7 Most Common Interview Questions with Answers

Job Interviews can be challenging for candidates who are unprepared for commonly asked questions. Most of the freshers and experienced candidates feel nervous before attending interviews. But the reality is that the majority of interviewers ask similar questions to assess their skills, experience/qualification, and personality. A thorough preparation can help them answer confidently and create a positive impression. 

Familiarity with the most commonly asked interview questions improves their critical thinking, highlights their strengths, and minimises errors during the discussion. We have shared below the 7 most common interview questions and answers to guide candidates in the right direction.

What are the 7 most common interview questions and answers?

Good preparation can turn a difficult interview into a successful opportunity. That is why understanding the 7 most common interview questions and answers is crucial. It allows you to face your next interview with confidence. It is advised to keep your response short & crisp, back up your strengths with real examples, and research the company before attending the interview. In this blog, we have compiled the most common interview questions and answers along with examples to boost your performance.

What are the 7 most common interview questions and answers?

The 7 most common interview questions and answers evaluate candidates' knowledge, skills, and job suitability. Questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “Why should we hire you?” assess their confidence, interests, and preparation level. Knowing the right response can leave a strong impression and improve their chances of getting hired.

Tell Me About Yourself

This is one of the most common questions in any interview. This question mainly assesses the candidate’s academic background and overall personality. You must keep the response short and impactful. You should include details about your education, achievements, and experience in the answer. It is advised to avoid any personal information unless it is related to the job requirements. Take a look at the sample answers provided below:

"I have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and over 5 years of experience as a software engineer. In my previous job, I built applications and successfully handled a project that reduced processing time by 20%. I enjoy handling challenging problems and am now eager to bring my skills to an innovation-focused company.”

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

This question aims to determine your genuine interest in the company and evaluate your research skills. To answer this, you should improve your familiarity with the company’s mission, values, and achievements. Showcase how your career goals and skillset align with the company’s objectives. Here is an example of how to answer this question confidently:

"I highly appreciate your organisation's commitment to sustainability and innovation in the tech space. Your recent AI-driven project caught my attention. My previous experience developing AI-based applications aligns strongly with your goals and vision. I am eager to bring my expertise and contribute to your team’s success”.

What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

This is among the most frequently asked questions in interviews. You should pick your 3-4 strengths that suit the job requirements. Furthermore, you must provide real-life examples to solidify your response. Similarly, you should carefully choose a weakness that does not affect your chances of selection. Describe what you are doing to rectify it. Here are a few sample responses to this question:

“One of my biggest strengths is problem-solving. In my previous role, I recognised and fixed a major system issue that saved the organisation nearly $10,000. I can handle work pressure well, which has helped me complete all the tasks within the given deadline.”

Why Should We Hire You?

This question allows you to prove your strengths and highlight your achievements. You should showcase your most relevant skill sets, demonstrate how your expertise can tackle challenges and stay confident. Here is an example of how to answer this question without any mistakes:

“You should hire me because my skills and experience strongly align with the role. In my last job, I successfully achieved a 30% increase in sales. I have strong analytical and leadership skills that help me achieve the best outcomes. I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to your team and help you reach your goals."

Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

This question helps the interviewer assess your career vision, future goals, and your commitment level towards the company. You can answer this question well by aligning your career goals with company objectives. Additionally, you should show your eagerness to learn, improve, and grow. Here are a few sample responses to this question:

“My goal for the next five years is to secure a managerial role where I can lead teams and support new members. I also want to keep learning and play an active role in the company’s growth.”

Tell Me About a Challenge You Faced and How You Overcame It

This is also one of the frequently asked common interview questions that evaluates your problem-solving skills and ability to handle work pressure. When answering this, you should describe the situation, explain your role, the steps you have taken and showcase the result. Here is an example of how to answer this question confidently:

“In my previous job, we experienced an unexpected decline in website traffic. I was given the task of finding the issues. After reviewing, I discovered that the latest update had affected our SEO rankings. I worked with the marketing team to identify the main problem and rolled out new strategies. As a result, we achieved a 40% increase in website traffic within just two months.”

Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

This is often the concluding question in a job interview. While many candidates overlook it, asking questions highlights your curiosity, interest, and commitment to the role. It is advised to prepare 1-2 thoughtful questions beforehand. You can ask questions like “Can you elaborate on the career growth opportunities associated with this role?” or “What does success in this role look like during the first six months?”.