Most common job interview questions

Top 11 job interview questions and answers

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Why do you want to work for us?
3. What parts of the job appeal to you most?
4. Why should we hire you?
5. What are you strengths / weaknesses?
6. Can you give an example of a situation inwhere you demonstrated the competence you just mentioned?
7. Why are you looking for a new job?
8. How would your friends describe you?
9. What do you know about the organisation?
10. How can we challenge you?
11. Do you have any questions for me?   

1. Tell us about yourself

2. Why do you want to join us?

An interviewer will ask this question to get an understanding of your motivation, how you find enjoyment and fulfilment in a position, and whether you’d be a good fit for the role and the organisation’s culture.   

It's also a good moment to show you familiarised yourself with the organisation.

Since this might be the most difficult question during your interview, we'll take a closer look at this question.  

3. What part of the job appeals to you most?

The interviewer will ask you this question to determine whether you would actually be happy in this role, therefore, likely to stay and progress within the company.  

The question gives you a chance to expand on your interest in the role. Highlight what you are looking for and how this fits the new role. Explain your interest in the organisation and observe how you would use the opportunity to progress. 

You can combine the answer to this question with listing your strengths. 

4. Why should we hire you?

The question "Why should we hire you?" is actually always asked. Perhaps not so bluntly, but prospective employers will often ask something along these lines to gauge why you believe you are a good choice for the role. 

The only reason it is asked is to give you the chance to promote yourself. Prepare three skills or capabilities that you could bring to the role and include a mix of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills. 

5. What are your strengths / weaknesses?

In your answer you can demonstrate that you have the competence of self-knowledge. 

By stating your strengths, you can prove that you are indeed a good fit for the job. By stating your weaknesses, you show transparency.  

This question can be asked in different forms, but the idea is often the same. Questions like "What gives you energy?" can also be asked.

6. Can you give an example of a situation in which you demonstrated the competence you mentioned?

This question certainly belongs on the list of 'common job interview questions'. The reason the interviewer asks this question, is to see whether you actually possess all those competences you say you have. They so to say check whether you are not pretending. 

Our advice is therefore never to mention competences you do not possess: this will always backfire on you, in the short or long term. 

If you are missing a crucial competence, let it be known you are working on it or how you intend to do so. This will show your motivation to develop. 

7. Why are you looking for a new job?

This question is often asked in order to find out your motivation. Your reasons for wanting to leave your current role could be anything; the culture, looking for progression opportunities, the company's management style, aspects of the role itself... whatever it is, always be positive and professional. 

It is also a good chance to explain your career goals. 

If you are applying for a completely different position than your current one, then you can explain and motivate this change. 

8. How would your friends describe you?

This is a popular interview question, and by asking it, the interviewer will be trying to determine: a. if your personality suits the role and b. if your personality suits the team and company. 

For point a: how well your personality suits the role... what kind of personal attributes would be useful here? For instance, you might be interviewing for a sales role, and your friends describe you as friendly and a good listener. Therefore you would bring this up in order to demonstrate your ability to build a rapport with people, including potential and existing clients.

For example: “My friends and family would describe me as friendly and a good listener. I have found that these attributes can translate well in a sales environment, especially when building a rapport with clients and establishing their business needs.” 

9. What do you know about the organisation?

This question is often asked in order to test you a bit. Answering this question sufficiently shows interest and motivation. If you are tongue-tied, it shows a lack of these competencies.

So, look for information about the organisation.

10. How can we challenge you?

This question gives you the opportunity to present your expectations. 

This question is very important, because the conversation is now actually turned around: You have to indicate what the employer has to offer you in order to attract you. 

So make sure you know what you are looking for in a new job. 

11. Do you have any questions for me?

Before the interview, make a list of questions you would like to have answered. 

This shows that you are well prepared and structured. It is your chance to end the interview on a high by showing a genuine interest in the role.  

Do not hesitate to have the questions written down in a notebook with you. This way you show even better how well prepared you are. 

Job interview questions and answers

Knowing how to introduce and present yourself in an interview takes preparation. After all, practice makes perfect.

By preparing and practising your answers to these common job interview questions in advance, you’ll help to minimise nerves and know exactly what to say to make a good first impression.  

Learn what interviewers pay attention to or how to win your interlocutor over.