If you are looking for general interview questions, you have come to the right place.
The following list of general interview questions applies to any interview, regardless of what field you are working in.
It is strongly recommended that you prepare for these questions.
General Interview Questions and Answers
Can you tell me about yourself?
- Talk about your past and previous work experience and, if possible, focus on related work experience. This is not the time to tell the interviewer personal details about yourself.
- Jobspeaker gives an excellent video on how to answer “Tell Me About Yourself”.
Can you tell us about your previous work experience?
- If possible, try to relate your previous work experience to the position for which you are applying.
- If this is your first job, state that you have been focusing on school and are now ready to prove yourself in the workforce.
Why should I hire you?
This question helps employers see what makes you a good fit for the role. They want to know if you have the right attitude, skills, and willingness to learn.
Sample Answer
“You should hire me because I’m a hardworking, reliable, and friendly person who enjoys working with others. I’m quick to learn and always willing to take on new tasks. I also take pride in helping customers and making sure they have a positive experience. I would bring a positive attitude to the team and do my best to support both customers and coworkers.”
How do you prioritize and manage your time effectively?
Company Information
What do you know about this company?
- This question is testing you to see if you did your homework. Research the company you are applying for on the Internet and state what the company does and some of its accomplishments.
Remember Your Job Interview Questions?
Whether it was recent or a while ago, your experience can help others.
Previous Work Experience
Why did you leave your current/last job?
This question tries to find any issues you had with your previous employer. Don’t talk about any horror stories in your previous position and try to sound positive about your previous/current employer. State something like
- I am looking for new challenges in the workplace. I feel that I have reached my potential with company XYZ and that further advancement will not be possible in the current environment.
- Distance is always good to mention. If the job you are applying to is closer to your than your current/last job then that is always a positive. You can mention you want to achieve a work-life balance.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What is your greatest strength?
- There are many skills that you can list but think about what the interviewer wants to hear.
- For example, if the position requires you to talk to customers, then your greatest strength should be your listening or communication skills.
- If you are applying for a position where you are in a restaurant perhaps teamwork or your ability to work under pressure should be your greatest strength.
- Remember it all depends on what position you are applying for so pick your greatest strength wisely.
What is your greatest weakness?
Interviewers ask this to see how you think about yourself and how you handle challenges. They want to know if you can be honest without blaming others. They also want to see if you understand your own habits and how they affect your work. They are checking if you take responsibility for improving yourself. When you explain what you’re doing to get better, it shows maturity and that you can grow on the job.
Sample Answer
“My greatest weakness is that I can be too focused on getting every detail perfect. It sometimes slows me down. I’ve been working on setting clearer priorities and knowing when something is ‘good enough’ so I can stay on schedule. It’s helped me balance quality with speed.”
Motivation
What motivates you?
Interviewers ask this to understand what pushes you to do your best at work. They want to see if you stay positive, work hard, and enjoy helping customers and teammates.
Sample Answer
“I’m motivated by learning new skills and doing a good job. I also enjoy working with people and helping customers have a positive experience. Knowing that I’m contributing to a team and improving each day keeps me focused and motivated.”
Salary
What salary are you looking for?
- Preparation in answering this question requires you to review salary information.
- I would flip the question and ask what is the range? You never want to ask for too much as you will never get the job if you do! You also might ask for too little.
Goals
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Take the role you are applying for and state you want to be the manager or director for that role.
- Why not take a look at the company website and find a job you can see yourself doing in five years? It will make you sound like you will stay with the company and they will not lose money training you.
- If you don’t have a five-year career plan, then browse jobs on popular employment websites and find something you would love to do in five years.
Availability
When can you start?
- If you are working I would recommend saying you need to give your current employer 2 weeks’ notice otherwise make it as early as possible.
Questions to ask at the end of the interview
Do you have any questions for us?
- What do you like best about working here?
- How do you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
- What about this position is the most important?
- How do you measure my success, and what could I do to meet your expectations?
- Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do to get up to speed quickly?
- What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?