Interviews are a crucial step toward employment, but they can also be nerve-wracking! It can be challenging to anticipate exactly what questions the interviewer might ask. However, reviewing common interview questions is a great way to ensure that you are prepared.
This article explores the three main categories of interview questions: Background Questions, Situational/ Behavioral Questions, and Skills-Based Questions. We’ve included sample questions, example responses, and tips to help you feel more confident when entering the interview process.
Background Questions
Interviewers often ask background questions at the beginning of interviews. They are a great opportunity to identify how your professional history and future goals align with the position you are applying for. To answer these questions, consider preparing a brief “elevator pitch” that includes specific details and makes a great first impression.
To address your professional history, you can provide information about your previous positions, educational background, and/or professional achievements.
To address your future goals, you can talk about how your experience aligns with the company's work. You can also talk about what you would contribute to the company through the role.
To ensure your answers align with the role you are applying for, learn more about the company by checking out their website or social media pages. Also, be sure to read the job description carefully and keep the desired skills listed in mind when answering questions. This will show recruiters you are a great candidate and showcase your interest in the role.
Example: Pretend you are applying for a marketing role at Company X. You’ve reviewed the job description and think that your experience in digital marketing and data analytics makes you an ideal candidate. You also feel that your previous experience working as a social media manager at Company Y adds to your qualifications. The hypothetical interviewer asks, ‘Why do you want to work here?’ You reply:
I see a strong alignment between my professional background and this role. In my previous role as a social media manager at Company Y, I learned how to translate analytics into action. I was even able to leverage my data analytics skills to interpret social media engagement and make necessary changes to our content calendar. For example, we shifted to more interactive and visual posts during peak engagement hours.
I am excited by the opportunity to build on this work at Company X, especially given your focus on innovative, performance-driven marketing. I’d bring a strategic approach to content planning, a strong understanding of digital trends, and a commitment to using analytics to continually improve performance.
Additional Background Question Examples
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- Can you walk me through your resume?
- What makes you a qualified candidate for this role?
Situational & Behavioral Questions
Interviewers use situational and behavioral questions to learn more about how you might respond to various workplace circumstances. These questions can be particularly tricky to prepare for, as it can be challenging to anticipate what questions the interviewer might ask. However, you can answer most of these questions using the S.T.A.R. method.
- S - Situation: Briefly contextualize the circumstance you faced.
- T - Task: Explain what you were responsible for doing.
- A - Action: Describe the steps you took to address the situation. Be sure to highlight specific details and explain how you utilized relevant skills.
- R - Result: Explain the positive outcome of your efforts.
Remember: Focus on what you learned from challenging experiences. Avoid sharing overly negative stories, and instead emphasize growth, resilience, or problem-solving.
Example: Pretend you are applying for the same marketing role at Company X. The interviewer asks you, ‘Have you ever completed something for work that you knew wasn’t your best? How did you navigate this situation? You reply:
Situation:
At Company Y, I was responsible for delivering a monthly performance report on our digital marketing campaigns. One month, a system outage occurred, and I had much less time to prepare the report.
Task:
My task was to analyze campaign data sources, including paid ads, social engagement, and email metrics, to gather actionable insights. My report would help the team create the budget for the next quarter.
Action:
Despite my limited time, I made the best of what I had and used the most readily available data and high-level trends to meet the deadline. However, I knew the report lacked needed detail, so I quickly followed up with stakeholders to identify which portions needed more detail. I then made these additions and delivered the revised report, which showcased campaign data clearly and completely.
Result:
The stakeholders liked the revised report, and it even changed how we tracked email campaign performance. Creating this report was a valuable learning moment and reinforced the importance of owning the outcome, even when the initial work isn’t your best.
More Situational / Behavioral Question Examples
- Can you share a time you have worked as part of a team?
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision at work.
- Tell me about a time when you showed leadership in a project.
- Can you share a time when you failed and how you learned from it?
- Have you ever disagreed with a colleague? How did you navigate this?
Skills-Based Questions
Interviewers use skills-based questions to assess what practical skills you possess. The types of skills-based questions you are asked depend on the role you are applying for.
For example:
- When interviewing for a tech role, interviewers may ask about your proficiency in certain softwares or how you’d handle a system failure.
- When interviewing for a project management role, interviewers may ask how you prioritize tasks, manage time, or communicate with clients.
Prepare by reviewing the job description for keywords and identifying which technical or soft skills are most relevant.
Technical skills, also known as ‘hard skills’, are teachable. Examples of technical skills include proficiency in foreign languages, data analysis, and relevant certifications. Soft skills are personal attributes that contribute to success in the workplace. Examples of soft skills include leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
Use information from the role’s job description to form specific responses that showcase how your skill set aligns with the role.
Example: Pretend that you are interviewing for the same marketing role at Company X. The interviewer asks, ‘How would you go about creating a budget for a marketing campaign?’ You reply:
I would start by evaluating past performance data and marketing trends. Then I would discuss the objectives of the marketing campaign to determine how to allocate the budget. For example, if the goal of the campaign is to promote quick e-commerce sales, I would put more money towards ad retargeting and paid search ads. Alternatively, if the goal is to build brand awareness, I would invest more in influencer partnerships, SEO, and social media to maximize reach.
Below are some more examples of what skills-based questions can look like. However, keep in mind that they vary depending on the position you are interviewing for.
- How do you write a compelling brief for a creative team?
- What is your familiarity with UX principles in the context of web design?
- What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
- How do you deal with project constraints like time, scope, and budget?
- How do you perform a risk assessment for a project?
“Do you have any questions for us?”
How to prepare for this part of the interview:
At the end of most interviews, you’ll be invited to ask questions. This is your chance to show enthusiasm, gather insight, and demonstrate that you’ve done your homework. Consider preparing 2–3 thoughtful questions in advance.
Examples include:
- What does a typical day in this role look like?
- What are the team’s goals for the next 6 months?
- What are the biggest challenges someone in this role might face?
- How would you describe the company culture?
Additional Tips
- Read the Job Descriptions Carefully: Read the role’s job description to understand what the interviewer is looking for. This will help you predict what questions you may be asked and adjust your responses to match the role.
- Know Your Resume: Read over your resume and reflect on your professional experiences. This may help you define why you are a qualified candidate. Additionally, this tip may help you answer situational and behavioral questions more easily.
- Practice with Friends: Make a list of sample interview questions and ask a friend or mentor to do a mock interview with you. This is a helpful way to test your preparedness and gain feedback on your responses.
- Write it Out: Write out detailed responses to sample interview questions. Then, practice responding to those questions out loud without referencing your written answers.
- Practice with Online Tools: Use interview preparation resources like the Google Interview Warmup Tool, which offers industry-specific question sets. The tool allows you to answer questions aloud or type responses.