Most job interviews include a mix of general and role-specific questions. While each company has its own process, a core set of interview questions shows up in nearly every industry, whether you're applying for a full-time job, internship, or contract role.
This article covers the most common job interview questions and how to answer them clearly and professionally.
You’ll also find sample answers you can adapt for your experience, plus insights on behavioural, situational, and HR-style questions interviewers often ask.
General Interview Questions
These are the questions you’re most likely to face at the start of any job interview. They help employers assess your experience, motivation, and fit for the role. Prepare concise, tailored responses that highlight your key strengths.
1. Tell me about yourself.
This question usually opens the conversation. Your answer should be a quick professional summary — not your full life story. Focus on relevant roles, skills, and what you’re looking for next.
Sample Answer:
I’m currently working as a content marketing associate with three years of experience in B2B SaaS. In my current role, I manage blog strategy and SEO, which helped increase organic traffic by 60% over the past year. Before that, I interned with an edtech startup where I developed skills in content writing and analytics. I enjoy roles where I can combine creativity with measurable impact, which is why this content strategist role caught my attention.
2. Why do you want this job?
This is your chance to show you’ve done your research and understand the role. Connect your skills with what the company is looking for.
Sample Answer:
I’ve followed your company’s product growth over the last year, especially your push into new international markets. The role aligns well with my background in market research and go-to-market strategy. I’m excited by the chance to work in a fast-moving team and help shape how the brand scales in new regions.
3. What are your strengths?
Focus on one or two strengths that are relevant to the role. Support your answer with an example or outcome.
Sample Answer:
One of my key strengths is structured thinking. For example, in my previous role, I led a process improvement project where I mapped out inefficiencies in onboarding and reduced average client activation time by 25%.
4. What is your greatest achievement?
Pick a recent, professional achievement that shows initiative, impact, or leadership. Use numbers or results if you can.
Sample Answer:
During my internship, I pitched and launched a customer success guide that reduced support tickets by 15% within two months. It started as a side project, but it ended up being adopted across the company’s support team.
Related: What is Interview: Meaning, Types, Formats & Tips
Common Behavioural Interview Questions
Behavioural interview questions are designed to understand how you’ve handled real work situations in the past. Employers want to know if your decision-making, communication, or conflict-resolution skills match their team culture. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
5. Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation at work.
Interviewers ask this to see how you perform under pressure. Choose a situation where you navigated a challenge or resolved a conflict constructively.
Sample Answer:
During a product launch, our design and tech teams disagreed on a feature’s implementation, causing delays. I called a joint meeting, aligned both sides on customer impact, and helped prioritise changes. As a result, we shipped on time with improved cross-team coordination.
6. Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member.
This tests your interpersonal skills and ability to remain professional. Show how you focused on the task and built collaboration despite differences.
Sample Answer:
A colleague often missed deadlines, which impacted our shared deliverables. I asked for a quick check-in, where I learned they were overwhelmed with other tasks. I helped reassign some responsibilities and proposed a shared tracking sheet. Things improved, and we delivered our project smoothly.
7. Give an example of a goal you set and how you achieved it.
This lets you demonstrate initiative, planning, and follow-through. Choose a goal that had a measurable impact or personal growth.
Sample Answer:
At the start of the year, I aimed to improve my SQL skills to support better data reporting. I completed an online course, practised weekly with internal datasets, and eventually built dashboards that our marketing team now uses to track campaign performance.
8. Share a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
This question isn’t to trip you up, it’s about accountability. Show that you can admit mistakes, learn, and fix issues responsibly.
Sample Answer:
I once shared an outdated file with a client by mistake, which caused confusion. I immediately owned the error, resent the correct version, and followed up with a clear summary. I then added a version-check step to our team workflow to avoid repeats.
9. Describe a time when you went above and beyond your responsibilities.
Employers value initiative. Pick a moment where you took extra steps to ensure success, improve a process, or support a teammate.
Sample Answer:
When our event planner left mid-project, I offered to step in temporarily. I handled vendor calls, budgets, and logistics to keep things on track. The event went well, and leadership appreciated the quick ownership. I also documented the process for future teams.
Related: Top 10 Common Interview Questions and Answers
HR Interview Questions and Answers
HR interview questions are meant to assess your personality, work ethic, values, and long-term fit within the company. While they may seem generic, your answers can set the tone for your candidacy. Be honest, clear, and confident in your responses.
10. Why should we hire you?
This is a direct way for HR to evaluate your fit for the role. Show that you understand what the company needs — and explain how you meet those needs better than other candidates.
Sample Answer:
I bring the right mix of experience and attitude for this role. With a strong foundation in digital marketing and a proven ability to grow traffic by double digits, I can contribute from day one. I’m also highly adaptable — I’ve worked in both early-stage startups and structured environments, which means I can blend speed with process as needed.
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question tests your ambition and how well the role aligns with your career plans. It’s okay to be aspirational — just make sure your answer shows commitment to learning and growth.
Sample Answer:
In five years, I hope to lead a small team and drive strategy in a high-impact marketing role. I want to deepen my leadership and product thinking skills along the way, and this role feels like the right foundation to start that journey.
12. What are your salary expectations?
Be realistic and research market trends before you answer. It’s okay to share a range — just be sure to express flexibility and focus on the overall opportunity.
Sample Answer:
Based on my research and current market trends, I believe a fair range for this role would be between ₹8 to ₹10 lakhs per annum. That said, I’m open to discussion depending on the role’s scope and overall benefits.
13. How do you handle stress and pressure?
Employers want to know if you’ll stay productive under pressure. Use an example that shows planning, communication, or prioritisation helped you succeed.
Sample Answer:
When I’m under pressure, I try to break tasks down and tackle them one by one. For example, during our annual sales campaign, we were understaffed, and I had to manage two major projects at once. I created a clear task board, set daily priorities, and blocked focus time. Both projects were delivered on time — and with strong results.
14. Are you applying to other jobs?
This is not a trick question. HR wants to understand how serious you are and whether they need to move quickly. Be honest but tactful.
Sample Answer:
Yes, I’m exploring a few roles that align with my skills and long-term goals. That said, I’m genuinely excited about this position and the company, which is why it’s a top priority for me.
Related: Top 50 Basic Interview Questions and Answers
Questions About Strengths and Weaknesses
These questions test your self-awareness, honesty, and how you handle feedback or personal development. Interviewers want candidates who are confident in their abilities but also open to learning and improving.
15. What is your greatest strength?
Pick a strength that is highly relevant to the job. Instead of giving a laundry list, focus on one trait and back it up with an example.
Sample Answer:
One of my strongest skills is communication. I’ve led content workshops for cross-functional teams and regularly turn complex product briefs into clear, actionable content. It’s helped align stakeholders and avoid last-minute chaos more than once.
16. What is your biggest weakness?
This isn’t a trap — as long as you show that you’re working on it. Avoid clichéd answers like “I’m a perfectionist” unless you can explain how you’re managing it.
Sample Answer:
Public speaking used to make me nervous. I realised it was affecting my ability to present ideas clearly. So, I joined a Toastmasters group and started taking low-stakes speaking opportunities. I’m much more confident now, especially in team settings and client demos.
17. How would your coworkers describe you?
This is a good chance to highlight soft skills like reliability, collaboration, or work ethic — just make sure you can justify it with real examples.
Sample Answer:
Colleagues often tell me I’m dependable and easy to work with. I try to stay calm during chaos and communicate clearly even when things go wrong. During a high-pressure product launch, I kept the team aligned by proactively updating timelines and looping in stakeholders.
Related: Mock Interview: Tips, Benefits, and Sample Questions
Questions About Career Goals and Motivation
Interviewers often want to know your long-term career direction, what drives you professionally, and how this role fits into your journey. It helps them assess both alignment and retention potential.
18. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question is meant to check your ambition, planning, and whether the company can support your growth. Avoid being too vague — or too rigid.
Sample Answer:
In five years, I see myself in a product strategy role where I can shape features and roadmap decisions. I enjoy building cross-functional consensus, and I’d love to mentor younger team members too. This role feels like a solid step in that direction.
19. What motivates you to come to work every day?
This helps employers understand what energises you. Try to keep it job-relevant and true to your personality — not just money or titles.
Sample Answer:
I’m motivated by solving real user problems. Knowing that my work improves someone’s experience — whether it’s a smoother checkout or a clearer message — gives me energy. I also enjoy learning from my team and growing together.
20. Why do you want to work here?
This is your chance to show that you’ve done your research. Speak to the company’s mission, recent projects, values, or leadership — and link it to your own goals.
Sample Answer:
I admire your focus on design-led thinking and sustainable product development. I recently read about your pilot initiative for remote onboarding, which aligns with my interest in human-centric product strategy. I’d love to contribute to that culture and vision.
21. What are you passionate about?
This isn’t just a personal question — it helps interviewers assess cultural fit and engagement. Your passion doesn’t have to be directly job-related, but it should highlight your curiosity, creativity, or drive.
Sample Answer:
I’m passionate about storytelling — especially through digital media. Outside of work, I run a newsletter where I break down consumer tech trends in simple terms. It keeps me curious and helps sharpen how I communicate at work too.
Final Round or Closing Questions
In final interviews or wrap-up moments, interviewers want to understand your expectations, fit, and how seriously you’ve considered the opportunity. These questions might sound casual—but they’re often deal-breakers.
22. Do you have any questions for us?
Always say yes. This is your chance to show genuine interest, curiosity, and how you evaluate opportunities. Ask questions that reflect your values or goals.
Sample Answer:
Yes — I’d love to hear what success looks like in this role in the first 6 months. Also, how does the team give feedback and celebrate wins together?
23. What are your salary expectations?
This is sensitive. Research industry benchmarks and be ready to share a realistic range. Be confident, but also flexible — and invite a discussion, not a negotiation.
Sample Answer:
Based on my research and the role’s scope, I’d expect something in the range of $4,500 to $5,000 monthly. That said, I’m open to discussing it in context of the overall benefits and growth opportunities.
24. When can you start?
Be honest and clear — whether you’re serving notice or available right away. It helps the company with planning and onboarding.
Sample Answer:
I’d need to serve a 1-month notice at my current role, so I’d be ready to join by the 1st of next month. If needed earlier, I can try to negotiate an earlier release.
25. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
This is a gentle nudge to wrap up. If there’s something important you missed — or a final pitch — this is your opening. Keep it short and relevant.
Sample Answer:
We’ve covered everything I hoped to — but I’d just like to say I’ve been really impressed with your team’s openness and clarity. I’m excited about the role and confident I can bring value from day one.
