The top 10 most common interview questions & how to answer them

Top 10 common interview questions and answers

1. Tell me about yourself

This interview question is a chance to run through the key points on your CV and give a brief overview of your career history.

Use the Present-Past-Future framework to answer this question more effectively. Start with your current role and a major recent achievement. Then, briefly mention how your past experiences prepared you for this. Finally, conclude by stating that this specific role is the logical next step for your career.

Here's an example:

"I've recently graduated university and have undertaken a few software development internships. I love the work, especially when I get to use my analytical and problem solving skills. This experience has taught me that I'm now ready to move into a more challenging role, which is why I'm interested in working in software development full time."

2. How would you describe yourself?

This question is the ultimate "you check". Most people make the mistake of listing generic adjectives which have no impact. To stand out, you need to combine a personality trait with a professional result.

For example:

"I describe myself as a curious executor. I have a massive appetite for learning new systems - whether it's a new AI tool or a shift in market data - but I don't just learn for the sake of it. I love applying that knowledge to make a process faster or a product better. I'm the person who often looks for a more efficient way of doing something."

3. Why do you want to work here?

This is a very important question as it gives you the opportunity to show off what you know about the company. However, if you haven't done your research, this question will expose it!

Interviewers want to hire someone who is passionate, not just about the role but the company too, so showing off what you truly like about the company will do wonders at this stage of the interview.

"I've been a user of your mobile app for a long time and I was impressed by the way you handled the recent update, especially your response to customer feedback. I also admire your approach to employee progression via your Performance Framework. In my current role, I have found myself not being challenged as much as I'd like, and progression is quite limited. As an ambitious individual, your approach to employee progression would allow me to learn and grow in my career."

4. What is your greatest strength?

Name two hard skills and one soft skill that directly mirror the top requirements in the job description. Follow this by citing a specific, measurable data point from your past where you used those exact strengths to drive a business result.

"My top strengths are definitely data-driven problem solving, cross-functional communication, and adaptability. During my internship, the company's main software platform went down right before we were due to complete an important project. I was able to quickly work with the team to find a solution and we ended up moving the team to a manual backup system which worked really well. I updated the client about the situation and we still delivered the project on time and to high praise from the client."

5. What is your biggest weakness?

For this question, share a genuine, non-deal-breaking skill gap or a habit you've actually struggled with. This question can be difficult to answer because nobody wants to admit they have weaknesses, especially when interviewing for their dream role. But being open and honest is respected by employers because it shows that you are willing to learn.

"One of my main weaknesses is saying 'yes' to too many pieces of work, which sometimes makes me too busy. As a solution, I've started using a task management system to categorise tasks by urgency and importance. I also check my capacity and emotional wellbeing before committing to a new project and it has helped me maintain a much higher quality of work without burning out."

6. Describe a time you handled a difficult situation or conflict at work

Use the STAR method to describe the situation objectively without placing the blame on anyone in particular. Then, use the rest of the acronym – Task, Action, and Result – to fill the interviewer in on how you dealt with the difficult situation or conflict.

"At university, we were tasked with doing a group project for one of my modules. I was in a group with 5 people. It became clear immediately that one of our group members wasn't putting as much effort in as the rest of us. They weren't replying to messages, weren't attending meetings, and their work wasn't up to standard. I asked to grab a quick coffee with them to talk it out offline and I realised we both wanted the same outcome but had different ways of getting there. We decided to consider their approach and implemented it alongside our own. I noticed that they became a lot more involved and produced a great piece of work for the project that achieved praise from our tutor."

7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Focus on the mastery of your craft and your desire to take on deeper strategic responsibilities within the company. Whether you want to lead a team, support junior team members, or learn something new, let your interviewer know it. Interviewers want someone who is going to stick around long-term, so let your true passion for the role and company shine through.

"In five years, I hope to be in a more senior position, potentially leading a team of my own. I'd also love to gain more exposure to UX/UI design and I think that this role would be a perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge."

8. Why are you leaving your current role?

Frame your departure entirely around seeking new challenges and professional growth rather than escaping a negative environment. State that you have maximized your learning potential in your current role and are looking to bring that expertise to a new challenge.

"I really enjoy my current role and the company I work for, but I'm looking for new challenges and professional growth. Your company's approach to employee development and career growth is something that I really admire."

9. What motivates you?

This question is a favourite for recruiters because it reveals your internal motivations. They aren't just looking for what makes you work; they're looking to see if the work they have matches what drives you. If the job is high-pressure, they need to ensure they hire someone who thrives in that environment.

"I'm most motivated by the process of taking a complex problem and finding an efficient solution for it. In my last role, I spent three weeks troubleshooting a recurring data lag, and finally seeing that dashboard update in real-time was very rewarding to me. I thrive on the entire process from start to finish."

10. Do you have any questions for us?

Ask questions that demonstrate a high-level understanding of business operations and a desire to succeed immediately. Our favourite interview question to ask is: "What opportunities are there for growth and progression?". This question shows that you are passionate about growth and signals to the interviewer that you are planning to stick around long term. Check out our full guide on the top 7 questions to ask in a job interview.