Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions a hiring manager would be asking you in your next job interview?
We can’t read minds, unfortunately, but we’ll give you the next best thing: a list of 50 of the most commonly asked interview questions, along with advice for answering them all.
While we don’t recommend having a canned response for every interview question (in fact, please don’t), we do recommend spending some time getting comfortable with what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your responses, and what it takes to show that you’re the right person for the job.
Consider this list your interview question and answer study guide. (And don’t miss our bonus list at the end, with links out to resources on specific types of interview questions—about emotional intelligence or diversity and inclusion, for example—and interview questions by role, from accountant to project manager to teacher.)
US Citizenship Interview 2022 Full 50 Sentences Yes/No – Have You Ever & Vocabulary Definitions.
If there’s one thing you absolutely must not do when answering interview questions, it’s respond with a simple yes or no answer – even when it’s a yes/no question. Always elaborate, otherwise you’re just doing yourself a disservice. Answering questions with just a yes or a no is the equivalent to answering ‘Tell me about a time when you managed a project” with “On January 10.” Doesn’t really tell the interviewer much, does it?
When you don’t elaborate on your answers, you’re harming your chances of getting the job in more ways than one. You’re robbing yourself of chances to showcase your expertise. You aren’t doing anything to stand out from the crowd. Most poignantly, your lack of in-depth answers makes you seem lazy in the eyes of the interviewer.
Here are three of the most common yes/no questions that come up in interviews, and how to answer them:
Not all of your answers need to be work-related. If you have relevant experience outside of work, it’s perfectly acceptable to speak about it in an interview. That can actually help you, as it showcases your broader talents and interests. A word of caution – the experience must be relevant. Being a good host at parties isn’t a relevant way to showcase your people skills, but being a good organizer of community events is.
The best answer for this is “not yet.” This question usually comes up in terms of technical skills, such as knowing a programming language or how to use a specific application. If you’ve used a similar program in the past, talk about that. If it’s something completely new or unfamiliar to you, “Not yet, but I’m willing to learn.” is the most appropriate answer. You’re being truthful while acknowledging the fact that you’re open to trying something new.
On the surface, these job interview questions could seem bizarre, but they may actually yield revealing answers. Consider these curveball queries:
Pitfall to avoid: Dont place too much emphasis on the specific answers a candidate gives to hypothetical answers. What you’re really looking for is a glimpse into the interviewee’s approach to solving problems and overcoming obstacles.
If you want to identify the best candidate for a job, you have to ask the right questions during the interview. And that takes preparation.
When to use them: Closed-ended job interview questions work best if youre trying to elicit specific information or set the stage for more complex questions.
When to use them: Ask these questions frequently throughout the interview, but intersperse them with closed-ended questions.
50+ most common job interview questions
This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it’s crucial. Heres the deal: Don’t give your complete employment (or personal) history. Instead, give a pitch—one that’s concise and compelling and that shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job. Muse writer and MIT career counselor Lily Zhang recommends using a present, past, future formula. Talk a little bit about your current role (including the scope and perhaps one big accomplishment), then give some background as to how you got there and experience you have that’s relevant. Finally, segue into why you want—and would be perfect for—this role.
Interview questions can run the gamut. It’s unlikely you’ll face all 100 of these, but you should still be prepared to answer at least some of them. Thad Peterson, Monster staff
While there are as many different possible interview questions as there are interviewers, it always helps to be ready for anything. Which is why weve taken the time to prepare this list of 100 potential interview questions.
Will you face them all? We hope no interviewer would be that cruel.
Will you face a few? Probably.
Will you be well-served by being ready even if youre not asked these exact questions? Absolutely. To learn how to be prepared for job interview questions, start here.
FAQ
How do you answer yes or no interview question?
Are yes or no questions best for an interview?
What type of interview questions are yes no questions?
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief? …
- How did you hear about this position? …
- What type of work environment do you prefer? …
- How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? …
- Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
