TL;DR
- Most candidates struggle with common interview questions.
- With hundreds of applicants per role, strong answers help you stand out.
- Practice behavioural interview questions since employers rely on them a lot.
- Use short, real-world examples to show your skills clearly.
- Treat every interview as practice to get better each time.
You walk into the room hopeful, but deep down you worry: “What if they ask something I can’t answer?” Interview jitters often come from the fear of tough questions. Many job-seekers freeze when faced with vague, unexpected enquiries, and that’s a shame because a bit of preparation could change everything.
In this blog, you will learn about the most common interview questions you can expect, how to answer them with confidence, and how to prepare for more profound, behavioural interview questions. That way, you go into your following interview calm, ready, and with honest answers that show who you are.
Common Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them)
When you apply for a job, you’re likely to face a set of classic questions. Think of these as the “starter pack” because nearly every interviewer asks them.
What are typical questions for a job interview?
Here are some examples:
- “Tell me about yourself” is by far the most asked question. About 93% of hiring managers use it.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want this job/Why are you leaving your last job?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Why should we hire you?
When you face these, use honest but straightforward answers. For instance, for “Tell me about yourself,” begin with your background, then highlight a few skills or experiences that match the job, but don’t go into your life story.
How to answer well
- Keep answers short and structured. Pick 2–3 strong points about yourself.
- Use concrete examples: say what you did, what happened, and what you learned.
- Show that you know something about the company. Employers often check social media or company info before an interview.
- Be honest. Many hiring managers disqualify candidates for exaggeration or lies.
Even if you only get basic or “first round interview questions”, these early interactions set the tone. Make them count.
Behavioural Questions
These go beyond simple “Who are you?” or “What do you want?” Instead, they ask you to show, with stories, how you behave under pressure, how you work with others, and how you solve problems. These are often called behavioural interview questions.
Why interviewers ask behavioural questions
- Many employers believe that past behaviour predicts future performance. As of 2025, about 85% of companies include behavioural questions in their interview process.
- These questions help them assess qualities like teamwork, adaptability, leadership, and responsibility, traits that matter beyond technical skills.
Sample behavioural questions to expect
- Tell me about a time you had to solve a difficult problem under pressure.
- Describe a situation where you worked in a team to meet a tight deadline.
- Have you ever disagreed with a coworker? How did you handle it?
- Give an example of when you took initiative or leadership on a project.
Some interviews even mix leadership skills interview questions within this set, especially for roles that need you to guide others.
How to answer behavioural questions
A helpful approach is the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). With STAR, you:
- Briefly describe the situation.
- Explain the task or challenge you faced.
- Describe the action you took.
- Share the result or what you learned afterward.
For example, if they ask about working with others, you can tell a short story. You might say that in your last job, there was a big deadline coming up. You helped the group by setting quick daily check-ins and making sure everyone knew what to focus on. The work was completed on time, and the client was pleased with the outcome.
That structure helps you stay focused, keep answers clear, and show real value, far better than vague statements like “I work well with others.”
Because many companies screen dozens of candidates early on, and only a small fraction get through, being prepared for behavioural interview questions can help you shine.
Situational and Problem-Solving Interview Questions
Situational questions deal with “what if” moments. Instead of asking what you did before, the interviewer asks how you would handle a possible challenge in the future. These are common in roles that involve customer interactions, deadlines, or technology.
These often appear right after the first round of interview questions, when the interviewer wants to understand how you think through problems. You might hear:
- How would you respond if a customer changed their plan at the last minute?
- What would you do if your team did not reach a key goal?
- How would you react if your manager gave you tasks with unclear instructions?
How to answer situational questions
Keep your answer simple and calm. Follow a short line of thought:
- Understand the problem.
- Share how you would respond.
- Explain the positive outcome you aim for.
You do not need a perfect solution. Interviewers mainly want to see that you stay logical, respectful, and organized when things get messy. That is why these are also seen as screening interview questions in some companies, especially when the job is fast-paced.
A helpful tip is to connect your answer to real experience. Even if they ask “What would you do,” showing related actions from your history makes your answer stronger. That is a quick way to turn a future scenario into good job interview answers.
Sometimes these questions are tied to creativity. The interviewer watches how you think, not whether you guess correctly. Relax, walk them through your thinking, and show you are ready for problems, not scared of them.
Conclusion
Interviews do not have to feel like a mystery test. You now know the main types of interview questions employers ask. You have seen a sample of interview questions and clear ways to respond, whether you are sharing stories or solving tricky situations. The more you practice, the more natural and confident you become.
Treat every interview like a learning step. After each one, take notes on what went well and what you can improve. Soon, questions that once felt scary will feel like a chance to shine.
