The best way to beat those interview nerves is to step into the interview room fully prepared. That means researching the role and company, thinking about your recent career to pull out relevant examples, and practising common job interview questions. Luckily, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll look at some of the top interview questions and answers so that you have the confidence to shine. 

Common interview questions and answers

We’ve picked the 10 most common job interview questions and looked into why hiring managers ask them. We’ve also made some suggestions to make sure you can give strong answers and even tell you what answers to avoid. 

Q1: Tell me about yourself

Why it’s asked: Yes, this classic interview question is still a popular icebreaker! It’s asked so that the interviewer can find out a bit more about you and your background and to ease you both into the interview. 

How to answer: Give an overview of your career to date and your aspirations for your next steps. While you don’t need to regurgitate your CV, cover your main selling points and motivations. 

Answer to avoid: The interviewer isn’t looking for personal information, so don’t bore them with details of your kids / dog / yoga class. While a bit of insight into your personality can be helpful, it’s best to keep your response focused on your career and the role you’re interviewing for. 

Q2: Why do you want to work here?

Why it’s asked: The motivation for this interview question is threefold. Firstly, it will show the interviewer whether you have taken the time to research the company to ensure it’s a good fit for you. Secondly, it will help the interviewer to understand how you will fit into the team and the culture. Thirdly, it will help them to assess whether you’re genuinely enthusiastic about the company and role.

How to answer: Turn up prepared! Don’t rely on the job advert and company website alone - read press releases, LinkedIn profiles, and news, to prove to the interviewer that you know what the company does and understand its values and culture. Then, explain why that appeals to you and how it aligns with your experience and skills. 

Answer to avoid: Obviously, your main motivation is likely to be money - but don’t say that! 

Q3: What do you like about your current job?

Why it’s asked: Your answer here will help the interviewer to understand whether you’d enjoy the role and what motivates you. After all, if you don’t enjoy it, you’re not likely to perform well and are likely to leave sooner. 

How to answer: Pick something from your current role that will transfer well into the new role. Explain why you liked it and how it will help you and the company going forward. 

Answer to avoid: Steer clear of negativity. Even if you hate your current job and can’t wait to leave, find something positive to say. Maybe you had particular responsibilities you enjoyed, found people you built a rapport with, or had the opportunity to use a particular skill. 

Q4: Can you tell me about something you achieved in your current role?

Why it’s asked: This can be one of the trickier interview questions if you’re not prepared. The interviewer might ask this if the role requires someone proactive, who will do more than just turn up and stick to a routine.  

How to answer: Offer a before and after scenario, explaining why a change was needed, how you made the change, and the result of that change. Specify the benefit you brought to the business, with quantifiable outcomes if possible. 

Answer to avoid: Don’t give an example of a personal achievement. While you may be pleased that you learnt to use internal systems or won the company quiz, that’s not going to transfer well into a new job. Only use examples that have brought a tangible benefit to the business. 

Q5: Tell me about a time you’ve solved a problem

Why it’s asked: Some jobs, such as engineering or helpdesk roles, need people who can solve problems day in, day out. Other positions may only require occasional problem solving. Either way, the interviewer wants to know that you have the initiative and skills to overcome challenges on your own. 

How to answer: This is a great example of a competency-based question, which is usually answered using the STAR format. Explain the Situation and Task briefly, give more detail on the Action you took to resolve the problem, and conclude with the Result. 

Answer to avoid: Even if your role didn’t require much problem solving, don’t say that there weren’t any problems to solve. That not only sounds unrealistic, it also makes you sound unqualified for the job you’re interviewing for. If you really can’t think of anything in your current role, use an example from a previous role, a voluntary role, a hobby, or even your time as a student. 

Q6: What are your key strengths?

Why it’s asked: This is another example where the interviewer is trying to assess whether you have the skills required for the role. 

How to answer: Pick a skill (or two, or three) mentioned in the job advert and expand on when you’ve used that skill and how it has enabled you to perform well in your role. 

Answer to avoid: Now is not the time for modesty! Don’t be shy in saying exactly what you’re good at. Similarly, don’t pick a skill that’s not relevant to the job at hand. 

Q7: What are your weaknesses?

Why it’s asked: This is an awkward and quite unfair interview question, as it can feel like the interviewer is asking you to rule yourself out. Much like the previous question, though, they’re just trying to make sure you have the right aptitude to thrive in the role. 

How to answer: Pick a weakness that isn’t particularly relevant to the role you’ve applied for and explain how you’re working on improving that skill. 

Answer to avoid: Don’t say you don’t have any weaknesses! It’s clearly untrue - no-one is perfect - it lacks self-awareness, and it doesn’t help the interviewer to make their decision on your suitability. 

Q8: Can you tell me about a difficult decision you made? 

Why it’s asked: Not all jobs are sunshine and roses every day! Sometimes, difficult decisions and conversations are unavoidable. With this interview question, the interviewer is trying to understand your decision-making process and judgement. 

How to answer: Pick a recent example of a difficult decision, give some background, explain your actions and thought processes, tell them what the outcome of your decision was, and - for bonus points - say if there’s anything you would have done differently with hindsight or any learnings you took from the situation. 

Answer to avoid: Don’t say you’ve never made a difficult decision and don’t give an example that ended badly. 

Q9: Why are you leaving your current role?

Why it’s asked: The interviewer wants to understand your motivation here. They may also be trying to spot red flags.

How to answer: Great reasons to leave include career progression, an opportunity you couldn’t pass up, the chance to learn more about a skill / industry / product you’re interested in, or relocation. As long as you’re honest and positive, you can’t really go wrong here. 

Answer to avoid: As with the interview question about what you like about your current role, it’s best to avoid negativity here. The interviewer doesn’t want to hear that you can’t stand Sandra in accounts, you’re doing the work of 3 people, or that your boss is an intolerable micromanager. Similarly if you’re leaving before you’re pushed, it’s best to gloss over that too. 

Q10: What are your salary expectations?

Why it’s asked: The interviewer wants to make sure your expectations are in line with their budget. 

How to answer: This is another situation where you need to have done some research. Rather than giving an exact figure, give a broad band for similar roles, based on your research, followed by a couple of reasons why you’d expect to receive the higher end of that band. You can also mention that you’ll consider the full package (such as a company car, pension, or health benefits) and not only the salary. 

Answer to avoid: Never give a specific number, or shoot too far above or below the standard rate for the role. And never say you’d take whatever they offer! 

We’ve explored the 10 most common interview questions and answers, but there’s one more you should be prepared for…

Bonus question: do you have any questions for us?

Every good interviewer will ask this at the end of the interview - and the answer is never “no!” Go prepared with a few interview questions of your own to ask at this stage, even if you’ve asked other questions throughout the interview. Don’t ask any questions that you should already be able to answer through your own research, though. If you’re drawing a blank, consider these options:

• Can you tell me what the team is like? 

• What would an average day look like for me in this role?

• What results would you expect me to deliver in the first 3-6 months?

• What training and upskilling opportunities will there be?

• What do you think will be the biggest challenges in this role / this team?

• Why do you like working here?

• What does the onboarding process look like?

• What progression opportunities are there within the business?

• How does the company live its values?

• When can I expect to hear back from you? 

Nail that interview!

We’ve discussed the most common interview questions and answers and explained what the interviewer is hoping to learn from you with each question. It’s time to think about and practise your answers, so that you feel confident as you enter the interview room and land that new job. 

Are you struggling to get interviews in the first place? Your CV could be the problem. Find out whether it’s making the right first impression by sending it for a free CV review by the experts at TopResume. With our help, you’ll be in the interview chair in no time.