If you’re job searching, you’re probably wondering how to prepare for a job interview. The two best ways to prepare for a job interview are to research the company and practice answering the most common job interview questions. I like to take a piece of paper and jot down bullet points for how I’ll respond to each question. This way I don’t come as too rehearsed but I’m also not “winging it.” Here are some of the most common job interview questions you can expect and tips for answering them.
During a job interview, you’re likely to be asked why you want to work at the company and why you’re excited about the role. To answer these common interview questions effectively, you need an in-depth understanding of the company. You need to demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to understand the company’s mission, values, operations, and goals. The interviewer wants to know that you’re not just looking for any job, you’re truly excited about the role and company. By thoroughly researching the company, you’ll be able to show why you’re interested in the role and company and why you’re a good fit. Here’s how to prepare for a job interview.
How to prepare for common interview questions:
Tell me about yourself.
How to answer: This is your chance to summarize your career path. Highlight the skills, accomplishments, and experiences that make you a good fit for the role. Keep it concise and relevant to this job. Aim to answer this common job interview question in two to three sentences.
Example: “I’ve spent the last five years working as a content marketing manager, where I’ve developed strong skills in digital marketing, content creation, and analytics. I’m proud that I led a campaign that increased website traffic by 40%. I’m excited about this position because I would use my digital marketing, content creation, and analytics skills to help customers like myself discover more of your company’s products and services.
Why do you want to work here?
How to answer: The key here is to research the company before the interview. Show that you researched the company by mentioning specific things that appealed to you, such as the values, mission, products or services, and growth opportunities. Tie it back to you by mentioning how it aligns with your professional goals.
Example: “I’ve always admired your company’s commitment to providing actionable advice for job seekers. I’ve been reading your articles for years and love that you make career advice fun to read. I’m excited about using my content writing and SEO skills to help job seekers feel more successful.
What are your strengths?
How to answer: Choose strengths that are crucial for the role. Don’t just say you have strong skills, show how you’ve made an impact. Use this common job interview question to focus on qualities that will make you successful.
Example: “One of my key strengths is improving SEO. In my previous role, I wrote and edited thousands of articles, leading to improved search rankings and millions of monthly readers.”
What are your weaknesses?
How to answer: Don’t give a cop-out response like you’re a perfectionist or work too hard. Choose something that’s not key to the role and is something you’ve actively worked to improve.
Example: “I used to be nervous about public speaking. I signed up for improv classes, and now I’m comfortable speaking to large crowds. In my previous role, I led webinars attended by thousands of job seekers.”
Why did you leave your last job (or why do you want to leave your current job)?
How to answer: Avoid saying anything bad about the company or your coworkers. If you were laid off, it’s better to be honest. Instead, focus on why you’re excited about this role, such as the opportunity for career growth, learning new skills, or taking on new challenges.
Example: “I enjoyed working at [Company] and am proud of what I achieved. Unfortunately, the company laid off 25% of employees, including myself. Now I’m excited to find a new role where I can use my content marketing skills and manage a team.
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work and how you handled it.
How to answer: Use the STAR method, which stands for situation, task, action, and result. Describe the situation, explain a specific task or problem, outline your actions, and highlight the positive result.
Example: “I noticed a drop in our Instagram ad click-through rate. I implemented [xyz] changes. As a result, we saw a 30% improvement.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
How to answer: Employers want to hire someone who will be at the company long term, so explain how you hope to grow there.
Example: “In five years, I see myself having grown within this role, taking on more responsibility, and leading a team. I’d love to contribute to [department’s goals] and work on developing [specific skills or expertise relevant to the role].”
Why should we hire you?
How to answer: Use your answer to this common job interview question to explain the qualifications, experiences, and strengths that make you a strong fit for the role. Tailor your answer to the job description and demonstrate how you’ll contribute to the company’s success.
Example: “I bring a combination of strong technical and interpersonal skills. In my last role, I led a team that increased website traffic by 25%, and I’m confident I can bring that same level of success to your company. I’m also very excited about the company’s mission and how I can use my skills to make an impact.
How do you handle stress or pressure?
How to answer: Talk about how you stay calm and focused under pressure, such as your time management and organizational skills. Provide an example of a situation where you handled stress effectively.
Example: “I handle stress by writing a detailed to-do list and breaking down big tasks into smaller, manageable steps. I like using Trello to help my team stay organized. I always prioritize time-sensitive tasks and ones that will make the biggest impact.”
Tell me about a time when you worked in a team.
How to answer: Describe a situation where you collaborated effectively. Highlight your ability to contribute to a common goal.
Example: “In my last position, I helped launch a new product and services page. My role was to research competitors, redesign the page, and write engaging content. We saw a 25% increase in page traffic and a 10% conversion rate.”
What is your greatest professional achievement?
How to answer: Choose a measurable accomplishment highlighting your skills and contributions. Explain the impact you made.
Example: “My greatest achievement was leading my team to launch a new product that exceeded sales targets by 30%. I managed the project roadmap, coordinated with the marketing and tech teams, and ensured we hit our deadline. The successful launch helped us reach our quarterly revenue goal.”
How do you prioritize your work?
How to answer: This question assesses your time management and organizational skills. Talk about how you manage tasks, set deadlines, and prioritize.
Example: “I use [project management tools] to keep track of deadlines and deliverables. I start with the most time-sensitive tasks and make sure the team has what they need from me to move forward. I also have a handwritten to-do list because I like the satisfaction of crossing out tasks.”
What motivates you?
How to answer: Employers want to ensure you’re excited about the day-to-day work and the company.
Example: “I’m excited about the role because I’ll be able to use [xyz skills] to increase website traffic and, ultimately, sales. I enjoy collaborating with my coworkers to achieve our common goals.”
What are your salary expectations?
How to answer: In many states, companies are required to include the salary range in the job description so start there. If it’s not included, I recommend not answering. Instead, ask the recruiter what the salary range is for the role, this way you don’t mention a salary that is lower or higher than what they have budgeted for the role. You wouldn’t want to say you’d like to make $75,000 when they planned to offer $100,000.
Example: “The job description says the salary range would be between $70,000 and $80,000. Based on my skills and experience, I would hope to be at the higher end of the range.”
Do you have any questions for us?
How to answer: Always have a few questions prepared. This shows interest in the company and the role. Ask about team dynamics and growth opportunities. Avoid questions about salary and benefits unless the interviewer brings it up first. P.S. Here are my favorite questions to ask.
Example: “How would you describe the company culture? What qualities are most important for someone to succeed in this role?”
How to research the company:
1. Explore the company website:
Start by reading the company website to get a thorough understanding of the company. I recommend checking these pages:
-About us: Learn about the company’s history, the products or services it offers, and the organization’s mission and values.
-Careers page: Read about the team, values, company culture, and what it’s like to work at the company. Many companies describe their professional development programs, employee resource groups, and the benefits and perks they offer employees.
-Products or services: This is where you can learn about the products or services the company offers and what makes them unique.
-Press: Read recent press releases and news about the company.
2. Check the company’s social media profiles:
Next, look at the company’s social media profiles to learn about how they promote their products or services. This step can also help you get a feel for the company culture, dress code, and updates like new offerings.
3. Read employee reviews:
You should take company reviews on sites like Glassdoor, Comparably, and Indeed with a grain of salt — people usually only write reviews if they love something or hate it — but it can help you learn what it’s like to work at the company. I also recommend clicking “Interviews” to learn about the interview process and questions you might be asked.
4. Learn about the team:
Research for a job interview by finding out more about your interviewer and key team members. Learn about:
–The interviewer: I’m always less nervous for an interview when I know a little bit about the interviewer. I recommend checking their LinkedIn page to see their work history and education. You might be able to bring up something you have in common, like that you both went to the same university or worked at the same company.
–The leadership team: Familiarize yourself with the founders and executives by skimming their bios on the company website.
5. Engage your network:
If you get to the final stage of the interview process, it’s helpful to speak with people who work at the company or worked there previously. They are likely to be more honest about their experience so you can get a feel for whether you want to join the team. Use LinkedIn to see if any of your connections work at the company or worked there previously or if you know anyone who can make an introduction. You’re more likely to get a response if you have an easy “ask.” Instead of asking them to meet or speak on the phone, introduce yourself, mention that you are interviewing at the company, and ask if they enjoy working at the company and how they’d describe the company culture.
6. Review the job description:
This is the most important thing you can do to research for a job interview. Look at the job description again to understand the responsibilities and necessary skills and experience. Review your resume and make sure you can discuss how you’ve gained the skills and experience they need from past roles or your academic achievements.
