Preparation Beats Improvisation
The best interviewees aren't naturally gifted speakers — they're well-prepared. Most interviews draw from the same pool of common questions. Master these 20, and you'll walk into any interview with confidence.
The Big 5 (Asked in Almost Every Interview)
1. "Tell me about yourself."
This is your 60-second elevator pitch. Structure it as: Present → Past → Future.
"I'm currently a senior developer at X, where I lead a team building Y. Before that, I spent 3 years at Z where I developed my expertise in A and B. I'm now looking to bring that experience to a role where I can C — which is exactly why I'm excited about this position."
2. "Why do you want to work here?"
Show genuine research. Reference the company's mission, recent news, product, or culture. Connect it to your own career goals.
3. "What are your greatest strengths?"
Pick 2-3 strengths that directly relate to the role. Back each one with a brief example: "I'm strong at data analysis — at my last company, I built a dashboard that identified $200K in cost savings."
4. "What is your greatest weakness?"
Choose a real weakness, but one you're actively working on. Never say "I'm a perfectionist" — it sounds rehearsed. Try: "I sometimes take on too much myself instead of delegating. I've been working on this by setting clearer boundaries and trusting my team more."
5. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
Show ambition that aligns with the company's trajectory. "I'd love to grow into a leadership role here, potentially managing a team and driving strategy for this product area."
Behavioral Questions (The STAR Method)
For questions starting with "Tell me about a time when...", use the STAR framework:
6. "Tell me about a time you faced a conflict at work."
7. "Describe a situation where you had to meet a tight deadline."
8. "Tell me about a time you failed."
9. "Give an example of when you showed leadership."
10. "Describe a time you had to learn something quickly."
For each of these, prepare a specific story using STAR. Keep it concise — 90 seconds max per answer.
Role-Specific Questions
11. "Why are you leaving your current job?"
Stay positive. Focus on what you're moving toward, not what you're running from. "I'm looking for more growth opportunities in X area, and this role offers exactly that."
12. "What do you know about our company?"
This tests your research. Mention their product, recent news, mission, and market position.
13. "How do you handle pressure/stress?"
Give a specific example and describe your coping strategies: prioritization, communication, breaking problems into smaller pieces.
14. "What makes you unique?"
Combine 2-3 qualities that aren't common together: "I have both deep technical skills and strong client-facing communication — I can build the product AND sell it."
15. "What are your salary expectations?"
Research the market rate on Glassdoor/Levels.fyi first. Give a range: "Based on my experience and market research, I'm looking in the $X-$Y range, but I'm open to discussing the full compensation package."
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
16-20: Always Have Questions Ready
Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate if the role is right for YOU.
Final Tips
The interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. Prepare well, be authentic, and remember — they want you to succeed.