balance between what your actual strengths are and what the interviewer wants to hear.

Narrow your answer down to three strengths at most. Pick one or two skills that would help you really excel at the job and one or two personal skills or traits.

Not sure what your strengths are? No worries! Check out the table below to learn what strengths are perfect for your field:

When you pick your strengths, back them up with a specific situation or a story that shows how you’ve used them to benefit you on the job.

After all, the interviewer can’t know whether your “ leadership skills ” are an actual strength or if it just means that you were super active in your high school class.

Here are some possible answers you can check out:

“My biggest strength is that I’m good at picking up new skills. I’ve worked a variety of different odd jobs - things like working as a waiter , house-keeper, cook, and a bunch more you’ve probably seen on my resume.

For most of those jobs, I ended up picking up all the needed skills within one or two weeks, with basically no previous experience.

So, I’m pretty sure that while I don’t have any experience as a bartender, I have the right attitude, and I’m certain I can get good at it within a week or two.”

“My biggest strength is that I’m very efficient at working under pressure. No matter the crisis or amount of stress, I can make the right decisions on-the-spot.

As an event manager at Company X, we were organizing an IT conference for a client. There were a ton of last-minute hiccups - some speakers canceled and the catering company said they’d be late for the lunch break. On top of that, we were understaffed because two of our volunteer organizers got sick and couldn’t show up.

At that point, things looked so bleak that we were considering canceling the event or postponing it. Instead, I took the initiative in my hands and sorted through the problems one by one.”

Learn more about how to answer “ What is your greatest strength? ” with our dedicated article.

#9. What is your greatest weakness?

This is always a tricky one.

After all, you don’t want to highlight your flaws during an interview, so it’s guaranteed to be a tough question.

The trick to answering this is realizing that the interviewers don’t expect you to be perfect. Everyone has flaws, weaknesses, and things they need to improve about themselves.

When asking this question, the interviewer actually wants to learn:

• Whether you have the right skills for the job . If you’re applying for a position as a server in a busy restaurant and your biggest weakness is performing under pressure, then you’re definitely not getting a call back.
• If you’re self-aware and really know what your downsides are. Someone who can’t admit to a fault is someone who probably won’t take criticism well or own up for mistakes.

And no, fake humble-brag weaknesses don’t count as weaknesses. You can’t just say that your biggest weakness is that you “work too hard” or that you’re “a perfectionist.”

The key here is to mention a weakness that’s real, but not something that would get in the way of you doing your job.

You wouldn’t want to say you’re bad at math if you’re applying for an accountant position, would you?

It’s also good practice to mention how you’re working towards overcoming your weakness and that you realize how it affects you negatively.

If possible, try to balance it with a positive side effect, like two sides of the same coin.

Possible answers here might include:

“My biggest weakness has always been my communication skills . I’ve always been pretty shy and anxious, even as a kid. Over the years, though, I’ve been really working on the issue.

At this stage, I’m much better than I’ve ever been, but I’m still far from perfect.

This, however, won’t have any impact on my job as a software developer. Despite lacking communication skills, I’m very good at working in a team.”

“Well, as a recent graduate, I’d say my biggest weakness is the lack of real-life work experience .

While I’ve worked on a dozen software projects at my university, I don’t have the experience of working in a fully agile environment with an experienced team.

But I’m willing to do my best and catch up as fast as I can.”

Learn more about how to answer “ What is your greatest weakness? ” with our dedicated article.

#10. What is your greatest accomplishment?

This question is a great opportunity to share a significant achievement that reflects your character and values. 

Here, the interviewer wants to understand what success looks like to you . 

So, choose an accomplishment that shows off your transferable skills or qualities relevant to the job.

Just avoid any answers that are unprofessional, such as:

"My greatest accomplishment was catching up on One Piece. It took months of watching!" 

Personal accomplishments can also show valuable qualities like perseverance, leadership, or personal growth.

That being said, do try to focus on professional accomplishments.

Here are a couple answers you could give:

"My greatest accomplishment was completing a marathon last year. It required months of disciplined training, pushing through physical and mental barriers. The experience taught me a lot about setting long-term goals, being consistent, and how far perseverance can take you. I apply the same principles in every aspect of my life but that, by far, made me feel the most sense of accomplishment." 

"Well, I am a teacher , but what I’m most proud of is volunteering to teach English to refugees in my community. Over two years, I helped over 50 individuals improve their language skills, which helped their integration and job prospects. This experience really improved my communication skills, cultural awareness, and I learned to adapt my teaching style to meet really diverse needs." 

Learn more about how to answer “ What is your greatest accomplishment? ” with our dedicated article.

#11. What motivates you in your professional life?

This hiring manager wants to understand what drives you and what keeps you engaged at work. 

So, be honest. Think about what inspires you and try to connect it to the job or the company's goals.

Just make sure you avoid any statements like:

"I'm only motivated by money and promotions. I'll do whatever it takes to climb the corporate ladder." 

Believe us, the interviewer isn’t going to find it funny.

Besides, while ambition isn't bad, showing a lack of passion for the work itself is .

Focus on intrinsic motivations - what do you enjoy? Why does it make you feel good? And how can that benefit both you and the company over time?

Take a look at a few possible answers:

"I like solving complex problems. There's a great sense of satisfaction in overcoming challenges and seeing the positive impact of my work. I also find collaborating with talented coworkers incredibly inspiring - it pushes me to continually learn and improve my skills, so every day is a new adventure."

"What drives me, professionally, is the ability to make a meaningful difference. Whether it's improving a process that benefits my team or contributing to projects that positively impact our clients, knowing that my work actually matters keeps me engaged. I'm also really motivated by continuous learning and career growth opportunities in my field." 

#12. What skills are you currently working on improving?

The interviewer wants to see whether you're proactive about your career development and staying up to date on the latest trends in your field.

So, use this question to show your commitment to professional growth. We recommend choosing skills that are relevant to the job but not crucial to the role you're applying for.

These might be good answers:

"I'm currently working on my data visualization skills. While I'm decent at data analysis , I'm learning to use tools like Tableau to create more impactful presentations of what I find. It could help me communicate really complex information more effectively so I could show it to stakeholders, for example." 

"I've been focusing on improving my project management skills. Although my role is mainly in software development, I've been studying agile methodologies and using project management software in my personal projects, too. I think this can help me collaborate better with our project managers and even potentially let me take on leadership roles in the future."

#13. What are you looking for in a new position?

The easiest way to answer this question would be to just say that you’re looking for whatever the company is offering.

Look at it from the point of view of the potential employer. Would they hire someone if they answered this question with:

“A good salary. And, uh, well, that’s about it.”

That answer pretty much says that the moment the candidate gets a higher paying offer, they’re going to bail.

So, explain to the interviewer that this job at this company is the perfect fit for you. Mention what your short-term and long-term career goals are and how this position ties into them.

You can answer with something like this:

“I'm looking to further apply my machine learning skills that I developed during my 2+ years of work at Startup X. There, I used to do programmatic ad model design.

Now, I’m looking for an opportunity to work on a larger scale project that involves setting up programmatic ads for audiences of more than ten million people.

I’m confident that working on such a large-scale project will also give my career a significant boost.”

#14. Can you describe your ideal job?

The interviewer wants to know how well the position aligns with your personal preferences and expectations.

Of course, they’d be thrilled if your ideal job matches what they can offer, but that doesn’t mean you should just describe the exact job you’re applying for.

Be honest about your preferences while trying to align them with at least some aspects of the job you're interviewing for.

And, obviously, avoid describing a completely different job.

"My ideal job would be working as a travel blogger, exploring new places, and never being in an office."

That wouldn’t be an ideal answer for an in-house writer working at a marketing agency.

So, try to strike a balance. Talk about things you genuinely value but also highlight the things you like about the job you’re applying for.

Here are a couple of examples:

"My ideal job would involve solving complex problems in a collaborative environment. I thrive when I’m working with diverse teams, tackling challenges, and driving innovation. I'm also passionate about continuous learning, so opportunities for professional development like the ones your company offers are important to me."

"Hmm, well, I’d say the ideal job is one that lets me make a meaningful impact while growing professionally. I'm looking for something that offers a balance of independent work and team collaboration, with opportunities to take on increasing responsibilities over time. I'm also drawn to companies that value work-life balance and contribute positively to society, which is why I'm particularly excited about this position."

#15. Are you considering other positions at other companies?

This is another tricky question.

You might be wondering - how much does the interviewer actually need to know here?

On one hand, if you admit to having interviews with other companies, it might look like you’re not 100% dedicated to this one. 

But, on the other hand, if you say you are not considering other positions, it might make you seem like you don’t have other options, which could give the company the upper hand in any future salary negotiations.

So, what’s the deal with this question anyway?

Well, the interviewer is probably asking because they want to know whether they have competition in hiring you. They also want to know if you’re serious about the industry and if you’re legitimately looking to be employed in this specific field of work.

If you do have other interviews lined up for other companies, just say that you are keeping your options open but that you prefer this job to the others.

And if you don’t have any other options? Stick to the same approach.

Whatever you do, just don’t make yourself seem desperate for the job.

With that in mind, here are a few possible answers:

“Well, I’ve had two interviews during the past week with companies in X and Y industries.

But I’m very passionate about this industry and the work you’ve done over the past several years is impressive. So, I’m more inclined toward working for you if everything works out.”

“Not yet. I wasn’t really actively looking for a job until my friend, John, recommended your company. I’m not looking for just any company - I want an interesting, engaging project, like what you’re working on.”

#16. What is the professional achievement you’re most proud of?

This is another version of “Why should we hire you?” and “What is your greatest accomplishment?”

This one’s pretty straightforward. You’re just supposed to mention your greatest professional achievement and you’re good to go.

However, the achievement has to be related to the job you’re applying for. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Sales Manager :

“In my previous sales position, I managed to hit and exceed department KPIs by 50%+ for six months in a row.”

“I’m very good at underwater basket-weaving, and I’ve woven 20+ baskets in the past year.”

See the difference?

So, find a professional achievement that shows off your skills and experience. Just make sure it’s somehow relevant to the company or organization you were part of at the time, whether that’s your previous job, volunteer position, or an extracurricular activity from your time in university.

Here are some possible answers:

“My biggest achievement is the fact that I went from being an intern to managing company X’s entire marketing over two years.

As an intern, I basically had zero instructions on what to do - it went like, ‘Hey, go learn social media advertising and get it going.’ The founders didn’t exactly expect me to achieve much and didn’t particularly care since they were 100% focused on making the product work.

Instead of just complaining about a lack of direction, I started reading up on digital marketing - pretty much anything I could get my hands on. I learned how to do content marketing for example, from Neil Patel’s blog and started putting everything into practice.

My first success was getting an article to go viral, which generated over $5,000 in revenue in a single day. While that’s not much for a software company, it felt like a lot for an intern.

After that, the founders gave me a lot more trust and they assigned me a small marketing budget of $1,000 per month. I had a lot more confidence in my abilities, so I started experimenting with other strategies.

Then, over the next two years, I got promoted to Head of Marketing. After making a couple of hires, I managed to scale up our marketing efforts, growing the company from $2,000 to $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue.”

“My greatest professional achievement so far is graduating from University X within four years, with a GPA of 3.9. My family wasn’t able to support me financially, so I had to take care of all the bills on my own.

But hard work and dedication paid off. I ended up graduating with almost no student loans. I managed this through a combination of:

• Working part-time while studying
• Doing seasonal full-time work during the summer
• Maintaining a high CGPA and winning two scholarships over four years

It wasn’t easy but it’s definitely something I’m proud of.”

#17. What kind of working environment do you work best in?

The point of this question is to see whether you’ll fit in with the company’s working environment.

For example, some organizations are pretty structured and hierarchical. They require tight organization and have a well-planned day filled with rules and guidelines on how to do things.

If you’re the creative, think-out-of-the-box type who likes to break the rules and innovate, this probably won’t cut it for you.

But other companies are more laid back, with a lot less bureaucracy. The type that says ‘go get us more sales’ and lets you do your own thing.

But if you’re the type who prefers to have strict to-dos and objectives, you probably won’t enjoy that job as much.

So, what’s the takeaway? Different people work best in different environments, and that’s okay.

Before you go into the interview, go through the company’s website and social media pages to get a sense of the general vibe and environment there.

You can also look at employee reviews on GlassDoor , or if you know someone already working there, ask them. 

Answer accordingly, depending on what you learn. For example:

“I work best in smaller companies. I really dislike the corporate world - rules, guidelines, SOPs, and so on. I perform best when I have a certain level of freedom to do things. Want to find innovative solutions to problems you didn’t even know you had? I’m your guy.

Want someone to just blindly follow instructions and do what they’re told? Then we probably wouldn’t be a good fit.”

“I love working in a youthful, energetic environment. You know, when you’re working on a common goal with a team of people who are as passionate as you are?

I like to think of my work as a second home and my coworkers as family. 

The last company I worked at had an environment like that, and I excelled at the job.

I have had that exact feeling about Company X since the moment I walked in here for the interview. So, I’m pretty excited to get to know how you guys work!”

#18. What are your career goals?

This question helps the hiring manager understand what your long-term aspirations are and how the role fits into your career path .

They want to see if your goals align with what the company can offer and if you're likely to stay and grow with them. 

So, be honest about your ambitions, but also show how they connect to the position and company you're interviewing for.

Whatever you do, don’t tell them they’re basically a short-term stepping stone for you.

"My goal is to start my own company within the next two years, so I'm just looking for some experience." 

No one could blame an interviewer for not calling you back after an answer like that.

Instead, try giving an answer like:

"In the short term, I want to become an expert in my role. I’m looking forward to continuously improving my skills and contributing to team projects. Then, in the long-term, I want to move into a leadership position where I can mentor others and drive innovation in the field. I'm excited about the growth opportunities your company offers since they seem to match my goals perfectly."

"My biggest career goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the industry. I want to have all the know-how necessary to contribute to its advancement. I'm passionate about staying at the forefront of emerging technologies in fintech. Eventually, I want to take on a role where I can influence strategy and maybe drive change on a larger scale. Your company is super progressive and forward thinking, so I think that’s a great match for me.” 

Learn more about how to answer “ What are your career goals? ” with our dedicated article.

#19. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Sometimes the honest answer to this is, “Hopefully not doing this.”

Especially with entry-level jobs.

But don’t think the hiring manager doesn’t know that. They just want to hear you say that in a more diplomatic way.

Generally, what the interviewer wants from this question is to learn whether you’re an ambitious person and if your career expectations are realistic or not.

Make sure to avoid any of the cliche answers, like:

“In five years? I’ll be in your seat, haha.”

As cute as that might be, the interviewer wants a real answer.

So, think realistically about what the next step after this position is and whether it is possible to reach it within the company you are applying for.

“Within the next five years, I’d like to reach the position of a Senior Business Consultant. By then, I would like to have accomplished a few things, like:

• Helping over 20 organizations improve their businesses.
• Create a personal network of highly specialized professionals.
• Learn as much as I can about optimizing and improving clients’ businesses, as well as the essentials of operating a company.”

“As a start, I want to learn if accounting is the right field for me. While I loved what I studied at university, I want to see if actually working in the field feels the same.

If I do end up enjoying it, I’d like to specialize in either internal auditing or forensic accounting, since I really like to discover and solve problems. From what I’ve seen from your job ads, you guys are hiring for both, so I hope it’s going to be possible to move up from the position of an intern within the next few months!”

Learn more about how to answer “ Where do you see yourself in five years? ” with our dedicated article.

#20. Why should we hire you?

This is the ultimate humble-brag question. 

The trick here is to sell yourself without looking arrogant, desperate, or needy.

You want to stay away from the extremes here. For example, if you think you’re a good fit for the job, say that you “have the right experience.”

But whatever you do, don’t oversell yourself. Grandiose statements like “I’m the best salesman you’ve ever met!” don’t do anything to convince the hiring manager.

Instead, make a more general statement and back it up with your experiences and notable achievements .

There are three things you can mention:

• That you’re super passionate about working for the company, and why
• Which of your skills and experience fit their requirements for the role
• How you’re going to help the company solve their existing problems

Some possible answers include:

“Well, as a start, I have all the skills and work experience required for the job. I’ve worked as a Sales Manager for 5+ years, and over the past two years, I’ve closed several deals totaling six figures.

On top of that, I have experience working with tech companies, so I’ll be able to pick up all the product specifics much faster than someone from a different background.”

“I have just the right skill-set to excel as an executive assistant . While I haven’t previously worked as a personal assistant, I pretty much fit the bill for the role.

I’m extremely organized, having managed several project teams at my university. I led the organization of a charity event and the graduation ceremony. In total, both involved continuous communication with 12+ companies, over 30 speakers, and 15 sponsors.

I’m very meticulous and organized, and I’m more than capable of helping the CEO get the most out of their free time.”

Learn more about how to answer “ Why should we hire you? ” in our dedicated article.

#21. What are your salary requirements?

This is always a tricky question.

On one hand, you don’t want to lowball yourself, but at the same time, you don’t want to be told “no” because you gave such an outrageous number.

When negotiating your salary , keep these three things in mind:

• What’s the average salary for someone of your skill-level?
• How much does the company pay employees of your skill level? Websites like GlassDoor should be super helpful here.
• How much are you getting paid at your current company? In most cases, you can probably negotiate a pay bump from what you’re currently getting.

The final number you tell them should incorporate all three of these points.

And, generally speaking, if you know for a fact that the company is doing well and compensating its employees accordingly, you can quote a higher salary.

The same goes if your skill-level is above average for the position - your salary should reflect your expertise.

As a rule of thumb, you can figure out two numbers: what’s your “good” scenario, and what’s the “best” scenario?

Always answer the interviewer with your “best” salary requirement. They’ll probably negotiate it down, and you’ll be left with something closer to the “good” number you thought up.

You could also answer with a salary range instead of a specific number. Though, keep in mind that they’ll probably pick a number somewhere in the middle of that range.

“My salary expectation is around $70,000 annually.”

“My salary requirement is in the $30,000 - $40,000 range, annually.”

#22. Do you have any questions for us?

You’re going to hear this question at the end of every interview you attend. 

While there isn’t a right answer, there is definitely a wrong one, and that’s:

“Nope, all good! Thanks, I’ll be on my way.”

This question lets you show your enthusiasm about the company, so don’t waste it.

Besides, imagine that they’ve already hired you and you’re starting tomorrow. What would you want to know about them?

Keep in mind, though, that the questions you ask shouldn’t be too easy or too obvious. Asking, “So, what does your company do?” won’t sit well with the interviewer, especially if it’s at the end of your interview.

Other than showing the hiring manager that you’re really interested in working for them, this is your opportunity to really find out more about the ins and outs of the place.

And the answers you get from the interviewer could also tell you whether you really want to work there or not. 

But what kind of questions can you ask? Here’s a list of some of the best ones:

• What does a regular day at this company look like?
• What’s the best thing about working for the company?
• What’s the worst thing about working for the company?
• What would you say are the biggest challenges a person in this position might face?
• What are the most important skills and qualities one must have to succeed in this position?
• What do you like best about working for this company?
• What are the most pressing issues and projects that need to be addressed?
• Do you have training programs available to employees?
• What sort of budget is there for my department?
• What kind of opportunities do you have for future development?
• What are the performance expectations for someone in this position?
• Do departments usually collaborate with one another?
• Do you celebrate birthdays or retirements in the office?
• Do employees usually hang out with each other outside of work?
• Is there anything else I can help you with at this stage?
• What is the next step in the hiring process?

For a complete list of all the questions you can ask the interviewer , check out our article!

How to Answer 18 of the Most Common Situational Interview Questions [+ Sample Answers]

You’ve made it past the difficult part. 

You already know the most common job interview questions, so you can probably handle whatever the interviewer throws at you.

Depending on your specific situation, though, you might also need to learn how to answer a few situational job interview questions.

These questions can also be pretty varied, and sometimes they can be used interchangeably with behavioral interview questions, which we’ll cover further down in this article.

As a rule of thumb, situational interview questions will ask you about a situation .

This might be unique to you, such as something from your resume , or it might bring up a hypothetical situation so the interviewer can learn more about how you think.

The best way to explain this is by breaking down some of the most common situational interview questions.

So, let’s dive in!

#1. Why haven’t you gotten your degree?

As a start, keep in mind that the interviewer isn’t necessarily judging you for your level of education .

If they were looking for someone with a better degree, they wouldn’t have invited you to an interview to begin with. The lack of a degree probably isn’t a dealbreaker here, but your answer to the question could be.

With this question, the interviewer is trying to see your reasoning for pursuing a career instead of getting a degree, whether that’s a BA, MA, Ph.D., or something entirely different.

So, explain why you didn’t think that another degree was the right thing for you at the time.

Just don’t say you were lazy, that you didn’t feel like it, or that it’s a waste of money, even if that might be the case.

Instead, try giving compelling arguments, such as:

• You wanted to see whether it was the right field for you.
• You didn’t have the financial resources at the time.
• You wanted to get some practical work experience before committing to a degree.

“At this stage of my life, I decided to pursue a career instead of furthering my education. On the one hand, I want to make sure that Marketing is what I want to do with my life.

On the other hand, I also think that in my field, practical work experience is a lot more valuable than any academic theory I could learn.

So far, my decision has paid off pretty well - I’ve already gotten a lot of experience doing online marketing for 3+ companies and delivering great results.

I might eventually decide to pursue a Master’s degree to get some specialized knowledge, but at this point, I really don’t see the point in that.”

“Because it’s not in sync with my future career path. I think that for software engineering, practical experience matters a lot more than having a degree.

I’ve already done an internship as a Junior Javascript Back-end Developer, and I believe that it gave me a lot more knowledge than my B.A. in Computer Science, so I dropped out after two semesters.

While I am eventually planning on finishing my Bachelor’s, it’s going to be in a more theoretical field, like Artificial Intelligence or Robotics.”

#2. Why have you switched jobs so many times?

If you’ve switched jobs in a very short period of time, like two or more full-time positions in the span of one year, the interviewer is likely to ask about it.

After all, job-hopping is one of the biggest red flags for HR managers.

You might have had a good reason for it, though. For example, maybe the second company you got hired in just wasn’t a good culture fit for you.

But you’ll have to communicate that.

Employers tend to be skeptical for some of the following reasons:

• You might be a job hopper . Some people tend to switch jobs the moment they get a better salary offer, which puts a strain on companies looking for serious employees.
• You might be unqualified for the job and have left your previous jobs because you couldn’t deliver.
• You might get bored easily at work and your solution to that is to quit.

So, your job here is to convince the interviewer that you don’t belong to any of those categories. 

You need to make them believe that you won’t just jump ship a couple of months after getting hired because a recruiter PM’d you on LinkedIn with a better offer.

The best way to answer this question is to explain the exact reason you switched jobs. It could be one of the following:

• The company's culture wasn’t a good fit. This happens to the best of us - sometimes, the company just isn’t the right one.
• The job description was misleading and you ended up doing something you either didn’t enjoy or were not qualified for.
• You learned that you simply didn’t enjoy the job, whether because of the work environment, internal processes, or something related to your tasks. While this isn’t the best answer, it’s honest, and chances are, the hiring manager will understand.

“The last company I got hired at just wasn’t what I expected. The hiring manager didn’t communicate the role well enough.

As you already know, I’m a copywriter - I write sales copy. I work with landing pages, email marketing, and sales pages.

But around a week after I started work at the company, I realized that they were actually looking for something completely different. They asked me to write generic blog and social media posts, which is pretty far off from what I do.

This really wasn’t what I expected, and it’s not something I find interesting.”

“Well, as a start, my first job was in a big corporation straight out of university. While I did learn a lot there about Software Engineering practices, I also learned that a huge company with lots of regulations, rules, and the like just isn’t for me.

So, at the end of my internship there, I decided to try working at a startup. I enjoyed that job a lot more, as it gave me a lot of freedom when it came to problem-solving. I wasn't told how to do everything, rather, I was given the option of coming up with my own solutions.

Unfortunately, the company went up after failing to raise money, which put me back on the job market.

And here I am. XYZ Company is pretty much the place I’ve always wanted to work, from what I’ve heard about your company culture, and I thought I’d really fit in here.”

#3. Why did you change your career path?

If you recently made a career change , the interviewer is sure to ask about it.

But don’t worry - there’s nothing wrong with taking a different career path. 

Lots of people go through a career change . Some even do it several times in their lifetime!

As long as you’re good at what you do, no one cares if you were a pediatrician in one year and a professional chef the next.

When you get this question, all you have to do is answer honestly. Explain how your old job just wasn’t for you at this stage in your life and how the job you’re applying for is so much more interesting and aligned with your new career path .

“I just realized that being a doctor isn’t for me. While I did enjoy my time in medical school, the commitment was too much. I couldn’t spend so many years studying while my family was supporting me.

I wanted to start making money and help them out way before that, so I dropped out of university and started taking online courses in accounting .

At this point, I’m pretty good at it, having done two internships so far in Company X and Company Y.”

“Simply because I enjoy sales much more than accounting. After five years of working as an accountant for Company X, I decided I wanted to try something new.

I asked my boss at the time to let me switch to the sales team, and I ended up liking it and being pretty good at it. I learned a lot, and I’m ready to take the next step in my career.”

#4. Why did you decide to leave your previous job?

There are a few things the interviewer wants to learn from this question.

First, did you have a good reason for leaving your last job? The hiring manager doesn’t want someone who leaves the second things go south.

“Oh, well, the company started bleeding cash and was on its way to bankruptcy, so I left.”

“I just felt like it was time - I got to a point where everything I was doing felt monotonous. I learned as much as I could in that position while delivering great results. But it was time to switch to something new.”

The hiring manager also wants to know if you left on good terms. Meaning, did you go through the offboarding process, instructing your coworkers on how to take up your responsibilities? Or did you just say “bye” and stop showing up at work?

“Things started to get really boring, and the boss man was kind of annoying. I figured I deserve better, so I just ghosted them and now I’m looking for a new job.”

“I didn’t feel like the company’s values matched mine. The management was too controlling and micromanaging everything. I prefer to have some control over my work so I can go above and beyond when I see an opportunity.

Of course, I went through the off-boarding properly. So, I discussed things with my manager, gave a timely notice of resignation, and transferred everything I was working on to my replacement.”

Another thing the hiring manager wants to know is if you left voluntarily or if you were fired.

“I got fired for consistently being late.”

“I was fired, actually. The fault was mainly in my communication skills at the time. I misunderstood my supervisor’s instructions and ended up setting a higher monthly spend on an ad account for the client. The losses were less than 3-figures, but apparently, the relationship with the client was already strained, so they ended up leaving.

I really took this to heart and worked very hard on improving my communication skills to make sure that I don’t make any mistakes like that again.”

#5. Why is there a gap in your work experience?

In most cases, a gap in your work experience doesn’t really mean anything. You probably have a very good reason for it.

But the interviewer will definitely ask about it, and you should be ready to give an adequate answer.

There’s no secret to answering this question; you just need to let the interviewer know about your situation, whatever that may have been. Examples include:

• Parental leave
• Health issues
• Taking care of a family member
• Time off to pursue further education
• Relocating to a different city
• Working on a personal project

Whichever the case may be, just explain the situation briefly and move on.

There’s just one thing you should keep in mind: If you were laid off at work or you quit and had trouble getting a new job after that, you should be very subtle about it.

If the interviewer knows that you’re struggling to find a job, you’re going to give them the upper hand in salary negotiations.

“I had a baby and had to take maternity leave to take care of my family.”

“I was really burnt out by my job at Company X, so I wanted to take some time to myself to recover. I used that to get back into school and get my Master’s degree, which put me back on track to pursue the career I want.”

#6. Why were you fired?

Now this is a tough one.

Getting fired is pretty much never good.

Keep in mind that we’re talking about getting fired, not getting laid off. There’s a huge difference between the two.

• Getting laid off means that you got let go for something that had nothing to do with your competence. This could be budget cuts, company down-sizing, etc.
• Getting fired , on the other hand, means that you got let go for a reasonable cause. And chances are, it’s probably your fault.

If you’re applying for a job after getting fired and the interviewer asks you about it, you should be honest. After all, they can easily check-in with your previous employer.

Your best shot here is to be critical about your mistakes and explain what you’ve done to improve.

“None of it was my fault! My boss was mean and just hated me for no reason.”

An answer like the one above just makes you look defensive, and that’s a huge red flag for the hiring manager.

Instead, try saying something that shows that you’re aware of your shortcomings.

“The main fault was a miscommunication. The interviewer at my previous company wasn’t clear about the job responsibilities - from what I understood, they were looking for a senior-level marketer to oversee their email marketing operations.

At the end of the day, though, it turned out that the company was looking to experiment with email marketing and needed some specifically to set it up from scratch.

While I did my best to deliver, in the end it turned out that their niche doesn’t actually need email marketing. This was against the management’s vision, so they decided to let me go.”

#7. How do you feel about working weekends or late hours?

Usually, you can expect this question if you’re applying for a job that requires working odd hours or shifts.

In that case, your answer should be pretty straightforward - since you’re applying for the job in the first place, you probably don’t have any problems working at unusual times.

“Sure! I’m okay with working late hours or weekends, as long as you let me know about it at least a few days in advance.”

However, if you’re applying for just about any other type of job, this question is a huge red flag.

Here’s the thing: Is the employer just checking your dedication to the role, or are they looking for someone who’s going to work 24/7 with no overtime pay?

In this case, ask them to clarify what they mean.

“Given enough warning, sure, emergencies happen. Is that something I’ll be required to do often? Do you offer overtime pay for this kind of situation?”

#8. How would your boss describe you?

This question is pretty similar to “What is your greatest strength?” with the main difference being that it should be from the point of view of your boss or coworkers.

Here, you want to focus on your best traits and achievements that you’ve been praised for. After all, the interviewer might ask for a reference .

There are a couple of ways to answer this question:

For example, you could describe a specific situation where you excelled at work and received praise from your boss.

“They’d say I’m super hard working. During my weekend-off, not one, but three of my coworkers got sick, and I had to spot for them.

The weekend was peak season in Nantucket, so the restaurant was getting seriously overwhelmed. All of a sudden, we went from being very prepared for the season to complete panic.

I had to jump between serving, bussing, and line-cooking, but overall, I managed to survive through the weekend successfully. My boss was super grateful, too.”

Alternatively, you could quote a performance review.

If you’ve previously worked in an office job, you’re probably all too familiar with these.

And if your boss gave you a glowing performance review? Make sure to mention it here!

“Well, in my last performance review in September, my boss described me as someone who takes initiative.

My position as a PR manager involves constantly keeping track of our clients brand reputation and, if something goes wrong, dealing with it as fast as possible.

In a lot of cases, you need to be very proactive - if you wait for your entire team to have a meeting on how to deal with the issue, it might already be too late.

There were 4-5 different situations where I had to take charge and react to problems literally the moment they arose, whether it was during my work hours or not.”

#9. What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?

If you’re applying for a senior or leadership role, you’re probably going to get this question.

Chances are, at this stage of the interview, you already know a lot about your future position and the company.

Now, it’s time to show off your knowledge of the field and explain how you’re going to start making things happen at the company.

So, here’s how to answer the question:

You’re probably going to need to get to know the company first. You’re going to be learning as much as possible, including information on:

• What does the company do?
• What are the key processes?
• What does your department do?
• What are the current problems and challenges?
• Where can you help?

Here, you’ll start making an impact. From all the information you’ve gathered so far, suggest a few initiatives you could take on. Examples include:

• You’d audit the company's email marketing strategy and suggest improvements.
• You’d help come up with better ad copies for Facebook marketing.
• You’d help the team with their ongoing marketing initiatives.

At this point, you should already have an effect on the company. Describe several things you think are going to be working better than before you joined. Some examples could be:

• Online ads are going to perform better by 10-20%
• Email marketing operations are going to be more streamlined, taking significantly less manpower

Sound good? Now, let’s look at a sample answer to this question in action:

“Okay, well… in the first 30 days, I’d dive into understanding the company, our processes, and the team’s challenges. I’d get to know what we do, who our key players are, and where we need help.

Then, by 60 days, I’d start making changes. Things like improving our email marketing, refining ad strategies, and supporting ongoing projects.

At 90 days, I’d aim to have already left a mark. I think we could boost ad performance by 10-20%, streamline email operations, and start seeing real improvements in our marketing efforts. I want to make a positive impact quickly.”

#10. Are you a team player?

Wherever you’re applying, the answer to this question should pretty much always be some version of “Yes!”

Even if you’re applying for a completely solo role, you’re probably still going to have to work with a team occasionally. 

We’d recommend being very specific about your answer here. Don’t just say yes, give the interviewer a specific example of when you excelled at working as part of a team.

“I’m much better at working as part of a team than alone, actually. That’s what I love about working in advertising - everyone has their own specific type of creative spark, and when you combine it all, magic happens!

I’m good at both leading and following in terms of creativity and brainstorming. I’m also super receptive to others’ ideas and do my best to help them execute it without nay-saying or criticism.”

“Yep, definitely. I excel at team-work. 

This one time, while working at Company X, I was assigned to an existing team working on a web application for a business process management company.

They were working on a tight deadline and needed help on the API side.

I optimised their development cycles and oversaw a team of three developers while collaborating with the other two dev teams.

Everything went pretty well, and we managed to finish the project on time.”

#11. Are you a risk-taker?

This one can be tricky and the answer here depends on your profession and field.

Just ask yourself: Is risk-taking a valuable skill for the job?

If you’re a pilot, for example, the answer should be a strict “No!”

But, on the other hand, if you’re a day trader, then risk is an essential part of your job.

So, depending on how valuable risk-taking is for your job, answer accordingly.

You could also give a more strategic answer.

Let’s say, for example, you work in investment banking. You need to be a risk taker to some extent, but being too risk-friendly might make the entire company go bankrupt.

The strategy here would be to show that you’re all about calculated risk . You’re willing to take chances, but only when the odds are in your favor.

Try to give examples of situations where you had to take risks, and what the end-results were.

Let’s look at some possible answers:

“Yes, I’m a risk-taker. I believe that to achieve real results, you always need to be willing to take a certain level of risk.

Pretty much any marketing initiative you launch is tied to risk. You can plan everything from the beginning until the end, but no matter how well you plan it out, things might just not work out.

It’s just part of the job - in order to succeed, you need to launch risky campaigns on a regular basis, and hopefully, one in every five is going to bring you massive results.”

“I’m not a risk-taker; I’m more of a risk-manager. As someone who’s been in finance for years, I can say with a lot of confidence that there’s risk in everything.

The most important things are to one, minimize your risks; and two, minimize potential damages if everything goes very, very wrong.

While working at Investment Bank X, we had a very interesting policy for investing in new fintech projects. We used to avoid moon-shots, high-tech projects, and anything that had an experimental business model.

Our strategy was to invest in proven technology. As in, proven product-market fit, business model, etc. In most cases, these were runner up companies. We wouldn’t invest in that one innovative company that was all over the news - we’d instead invest in their latest competitor. More often than not, this ended up being more profitable and significantly less risky.”

#12. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

If you’re applying for a high-stress job, you’re guaranteed to be asked this question.

The aim of this question is to see if you’re the type of person who would survive working at the job or fall through the cracks when the first signs of trouble show up.

So, obviously, you wouldn’t answer with something like:

“Well, I tend to have panic attacks and cry easily, so I end up running away from work sometimes.”

(Although, if that’s the case, we really don’t recommend you go for a high-stress job to begin with.)

Instead, say that you perform well during stressful situations and give one or two examples of a situation where you had to perform well under pressure.

Here are some possible answers to inspire you:

“Well, I can’t say I particularly enjoy stressful situations, but I am very good at working under pressure.

During chaos and panic, I tend to take a step back, think, plan, and prioritize.

For example, there have been times I’ve had to juggle multiple university projects and assignments at the same time. I would break up large assignments into small, individual tasks and prioritize based on things like:

• How fast I could complete each task
• Which task would take the longest
• Which project had the earliest deadline

This way, my work became a lot more manageable. The more times I had to go through that, the better I performed overall.”

“I actually prefer working under pressure. I look at it as a challenge - a situation where I really have to up my game to succeed.

As a cook, working under pressure is pretty much part of the job. I’ve been in several situations where the restaurant was understaffed for the occasion. In fact, it’s pretty much a constant thing during peak season.

When there’s a ton of orders coming in and we can barely keep up, I tend to get significantly more productive than usual. Funny enough, my manager even said the kitchen has more blunders when it’s slow than when it’s a rush. I guess we just adapt to that really well.”

#13. If you had a choice, would you rather innovate a process or follow the established procedures for it?

This question is meant to assess your approach to problem-solving and your adaptability in the workplace .

The interviewer wants to understand if you're more of an innovator or if you prefer following protocol.

There are no right answers here. Different roles and different companies are going to value different approaches.

Just avoid any extreme answers that might make you seem too rigid or reckless. Such as:

"I always prefer to follow established procedures. Change is risky and unnecessary if things are working fine."

Try to strike a balance here. Show the hiring manager that you don’t have a problem doing things the way you’re supposed to, but that you’re also not afraid to try something new.

"I think there's value in both. It really depends on the situation.

If the current process is fine, I'd follow it. But if I see potential for improvement, I'd do some research, propose changes, and look for feedback. Then I might try doing things my way.

It’s always good to try something new but it shouldn’t be at the expense of what already works great, you know?"

"Honestly, I prefer following established procedures. That way, I can always ask for advice or have something to fall back on.

I can try and figure something out on my own if I have to but I would always start out by following the go-to way to do things."

#14. Do you think there is a difference between hard work and smart work?

By definition, hard work is when you, well, work hard. It’s when you’re willing to put in a lot of work to get the job done.

Smart work, on the other hand, means doing the work efficiently. If you manage to get the job done in two hours instead of five, with the same end-result, you’re doing smart work.

Keep in mind, though, that by asking this question, the interviewer is looking to understand what your work ethic is like.

Meaning that they’re looking for a healthy combination of both, not just one.

So, they want you to be the candidate who can think smartly and work hard. 

Here’s how you can explain how you excel at both:

“I don’t really have a preference - I believe that both hard and smart work are important to get the best results.

Smart work lets you figure out the best and most efficient way to get things done.

But hard work means that you’ll do the job right. Even if there’s no way to do it smartly or efficiently, you’ll be willing to put in long hours of work to get it done.

I’d say I’m the type who does both. 

For an example of smart work, during my time at XYZ Corp, I was in charge of the sales department. As a process improvement initiative, I migrated from an outdated, in-house CRM to Pipedrive. This improved the department’s productivity by around 20%.

But the whole migration process took around three months of hard work. As the software we were using was outdated, trying to learn how to map and migrate our data was a lot more complicated than we’d expected.”

#15. How quickly do you adapt to new technology?

Today, whether you’re applying for a software engineering job or as a cashier in a supermarket, you’re going to need to use technology, at least on some level.

And it’s very common for a company to adopt new tech. This could be a new point of service system, self check-out kiosks, customer management software, or whatever else.

Generally, you should be able to pick up new tech as soon as possible. Any new change shouldn’t completely disrupt your work.

So, when answering this question, you should talk about your computer skills and how tech-savvy you are.

Here are a few possible answers:

“I’m pretty tech-savvy. I’ve worked with a lot of different Point of Service systems so far and have zero difficulties learning how to use new ones.”

As a given, I own a PC, have used Office 365, and all the usual stuff.”

“I’ve always been interested in tech. In fact, I’m the type of person who actively seeks out new software to help solve business problems at work.

I’ve worked with 3 different Customer Management Softwares in the past, such as PipeDrive, SalesForce, and Zoho CRM.”

#16. What are your interests outside of work?

If the interviewer asks you this question, take it as a good sign!

It means that they liked your professional background, and now they’re just trying to get to know you and see if you’re a good fit for the company culture.

It’s pretty hard to go wrong here, unless you’re going to say something like:

“I don’t really have hobbies. Sometimes I play video games, I guess?”

Now, there’s nothing wrong with playing video games, but the goal here is to get you to talk about your hobbies and interests .

Bonus points if you can mention something that’s also relevant to your job. For example, creative writing if you’re applying for a copywriting job.

Let’s check out some possible answers here:

“I’m a big fan of creative writing. I have my own personal short-story blog and I contribute actively to several online writing communities, like /r/WritingPrompts on Reddit.

Oh, and I’m also a huge fan of the New York Giants.”

“Well, I’m very interested in all sorts of sports. I like to keep active, as it really helps keep me productive. Over the past two years, I’ve done a bit of everything - fencing, archery, hiking, and several other things.”

#17. If you had to choose between a high-paying job you don’t enjoy and a lower-paying job you are passionate about, what would you choose?

This question is designed to give the interviewer insight into the values and priorities in your career.

They want to understand what motivates you and how you balance job satisfaction with other important factors, like your salary.

There's no universally "correct" answer here, but it is important to be thoughtful and explain the reason behind your answer.

That being said, avoid saying something that leans too far in either direction. You don’t want to seem like you’re solely motivated by money or that you don’t care about your salary at all.

"I'd definitely choose the high-paying job. At the end of the day, money is the most important thing in a career."

The best approach is to show that you value both job satisfaction and financial stability, and explain how you'd try to find a balance.

Here are a couple of possible answers that could work:

"Well, financial stability is important but I think that having passion for my work is crucial for any long-term success or satisfaction.

I'd lean towards the job I'm passionate about since it's likely to be better for me mentally , and it could lead to better performance and opportunities for growth.

But I'd also work to increase my value in that job. Maybe I could eventually get both, but I would prioritize passion for sure."

"That’s a tough one. Generally, I value both job satisfaction and financial security. Ideally, I would look for a middle ground – a job that I enjoy and that also provides fair compensation for me.

But if I’m forced to choose, I would probably go for the job with better compensation. I have too many responsibilities to prioritize a fun job over a good salary.

Besides, I’m a pretty curious person, so I’m sure I could eventually find satisfaction in any type of job. I just think I would find it hard to really enjoy a job if I felt like I wasn’t being compensated properly."

#18. What do you think our company/organization could do better?

Well, this one’s interesting!

While not too common for most organizations, it’s a favorite amongst tech companies.

Answering this question shows a couple of things:

• You’re genuinely passionate about the organization, and you’ve done your research
• You’re not afraid of giving feedback

Obviously, you should be very political about your feedback. You can’t just say something like:

“Well, a lot of things, really. I’m not enjoying the interview process, for example. And your product could use a lot of work, no offense. But hey, there’s always room for improvement, am I right?”

Instead, you want to show off the research you’ve done. Talk about anything that might seem off about their product or business. Such as:

“I actually went through your resume builder before coming to the interview and found several things that seemed kind of counter-intuitive.

Not to say that it’s too hard to understand or something, but it took me a while to figure out some stuff.

If you want, I can open up my laptop and show you what I mean.”

How to Answer 10 of the Most Common Behavioral Interview Questions [+ Sample Answers]

Finally, behavioral job interview questions are questions that focus on how you’ve performed in the past and give the hiring manager an idea of how you would behave in their organization.

These questions are used to understand your problem-solving abilities, thinking patterns, and whether you can think on your feet.

Just about any behavioral interview question can be answered by using the STAR method .

The STAR method gives you a structure your answer should follow. The acronym stands for:

• (S)ituation - Set the scene and give the interviewer context for the story you’re about to tell them.
• (T)ask - What was your role in this example? Describe what the specific problem or responsibility you had to handle was.
• (A)ction - Explain all the steps you took towards addressing your task.
• (R)esults - Wrap up your example with what the results were. If possible, provide numbers or other concrete data.

Want to learn more about STAR interview questions ? Check out our dedicated article on the topic.

Now, let’s check out the sample answers to the ten most common behavioral interview questions:

#1. How have you handled a challenge in the workplace before?

Situation: “During my last job, I was managing the creative and web development team in charge of creating an online store for a client. Two days before deploying, we found a major bug that messed up the whole front-end user experience.”

Task: “Now, we could have pushed the deadline a bit, but that would have messed up the relationship with the client. The project was already postponed once because of unforeseen circumstances, so this one was a do or die. We had to figure out a way to fix it on time.”

Action: “I briefly discussed it with the management team and assembled a task force consisting of web developers from my team and some software engineers from another department. We focused 100% of our time on fixing the issue and even got in a few hours of overtime to make sure we were on track.”

Results: “It was hard work but we actually managed to launch on time at the end. The client was happy, and the team was relieved that all our efforts paid off.”

#2. Can you give me an example of a time when you performed well under pressure?

Situation: “As a seasonal worker, I’d say my entire career is high-pressure. My last position was as a line cook during the summer tourist season at the XYZ Restaurant near Yellowstone Park. There was a lot of work, and the restaurant was pretty much always full.”

Task: “On one occasion, the town we were in was hosting a festival, so we suddenly had this huge wave of hungry tourists, all at once. We had no time to prepare, so we had to roll with it and make sure everyone was served.”

Action: “I coordinated with the hostess and expo to make sure they were pacing the customers, not seating everyone at once. That way, the line cooks had more time to prepare everything. We encouraged them to seat smaller parties first, like two to four people, so we could get their food out faster. Bigger tables are always a challenge, especially during a rush like that. Every second counts when you’re working in a kitchen, so we used every spare moment to prep for the expected large parties.”

Results: “In the end, it worked out. We managed to roll out all the food on time, there were no complaints about quality, and though we were all stressed out by the end of the night, the customers were happy. It goes to show how teamwork can really make or break a high-pressure situation.”

#3. What was a time when you showed leadership qualities?

Situation: “As an entry-level marketer , there wasn’t much expected of me at XYZ Company.

Task: “My main to-dos involved doing research and completing whatever tasks were assigned to me. But one day, during a brainstorming session with the content marketing team, I had a chance to give my input.”

Action: “I came up with a pretty good idea of how to market the company. The gist of it was that we’d interview company clients who were very successful at using our software product, then create case studies on what exactly they’re doing, and include them in our email marketing strategy.”

Results: “The Chief Marketing Officer loved the idea and put me in charge of executing the project and it worked like a charm. We secured five new clients within the first two months of the campaign.”

#4. Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a difficult coworker. How did you manage it?

Situation: "At my previous job, I was part of a project team working on a new product launch. One of my team members, let’s call him John, was particularly difficult to work with. He often dismissed others' ideas and insisted on doing things his way, which created tension within the team."

Task: "As the project coordinator, it was my responsibility to ensure the team worked smoothly and efficiently, which meant finding a way to work with John and keeping the project on track."

Action: "I decided to have a one-on-one conversation with John to understand his perspective better. I approached him in a friendly and non-confrontational manner and asked for his input on the project. During our conversation, I realized that he felt his expertise was being overlooked. I acknowledged his experience and suggested that we incorporate some of his ideas while also encouraging him to be open to others' contributions. I also made sure to involve him more in decision-making processes to make him feel valued."

Results: "After our talk, John became more cooperative and started listening to the team’s suggestions. The atmosphere improved significantly, and we were able to complete the project on time. Our collaborative efforts led to a successful product launch, and I even received positive feedback from my manager on how I handled the situation."

#5. Tell me about a time you had to quickly adjust your priorities to meet changing demands. What did you do?

Situation: "Last year, I was working as an editor for a publishing company. We were in the middle of finalizing the edits for a big book release when our CEO suddenly decided to push forward the launch date by two weeks."

Task: "I needed to quickly adjust my priorities and ensure the book was ready for the new deadline. This meant reworking my schedule and coordinating with the rest of the editorial team to speed up the editing process without compromising quality."

Action: "I immediately called an emergency meeting with my team to discuss the new timeline. We broke down the tasks and redistributed the workload to make sure everyone was on the same page. I also reached out to the author and designers to let them know about the change and get their commitment to the new schedule. To stay on track, I set up daily check-ins to monitor our progress and address any issues that came up quickly."

Results: "Thanks to the team’s hard work and cooperation, we managed to meet the new deadline. The book was released on time and received positive reviews. Our CEO appreciated our flexibility and dedication, and it was a great example of how we could come together to handle unexpected changes effectively."

#6. Have you ever had to deal with a dissatisfied customer? How did you resolve the situation?

Situation: "Yeah, I’ve had to deal with upset customers before. One time, when I was a retail manager at a clothing store, a customer came in really frustrated because the dress she bought a week ago had torn after she wore it once."

Task: "I had to calm her down, fix the issue, and make sure she left happy."

Action: "I listened to her, apologized for the problem, and took a look at the dress. I told her that we want our customers to be satisfied with our products. I offered her a choice between a full refund or a new dress. To make up for the trouble, I also gave her a discount voucher for her next purchase. I made sure to report the issue to our supplier to avoid this happening again."

Results: "She was pleased with how we handled everything. She exchanged the dress and even used the voucher to buy something else. Later, she left a nice review about our customer service. So, by listening and being helpful, we turned a bad situation into a positive experience for her."

#7. Can you talk about a time when you had to go above and beyond your regular duties to get the job done?

Situation: "Definitely. When I was working as a customer service representative at an online retail company, we had a customer who ordered a gift for her daughter's birthday. Unfortunately, there was a mix-up with the shipping, and the package was delayed, so it would arrive after the birthday."

Task: "I needed to resolve the issue and make sure the customer was happy, even though it wasn't technically our fault that the shipping company delayed the package."

Action: "I apologized sincerely for the inconvenience and assured her I would make it right. I arranged for a replacement gift to be sent overnight at no extra cost and offered a partial refund for the trouble. Additionally, I personally wrote a card and included a small complimentary item from our store as a gesture of goodwill. I also kept the customer updated throughout the process to ease her concerns."

Results: "The customer was thrilled with the quick resolution and the extra effort we put in. She received the replacement gift the next day and was very grateful for the card and the complimentary item. She sent a thank-you email and later left a glowing review about our exceptional customer service . By going above and beyond, we managed to turn a negative experience into a positive one, and she became a loyal customer."

#8. Describe a moment when you had to make an unpopular decision. How did you handle the feedback?

Situation: "As a project manager in my previous role, we were nearing the deadline for a major project, but it became clear that we wouldn't meet all the client's additional feature requests without pushing the timeline significantly."

Task: "I had to make a tough call to prioritize the core requirements and inform the client that we couldn't accommodate all the requested features within the original timeframe."

Action: "I met with the client, explained the impact of adding the features on time and budget, and proposed focusing on delivering the core project scope. I also suggested incorporating the additional features in future phases."

Results: "Initially, the client was disappointed, but they appreciated my transparency and how I understood their needs. We agreed on the core scope for the initial release, so that maintained project timelines and kept the client satisfied."

#9. Tell me about a time when you used data or analytics to make a decision. What was the outcome?

Situation: "As a business development manager , I needed to find new growth opportunities for our software products."

Task: "I had to figure out which markets would be most promising for us to focus on."

Action: "I dug into our customer data and market trends using our CRM system. I also looked at what our competitors were up to. Based on all that, I recommended that we target the healthcare sector, where there seemed to be a rising demand for our software."

Results: "We shifted our strategy to concentrate more on healthcare. It paid off because we started getting more leads and ended up signing some major new contracts in that sector. Using data to guide our decisions really helped us expand into a profitable new market."

#10. Describe a time when you had to learn a new skill to complete a task. How did you approach it?

Situation: "I remember one project where I needed to create animations for a client's website redesign."

Task: "To do this, I had to learn Adobe After Effects, which was totally new to me."

Action: "I started by watching tutorials online and taking a beginner's course. Then, I practiced in the evenings, experimenting with different features until I felt comfortable navigating the software."

Results: "After a few weeks of learning and practice, I successfully created the animations the client wanted. They were really happy with the results, and it added a dynamic touch to their website. Learning After Effects did a lot more than help me finish the project, though. I’d say the whole experience broadened my skills as a graphic designer , so it was great."

Want to learn more about behavioral interview questions ? Check out our in-depth guide here.

[BONUS] Job Interview Questions Infographic

Now, it’s time for a quick recap!

Check out our new infographic on some of the most common job interview questions and how to answer them:

Key Takeaways

And we’re finally here!

If you managed to get to this point, you definitely deserve a high-five!

Now, to wrap up this article, let’s go through a couple of essential tips on acing your interview:

• Make sure you’re prepared to answer all the common job interview questions. Wherever you’re applying, you’ll likely be asked several of them.
• Think of the answers you’ll give for the situational interview questions that apply to you. Be ready to talk about any gaps in your work experience, why you didn’t complete your degree, or anything else that the hiring manager might ask.
• Understand how to answer behavioral job interview questions with the STAR method. Make sure you have a few examples ready before the interview.
• Make sure you follow basic interview etiquette. Maintain eye-contact with the interviewer, be polite, dress for success, and so on.

And finally, good luck on the interview! You got this!

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10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

• Vicky Oliver

Use this guide to stand out from the crowd and land the role you want.

Interviews can be high stress, anxiety-driving situations, especially if it’s your first interview. A little practice and preparation always pays off. While we can’t know exactly what an employer will ask, here are 10 common interview questions along with advice on how to answer them. The questions include:

• Could you tell me something about yourself and describe your background in brief? : Interviewers like to hear stories about candidates. Make sure your story has a great beginning, a riveting middle, and an end that makes the interviewer root for you to win the job.
• How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? : Share an instance when you remained calm despite the turmoil. If it’s a skill you’re developing, acknowledge it and include the steps you’re taking to respond better to pressure in the future.
• What are your salary expectations? : Before you walk in for your first interview, you should already know what the salary is for the position you’re applying to. Check out websites such as Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com for salary information. You could also ask people in the field by reaching out to your community on LinkedIn.

Resignation numbers have remained abnormally high in the U.S. between July 2021 and October 2021, with millions of Americans quitting their jobs  — which also means there are millions of new openings up for grabs. If you’re entering the market for the first time, or just looking to make a change, use this guide to prepare for your next interview.

• Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-best-selling author of five books, including  301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions , named in the top 10 list of “Best Books for HR Interview Prep.” She’s a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 900 appearances in broadcast, print, and online outlets.    

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