Interview Advice

Top 20 Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Published on by Lakshita Sharma

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Discover the top 20 job interview questions with sample answers, tips, and the STAR method to confidently prepare and ace your interviews.

Job interviews can be intimidating, especially for people who have never attended one before. It might be easier for you to tackle these questions confidently if you prepare yourself properly and learn some tips on what not to do. That is what this blog article aims to achieve.

Within this tutorial, we will learn about common interview questions, top interview questions and answers, difficult interview questions and answers, as well as tips and answers for an interview.

Highlights:

  • Top 20 most asked interview questions
  • Easy sample answers for beginners
  • Tips on tackling difficult interview questions
  • Simple frameworks for confident answers

The Top 20 Most Asked Job Interview Questions

Q1. Could you please introduce yourself?

Answer: I have recently finished my degree and have had an internship where I have obtained hands-on experience. I am now eager to be a part of a professional team and learn and develop.

Q2. Why should we hire you?

Answer: I believe I should be hired because I am a hard worker, a fast learner, and result-oriented.

Q3. What are your strengths?

Answer: My skills include communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Q4. What are your weaknesses?

Answer: I have struggled with multi-tasking, but I have begun making task lists and prioritising.

Q5. Why do you want to work for our company?

Answer: I appreciate the growth and innovation culture at your company and would very much like to be a part of it.

Q6. Where do you envision yourself within 5 years?

Answer: A role wherein I have more responsibilities, with opportunities for leading small projects and developing within an organisation.

Q7. Could you describe an experience you have had and how you worked through it?

Answer: I made a plan and coordinated with my teammates so that we were successful in completing it within the deadline.

Q8. How do you deal with pressure/ stressful situations?

Answer: I remain calm, analyse the task into smaller steps, and concentrate on finishing one task.

Q9. How do you remain updated about market trends?

Answer: I read blogs, online courses, and updates on my LinkedIn account so that I am up-to-date with new tools and developments in the market.

Q10. What distinguishes you from competing candidates?

Answer: I believe my adaptability and eagerness to learn, as well as my work ethic, make me stand out.

Q11. How do you deal with deadlines?

Answer: I break down projects into smaller components and prioritise them. I track progress so I can complete projects on schedule.

Q12. Why are you leaving your present position (or why did you leave your previous position)?

Answer: I would like more learning experiences and an opportunity that fits with my goals.

Q13. How do you prioritise your tasks?

Answer: I follow these steps: identify urgent tasks, prioritise them, and then get them done based on importance.

Q14. What do you know about our company?

Answer: I am aware that your organisation emphasises innovation, employee development, and customer satisfaction.

Q15. What is your greatest achievement?

Answer: My greatest accomplishment would be completing a project within a tight schedule and getting appreciation from my mentor.

Q16. How do you deal with criticism or feedback?

Answer: I accept constructive criticism and make improvements based on it.

Q17. Do you consider yourself a team player?

Answer: Yes, I enjoy working as a team and believe that working together can provide better results.

Q18. What are your salary expectations?

Answer: I'm willing to accept any amount within the salary range offered by the company and look forward to a fair amount based on my skills.

Q19. Do you have any questions for us?

Answer: Yeah, I would like more information about the structure and development path of your team.

Q20. Why do you want to work for this organisation?

Answer: This position aligns with my skills, passions, and goals. I believe I could add value and develop within this role.

How to Use the STAR Method for Interview Answers

What Is the STAR Method?

The STAR method is an excellent technique for answering interviews that will enable you to provide precise and impressive responses to any behavioral and situational interview questions.

STAR is an acronym for:

S - Situation = Background/Context

T - Task = What challenge or responsibility did you have

A - Action = What steps you took

R - Result = The result that you have achieved

Interviewers and recruiters favour the STAR approach because it illustrates your problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, confidence, and experience.

When Should You Use the STAR Method?

Apply it to questions that begin with:

  • Tell me about a time when
  • Describe a situation wherein
  • Give an example of
  • How did you handle
  • What were you doing when

These are behavioural interview questions, and STAR is the method for answering these types of questions.

Using the STAR Method (Step-by-Step Instructions)

1. Situation - Set the Scene

Brief background information so it can be understood within the context.

2. Task - Describe Your Responsibility

What did you do there? You were tasked with solving what problem?

3. Action - Describe What You Did

Be specific about the actions you took. It should be about you.

4. Result - show the outcome

To share the positive experiences - numbers, accomplishments, and progress.

For Example, tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation. 

S - Situation:

During my internship, our group had some challenges with meeting a certain project deadline.

T - Task:

My responsibilities included organising a final presentation and gathering data from my teammates.

A - Action:

I made sure I had a plan and communicated with my teammates on deadlines and completing sections.

R - Result:

We delivered the project on schedule, and our mentor appreciated our collaboration and organisation.

Interview Preparation Q&A Section

This section answers the most common doubts beginners and job seekers have before an interview.

Q1. How should I prepare for an interview?

Answer:

  • Research the company’s background, products, and culture.
  • Understand the job description and required skills.
  • Prepare answers for the most asked interview questions.
  • Practice using frameworks like the STAR method for behavioural questions.
  • Dress professionally and plan to arrive on time.

Q2. What are some tips for answering tricky interview questions?

Answer:

  • Stay calm and think before speaking.
  • Be honest and professional.
  • Structure your answers using STAR or bullet points.
  • Avoid negative comments about previous employers.

Q3. How can beginners confidently answer interview questions?

Answer:

  • Prepare sample answers in advance for common questions.
  • Focus on your skills, achievements, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Practice speaking aloud and maintain good body language.

Q4. How long should my answers be?

Answer:

  • Keep answers concise, ideally 60–90 seconds for behavioural questions.
  • Provide enough detail to show your role, action, and result.

Q5. How do I prepare for industry-specific or technical questions?

Answer:

  • Review key skills and concepts required for the role.
  • Solve practice problems or case studies if applicable.
  • Prepare to explain your projects or experience clearly.

Q6. How do I follow up after an interview?

Answer:

  • Send a short, professional thank-you email within 24 hours.
  • Express appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest.

Conclusion

Job interviews can be stressful. But with some preparation on your side regarding common, tough, and behavioural interview questions and practising your responses using the STAR technique, there will be no interviewer that you cannot impress. Just emphasise your skills, accomplishments, and professionalism, and every interview will be an opportunity for success.

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