Now is the time!
After making a great resume and cover letter and getting through the first round, it’s time for the last test:
Your interview for a job.
And even the bravest of us find that scary.
Meeting the in-laws isn’t as scary as being judged and evaluated by people who have power over your future.
You’ve heard interviewers and hiring managers tell you before an interview that there are no right or wrong answers.
Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly what questions a hiring manager will ask you at your next job interview?
We can’t read minds, but we can give you the next best thing: a list of 50 of the most common interview questions and tips on how to answer them all.
We don’t think you should have a canned answer for every interview question (please don’t), but you should spend some time getting used to what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your answers, and what it takes to show that you’re the right person for the job.
Think of this list as a study guide for how to answer interview questions. (Don’t miss our bonus list at the end, which has links to resources on specific types of interview questions, like those about emotional intelligence or diversity and inclusion, as well as interview questions by role, from accountant to project manager to teacher.)
Here’s the deal, though:
They almost always want you to answer in a certain way.
This is where this guide comes in. We’re going to talk about the most common interview questions and how to answer them. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be a real interview expert.
So, let’s get started!
- We tried to make this guide as useful as possible by answering almost every possible interview question.
- Still, don’t let that stop you. You don’t have to read it from start to finish. If you want to get the most out of the guide, we suggest:
- Going over all the usual interview questions
- Checking out the “situational interview questions” section and learning how to answer questions that are relevant to you.
- Learn the point of behavioural interview questions so you are ready for whatever the HR manager throws at you.