Top Interview Questions with Example Answers To Help You Ace Your Interview!

 

While some companies take an unusual approach to interview questions, most job interviews involve an exchange of common interview questions and answers (including some of the most often-asked behavioral interview questions).

Here are a few of the most common interview questions with example answers to help you ace your next interview.

 

Tell me about yourself.

Overview: A lot of jobs require someone who can think on their feet or present ideas with crispness and clarity. This question provides employers with an early preview of your core skills, your personality and your ability to respond to an unstructured question.

Sample Answer:

I would describe myself as highly curious and focused on learning in all parts of life, personal and professional. In my professional life, I look for the hardest problems to solve and where I can learn the most.

Pro Tip: Resist the urge to give a detailed account of the last two decades of your career. The interviewer is looking for an answer that shows them you’re qualified and can respond to an unstructured question.

What is your greatest weakness?

Overview: The interviewer is assessing whether your weaknesses will get in the way of doing the job. Employers are looking for humility and whether you’re committed to learning and growing. This is a place you can showcase what you’re doing to improve.

Sample Answer:

I get excited when people on my team brainstorm about new ideas. I sometimes get so caught up in the moment that I volunteer to do too much. I know this can be a distraction in many ways and put myself and my team at risk.

Pro Tip: Be humble. You want to communicate an authentic story that shows you’re self-aware. It’s okay that you don’t come off as perfect….that’s authentic, which is important for someone who will have to trust you in the role that they’re hiring for.

 

Tell me about something you are proud of?

Overview: This question assesses how you define a professional success. If the story resonates, the employer will want you to do similar things at his or her company. You should focus on the impact and outcomes.

Sample Answer:

When I first joined the company, I noticed that the existing monthly budgeting process was quite time consuming and inefficient because it was highly manual. I helped integrate new methods that cut down the time it took to implement data and also bridge the communication gap between departments resulting in better, more timely budgeting.

Pro Tip: Describe the situation. Talk about the initial events that occurred. What were the problems that you were experiencing? What needed to be solved and what resources did you have–or not have? This is a really key part of the story, so it should be about three to four sentences long.

 

 

Tell me about a time you had to handle pressure?

Overview: Some jobs are high-stress and interviewers will test you to see if you can handle the heat. You’ll get partial credit for talking about your heroic efforts to get everything done, but you’ll get more points if you’ve enlisted allies.

Sample Answer:

I was working on my company’s big quarterly project update when two team members left. I convened and set up strategy meetings with the necessary departments to ensure we could continue receiving all the information we needed and helped delegate tasks to meet the necessary timeline.

Pro Tip: Establish that you’re a strong person who doesn’t get flustered easily.

 

 

Do you have any questions for me?

Overview: This question isn’t just designed to make sure you leave with all of your questions answered; it’s intended to see if you’re prepared and to assess how curious and thoughtful you are.

Sample Answer:

I do have a few questions. Thanks for asking. How do you think I should approach the first 30 days in the role to best position myself for success in the company culture.

Pro Tip: Show them you’re paying attention. It’s important to let them know you’ve been listening. You may want to take notes as the interview unfolds and then loop back to something you’d like to delve further into like an aspect of the job, the team, or the challenges that lie ahead.

 

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