A national study by Everest College revealed that an incredible 92% of U.S. adults fear some aspect of the job interview process.
That's an overwhelming amount of people!
U.S. employers use interviews to assess qualifications, communication skills, and cultural fit. The process typically involves behavioral and technical questions tailored to the position you’re applying to.
Of course, your answers to these questions are crucial.
However, your approach and delivery is just as important as the content of your responses. Is your answer related to your question, or are you rambling? Are the words you’re using punchy enough and do they correctly convey your message?
If you have a job interview coming up, we've compiled 15 common job interview questions—and high quality answers—to help you prepare so you can take the next step in your career path.
1. "Tell me about yourself." This is an interview question you'll encounter time and time again. Although it seems simple, answering this question well requires skill and finesse.
While it might be tempting, it isn’t an invitation to recite your life story. The interviewer is looking for a quick, professional snapshot of your background, career journey, and why you’re sitting in front of them.
Think of this question as your elevator pitch. You goal should be to help the interviewer understand your career trajectory and how your experiences align with the role, as well as some personality to help you stand out from the crowd.
"I have a Bachelor's degree in communications and over three years of experience in content development, with a focus on SEO and digital marketing in the tech industry. I enjoy combining creativity with strategize to optimize content for both user engagement as well as search engine visibility.
I’m excited about this opportunity because I believe my skills in writing, along with my ability to analyze trends, can bring value to your marketing team. I look forward to leveraging my knowledge of the tech world to produce creative, strategic copy that converts."
In preparing to answer this question, be sure to review some powerful job interview terms and phrases to help you get your point across eloquently.
2. "Why do you want to work here?" Really, why did you take the time and effort to apply at your choice company? It's important to be truthful in your answer, but also tactical. For instance, if your primary motive is their hefty salary, it's probably best to focus on some other advantages when answering this interview question.
The interviewer wants to understand your motivation for choosing this company. They also want to see that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in their company. Sometimes, this question may sound like:
"What attracted you to our company?" "Why did you apply to this role with us?" “Why did you choose this job?”
Here’s the kind of answer they want to hear:
"Your company's commitment to innovation and its recent work in digital transformation really stand out to me. I’m impressed with the way you prioritize both employee development and cutting-edge solutions. I’m eager to contribute my content development skills to help push the company’s marketing strategies even further."
An answer like this shows without a doubt that you've done your research and you really do have interest in that particular company, as opposed to jumping for any company that will take you. Use this job interview question as an opportunity to highlight what makes you and the company a good fit.
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3. "What motivates you?" When answering this interview question, focus on what drives you to succeed, like in the example below:
"I’m motivated by seeing the tangible results of my efforts—whether it’s a successful marketing campaign or a piece of content that resonates with an audience. I also thrive in environments where I can continually learn and apply new skills to solve problems and improve processes."
Be honest, speak confidently , and be sure to connect your response back to qualities that will help you to succeed in the role you're interviewing for. This example response showcases a desire for continued learning and an innate curiosity, while also demonstrating that the candidate is results-driven.
4. "What are your greatest strengths?" When your interviewer asks this question, they want to know what you’re best at—specifically traits or skills that will make you a good fit for the role. However, there's a bit more to it than that.
While it's true that they want to know what your greatest strengths are, they're also interested in seeing how you perceive yourself and how you're able to communicate your strengths. Communication is key, and in American work culture , speaking highly of yourself is a fine line to walk—you want to demonstrate confidence without being perceived as egotistical.
"My greatest strength is my ability to break down complex concepts and transform them into digestible, engaging content, which stems from my experience as a translator. I also pride myself on my organizational skills, which help me consistently meet deadlines without compromising on quality. These strengths allow me to balance creativity with practicality, making sure that every piece of content is polished, profitable, and strategically aligned with business goals."
This sample response outlines some key strengths, while also connecting those strengths to the role at hand and showcasing how the candidate's professional background, although not directly related, has still equipped them with valuable transferable skills.
In the sample answer above, the pronunciation of the word "profitable" might trip you up if you're not a native speaker of English. Here's BoldVoice Coach Eliza to outline everything you need to know about pronouncing "profitable" seamlessly:
If you're unsure how to pronounce a particular word when preparing for your English interview, or you're interested in improving your pronunciation overall, BoldVoice can help! With a vast library of expert accent tips and interactive pronunciation exercises to practice your new skills, you'll ace your English interview in no time.
5. "What are your weaknesses?" This question isn't bait, although it might sound like it. Your interviewer understands that you’re human and not perfect; therefore, just like you have strengths, you have flaws.
This question is particularly tricky because they expect you to be honest—even logically so. It's the same as asking;
"What areas are you working to improve?" "What’s something you’re not great at yet?"
You want to pick a real weakness and explain how you're working to improve it. Don't choose a fake answer like "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard" — interviews see right through this! Answering this question honestly an tactfully proves your self-awareness and ability to get better at doing something.
Consider this sample answer:
"As an immigrant to the United States, an area where I've sometimes struggled has been in spoken communication with team members. While I'm confident in my English abilities, my pronunciation challenges have created barriers in the past. I'm in the process of accent training to improve the clarity of my speech, and I welcome any constructive feedback as an opportunity to learn!"
This is an honest response, and rather than focusing on the negative, the emphasis is placed on what the candidate is doing to rectify the problem. For this particular response, communicating clearly and confidently in the interview just further proves your point!
6. "Where do you see yourself in five years?" “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is one of the most common interview questions in America. It’s also a somewhat personal question and if you aren't careful, you may end up droning on about irrelevant things. The interviewer really just wants to know your career ambitions and if the role fits into your long-term goals.
They’re also looking for candidates who are motivated and see the potential for growth within the company. They may also come directly and ask you, "What are your long-term career goals?" or "Where do you want to be in the future professionally?"
Let’s answer this question:
"In five years, I see myself taking on more leadership responsibilities, perhaps managing a content development team. I’m also excited to deepen my knowledge of digital marketing and continue driving impactful strategies. I’m drawn to this role because I believe it offers the perfect blend of growth and the chance to make meaningful contributions."
7. "Why are you leaving your current job?" When you hear this question, your foremost interpretation shouldn't be to soil the reputation of your previous job. It portrays you as untrustworthy and potentially unethical, and it doesn't address what the interviewer actually wants to know.
Companies ask this question because it helps them understand your motivations for change and ensure they can match your expectations. Sometimes, they might ask:
"What’s prompting your job search?" "Why are you seeking new opportunities?" Why did you quit your job at your old company?
In whatever format this question is asked, your answer should look something like this:
"I’ve enjoyed my time at my current company, but I’m looking for a new challenge where I can further develop my skills and work on larger, more complex projects. I believe that this company aligns with both my long term career goals as well as my ideal company culture, and I'm excited about the opportunity to grow professionally."
8. "What do you know about our company?" Similar to "why do you want to work here," this interview question gives you a chance to show that you’ve done your research and demonstrate a genuine interest in the company. Interviewers want to ensure you’re not just applying randomly but have a specific interest in their company and the broader industry.
Assuming you’re an IT professional , a good way to answer this question would be:
"I know that your company is a leader in the tech industry, particularly in AI-driven solutions. Your recent focus on expanding into new markets, especially with your product line targeting healthcare, is exciting to me. I’m also impressed by your commitment to sustainable practices. I've been following your company closely since your groundbreaking product launch in 2019, and your press release last month only further excites me about what's in store for the company."
Notice how this sample response clearly showcases in-depth research, an understanding of their position in the market, and a long-term interest in the company–both past and future.
9. "Can you describe a time when you faced a challenge at work?" Behavioral interview questions like this one are common in American interviews, and they can be particularly challenging for interview candidates. However, coming prepared makes all the difference.
Anticipate these open-ended, "tell me about a time when..." style questions and come up with a few example scenarios that you can use to showcase your positive traits to interviewers. Remember, for this particular question, the focus isn't really about a workplace challenge–it's about how you overcame that challenge, and how you might help the company to overcome challenges in the future.
Consider the answer:
"During a major project last year a key team member left unexpectedly, leaving us short-staffed and behind schedule. I stepped in to cover some of their responsibilities, collaborated closely with the rest of the team to ensure all bases were covered, and used time management techniques like the Eisenhower matrix to manage tasks and ensure we met the deadline. We completed the project, and I learned the importance of adaptability and teamwork in high-pressure situations."
Notice how this sample answer very concisely outlines the challenging situation, and then spends the majority of the response detailing how that obstacle was overcome.
10. "How do you handle stress and pressure?" For this question, your story should revolve around explaining your coping mechanisms when things get tough. Can you remain calm and effective under pressure? Are you able to multitask? Are you dependable in high-pressure situations?
Here’s a good way to approach this interview question in English:
"I handle stress by staying organized and prioritizing tasks. I break down larger projects into manageable steps, which helps me stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Part of my process is to always include a buffer period between my target completion date and the true deadline, so that if things do go awry, there's time to rectify any problems before delivering.”
11. "Tell me about a time you made a mistake." There will be times when everyone makes mistakes at work, and by asking this question, your interviewer wants to see if you’re self-aware and responsible. How you handle mistakes is often much more important than the mistake itself.
Your answer would help your interviewers gauge your problem-solving skills and how you take accountability for errors. They want to see if you're capable of learning from your mistakes and improving.
A strong, confident answer would sound like this:
"At a previous job, I once misinterpreted a client’s brief and ended up delivering content that didn’t fully meet their expectations. When I realized the mistake, I immediately took responsibility and made the appropriate revisions. Through this experience I learned to double-check client briefs in the future to avoid similar misunderstandings, asking for clarification when needed. The client appreciated the quick fix, and I improved my process."
12. "How do you work in a team?" Teamwork is generally essential in most American work settings, so employees want to see how you function as part of a team. They want to see your ability to collaborate and contribute to group efforts.
Answer:
"I believe in clear communication and working collaboratively. When working in a team, I always ensure that I understand everyone’s role and how we can best support each other. I also bring a positive attitude and am always open to feedback to ensure we meet our common goals effectively."
If you're someone who prefers to work alone, you can implement that into your response, while still staying positive:
"Although I thrive in independent work scenarios, I highly value teamwork and collaboration and my door is always open. I find a lot of value in team brainstorming sessions particularly, and having multiple sets of eyes on a project through the editing process is extremely helpful in delivering high-quality work."
When discussing teamwork, the word "collaborate" is sure to come up. To pronounce this tricky word with confidence, take a cue from BoldVoice's Coach Eliza:
For more helpful pronunciation tips, download the BoldVoice app !
13. "How do you prioritize your work?" If you’re great at multitasking, especially when it comes to time management and organizational skills, then this is the ideal time to make it known. You should also mention how you manage deadlines effectively in a fast-paced environment, because that’s really what they want to hear.
To make sure your response is impactful and impressive, be specific.
Your response should sound much like this:
"I prioritize my work by assessing the urgency and importance of each task. I start by tackling high-impact projects that are time-sensitive, and I use project management software like Asana and Notion to track progress and deadlines. I also schedule regular team check-ins to ensure that we’re all aligned on priorities."
14. "What are your salary expectations?" Negotiating salary discussions can be really tricky. You don’t want to sell yourself short or exceed what they’re able to offer.
Generally speaking, you don't want to give a definitive number as the interviewee.
An appropriate answer would sound like this:
"What sort of a budget do you have for the role? Given my years of experience in the field and the industry standards for employees of my caliber I'm interested in discussing compensation packages as a whole, taking into consider the annual salary for the role as well as healthcare benefits, commission, and opportunities for continued education or professional advancement."
It's best to do your research and negotiate a fair price that works for all parties involved.
15. "Do you have any questions for us?" It's common practice that at the end of an interview in the U.S., the interviewer will ask the candidate if they have any questions. Be sure to show up to the interview with a few strong questions prepared for this moment.
This is another chance to prove your interest in the company and role, plus it's a great opportunity to get clarification on any aspects that you truly want to know! They want to see if you’re engaged and curious about the opportunity and your questions give them insight into what matters to you in a job.
Explore these strong end-of-interview questions and choose a handful that are appropriate for your upcoming interview.
Ace Your English Interview with BoldVoice Interviews are challenging. They really are! From the content of your responses and your speech delivery to the way that you conduct yourself and communicate through body language , there are many factors that go into a successful interview.
If English is not your native language, BoldVoice can help you master English pronunciation so you have one less thing to worry about.
BoldVoice is an AI-powered accent training app that can help you refine your accent and practice interview questions. On this app, you can simulate real-life interview scenarios and answer as many questions as you can while receiving instant feedback on your pronunciation.
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