Common Interview Questions Guide

This guide has been compiled primarily from LinkedIn, Apple, Tesla, and construction startups.

If you’re a new young professional, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll run into these questions in your interview.

Questions that one might get asked

  • Tell Me About Yourself
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response from a Career Strategist
    Sample response from a Marketing and Brand Manager
    Sample Response from a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response from a Mechanical Engineer Professional
  • What is your greatest weakness?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Mechanical Engineer Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
  • What is your greatest strength?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Business Portfolio Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Data Engineering Analyst Professional
  • Why should we hire you?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Marketing Insights Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Product Marketing Research Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Category Insights Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you showed leadership.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Hardware Engineer Professional
    Sample Response by a Product Marketing Research Professional
    Sample Response by a Data Engineering Analyst Professional
  • What would your co-workers say about you?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Hardware Engineer Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Category Insights Manager Professional
  • Describe your most challenging project.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Hardware Engineer Professional
    Sample Response by a Program Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Data Engineering Analyst Professional
  • Can you explain your employment gap?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Marketing Insights Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Regional Sales Manager Professional
  • What do you like to do outside of work?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Procurement Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Category Insights Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you had to manage conflicting priorities.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Business Development Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Procurement Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Regional Sales Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Program Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Regional Sales Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Digital Analytics Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Business Portfolio Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Brand Marketing Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you created a goal and achieved it.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Business Portfolio Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Digital Analytics Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Brand Marketing Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you had to handle pressure.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Program Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Procurement Manager Professional
    Sample Response by an Enterprise Program Manager Professional
  • Do you have any questions for me?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Digital Analytics Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Regional Sales Manager Professional
  • What do you know about this company?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response
  • Why do you want to work here?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Brand Marketing Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Pricing Strategy Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Data Engineering Analyst Professional
  • Tell me about a time you were successful on a team.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Program Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by an Enterprise Program Manager Professional
  • Why do you want to leave your current role?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Marketing Insights Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Data Engineering Analyst Professional
  • Tell me about something you’ve accomplished that you are proud of.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Marketing Insights Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
  • What are your salary expectations?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Product Marketing Research
    Sample Response by a Business Portfolio Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Business Development Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Regional Sales Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Brand Marketing Manager Professional
  • Describe your leadership style.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Marketing Insights Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Business Development Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Brand Marketing Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult person.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Product Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Business Portfolio Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Brand Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with someone.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Marketing Insights Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Procurement Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Category Insights Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you surpassed people’s expectations.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Hiring Manager
    Sample Response by a Business Development Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Digital Analytics Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Marketing & Category Insights Manager Professional
  • Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly.
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response by a Career Strategist
    Sample Response by a Business Development Manager Professional
    Sample Response by an Enterprise Program Manager Professional
    Sample Response by a Brand Marketing Manager Professional
  • What would your coworkers say about you?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response
  • What are you looking for in a new position?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response
  • What about you?
  • Why do they ask this question?
    Sample Response

Questions to ask an employer during an interview

The question and answer portion of an interview is one of the few points in the interview where even a beginner has the opportunity to take control of the interview. Asking a question at the end of an interview can show the interviewer that you are engaged and interested in the company and the role. It also allows you to clarify doubts or concerns and gather additional information that may help you decide on the job.

  • What does success look like in this role?
  • What is the most enjoyable aspect of this job, and the most stressful?
  • Who would this role interact with the most?
  • What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
  • What does your onboarding process look like?
  • Why did you come to this company?
  • How would you describe a typical day in this position?
  • What type of person becomes a top performer here?
  • What type of person struggles here?
  • What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
  • What metrics are you responsible for? How would my metrics align with them?
  • How does the team give and receive feedback?
  • How would you describe this company's values?
  • What is the company's management style?
  • Do you have a policy for helping new team members get on board?

Questions NOT to Ask in an Interview

  • What does this company do? 
  • When can I take time off for vacation if I get the job? 
  • Can I change my schedule if I get the job?
  • Did I get the job?