25+ Common Interview Questions for 2024

25+ Common Interview Questions

So you’ve been invited to a job interview—congratulations! You’ve already impressed the hiring managers with your skills and experience, and now it’s time to wow them at the interview stage too.
Hearing the phrase, “tell me about yourself,” may strike fear into your heart. But fear not, as we have all the interview tips you need to storm your interview! The key to succeeding in a job interview is interview preparation. If you’ve thought about common job interview questions in advance and go in with clear ideas of what you’re going to talk about, then you’ll be able to deliver your answers confidently and get your key points across whilst proving that you are self-aware.
We will look at over 25 of the most common interview questions, what makes a great answer, and examples of fantastic responses.

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Most Common Interview Questions

Here are some of the most common interview questions. Take a look and start thinking about how you might answer them.

How did you hear about this position?
Tell us about you and your career path to date.
What are your greatest strengths?
What’s your greatest weakness?
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want this job?
What’s your proudest professional achievement?
What gives you job satisfaction?
What’s your ideal working environment?
What are your salary expectations?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What are your career goals?
Do you have any questions for us?
What makes you unique?
What motivates you?
How do you guarantee to form strong relationships with your co-workers?

Common interview questions for every situation

Your interviewers may also ask practical questions prompted by your CV and previous work experience. Again, you can use this as a chance to prove your competency, so you should be prepared in case these questions arise.

Why did you change your career path?
Why is there a gap in your work experience?
Why are you looking to relocate?
Why did you decide you wanted to leave your previous/current job?
Why did you decide not to go to university?
What made you choose to do an apprenticeship/internship?
Why did you lose your last job?
Are you open to working overtime/weekends?
Is there a reason why you’ve switched jobs a lot?

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Common job interview questions

In many job interviews, job seekers will be asked behavioural questions, in which recruiters ask you for examples of how you act in specific scenarios. This helps hiring managers understand how you work and how you might fit in at their organisation.

Give an example of how you’ve performed well under pressure.
Give an example of when you’ve shown leadership qualities.
Give an example of when you’ve overcome a difficult situation at work
How do you deal with time pressure and keep to deadlines?
Give an example of when you’ve handled a stressful situation.
How do you resolve conflict in the work environment?
Have you ever worked as part of a team? How did you contribute to teamwork?
Give an example of when you’ve used a problem-solving technique creatively
How do you approach a new task you’ve never done before?
Give an example of when your communication skills solved a problem.
Tell me about a time you had to make a big decision and how you came to that decision.

How to answer the most common interview questions?

With all interview questions, the aim is to determine whether you would perform well in the job. Therefore, your answers should include detail and demonstrate that you have the essential skills and attributes needed to be a perfect fit for the position. Remember that every question is an opportunity to sell yourself and show what makes you great. Avoid one-word answers that could be seen as red flags to a recruiter, and try to come across as enthusiastic and genuine. Below are some examples of common interview questions and answers.

How did you hear about the position?

I wanted a new challenge in my next job, so I started my job search by looking for new positions on job sites. I was particularly looking for a role that would allow me to take on more responsibilities, so I was immediately drawn to your job advert.

Why do you want to work for us?

I’ve followed and admired your company’s work for a long time. I love that you provide innovative solutions, and I would like the chance to contribute my skills to working on those solutions. I particularly like the work you’ve done on [project].

Why is there a gap in your work experience?

Sadly, I faced some family issues that meant I had to take some time off work. However, I worked hard on my return to work and am proud to say that I’ve continued to build up my skills and experience since that break. For example, I undertook [training] and took on [responsibilities].

How do you deal with time pressure and keep to deadlines?

I deal with time pressure by prioritising tasks and delegating work efficiently. I also create a spreadsheet with all my deadlines, which I regularly update to see which tasks are on track and where I might need to put in some extra time or delegate further.

Interviews can be nerve-wracking but take your time and keep calm. It’s perfectly fine to ask interviewers to repeat the question or to take a minute to think about your answer. And you can ask them questions too. Here are some examples of questions to ask in an interview.

Bringing a copy of your CV will also help you remember what skills and experience you can talk about. Your interviewer may well also have a copy of your CV in front of them, so it’s good to have one yourself for reference. For help with creating some fantastic application documents, check out our advice on how to write a CV and how to write a cover letter.

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FAQ: common interview questions

Q: What happens if you give the wrong answer in a job interview?

You are only human, and sometimes the pressure of a job interview can cause you to slip up and say things you didn’t intend to. The best way to combat this is to stay on track and answer questions directly. It can also help if you focus on the relevant details of the role you are applying for, as the recruiter won’t want to hear too much about your life story or information from a long time ago.

Q: Do hiring managers ask the same questions during phone interviews?

Phone interviews are conducted the same way as in-person interviews, usually with interviewers asking you questions about your work experience and skills to start with, followed by asking questions relating to the job description. For more on preparing for interviews, check out our career blog.

Q: How do I succeed in a job interview if I am a recent graduate with no work experience?

You can succeed in a job interview even if you don’t have work experience. If you have recently graduated, focus on your education and extracurricular activities (such as volunteer jobs and internships), and emphasise the skills and qualifications you have. You can apply many questions about your skills to projects you have worked on during your time at university.