I get so nervous before job interviews — sweaty palms, dry mouth, butterflies in my stomach. It’s really not fun. But once I’m sitting down with the interviewer, things usually get better, in part because I love talking about myself and my work. I don’t mean this in a braggy way, but how often do you get to sit down with someone and really talk about the projects you love or how you want to grow your career, except in an interview setting? And sure, the lead-up is nerve-wracking, but with a little practice, you can master the most common questions a hiring manager will throw your way. Ultimately, being prepared is an easy way to ease the tension.
Ahead, 16 questions you should answer without second thought, advice on how to nail the interview, and how to land your dream job.
Your résumé is just one page, and it only tells a fraction of the story of what you do on a daily basis. It should feature a lot of impressive numbers (you’ve managed a $1 million budget; you organized a 1,000-person conference), but during the interview, you need to add context. Share anecdotes that display your management skills; have a good explanation for why you left your first job; and be able to talk about your accomplishments.
When prepping for this question, it can be good to take a look back at past performance reviews and pull out all the positive feedback you’ve received. This is an interview — talking about your successes is key.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
This question shouldn’t be a surprise, and you should have a clear and concise answer. You’re looking for an opportunity to grow. You love cats and taking photos, so this position as a cat photographer is a natural fit. You’ve dreamed of writing about beauty products your whole life.
Your answer should show how passionate you are about the position and that you’ve done your research into what the job will entail.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Your answer to this question should reveal that you’ve done your research on the company and the people you’ll be working with. Were they in the news recently for a big accomplishment? Mention that. Do they have world-class research facilities that are unparalleled? That’s a no-brainer. This is your chance to express your enthusiasm for the company, and help the hiring manager understand why you’d be a good fit for the job.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
It can be really hard for some people to really talk up their accomplishments, but it’s crucial in a job interview. Again, go through past performance reports and make note of the positive feedback. And then take a few minutes to think about the things you do that make you feel really good. Those are the strengths you want to talk about — and make sure you have some anecdotes to back them up. You don't want to just state, "I'm a great manager." You need to share a few stories that illustrate your point.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
My favorite episode of the British Office is when David Brent is going over Big Keith’s year-end review, and Keith lists that his weakness is “eczema.” Makes me laugh every time. This is one of the most difficult questions to answer, and saying “perfectionism” will drive your interviewer bonkers.
Having a smart and thoughtful response to this question can show the hiring manager that you’re self-aware, and willing to grow and change. No one is perfect at their jobs — if they are, it’s probably time to find something more challenging. And everyone has an area where they struggle. Be honest, but don’t reveal too much.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
I really hate this question, and the first time I encountered it, I had a really hard time coming up with an answer. But it comes up all the time in interviews, and it’s a great chance to show off your problem-solving skills.
Remember, the problem doesn’t have to be epic, but your reaction needs to show that you’re flexible, capable of making smart decisions, and able to think on your feet.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
This is not the opportunity to bash your current employer, as much as you might be tempted to say a few nasty things about that bitch of a boss who’s holding you back from a promotion. That’s a conversation to have with your friends over cocktails, or with your therapist. Playing the growth card is always good — you love your current job, but you’re looking for an opportunity to grow. And again, this is a time to show you’ve done your research, and explain why you’ll be such a good fit at this new company.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
I love this question, because it’s a chance to talk yourself up using other people’s words. Again, reference those performance reviews, mention great feedback you received from clients, and talk about how well you work with your colleagues. If you’re really unhappy at your job — you feel minimized, there are no growth opportunities, you’re isolated — it’s okay to explain that you don’t think your boss and colleagues see your full potential, and tie your answer back to the question about why you’re looking for new a gig.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Again, this is a question where you need to do your research. And similar to the question about your weaknesses, you need to be honest without being harsh. You should not only have a list of improvements you would make, you should explain how you could help institute these changes. That will help the interviewer understand the value you'll bring to the job.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
It's a deceptively simple question, but it can be a really good conversation starter that can help you better understand the company's culture. Do you put your headphones on and power through a bunch of work? Do you thrive on being busy? Do you like strong direction or do you prefer a hands-off manager? Before you go in for an interview, take a while to ruminate on how you work best and what you look for in a boss (or how you like to be the boss, if that's the case).
When a hiring manager is considering a new employee, it's important for him or her to consider how you'll fit with the team. And while it can be disappointing not to get a job, just remember that you don't actually want a gig where you don't fit in.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Work is not all sunshine and roses, and when you're interviewing, sometimes you have to talk about the tough stuff along with all your achievements. Even if you and your boss have the best relationship of all time, there are moments when you will disagree. How do you handle those situations?
Obviously, you're not going to tell the story about the time you had a meltdown and cried in front of your coworkers (hey, it happens to the best of us). But you can talk about how you've successfully navigated tricky situations and survived an awkward conversation or two. This will show that you're diplomatic, flexible, and able to "manage up" — all qualities of a desirable candidate.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
This is a surprisingly important question, and the answer probably shouldn't be "I like to binge-watch Law & Order SVU " (even though there's nothing wrong with that). It also doesn't need to be something as selfless as "I spend my weekends feeding the homeless" (though that's great if you do).
These days, many hiring managers and recruiters are as concerned that you'll fit into the work culture as they are about your skills. So, you should be honest about your answer, but make sure you do include some of the cool things that keep you entertained during your downtime — activities that really reflect your personality.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
One thing that can be hard about interviewing is self-promotion. It's natural to feel like you're bragging when you start talking about your accomplishments, but that's what you need to be doing. And when this question comes up, it's time to show off your skills and talk about how you exhibited grace and resilience when facing work craziness.
Is your job so boring that you've never had to deal with a crisis (even if that so-called crisis is your mean boss having a meltdown over spilled milk)? Then take a story from your day-to-day life. Because everyone faces high-pressure situations from time to time, and how you stepped up and handled the problem shows a lot about your character. Polish this anecdote so you'll really shine.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
It took me a while to figure out my management style, and I think for the best managers, it's an evolving thing that differs depending on whom you're managing. But this question goes back to the issue of culture, and culture is a big concern for recruiters, so be thoughtful with crafting your answer.
If you've never been a manager before, look back on all your past bosses and use that experience to form your response. A bad boss can teach you almost as much as a good boss (sometimes more). Most of us have had a moment when we thought, When I'm the boss, I'll never, ever treat an employee like that. You've been learning a management style all along, even if you weren't tuned in to it.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Don’t say no. Always have at least one question, even if it’s been a thorough interview, and you’ve asked almost as many questions as you’ve answered (a great interview is usually more like a conversation). This is a great time to ask about the hiring timeline and figure out the next steps. This isn’t the time to ask about vacation days.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
I hate this question. In my dream world, the recruiter/hiring manager would be up-front about salary, and the two of you wouldn't waste time playing mind games. But that's not how the job-hunting process works, and at some point, you're going to have to talk about money.
I've read a lot on this topic, and everyone says something a little different. Some experts suggest you should never give away your requirements first — wait until the hiring manager tells you a number. Others say you should do your research and offer a range. Another school of experts argues you should never, ever play coy. With so much conflicting information, what are you really supposed to do?
I think this is a purely personal answer: You need to choose the response that works best for you. Some people will be good at avoiding the questions and coming across as master negotiators; others will have more success providing a range.
Whatever you do, make sure you do some research, so you know your worth (sites like Payscale provide some insight into how much people are paid depending on experience level and industry) — and have a number you are okay with in your head that you stick to when offering a range. Being personally comfortable and confident with your own salary requirements will only help the process be less awkward.
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