6 Common Interview Questions & How To Answer Them

Interviews are your moment to shine—and with the right preparation, you can walk in feeling confident rather than anxious. While the interview landscape has evolved (37% of companies now use AI somewhere in their hiring process), the fundamentals haven't changed: employers want to connect with the real you. Let's break down what interviewers are actually listening for.

Answering the 6 most common interview questions

These questions show up in nearly every interview because they work. They help interviewers quickly understand who you are, what you've accomplished, and whether you'd thrive in the role. The good news? With the right frameworks, you can turn each one into an opportunity to stand out. 

1. "Tell me about yourself"

This open-ended prompt trips up many candidates because it feels like it has no boundaries. The key is to treat it as a professional narrative, not a personal biography.

Framework: Past-Present-Future

• Past: Start with a brief overview of how you got into your field
• Present: Describe what you're doing now and what you excel at
• Future: Connect your trajectory to this specific opportunity

Example of a Weak Answer:

"Well, I graduated from State University and I like working with people. I'm a hard worker and I'm looking for a new challenge."

Example of a Strong Answer:

"I started my career in customer service, where I discovered I love problem-solving under pressure. Over the past five years, I've moved into operations management, leading a team of twelve and reducing our response times by 40%. Now I'm excited to bring that same energy to a role where I can scale those improvements across a larger organization."

2. "Why do you want this job?"

This is really a question about alignment. The interviewer wants to see that you've done your homework and that your goals genuinely connect to what this role offers.

Framework: Mutual Value

Instead of focusing exclusively on how the job benefits you, highlight the mutual value for both you and the company. Show that you understand their challenges and can contribute to their goals while advancing your own career.

Leave out compensation and benefits—the employer already knows what they're offering. They want to hear about your genuine interest in the work itself.

Example of a Weak Answer:

"I've heard great things about the company culture here, and I think it would be a good fit for me."

Example of a Strong Answer:

"I've followed your company's expansion into sustainable manufacturing, and it aligns with my passion for environmental responsibility. In my current role, I've implemented three initiatives that reduced waste by 25%. I'd love to bring that experience to your team as you scale your green operations."

3. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

This question is about self-awareness. Can you honestly assess yourself while demonstrating how your unique characteristics serve the company?

Framework: STAR Method for Strengths

Use the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) method to illustrate your strengths with specific examples. This makes your claims credible and memorable.

For weaknesses: Choose something genuine but not central to the job's core responsibilities. Then explain what you're actively doing to improve. This shows growth mindset without raising red flags.

Example of a Weak Answer:

"My biggest weakness is that I'm a perfectionist."

Example of a Strong Answer:

"I've sometimes struggled with delegating—I used to take on too much myself. I've been working on this by building clearer handoff processes with my team, and I've found it actually improves outcomes because team members bring perspectives I wouldn't have considered."

4. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

Employers ask this because they're investing in you. They want to know if your career trajectory aligns with what the company can offer.

Framework: Growth Within

Research career paths within the company before your interview. Then frame your answer around growing with the organization—taking on more responsibility, developing new skills, or expanding into related areas.

What to skip: Don't mention plans to leave for grad school, pivot to a different industry, or admit you're not sure what you want. Even if those things are true, this is not the time.

Example of a Strong Answer:

"In five years, I'd like to have grown into a senior role where I'm mentoring others and driving strategy—not just executing it. I've noticed your company promotes from within, and I'm excited about the possibility of building a long-term career here."

5. "Why are you leaving your current job?"

This question can feel like a trap, but it's really an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and focus on what's ahead.

Framework: Forward Focus

Frame your answer entirely around what you're moving toward, not what you're leaving behind. Even if your current situation is frustrating, resist the urge to vent.

One hard rule: Don't speak negatively about your current employer, manager, or team—even if your frustrations are completely valid. Criticism in an interview always lands wrong, and interviewers will wonder what you'll say about them down the road.

Example of a Weak Answer:

"My manager doesn't recognize my contributions and there's no room for growth."

Example of a Strong Answer:

"I've learned a tremendous amount in my current role, and I'm grateful for the experience. Now I'm looking for an opportunity where I can take on more leadership responsibility and work on larger-scale projects—which is exactly what drew me to this position."

6. "Do you have any questions for us?"

This isn't a formality—it's your chance to show genuine curiosity and evaluate whether the role is right for you.

Framework: Thoughtful Engagement

Prepare 3-5 questions that demonstrate you've researched the company and are thinking seriously about the role. Avoid questions you could easily answer with a Google search.

Strong questions to consider:

• What does success look like in this role after the first 90 days?
• How would you describe the team's working style?
• What's the biggest challenge facing the team right now?
• How has this role evolved since it was created?

Navigating virtual and AI-powered interviews

Virtual interviews and AI screening tools have their own quirks. Here's how to handle them:

Test your tech early. Camera angle, lighting, and audio quality matter more than you might think. Position your camera at eye level and face a window or light source so you're clearly visible.

Look at the camera, not the screen. It feels unnatural, but it creates the impression of eye contact—which builds connection even through a screen.

For AI video interviews: Speak clearly and at a measured pace. These systems often analyze keywords, so naturally incorporate language from the job description into your answers. Don't overthink it—just make sure you're addressing what the role requires.

Treat every format seriously. Talking to a screen feels weird, but half-effort still shows, just like it would in person. Dress professionally, minimize distractions, and bring the same focus you would to an in-person conversation.

Interview preparation checklist

Before your next interview, make sure you've covered these essentials:

• Research the organization and industry (recent news, company values, competitors)
• Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn—understand their role and background
• Review the job posting and identify keywords to incorporate naturally
• Prepare STAR-method stories for behavioral questions
• Practice answers out loud (not just in your head)
• Prepare 3-5 thoughtful questions to ask
• Test your camera, mic, and internet connection (for virtual interviews)
• Plan your outfit and route (or virtual background) the day before
• Follow up within 24 hours with a thank-you email

Your next step

Interview nerves don't go away with experience—they just get easier to manage. If you've done the prep work, you're already ahead of most candidates walking through that door.

Want to practice before the real thing? Kelly recruiters offer mock interviews, direct feedback on your answers, and insider knowledge about what specific hiring managers actually care about. It's the advantage of having someone in your corner who already knows the company.