1. Tell Me About Yourself.

A. How to Construct a Response

If it feels daunting to generate an answer from scratch, you can rely on a simple formula to construct
your answer. The present-past-future formula is a way to share key background points while ending
on a high note.

 Begin with a brief overview of where you are now (which could include your current job
along with a reference to a personal hobby or passion)
 Reference how you got to where you are (here you could mention education, or an important
experience such as a past job, internship or volunteer experience) and
 Finish by touching on a goal for the future.

Tip: Bonus points if you’re able to identify how the position you’re applying for aligns with how you
envision your future.

2. What Is Your Greatest Strength?

A. Tips for Giving the Best Response

Prepare a response: Creating a list of your strengths (as they relate to the job) will help you
to answer this question with confidence.

Discuss your key strengths: Stay focused on a couple of key strengths that relate directly to the
position and the company. A focused, relevant answer with one or two examples will impress your
interviewer. 

Share what you have to offer: Keep your answer to-the-point and focused on the attributes you will
bring to the job and the company. Your goal is to sell the company on why you're the person they
should hire.

Sample: I have a solid work ethic. When I'm working on a project, I don't just want to meet deadlines.
Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule. Last year, I even earned a bonus for
completing my three most recent reports one week ahead of time.

3. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

A. Mention Skills You Have Improved

Another option is to discuss skills that you have improved upon during your previous job or that you
are actively working on improving. This shows the interviewer that you’re committed to self-
improvement.

Sample1: I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've
learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think doing so allows me to be more creative
and effective in each one.

Why It Works: This response shows the candidate’s successful shift from working on one task at
a time to multitasking.

Sample2: When I'm working on a project, I don't just want to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to
complete the project well ahead of its due date. While this means I never miss a deadline, it also
means that sometimes I can find myself rushed when I’m working. I’ve since learned to slow down,
be more patient, and give each project the careful attention it deserves.

Why It Works: This response shows that meeting deadlines and getting the work
done accurately are both important.

4. What Makes You Unique?

A. The best answers to this request are honest, brief, and confidently delivered. Your goal is to share
something interesting about yourself that illuminates why you are the best fit for the role. Come
prepared with a few things to share and be sure to tie them to the skills and qualities that are most
valuable in this job.
Sample: I am unusually well organized and adept at devising systems, which helps me stay on top of
projects and plan events. I cultivate excitement about learning new things. I have an unusually keen
interest in current events and policy

5. How Do You Handle Stress & Pressure?

A. To answer this question successfully, you'll want to provide specific examples of how

you've handled stress well in the past. You might also provide examples of times when pressure
actually made you work more productively.

Sample: Pressure is very important to me. Good pressure—such as having many assignments or an
upcoming deadline—helps me to stay motivated and productive. Of course, there are times when too
much pressure can lead to stress. However, I'm very skilled at balancing multiple projects and
meeting deadlines; this ability prevents me from feeling overly stressed. For example, I once had three
large projects due in the same week, and that was a lot of pressure. However, because I created a
schedule that detailed how I would break down each project into small assignments, I
managed to complete all three projects ahead of time and avoided unnecessary stress.

Why It Works: This answer shows that the candidate enjoys working under pressure and thrives in
stressful situations.

6. What Motivates You?

A. Take some time to research the company and the job prior to the interview. The more you know
about the organizational goals of the employer, the better equipped you’ll be to respond.

It can be hard to think of a good answer for this question on the spot since it requires a bit of self-
reflection. To prepare your answer, think about the jobs you have held in the past:

 What happened during your best days?

 When were you most looking forward to a day at the office?
 When did you come home from work bursting with stories and feeling enthusiastic and
excited?

Whether it was a successful meeting with a client, a complex project wrangled into submission, a new
skill you mastered, or anything else, keep these positive moments in mind when conceptualizing your
answer.

Sample: I was responsible for several projects where I directed development teams and implemented
repeatable processes. The teams achieved 100% on-time delivery of software products. I was
motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule and by managing the
teams that achieved our goals.

Why It Works: This response shows the interviewer that the applicant is motivated by several factors
—management, scheduling, and teamwork—and has the ability to multitask.

7. Why Are You Looking for a New Job?

A. Tips for Giving the Best Response

Frame your answer in a way that makes your interviewer feel confident that the position you're
interviewing for is in line with your personal and professional goals. Rather than focus on the past and
negative experiences you may have had at your old job, your answer should open the door to a
discussion about why you want the job you're interviewing for and why you're the best person for it.

The interviewer is looking for an answer that will help in the hiring decision. While the specifics of
your answer will depend on whether you left voluntarily or were asked to leave, it's important to
answer in a way that casts you in a positive light.

Sample: After trying to make the job work, I realized I might find a better fit in another position that
aligned more with my goals and aspirations. While being let go from a job isn't easy, I learned from
the experience and have grown in many ways. I would love to tell you how I've grown, what I've
learned, and how I will bring those lessons and skills to your company.

8. What Are Your Salary Expectations?

A. My salary range is flexible. However, based on my previous salary, my knowledge of the industry,
and my understanding of this geographic area, I'd expect a salary in the general range of $X to $Y.
Again, I'm open to discussing these numbers with you.

9. How Do You Handle a Challenge?

A. Step 1: Recall a challenge that was significant, but one that you consider a success. 
Step 2: Don’t just say what you did—explain how you did it. 
Step 3: Emphasize the outcome and what you learned from it. 

10. Why Weren't You Promoted at Your Last Job?

A. Tips: Don't Criticize the Company. Highlight How You've Worked to Become Ready for a
Promotion. Talk About Any Relevant External Factors

11. Who Was Your Best Boss And Who Was The Worst?

A. My best boss was a manager who enabled me to take on more responsibility as I progressed in my
job. My worst boss was a man who provided very little feedback about my performance.

12. What Do You Know About Our Company?

A. Research the Company

Start by researching the company online. Review the "About Us" section of the company website,
paying attention to the organization’s history, achievements, goals, and values.

If the company lists founders and/or an executive team, take the time to familiarize yourself with
those folks and their achievements. You may not meet with any of the bigwigs during the interview
process, but it helps to get a sense of who’s in charge and what their careers have looked like. Plus, by
learning their names and faces, you can avoid being caught unawares if you run into one of them in
the elevator or the reception area.

13. How Do You Plan To Achieve Your Career Goals?

A. First, make sure you can name career goals beyond "getting hired." You want to show that you are
a long-term thinker, with ambition for your future. Do be sure that your goals jive with what you have
learned about the role and the company. It's important to show the interviewer that there's a match
between what you're looking for and what the employer is seeking in an ideal candidate.

Sample: I plan on gaining additional skills by taking related classes and continuing my involvement
with a variety of professional associations. I noticed that your company provides in-house training for
employees, and I would certainly be interested in taking relevant classes.

Why It Works: This answer provides a list of the steps the candidate will take to achieve his or her
goal. Plus, the candidate made a connection to a perk offered by the hiring company.

14. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

A. Tips for Giving the Best Answer

Research the Company. You can’t research the company enough for this interview question. Look at
their website, review their annual report, and follow them on social media. If you have connections at
the company, talk to them about it. Gather as much information as you can. Be as knowledgeable and
prepared about the company as possible.

Tie Your Job Skills to the Company. Based on your company research, tie your own job skills to
the company and how you can help them in the position for which you are applying.

Be Straightforward. Even though you want to tie your job skills to the company culture and mission,
don’t exaggerate.

Be Brief. Be brief when commenting on what the company does. You don’t want to overdo it and say
the wrong thing during your interview.

Sample: Your company's reputation is stellar. Former colleagues of mine work here, and I've seen
how much they value the company's willingness to let employees pitch big ideas and have an active
leadership role in new initiatives.

15. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?

A.

 What are the company's goals for the upcoming year?

 In your opinion, what is the single most important indicator of success in this role?
 What is the greatest challenge facing the company?
 What are the company's goals for the upcoming year?
 Are there any qualifications that you think I'm missing?