All bases covered! Questions you'll hear in your next job interview

Job interviews can be tough, even if you have done lots of them. Feelings of stress and anxiety are common in many interview candidates, and this is totally normal. The key is to be able to keep your anxiety under control and manage any stress so your interview stays on track.

One way to have your bases covered on a job interview is to prepare well in advance for the interview questions. Having your answers prepped will really help to minimize your stress levels and ensure any anxiety doesn’t take over. Further, having some smart questions to ask the hiring manager can also demonstrate your commitment to the role and the company. In this article we explore:

• 11 common interview questions and answers

• 8 killer questions to ask the hiring manager

11 common job interview questions and answers

Here is a list of 11 popular job interview questions and some sample answering techniques to get you inspired and ensure you are ready for your next job interview.

1. Tell me about yourself

This common interview question can be overlooked in terms of interview preparation. While it may seem a pretty straightforward question, it can be an easy one to trip on or truly blank on if you haven’t prepared anything in advance.

Don’t be tempted to tell the hiring manager a war and peace version of your personal and professional history. The best option is to develop an elevator pitch that provides a snapshot of who you are and why you are perfect for the job. 

Start your pitch by talking about your current role and highlight something you achieved in this role if possible. Next, talk about your progression to that role, whether that was via promotion, professional development, or experience with a different company. Finally, link back to why all this experience makes you the best person for the role.

2. Talk me through your resume

This is another popular interview opener, which can turn into a long and rambling answer if you’re not careful. The best option is to group together qualifications completed with your past jobs so you are telling a career story. Just make sure that you’re highlighting relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments for this job as much as possible. 

You can choose to outline your career story in chronological or reverse chronological order (as per the “Tell me about yourself” question). Chronological works well if you have an interesting anecdote to tell the interviewer about starting on your chosen career path. Finish up with a summary of how your past and present experiences are the perfect blend for the role and your commitment to the company in the future.

3. How did you hear about the position?

When an interviewer asks this question, they are looking to discover your motivation for applying to the company. It’s also useful recruitment information in terms of how candidates are finding out about job opportunities.

If someone recommended the role, then don’t miss the opportunity to tell the interviewer the person’s name and their connection to the company. This will make you stand out among the competition, and it's a chance to show your passion and connection to the company. 

If you heard about the role from a recruiter, discovered the company via an article, or saw the role advertised on a job board, you can still show your enthusiasm. Talk about why you chose to apply to the company over others. Explain what you have learned during the interview process that has made you even more excited about the job and joining the company.

4. What type of work environment do you excel in?

Researching the organization and work culture is key to tackling this interview question. If your preferred work environment is the polar opposite of the company’s workplace culture then your answer isn’t going to impress the interviewer. (This is probably a strong indicator that the role isn’t going to be a good option for you, so it’s worth doing your research as early as possible.)

Check out company reviews online, read LinkedIn posts from employees to see what they say about the company, and look at the company website where there may be information on work culture on the “About Us” page, blogs, or videos. 

5. How do you handle stressful or challenging situations?

If the pandemic taught us anything, it is how to handle stressful and challenging situations. With this question, the hiring manager is looking to see how you cope in these types of situations and that you are able to stay calm and be effective.

Provide a specific example and focus on your positive actions in this scenario rather than negative feelings. Don’t deny the stress, as the hiring manager won’t buy it. Instead, think about and articulate how you managed this stress and the soft skills you used to overcome the challenge. Stress-busting soft skills include adaptability, communication, leadership, organization and problem-solving.

6. When it comes to your career, what are you most passionate about?

Hiring managers ask this question to get some clues as to what motivates you. Think about what you are genuinely passionate about in your career and then explain why. You should also provide examples of how you have taken steps to pursue your passion and relate this information as much as possible to the position you are interviewing for.

7. What accomplishment makes you most proud?

The proof is definitely in the pudding for this answer. If you can back up the skills and experience being put forward with real, tangible, and specific achievements, then this is your proof that you are perfect for the job. Tell the hiring manager about the situation and the positive outcomes you achieved.

8. What do you expect to achieve in the first three months?

Many candidates believe that a job interview will be laser-focused on their past experience, rather than what they plan to do if they get hired. However, whatever your level of experience, the common way of thought is that you have three months to make an impact in your new role.

Don’t promise the stars or state that you are going to really shake things up if you get hired. The best approach when answering this question is to take a middle ground. Essentially, you will listen and learn during this three-month period, but also get on with things too.

9. Why are you leaving your current job?

The key to answering this interview question is to remain positive. If you start to talk negatively about your existing or previous employer, the hiring manager is going to think you will potentially talk badly of them in the future.

Be honest. Was it a layoff on the horizon that triggered your job search or were you actually let go? If you left because you are looking for upward career progression, then talk about how keen you are for a new opportunity and how this role is perfect in terms of your skills, experience, and career goals.

10. How are you going to improve yourself in the next year?

Hiring managers are often keen to find out your upcoming plans for professional development. This shows a growth mindset, which is something an employer really values. If you don’t have any specific professional development plans, think about how you could strengthen one of your skills, learn something new, or improve on a weakness.

11. What is your expected salary?

Answering this question can seem like balancing on a tightrope. Before you attend an interview, check out the average salary for the role that you are applying for via an online site such as Payscale. If you have friends in the same or a similar role, then find out what they are taking home in terms of salary.

The best option is to discuss a salary range. Employers will have a budget for the role, so it makes sense to provide a range so you don’t rule yourself out of the game by going too high or pitching too low.

8 killer questions to ask in a job interview to the hiring manager

How do you respond when an interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?” It can be easy to go blank, stumble over your words, ask a random question, or quickly say, “No, I have no questions. I think you covered everything.”

You may think that the recruiter is just being polite, but more likely hiring managers are asking you this question to measure your skills and experience against the strength of your potential commitment and passion for their company. 

Here are our top eight questions to ask the hiring manager:

1. What is the history of this role?

Finding out about the background of the role offers an amazing insight of what the job will be like if you get hired. Here you can discover if this is a newly created role you can put your stamp on or if there were any specific reasons your predecessor left the role. 

2. Can you explain a typical “day in the life” in this role?

This is a smart question as it enables you to find out which job functions are viewed as the most important by the employer. You can then tailor the remainder of the interview and any follow-up emails/interviews to these specific job functions.

The other great benefit is that you can find out if the job is actually a good fit for you too. If your typical workday involves a large percentage of time doing something you dislike, then maybe it’s not the job for you. 

3. Why did you join the company and why did you stay?

You may be speaking to your potential direct manager or the HR Manager. Either way, expressing an interest in their career journey is a good way to show your strong interest in joining the company. It also can provide a bit more insight into the company culture and values.

4. What professional development opportunities are available?

Showing a strong interest in professional development will impress an employer, as it’s a major benefit to the company as well as your own professional growth and career development.

5. Can you explain the company culture and how you uphold it?

Company culture is a major factor for both you and the employer in terms of finding the right cultural fit for the company. 

The wording of this question is important. When asked in the right way, you will probably get a response that it is amazing. Getting specific examples that show company culture as a priority is proof that everyone probably does love working there!

6. Has anything come up in terms of my suitability for the role?

This is a great way to address any concerns a potential employer has before they make a decision. Not only can you quickly resolve any hesitations the employer may have about you, but this question also demonstrates that you can handle constructive criticism.

7. I read in the news that….

So, this question needs a bit of research, but if you do this it really shows your interest in working for the company. Research any significant efforts the organization is making across innovative areas. 

Sustainability is a key focus area currently, something we are all conscious of and likely passionate about. Maybe the company has had a recent merger or acquisition, so you can ask how that has impacted company culture. 

8. What are the most important things you would like to see me accomplish in the first 60 days of employment?

Showing that you are invested in the company is the key takeaway here. The interviewer will probably go into more detail in terms of what specific skills and qualities the company is looking for. You can reinforce this in a follow-up email.

Key takeaways

1. Preparation is key to landing a job. Take time to prepare for common interview questions by reviewing the job description and matching your relevant skills and experience to the role.

2. Whenever you talk about one of your skills, always provide a specific example to back this up, and make sure it is relatable to the job you are interviewing for.

3. Always be honest about your skills and experience as well as why you are looking for a new job.

4. Do your homework on the people, company, culture, and role to show your strong interest in working for the company. Research average salaries for this role in case you are asked about your salary expectations.

5. Ensure you have some well-planned questions for the interviewer. You may only have time to ask two or three questions, but you can certainly make a positive final impression.