Questions You Can Expect (and Great Ones To Ask ) in a Job Interview

In addition to researching the company, the role, and the typical salary range for the role, be sure to go in prepared to answer questions about yourself and your background in the most favorable light. Fortunately, many of the questions interviewers ask are predictable.

What questions can I expect in a job interview?

Whether you’re interviewing in person or on a video call, be sure to keep the resume you wrote handy and be prepared with some great answers to these common interview questions:

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

Learn more

Tell me a little about yourself. Talk about why you took certain jobs. Explain why you left. Explain why you chose a certain school. Share why you decided to go to grad school. Discuss why you took a year off to backpack through Europe, and what you got out of the experience. When you answer this question, connect the dots on your resume so the interviewer understands not just what you’ve done, but also why.

Why do you want this particular job? Describe which of the company values resonate most with you, and talk about specifically which parts of the role are a good match for your background. Describe your career aspirations and why this role is a good next step for you. If you have a personal passion that relates to the role, this is a great time to tie it in. For example, if you’re applying for a position in human resources, you could share something like, “My parents were teachers and I have a deep appreciation for education. I’d love to come on board to help design training programs for all types of employees.”

Tell me about a time… This is a question that can take many forms. Behavior-based questions like these are designed to understand how you’ll respond to unexpected situations or interpersonal challenges. It might be “Tell me about a time you made a mistake on a project, and how you fixed it,” or “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult client.” Since these questions can vary quite a bit, it’s best to prepare by making mental notes about the most challenging situations you faced in previous jobs, and how you handled them. That way you have a good story ready to tell when you’re asked to come up with an example on the spot.

Why do you want to leave your current job? Tread carefully here. Never badmouth a current or former employer, manager, or colleague. Instead, make this another pitch for why this new role is right for you by describing how your current job has been a great way to gain experience in your field—and now you’re looking forward to the opportunity to explore a new role as the next step toward your career goals with a company like theirs.

What questions do you have for me? Don’t forget to prepare for this part of the interview. The questions you ask your interviewer say almost as much about you as the answers you give to their questions. Have some questions ready that will show your thoughtful approach to your career decisions and what’s important to you. Their answers will give you insight into the company, the role, and what it takes to succeed. See below for more tips.

What questions should I ask in a job interview? Here are a few examples to choose from:

1. What types of skills is the team missing that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?
2. What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
3. How would you describe the team and company culture?
4. What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
5. What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
6. Where have successful employees in this position progressed to?
7. What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
8. What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
9. Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
10. Is there anything that concerns you about my background being a good fit for this role?

Once you’ve prepared for your interview, have fun! Each one is an opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn more about an industry.