Ace 11 common interview questions: Guide for Job seekers

Imagine knowing every interview question a hiring manager would ask you—it would be a game-changer, right?

While mind-reading isn't an option, certain interview questions consistently appear in almost every interview.

You've likely encountered them in various forms throughout your career -whether over the phone or via video -  yet they can still catch us off guard if we're not well-prepared. These questions seem straightforward, but they often delve deep into your skills, experience, and personality.

Instead of memorising answers, we recommend practicing your responses to these common interview questions. This approach helps you deliver your answers more naturally and confidently, showcasing your genuine qualifications and thought process.

Get familiar with your replies and understand the key points you want to convey. Hiring managers pay close attention to what you say and how you say it.

These questions, though predictable, provide valuable insights into your experience, problem-solving abilities, and how well you might fit into the company culture.

By preparing thoughtful and authentic answers, you'll be better equipped to navigate the interview and make a strong impression on potential employers.

1. Tell me a little about yourself?

Your interviewer should already know quite a bit about you. They aren’t looking for you to read them your resume. Instead, they are looking for a summary of your experience that shows your excellent fit for the position.

Start with your current position and provide important highlights from your other roles. Try including insights into your personality, but your extracurricular activities shouldn’t be the entire focus. Think of this question as your 1-minute elevator pitch.

Example: "Currently, I'm a project manager at XYZ Corp, leading software projects and a team of 10. I started as a software developer at ABC Tech, which gave me a solid technical foundation. Known for my problem-solving skills and calm nature under pressure, I also mentor young developers in my spare time. My blend of technical and leadership experience makes me a great fit for this role."

2. What interests you about this job?

This question measures whether you have read and understood the job description and how excited you are about it.

Talk about specific tasks or responsibilities you are most interested in. Discuss the opportunities the role or company would offer you to develop your skills further.

Talk about how this role will help you achieve the career goals you have been working towards.

To help you prepare for this question, re-read the job description the night before your interview.

Example: "I'm excited about this role because it allows me to lead innovative software projects, which aligns with my project management and development background. The collaborative culture here will enhance my teamwork skills, and working on cutting-edge technology projects supports my goal of becoming a leading expert in software management."

3. What do you know about our company?

The ability to answer this question may actually set you apart from other applicants.  It is one of the questions that candidates most often are unprepared for.

You never want to walk into an interview without first having researched the company thoroughly. Look and read every page of their website.

Find out if they have a parent company or even subsidiary companies. Look at their social media posts. If you know anyone who works there, reach out and get their inside opinion. Do a Google search.

Now, you can discuss leadership changes, product launches, the growth of the business in a new sector, or even the charitable events they participate in. Research is King.

Example: "I know that your company is a leader in innovative software solutions, particularly in the healthcare sector. Your commitment to using cutting-edge technology to improve patient outcomes is impressive. I've also read about your strong emphasis on employee development and collaborative culture, which aligns with my values and career goals."

4. Tell me about a work conflict/difficult work situation and how you solved it?

This type of competency interview question can be challenging for several reasons. It can expose a potential weakness you would rather not reveal and requires you to tell a situational story that people can understand.

It may sound like common sense but choose a difficult situation with a happy outcome—preferably one you were responsible for.

Think of a conflict between members on a project where you mediated and found a solution. Or a time when you and your boss disagreed on approaching a difficult client, you worked together to find the best solution, and the client benefited from your collaboration.

Whatever situation you choose to discuss, highlight your positive traits, such as leadership, teamwork, or conflict resolution. Don’t make disparaging remarks about anyone else involved in the situation; this can detract from your professionalism.

Example: "In a previous role, my team faced a major project deadline, but two team members had conflicting ideas on how to approach a critical task. To resolve this, I organized a meeting where each could present their perspective. We then discussed the pros and cons of each approach. By facilitating open communication and focusing on the project goals, we reached a consensus that combined the best elements of both ideas. This not only met the deadline but also improved team cohesion."

5. What are your biggest strengths?

While your resume should showcase all of your strengths, this is your opportunity to highlight them further. Don’t try to guess what answer your interviewer is looking for – this will likely backfire on you.

Provide a clear, precise, informational answer. Instead of saying you are a mathematical wiz kid, provide a few examples that actually prove that you are one. If you can choose a specific strength that is relevant to the role, showcase it.

But your strengths can also be simple and relevant to every role. Don’t just claim to have certain attributes – use examples to demonstrate them clearly.

Example: "My biggest strengths are my problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. I excel at analysing complex issues, breaking them down into manageable parts, and developing effective solutions. Additionally, my strong communication skills enable me to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, ensuring projects run smoothly and efficiently."

6. What are your biggest weaknesses?

When discussing your biggest weakness, steer clear of presenting a theoretical flaw that magically transforms into a strength. Avoid phrases like, "I'm a perfectionist and will tirelessly work extra hours to ensure a project is flawlessly completed before leaving."

Instead, delve into a genuine weakness that you acknowledge and actively strive to improve upon. Share how this impacts your work and outline the steps you are taking to address it.

No one is perfect. Being self-reflective is important as it demonstrates your ability to grow.

Example: "One area I've focused on improving is my delegation skills. In the past, I tended to take on too much responsibility myself, which could sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed. However, I've been actively working on delegating tasks more effectively and trusting my team members' capabilities. This has helped me manage my workload more efficiently and empowered my team to grow and take on more responsibility."

7. Why are you leaving your current role?

If you are leaving for a more senior role, or to find a job with a shorter commute, by all means, be honest. If you are leaving because you have been fired, laid off, or because of a toxic work environment, this question becomes more complicated.

Even so, honesty is still the best policy – you never know if your interviewer will follow up with your previous company.

Never bad mouth your former boss or coworkers. Be straightforward and speak on a positive note explaining what you have learned and how you are making efforts to avoid this type of situation in the future.

Make sure to turn the conversation around to the opportunity at hand. Always remain professional.

Example: "I'm looking to leave my current role to seek new challenges and opportunities for growth. While I've gained valuable experience and developed my skills significantly, I believe this new position aligns better with my long-term career goals and offers the chance to work on more advanced projects within a dynamic and innovative environment."

8. Are you planning to have children?

Questions centred around gender, family status, nationality, religion, and age are often illegal – yet they still get asked. It is not always with malicious intent; sometimes, the interviewer could be just trying to make a friendly conversation.

That said, if you are asked anything about your personal life (or any inappropriate interview questions), try turning the situation around by relating it to the job at hand.

Example: "I appreciate the question, but my personal plans for starting a family won't affect my dedication and commitment to my work. I'm fully focused on my career and eager to contribute my skills and expertise to the team here."

9. What are your salary expectations?

Interviewers ask this question to see if your expectations are in line with the range they pay for this role. You never want to over or undervalue your salary expectations, but they should line up with market value for your role.

Research the typical salary range for the position and speak specifically to that. Make sure to compare a couple of different resources before coming up with a number.

Remember that this is only an initial conversation. Nothing is set in stone. Make sure you give the impression that you know your worth. Try saying, “The average salary for a candidate with my experience in this role is generally between X and Y. I would be flexible depending on other benefits offered. Can you tell me what you want to pay for this position?” And always allow room for negotiation.

Example: "I am seeking a competitive salary that reflects my experience and skills, and is aligned with industry standards for this position. I'm also open to discussing the comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth within your company."

10. How many ping pong balls could fit in a Boeing 747?

If you were an animal, what would you be? Can you program a VHS machine? Why are manhole covers round? How would you describe yellow to a blind person?

These types of random brain teasers often come up in interviews. The interviewer isn’t even necessarily looking for a correct answer but rather an insight into your reasoning ability. The goal is to get you thinking, to see how quickly and creatively you can answer.

While these types of interview questions may not seem logical to you, they are often a personality gauge. If you have trouble thinking on the spot, give yourself some extra time by starting your response with “That’s an interesting question. I would have to say…”

Example: "I would approach this question by first estimating the volume of the Boeing 747's cargo hold and then calculating how many ping pong balls could fit within that volume. It would involve making reasonable assumptions about the size of a ping pong ball and the available space inside the aircraft. While the exact number would vary based on these assumptions, the process would demonstrate my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills."

11. Do you have any questions for us?

Too many people hear this question and sigh in relief that the interview is over. They want to rush to shake hands and say goodbye. This is the worst possible move you can make.

This is a prime opportunity to interview your interviewer. A generic “No” can make you seem disinterested.

Instead, show your excitement for a role by asking insightful questions that give you a fuller idea of the role and company.

Have a list of questions ready so you can discuss them. Here are a few examples of questions you can ask:

• Why is this position available? What did the previous employee in this role go on to do/Why did they leave?
• What is the supervisor's management style?
• What will other managers I interact with but won’t report to expect from me in my role?
• How would you describe the office culture? Does it vary greatly between different departments?
• What can you tell me about the role that isn’t in the job description?
• What are the biggest challenges of this role?
• What’s the most important thing I should accomplish/master in my first three months?
• How will you measure my success in this role?
• Where do you see this role going in the next two years?
• Are there any examples of a career path beginning with this position?
• What is the biggest problem or obstacle the company is working to overcome right now?
• What will be the next steps in this interview process, and what does that timeline look like?
• If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you be expecting me to start?
• Are there any additional questions I can answer for you?

These are just a few of the challenging interview questions you may be asked in your career.

If you are prepared to answer any interview questions about the company, your skills, or your career, you will be able to answer just about any question. Be honest, thoughtful, and prepared.

Remember that your interviewers want you to succeed just as much as you do. Their interview questions aren’t about tricking or sabotaging you. They hope to find the best match for their open roles – and hope you will be it!

Find your next role at Airswift

Are you ready embark on a new and exciting chapter in your career journey? Discover thousands of available positions in the tech and engineering fields by signing up to our candidate portal today.