research job interview tips

20 Common Researcher Interview Questions and Answers

Common Researcher interview questions, how to answer them, and sample answers from a certified career coach.

You’ve been invited to interview for a research position—congratulations! You know you have the skills and experience, but now it’s time to prove it.

The key to success? Being prepared. To help make sure you shine in your upcoming interview, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions asked during research interviews. Read on, get familiar with them, and practice your answers so you can ace that job interview like a pro.

• What research methods do you use to collect data?
• How do you ensure the accuracy and validity of your research results?
• Describe a time when you had to analyze complex data sets and draw meaningful conclusions from them.
• Explain how you would go about designing an experiment or survey to answer a specific research question.
• Are you familiar with any statistical software programs? If so, which ones?
• What strategies do you use to stay organized while conducting research?
• How do you handle ethical considerations when conducting research?
• Have you ever encountered a situation where you had to adjust your research methodology due to unexpected circumstances?
• Describe a time when you had to present your research findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Do you have experience working with large datasets?
• What challenges have you faced when collecting primary data for a research project?
• How do you approach writing up a research paper or report?
• What techniques do you use to identify potential sources of bias in your research?
• How do you evaluate the quality of secondary sources used in your research?
• What strategies do you use to keep track of changes in the field of research you are studying?
• How do you decide which research questions to pursue?
• What is your experience with peer review processes?
• How do you manage competing demands on your time when conducting research?
• What strategies do you use to ensure that your research remains relevant and up-to-date?
• How do you ensure that your research meets the highest standards of academic integrity?

1. What research methods do you use to collect data?

Research methods are the core of any researcher’s job. You’ll need to be familiar with a variety of different methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments, and be able to explain how you use each one in your work. This will help the interviewer understand your process and how you can contribute to their organization.

How to Answer:

You should be prepared to explain the research methods you have used in your past work. Talk about how you use surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments to collect data, as well as any other methods you may have experience with. If you’re just starting out, then talk through the steps you would take to select a method for each project. You can also mention any specialized methods or software that you are familiar with.

Example: “I use a variety of research methods to collect data, depending on the project. I often use surveys and interviews as primary sources of information, but I also have experience with focus groups, experiments, and software tools like Qualtrics for collecting quantitative data. I’m familiar with specialized methods such as content analysis and ethnography when appropriate. My goal is always to select the method that will provide the most accurate and reliable data for each project.”

2. How do you ensure the accuracy and validity of your research results?

Research requires a level of precision that goes beyond the normal workplace. Good researchers are able to identify what data is relevant and how to collect it in order to make reliable conclusions. Interviewers will want to know that you have the skills and knowledge to conduct research that is both accurate and valid. They’ll also want to know if you use any specific methods or tools to ensure accuracy and validity.

You should be prepared to explain what methods you use to ensure accuracy and validity of your research. This could include double-checking sources, using multiple data points, or triangulating information from different sources to verify results. You can also mention any specific tools or techniques you use, such as conducting surveys or interviews with experts in the field. Be sure to emphasize how important it is for you to make sure that your research is accurate and valid before drawing conclusions.

Example: “When I was working on a research project for ABC Corporation, I had to analyze the data from three different sources. My approach was to use statistical analysis techniques and software tools to cross-reference the data sets and identify any potential discrepancies or outliers. After analyzing the results, I identified a number of key trends that allowed us to draw meaningful conclusions about the company’s operations. The insights gained from this research ultimately led to improvements in the organization’s processes, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity.”

3. Describe a time when you had to analyze complex data sets and draw meaningful conclusions from them.

Research projects often involve a lot of data analysis and interpretation. Knowing how to take large amounts of data and make it into something meaningful is a valuable skill for any researcher. This question is a way for the interviewer to gauge your ability to work with data and draw meaningful conclusions from it.

You should be prepared to provide a specific example of when you had to analyze complex data sets and draw meaningful conclusions from them. Talk about the project, your approach to analyzing the data, and any insights or conclusions that you drew from it. Be sure to emphasize the impact of your findings on the project or organization as well.

Example: “I recently worked on a project for my previous employer in which I had to analyze a large and complex data set. My approach was to break down the data into smaller, more manageable chunks and then look for patterns or correlations between different variables. After doing this, I was able to identify a few key trends that were relevant to the project goals. This allowed us to make better decisions about how to allocate resources and focus our efforts, resulting in a successful outcome.”

4. Explain how you would go about designing an experiment or survey to answer a specific research question.

This question is designed to determine if you have the skills necessary to design and implement valid research experiments. The interviewer wants to know if you understand the fundamentals of research design, such as how to select a sample, how to develop a hypothesis, and how to determine the validity of a study. They also want to know if you can explain the process in a clear and concise manner.

Start by explaining the steps you would take to design an experiment or survey. You should include the following: defining the research question, selecting a sample, developing a hypothesis, creating a data collection plan, and determining how to analyze the results. Be sure to explain any specific techniques you might use in each step, such as random sampling or stratified sampling for your sample selection process. Finally, emphasize the importance of validating the results to ensure they are accurate and reliable.

Example: “When designing an experiment or survey, the first step is to define the research question. Once the research question has been identified, I would then select a sample that is representative of the population being studied. I would also develop a hypothesis based on my understanding of the research question and the available data. After that, I would create a data collection plan that outlines how the data will be collected, such as using surveys, interviews, or focus groups. Finally, I would determine the best method for analyzing the results in order to draw valid conclusions from the research. In all cases, it’s important to validate the results to ensure they are accurate and reliable.”

5. Are you familiar with any statistical software programs? If so, which ones?

Researchers often have to analyze data and present it in a meaningful way. This requires familiarity with statistical software programs like SPSS, SAS, or R. Knowing how to use these programs is a critical part of being a successful researcher, so this question is meant to gauge your level of expertise.

If you are familiar with any of the programs mentioned above, be sure to mention that and explain how you have used them in past research projects. If you are not familiar with these programs, it is still important to emphasize your ability to learn new software quickly. Explain how you approach learning new technologies and provide examples of times when you have successfully done so in the past.

Example: “I have used SPSS and SAS in my previous research projects. I am also comfortable with learning new statistical software programs, as I have done so on multiple occasions in the past. For example, when starting a new project at my last job, I was asked to learn R quickly in order to analyze data. Within two weeks, I had become proficient enough to use it for all of our research needs.”

6. What strategies do you use to stay organized while conducting research?

Research can be a long and complex process, with lots of data to sift through, organize, and analyze. It’s important to show the interviewer that you have a system in place to stay organized throughout the research process, from the initial research plan to the final report. This will demonstrate that you can effectively manage your time and resources, as well as prioritize tasks and remain focused on the task at hand.

You can answer this question by talking about the strategies you use to stay organized while conducting research. You could mention that you create detailed research plans, break down large tasks into smaller ones, and prioritize tasks based on importance and deadlines. Additionally, you could talk about how you utilize organizational tools such as spreadsheets and databases to store data, track progress, and easily access information when needed. Finally, you might also discuss how you take notes during your research process in order to keep track of important ideas or findings.

Example: “I use a variety of strategies to stay organized while conducting research. I always start by creating a detailed research plan that outlines the scope of my work and any deadlines associated with it. From there, I break down large tasks into smaller ones in order to tackle them more efficiently. Additionally, I prioritize tasks based on importance and deadlines in order to remain focused on the task at hand. To help store data, track progress, and access information quickly, I also utilize organizational tools such as spreadsheets and databases. Finally, I take notes during my research process in order to keep track of important ideas or findings.”

7. How do you handle ethical considerations when conducting research?

Research often involves collecting personal data, and it’s important that researchers understand how to approach these situations with respect and integrity. Interviewers want to know that you are aware of ethical considerations and that you are capable of adhering to them. This question is likely to be asked to all potential researchers, as it is an important part of the job.

Talk about the ethical considerations you take into account when conducting research. These can include obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity of data, respecting privacy laws, protecting vulnerable populations, and considering potential biases that may arise in your research. You should also mention any processes or protocols you have implemented to ensure ethical compliance with research projects. Finally, emphasize how important it is for researchers to adhere to ethical standards and how seriously you take them.

Example: “I understand the importance of adhering to ethical standards when conducting research, and I take this responsibility very seriously. In my current position as a researcher at ABC University, I follow a strict protocol for obtaining informed consent from participants and ensuring that data is kept confidential and anonymous. I also make sure to consider any potential biases in our research before collecting data and am familiar with applicable privacy laws. Lastly, I always strive to protect vulnerable populations, such as children or those with disabilities, when conducting research.”

8. Have you ever encountered a situation where you had to adjust your research methodology due to unexpected circumstances?

Research is a dynamic process and researchers must be prepared to adjust their methods as needed. This question is designed to assess the flexibility of potential candidates and their ability to think on their feet. It also provides insight into how well a candidate understands the research process, including how to identify and address potential problems.

To answer this question, provide an example of a situation where you had to adjust your research methodology due to unexpected circumstances. Explain how you identified the problem and how you adjusted your methods in order to successfully complete the project. Be sure to emphasize any creative solutions you implemented and the positive outcome that resulted from your adjustment.

Example: “I recently encountered a situation where I had to adjust my research methodology due to unexpected circumstances. I was conducting a survey to analyze consumer behavior in relation to a new product launch. After collecting the first round of data, I noticed a discrepancy in the results that could not be explained. After further investigation, I realized that the sample size I was using was not large enough to accurately capture the data. I quickly adjusted my methodology by increasing the sample size and collecting more data, which ultimately allowed me to identify the discrepancy and provide an accurate analysis of consumer behavior.”

9. Describe a time when you had to present your research findings in a clear and concise manner.

Researchers often have to communicate their findings to colleagues, stakeholders, and the public. The ability to communicate complex research findings in an understandable way is a key skill for someone in this role. This question allows the interviewer to gauge your ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.

You should come prepared with an example of a time when you had to present your research findings. Talk about the project, what the goal was, and how you went about presenting it. If possible, provide specific details such as the type of presentation (oral, written, etc.), who you presented to, and the feedback you received. You should also explain the strategies that you used to make sure that the audience understood your message. This could include using visual aids, breaking down complex concepts into simpler terms, or providing examples to illustrate your points.

Example: “My most recent research project focused on the long-term effects of climate change on agricultural production. I knew that it was important to make sure that the findings were presented in a way that was easy to understand and digest. I created a PowerPoint presentation that included visuals and graphs to illustrate my points, as well as a written report that provided a detailed breakdown of the findings. I then presented my findings to a group of stakeholders and received positive feedback. They appreciated my ability to take complex concepts and explain them in a way that was easy to understand.”

10. Do you have experience working with large datasets?

Many research roles require the ability to work with large datasets and analyze the information within them. This question helps employers understand how comfortable you are with such tasks, and it also serves as a way to gauge your technical skills. To answer this question, talk about how you’ve used various tools and techniques to analyze data and how you’ve been able to draw meaningful insights from it.

Start by talking about the types of datasets you’ve worked with, such as structured or unstructured data, and explain how you’ve gone about analyzing them. Then, provide a few examples of projects you’ve completed that involved working with large datasets. Finally, discuss any tools or techniques you’ve used to work with the data, such as statistical software, data visualization tools, machine learning algorithms, etc. Be sure to emphasize your ability to draw meaningful insights from the data and how those insights have helped inform decisions.

Example: “I have experience working with large datasets in both structured and unstructured formats. I have utilized various tools and techniques to analyze the data, such as statistical software and data visualization tools. I’ve also employed machine learning algorithms to uncover patterns and trends from the data. For example, in my most recent project I utilized a variety of data sources to identify potential new markets for our company. Through analyzing the data, I was able to identify key demographic, geographic, and psychographic trends that we could use to target our new customers. This analysis provided valuable insights that informed our marketing strategy and ultimately led to increased sales.”

11. What challenges have you faced when collecting primary data for a research project?

Research often involves gathering primary data from sources such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations. It’s important to determine whether the candidate has the skills necessary to design and implement a research project in order to successfully collect data. This question helps the interviewer understand the candidate’s ability to handle the logistics and challenges of primary data collection.

When answering this question, it’s important to provide specific examples of challenges you have faced and how you overcame them. For example, you could talk about the challenge of finding participants for a survey or focus group, or the difficulty in scheduling interviews with busy professionals. You can also discuss any logistical issues that arose during data collection, such as having unreliable equipment or dealing with uncooperative participants. Be sure to emphasize your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet when facing unexpected obstacles.

Example: “I’ve encountered a few challenges when gathering primary data for research projects. For example, when I was working on a survey project for a university, it took me several weeks to find participants willing to answer the survey. I had to be creative in my approach and reach out to different groups, such as student organizations, to recruit participants. I also encountered a few logistical issues, such as having unreliable equipment or dealing with uncooperative participants. I was able to quickly come up with solutions to these issues, such as having backup equipment and developing strategies to engage the participants. Overall, I was able to successfully gather the data I needed and produce valuable research findings.”

12. How do you approach writing up a research paper or report?

Research is a process that requires both creativity and structure. As a researcher, you must be able to synthesize information from a variety of sources, develop strong arguments, and communicate those arguments clearly and concisely in written form. Being able to articulate your approach to researching and writing up a paper will demonstrate your ability to think critically and logically.

Your answer should include the steps you take when writing up a research paper or report. This could include outlining your topic, researching relevant sources, organizing and synthesizing data, developing an argument, drafting and revising the paper, and proofreading for accuracy. It is also important to emphasize how you use critical thinking skills to develop strong arguments and draw meaningful conclusions from your research. Finally, make sure to mention any specific techniques or strategies that you have used successfully in the past.

Example: “When writing up a research paper or report, I approach the task systematically. I begin by outlining my topic and any relevant research questions. I then conduct research to find relevant sources, both primary and secondary. I carefully review and analyze the information I find, and use it to develop my argument. After that, I draft and revise the paper, making sure to include evidence to support my points. Finally, I proofread for accuracy and clarity. Throughout the process, I strive to use critical thinking skills to ensure that my arguments are sound and my conclusions are meaningful.”

13. What techniques do you use to identify potential sources of bias in your research?

Researchers need to be able to identify potential sources of bias in their work, such as selection bias or confirmation bias, in order to ensure the accuracy of their data and the validity of their results. By asking this question, the interviewer is gauging your ability to identify potential sources of bias and how you handle them.

To answer this question, you should discuss the techniques you use to identify potential sources of bias in your research. This could include methods such as double-checking data for accuracy and completeness, using multiple sources of information, or conducting blind studies. Additionally, you can talk about how you handle any biases you may find, such as adjusting your research design or changing your methodology. Be sure to emphasize that accuracy and validity are important to you and that you take steps to ensure they remain a priority.

Example: “I understand the importance of accuracy and validity in research, so I always strive to identify and address any potential sources of bias. I use several techniques to identify bias, such as double-checking my data for accuracy and completeness, using multiple sources of information, and conducting blind studies. When I do identify a potential source of bias, I adjust my research design or change my methodology to address it. I also make sure to communicate any changes to my team and stakeholders to ensure that we’re all on the same page.”

14. How do you evaluate the quality of secondary sources used in your research?

One of the most important skills of a researcher is being able to evaluate the quality of sources used in research. This question allows the interviewer to get a better understanding of your research process and your ability to critically evaluate sources. It also allows them to gauge your level of experience in the field and your knowledge of the research landscape.

To answer this question, you should explain your process for evaluating secondary sources. You can talk about the criteria that you use to evaluate a source’s credibility such as its author or publisher, the date of publication, and any peer reviews that have been conducted on the source. Additionally, you can mention any methods you use to assess the accuracy of information in the source such as cross-referencing with other sources or conducting additional research on the topic. Finally, you should discuss how you use these evaluations to inform your own research.

Example: “When evaluating the quality of secondary sources I use in my research, I consider a few key factors. I always look at the author or publisher of the source, the date of publication, and any peer reviews that have been conducted. I also use a variety of methods to assess the accuracy of the information in the source, such as cross-referencing with other sources and conducting additional research. From there, I use my evaluations to inform my own research and determine how best to use the source. This helps me ensure that I’m using the most reliable and up-to-date sources in my research.”

15. What strategies do you use to keep track of changes in the field of research you are studying?

Research is an ever-evolving field and keeping up with changes in the field is essential to remain relevant and up to date. Interviewers want to know that you have the skills and strategies to stay on top of the latest research, trends, and developments in the field. They’ll be looking for evidence that you have the self-discipline and organizational skills to stay on top of your work and be able to provide timely, accurate research.

You should be prepared to discuss the strategies and tools you use to stay up-to-date on changes in your field. Talk about how you keep track of new research articles, publications, conferences, and other sources of information that are relevant to your work. You can also talk about how you use technology such as RSS feeds, social media, or email alerts to ensure that you’re aware of any news or updates related to your research. Additionally, mention any methods you have for organizing and cataloging the information you collect so it is easily accessible when needed.

Example: “To stay on top of changes in my field, I use a variety of strategies and tools. I subscribe to relevant RSS feeds and email alerts to ensure I’m aware of any new research articles or publications. I also use social media to follow industry leaders and experts in the field and get updates on their work. I also keep an organized library of research material that I have collected over the years. I use a combination of software tools and physical filing systems to keep track of all the information I need. This allows me to quickly access any information I need, when I need it.”

16. How do you decide which research questions to pursue?

Being a researcher requires the ability to prioritize and select the best questions to pursue in order to achieve the desired outcome. This question helps the interviewer get a sense of your process and how you approach problem solving. It also gives them an insight into your critical thinking skills, as well as your ability to analyze data and make meaningful conclusions.

The best way to answer this question is to provide a step-by-step approach of how you decide which research questions to pursue. Start by explaining the research process you go through, such as collecting data, analyzing it and forming hypotheses. Then explain how you prioritize certain questions based on their importance and relevance to the project at hand. Finally, discuss how you use your findings to make informed decisions about which questions are worth pursuing further.

Example: “When I’m deciding which research questions to pursue, I start by gathering all the available data related to the project. From there, I analyze the data to form hypotheses and then prioritize the questions based on their importance and relevance to the project. I also consider the impact each question could have on the overall outcome of the research. Once I have a list of the most important questions, I evaluate the data and use my findings to make informed decisions about which questions are worth pursuing further. Ultimately, my goal is to select the best questions that will yield the most meaningful results.”

17. What is your experience with peer review processes?

Peer review is a critical part of the research process. It requires that researchers review and critique each other’s work in order to ensure that the research is unbiased and credible. This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the research process and your ability to work with other researchers.

To answer this question, you should provide specific examples of your experience with peer review processes. Talk about how you have worked with other researchers to review and critique their work, as well as how you have incorporated feedback from peers into your own research. You can also discuss any challenges or successes you had during the process. Finally, emphasize your understanding of the importance of peer review in the research process and why it is necessary for producing high-quality results.

Example: “I have extensive experience with peer review processes, both as a reviewer and as an author. I have worked with other researchers to review their work and provide constructive feedback, as well as incorporating feedback from peers into my own research. I understand the importance of peer review in the research process and am committed to producing high-quality results. I have also had success in resolving disagreements between reviewers and authors when needed, and I have a strong track record of producing quality research that has been accepted for publication.”

18. How do you manage competing demands on your time when conducting research?

Research can be a demanding job, with a lot of deadlines, competing agendas, and complex data sets to analyze. The interviewer wants to make sure you can prioritize tasks, keep track of multiple projects, and adjust when needed. Your ability to manage competing demands on your time is a key indicator of how successful you will be at the job.

To answer this question, you should focus on how you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines. Talk about the strategies you use to stay organized, such as setting up a calendar or using task management tools. Also discuss any techniques you have for staying focused when there are multiple demands on your time. Finally, emphasize your ability to adjust your plans when needed, such as if an unexpected project comes in or a deadline needs to be moved up.

Example: “I have a few strategies for managing competing demands on my time when conducting research. I prioritize tasks by breaking them down into smaller, manageable chunks and then assigning deadlines to each one. I also use task management tools to keep track of what I need to do and stay organized. And I make sure to take regular breaks to stay focused and energized. When I need to adjust my plans due to unexpected events, I’m able to reassess and re-prioritize my tasks accordingly. I’m confident in my ability to manage competing demands on my time and stay organized when conducting research.”

19. What strategies do you use to ensure that your research remains relevant and up-to-date?

Research is a dynamic field, and the best researchers know that they need to stay informed of the latest developments and trends in order to remain relevant. This question allows your interviewer to assess your knowledge of the field and your commitment to keeping up with the latest research. It shows that you are aware of the need to stay ahead of the curve and that you have the skills to do so.

To answer this question, you should start by discussing the strategies that you use to stay informed. You can talk about how you read industry publications, attend conferences and seminars, or network with other researchers in your field. You should also mention any specific platforms or tools that you use to keep up-to-date on the latest research. Finally, you should explain why staying informed is important to you and how it helps you do better work.

Example: “I use a variety of strategies to ensure that my research remains relevant and up-to-date. I read industry publications, attend conferences and seminars, and network with other researchers to stay informed. I also use specific tools like Google Scholar and ResearchGate to keep track of new developments in my field. It’s important to me to stay ahead of the curve and make sure that my research is as current and relevant as possible. Doing so not only helps me do better work, but it also helps me to provide more value to my employer and contribute to the success of their projects.”

20. How do you ensure that your research meets the highest standards of academic integrity?

Research is the backbone of any organization, and it is crucial for a researcher to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Employers want to know that you understand the importance of being thorough and accurate, as well as ethical in your research. They may also want to know how you go about verifying the accuracy of your data and sources, and how you ensure that your research meets the standards expected in the field.

Start off by detailing the steps you take to ensure that your research meets academic integrity standards. For example, you can mention how you always double-check sources and data for accuracy and reliability, or how you use peer review processes to vet your work. Additionally, be sure to emphasize any specific techniques or methods you have used in the past to verify the validity of your findings. Finally, explain why it is important to you to maintain the highest level of academic integrity in your research.

Example: “I understand the importance of academic integrity and take it very seriously in my research. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy, I always double-check my sources and data, and use peer review processes to vet my work. Additionally, I frequently use replication studies to verify the validity of my findings. To me, it is essential to ensure that my research meets the highest standards of academic integrity, as it is the foundation of any successful research project.”

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• Job Interview Tips

12+ Job Interview Tips & Tricks (Verified Expert Advice)

Job-seeking is a beautiful mess.

You struggle with articulating your experiences and achievements. You get all worked up about finding the perfect answer to pretty much the same 10 interview questions. Then, you have to figure out if you’re a cultural fit, only to compete with hundreds of other people with very similar backgrounds.

Ah, the price we pay to afford our instaworthy vacations and endless supply of athleisure.

The good news is that interviewing doesn’t have to be that hard. In this article, we’ll give you 12 quick interview tips to help you prepare, know what to expect, and how to act and react on the spot.

This article was written with help from professionals in different roles and industries who have one thing in common: they’re connected to the HR industry, they’re passionate about hiring the right candidates, and they already helped numerous people land the jobs of their dreams. Special thanks to Vukasin and Michael for sharing their expertise with us. 

You’ll learn:

• Why and how you need to research the company
• How to make a list of your proudest accomplishments
• How to anticipate interview questions so that you always know what’s coming
• How to tactfully answer tricky questions

Don’t waste days compiling overused interview techniques. Get original answers to every single question you could expect.

Bonus Tip: Nurture Professional Connections

Before we begin with specific interview tips, here’s an important tip to make the job search easier in general: build meaningful connections .

I spoke to Vukasin Vukosavljevic , a Marketing and Growth advisor who interviewed countless candidates and hired 60+ people for different companies and industries. Vuk sees hiring people as assembling a football or a basketball team. He has certain candidates in mind before the position is open — and that’s because he has established a connection with them.

Why is this important to you?

When you build and nurture a network of relevant professional connections, you’ll see magic happening. Recruiters and hiring managers will reach out to you about job opportunities before they’re even advertised. This will automatically make you the most attractive candidate.

You can become this candidate by building connections and standing out in your industry:

• Optimize your LinkedIn profile and stay active (share insights and engage with other people’s content)
• Create and share actionable content (LinkedIn, social media, your portfolio, and video materials)
• Participate in relevant industry discussions (on LinkedIn, forums, webinars, and in-person events)
• Reach out and offer to contribute guest articles to relevant websites, platforms, and blogs
• Work on your network and focus on the quality, not quantity of connections (be in touch regularly, exchange useful resources, recommend people for jobs, support them in their professional efforts)
• Build in public: share your work, growth, failures, thoughts, and experiments

If this sounds like too much, pick one or two from this list — for starters, starting being active on LinkedIn is enough.

Being approached by a recruiter or recommended by someone will create this positive bias towards you, and it’ll be easier to stand out and charm the interviewers with the tips below. 😉

Tip #1: Do Your Homework

Research the company to make the most of your interview.

Find information on the company’s history, work culture, recent news, and industry trends. If possible, get some basic information about the person you’ll be interviewing with.

How to do it:

• Research the company’s website. Look at their history, career page, mission and vision, values, ideal client, and industry.
• Google the company for relevant news and events.
• Find the company’s social media accounts to get a feel of their voice and be in the loop with announcements.
• Check out their LinkedIn page to research the person you’ll be speaking to.
• Check Glassdoor and similar platforms for reviews and first-hand employee experiences.
• Search forums like Reddit or Quora for public opinion and first-hand experiences with the company.

✅ Pro Tip: Not sure who you’ll be interviewing with? It’s perfectly fine to email HR and ask.

All of the above will help you with 3 things:

• Anxiety: You’ll know who you’re speaking to, what to expect, and what the company is like, which will ease your nerves.
• Culture fit: You’ll have a stronger sense of whether or not you fit in.
• Asking relevant questions: You’ll ask tailored questions to you obtain valuable info and come across as prepared and resourceful.

For more information, learn How to Prepare for an Interview (Best Tips) .

For more tips on company research, read The Job-Seeker’s Guide to Company Research .

Tip #2: Make a Bulleted List of Your Key Accomplishments

Most candidates stink at doing this. The ones who execute it well are almost always the ones who get the job — even if someone else is more qualified.

The key is to pick out the proudest accomplishments of your career and write them down in a list. It’ll help you prove your competence and skills.

“Experience is important. We all want the person who knows what they’re doing and will make their boss’ life easier,” said Vuk. And what better way to prove you’ve got what it takes than to have a list of your top achievements at hand? So, know your accomplishments and be ready to speak about them.

Let’s see how this works.

Meet Jane. At her previous job as Customer Happiness Officer, she scored three significant wins:

• Increased average customer satisfaction scores from 79% to 95% by redesigning user surveys and implementing a new reporting system for the product team. This shows her creative problem-solving skills, analytical skills, and communication skills.
• Reduced response time by 29% by tweaking the ticketing system and introducing and optimizing automated responses for common queries. This, in turn, contributed to increased customer satisfaction. Jane displayed efficiency in process optimization, strategic thinking, and customer focus.
• Initiated a Proactive Customer Support Program with her team, which resulted in a 22% decrease in customer support tickets for basic inquiries. The program provided customers with tutorials, tips, and best practices for maximizing the use of the product. This showed Jane’s and her team’s strategic thinking, proactiveness, and communication skills.

So now, whenever they ask Jane about “a time you had to solve a problem” or “a time you had to work collaboratively,” she has her answers ready. Better yet, backed by verifiable evidence.

Here’s how you can do this for yourself:

• Look back at your experiences and use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula . Did you solve a problem at work? What action did you take to solve it and what was the result?
• Think of the frequency of your work. How many initiatives did you finish per day/week/month/quarter? For example, you resolved 50 customer tickets/day, wrote 7 long-form pieces of content/month, or booked 10 demos with clients/week.
• Think of the scale of your work . How many people you managed, how big the budgets you handled were, or how many international markets your team operated on.
• Make your accomplishments SMART: Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

To learn how to talk about your accomplishments, read “What Accomplishments Are You Most Proud Of?” 6 Examples .

If you want to know more about how to come up with accomplishments for your resume, read Achievements and Accomplishments for a Resume: Examples + How to List Them . The majority of the tips are about accomplishments on a resume, but you’ll also find invaluable tactics to come up with measurable accomplishments.

For more tips on how to practice these specific stories, check out the video below:

Tip #3: Always Have Questions Prepared for the Interviewer

Your interview is coming to an end. You’re feeling pretty confident so far.

“Do you have any questions for us?” they ask you.

“No, I’m good.”

“Okay, we’ll call you.”

(They never will.)

Not asking the interviewer any questions kills your chances in an instant. So does asking generic, unimaginative ones.

“For me, one of the key soft skills a candidate needs to have is curiosity . Curiosity can be reflected in different ways, but the one I focus on the most is asking questions . The right candidate needs to ask relevant questions, as that will show me they are ready to challenge the status quo, explore alternatives, and be dedicated to continuous learning and development.” , said Vuk.

So, to stand out, prepare several thoughtful, open-ended questions (aim to ask 3 but have a few more, some of your questions may be answered before you get the chance to ask). Make sure it’s something that you can’t find the answer for on the company website, by googling, or looking at social media.

Here are a few interesting questions to ask about the company, its culture, or the role:

• How would you know you’d hired the right person after the first 90 days in the role?
• What do new employees often find surprising after they start?
• If you had a magic wand and could change anything here, what would it be?
• Can you tell me a bit about company values and how you put them into practice?
• What’s the performance review process like here and what is a possible growth trajectory for someone in this role?

Modify the questions based on the company, industry, latest industry/economic circumstances, and other relevant factors.

⚠️ Don’t just ask questions to try and make a good impression. Ask about what you genuinely want to know to help you decide if the company is the right one for you. Otherwise, a month or two down the line, you might realize that you don’t share company values, don’t like your coworkers, or get zero opportunities for professional development.

For a full list of questions to ask at the end of the interview, as well as for tips on how to come up with them, read 40+ Smart Questions to Ask at the End of Any Job Interview .

Find more inspiration (and questions) in the video below:

Tip #4: Arrive Early

This seems like a dead giveaway, but messing it up could cost you the job.

If you plan to drive, make sure you know the area and have a place to park your car. Take into consideration unpredictable situations like traffic or bad weather.

Plan your commute and make sure you arrive 10–15 minutes early to give yourself the time to find the right building, office, and room.

If the interview is a virtual one, test your setup 10–15 minutes before the call and enter the call a few minutes earlier.

Coming a bit earlier will not only show good manners, but it’ll help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. You’ll have some time to compose yourself and get used to the surroundings.

Much better than rushing into the office or a call breathless and a few minutes late, right?

Tip #5: Greet Your Interviewer with a Confident Handshake and a Smile

A fairly simple one, but you’d be surprised at how it sets the tone of the interview and how much of a difference it can make.

Displaying a positive attitude and being respectful and confident will make you look trustworthy, well-adjusted, and reliable. It also displays solid communication skills — particularly important if you’re applying for a role where communication is vital (let’s be honest, it’s a valuable skill for pretty much any position).

In case you interview online, come to the call with a smile and politely greet the interviewer. This will have the same effect.

For more simple tips on how to leave a good impression, read about 9 Ways to Sell Yourself in an Interview (+ Examples) .

Tip #6: Make Your Behavioral Answers STAR-Based

Remember questions like this?

• “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”
• “Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult problem at work”
• “Describe a situation where you faced a conflict?”
• “Tell me about a time you had to lead and motivate people.”
• “Share a rewarding team experience.”

They’re behavioral interview questions looking to assess your past behavior at work, to help the interviewer predict your future actions.

✅ Pro tip: Before the interview, try to anticipate some of the behavioral questions you might get. They are usually closely related to key skills needed for a position. For example, if you’re applying for a Customer Service role, expect questions about handling a difficult customer, resolving a conflict, or finding a solution to a problem. For Sales, it might be something about your communication skills, a time when you had to convince someone to see things your way, and a rewarding experience when you built a meaningful relationship with a client.

When answering these behavioral interview questions, use the STAR method. 

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It’s a framework for you to tell a story about how you displayed a certain skill or discuss an event they asked you about. It’s the best way to tell a compelling story that’s interesting and provides proof of your abilities.

Let’s see how the STAR method works in practice:

Interviewer: Share an example where you had to give a presentation or a speech.

Situation: Two years ago, I landed my first serious job in a company I liked. At the end of my second quarter there, they asked me to give a presentation.

Task: I had to update my team and team leader about the progress of my projects and performance. I was fairly new to the team, so I was extremely anxious.

Action: To try and relax, I started practicing like crazy. I created a nicely structured presentation and highlighted key points with a clear agenda. I asked my manager to check it out, so when she suggested a few improvements, I felt like the outline was perfect. I then worked on the visual elements to back up my claims and keep the team interested and engaged. I practiced for a full week in front of my girlfriend and friends, and they gave me feedback on my intonation, breathing, body language, and other details. I got better and less nervous, so a week later, my presentation was well-received.

Result: My team and my manager gave me positive feedback and it was a big confidence boost. After that, I realized that preparing and practicing is the key to successful presentations. I started doing it regularly and immensely improved my presentation and public speaking skills. I don’t have to spend as much time practicing and I’m not nervous anymore. On the contrary, I regularly volunteer to give presentations.

✅ Pro tip: The Situation part needs to take up about 15% of your answer. Task — 10%. Action needs to be the longest part, about 60%. And the results should take up around 15%. This is because the Action part needs to outline, in detail, how exactly you completed a task, displaying the most important skills.

For a detailed guide, head here: The STAR Interview Method: How to Answer + Examples . And if you want to see another example, check out the video below:

A more detailed guide on how to answer behavioral questions below:

Tip #7: Use Appropriate Body Language

In 1971, a famous Mehrabian study suggested that spoken words only constitute 7% of the overall “message” when we communicate. The rest goes to our tone of voice and body language.

And while some of those findings have been debated (after all, “meaning” can hardly be measured in percentages), modern-day research across vastly different fields also suggests that non-verbal cues are more important than words. If you’re interested, check out studies like this or this .

Knowing how much of our communication is non-verbal should make you careful about your body language in a job interview and help you leave the impression of a calm, confident, competent candidate.

💡 Sit up straight, facing the interviewer. Keep your arms open, don’t cross them.

💡 Maintain a steady amount of eye contact. Don’t stare constantly, but don’t avoid it!

💡 Smile politely when appropriate, like when speaking about pleasant things.

💡 Control nervous habits. No clicking of a pen, no leg shaking, no nail-biting.

✅ Pro tip: Practicing your answers in advance will help you with appropriate body language and nervous habit control. You’ll have your answer, know exactly what you want to say, and you’ll be more confident. Your mind won’t need to self-soothe by shaking your leg. See? As always, preparation is the key to everything. 😉

Here are more body language mistakes you can easily avoid:

Tip #8: Prepare for the Most Common “Basic” Interview Questions

Some interview questions are considered “classics.” These are very common questions that aim to get to know you. You’ll 100% hear at least a few of them in your next interview, so it’s better to prepare for them.

Here’s a list of questions and detailed guides to help you prepare:

• “Tell Me About Yourself” 20+ Sample Answers + How-to
• “Describe Your Current Job Responsibilities:” Sample Answers
• “What Accomplishments Are You Most Proud Of?” 6 Examples
• What Are Your Strengths (and Weaknesses): Example Answers + Bonus Tips
• What Is Your Greatest Weakness? (Sample Answers + Tips)
• “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”: How to Answer + Examples
• “Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?” Top Reasons, Examples, How to Answer
• “What Can You Contribute to the Company?” How to Answer
• How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work Here?” (Examples)
• How to Answer “Why Are You Interested in This Position?”
• How to Answer: “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” (+ Examples)
• Why Should We Hire You? Best Answer Examples
• How to Answer “What Are Your Salary Expectations?” (+3 Templates)

Don’t worry — interviewers don’t expect you to read their minds or give scripted answers. The guides above will explain the intention behind each question and best practices for answering, so you can create and modify your answers in the best way possible.

And if you get blindsided by an unexpected question, here’s how to handle it:

Tip #9: Manage Your Nerves and Understand You Can’t Avoid Them

It’s normal to feel nervous before your job interview. It’s an important occasion and you care about leaving a good impression.

Interviewers know this and they generally expect you to be at least a little bit nervous — don’t worry, it won’t disqualify you.

You can take some steps, though, to be more prepared and less nervous:

• Prepare for the interview, research the company and the position, go through the most common interview questions, and prepare answers and accomplishments.
• Create an elevator pitch, a brief self-introduction you can use when they ask you to tell them a bit about yourself.
• Prepare the questions to ask the interviewer at the end.
• Try using visualization or positive affirmations.
• Move your body before the interview. A brief walk will help you clear your mind and regain a sense of control.
• Go to as many interviews as you can. It’s the perfect opportunity to practice and get desensitized to interview anxiety.
• If the nerves turn into something more serious that leads to panic attacks, seek help from a therapist or counselor.

For more information that will help you decrease anxiety and become more confident, read Interview Anxiety: How to Calm Nerves Before an Interview .

Tip #10: Listen Actively

You would be shocked by the number of people who don’t listen to everything the interviewer is asking. It’s the grownup equivalent of skimming over the test instructions. Don’t do this. Make sure you understand everything the interviewer is asking, so you can give your best response.

One thing that can help you is practicing active listening. Carefully listen to every question they ask you. Don’t expect it to 100% match the questions you researched and prepared for (so be ready to adjust your answers and don’t learn them by heart).

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question.

Finally, answer the questions truthfully. Don’t exaggerate or lie, as interviewers are trained to immediately spot lies and embellishments.

Tip #11: Don’t Badmouth Anyone

Naturally, you might get a question or two about your failures, reasons for leaving your last job, conflict with a coworker, and similar.

These are delicate questions and you could be tempted to play the blame game. Resist that temptation. Badmouthing your ex-company or coworkers will leave a terrible impression and raise numerous red flags about your integrity.

Here’s what Vuk had to say on this topic: “Ownership is a skill I really value. Many things can and will go wrong at work, that’s just the way it is. Accepting the unpleasant and taking responsibility for your part is what matters. The way candidates speak about failures and unpleasantries is telling of their values and stances.”

Therefore, be tactful. Choose your words carefully, make sure to show you’re objective and understanding of other people’s perspectives, and don’t put the blame exclusively on other people. Own your mistakes.

Generally, for questions like these, you’ll want to highlight lessons learned and focus on the positive.

For example, if you quit a job because of a crappy boss, don’t be that blunt about it. Instead, talk about the deeper issues on why your relationship didn’t work. This could be that you didn’t always see eye to eye with them or simply that you felt you were ready to grow and seek new challenges. Then highlight your gratitude for the experience, say what you learned from it, and move on.

If you get one of those tricky questions like “Why do you want to leave your job?”, here’s what to do:

Want to learn more about how to answer common interview questions and negotiate your salary? Sign up for our free course.

Tip #12: Send a Follow-up Email After the Interview

Follow-up emails are a nice way to stand out from the competition. A follow-up thank-you email should be sent to all your interviewers (separately) within 24 hours after the interview.

In it, you should:

• Thank them for their time.
• Restate your interest in the role and the qualifications that make you the best fit.
• Personalize by bringing up a topic you covered in an interview.
• Ask if they need any additional information from you.
• Provide a sign-off with your full name and contact information.

✅ Pro tip: You should send a thank-you email after each interviewing round. The deeper you are in the process, the more detailed the email should be (although it shouldn’t be too long). This means that the email after the initial phone call will be super short and general, the one after the first round (in-person or video) will be a bit more detailed, the one after the second round will be even more detailed, and so on.

For a detailed guide and different types of follow-up emails (in case you haven’t heard from the interviewer in some time), check out How to Write a Follow-Up Email After an Interview: 6 Templates .

Summary of the Main Points

• The less prepared you are for an interview, the more nervous you will be.
• Even if you’re fully prepared, it’s normal to be a bit anxious. Interviewers know this and it won’t affect your chances of landing a job if you’re the right candidate.
• To stand out, research the company and prepare relevant questions to ask the interviewer.
• Before the interview, make a list of your best accomplishments — it will help you answer common interview questions and prove you have what it takes to thrive in a new role.
• Arrive early, greet your interviewer politely, have a firm handshake, and make eye contact.
• Be mindful of your body language, don’t give in to nervous habits like leg shaking, and practice active listening.
• Don’t badmouth previous company or coworkers, focus on the positives and tactfully highlight lessons learned from negative experiences.
• Send a follow-up email within 24 hours after the interview.

______________________________________________________________

Need a hand landing your next job? Here’s how we can help:

• Watch a free webinar from Pam, our head career coach, on unexpected interview questions .
• Learn how to turn more job interviews into job offers here . (Rated with 4.9/5 by 1,000,000 users).
• Changing careers? Here’s 18 Career Change Interview Questions and Sample Answers .
• Want to polish up your resume? Try our Resume AI tool , the smartest resume software out there.

I’m heading to an interview now. What are the best last-minute tips?

Take a second to go through your elevator pitch and revise it. Make sure you summarize your relevant skills and experiences, and focus on how you can contribute to the company. Review your list of accomplishments, practice mindful breathing, and repeat some positive affirmations to yourself. Rehearse a few questions you’d like to ask the interviewer. Stay positive.

How to get better at interviewing?

“Interview more. Don’t be afraid to go to an interview just because you think you’re underqualified. Have a job that you like, but someone wants to scout you? Go to that interview even if you don’t intend to jump ship. The experience will come in handy whenever your next big interview happens,” said Michael Tomaszewski , CPRW, resume expert, and career advice writer and editor.

During interviews, the key is to adjust your approach to each company, research the company and the role, and understand how you fit in. Conduct mock interviews with friends or using specialized platforms, learn about common interview questions, get familiar with the STAR method, identify your key accomplishments (quantified, whenever possible) and get ready to discuss them. Improve your communication skills, practice active listening, be mindful of your body language, and make it a habit to send post-interview follow-up emails. Finally, learn from your experiences, stay positive and confident, and ask for feedback, as constructive criticism will help you improve.

How to convey my enthusiasm for the role during a video interview?

You can display enthusiasm by referring to the aspects of the role or company that excite you. You can also directly talk about your enthusiasm because of the alignment between your and the company’s values. Additionally, maintain a positive attitude, smile when appropriate (when greeting the interviewer or talking about positive things from your experience), and use hand gestures to prove your key points. Use a lively, engaged tone of voice when you’re speaking, and most importantly, ask engaging, tailored questions that reflect your knowledge of the company and interest in working with them.

What are some tips for phone interviews?

Phone interviews are considerably shorter and more general than in-person or video interviews. They’ll usually last between 10 and 30 minutes and be focused on your qualifications, reasons you want to change jobs, motivation to apply for this position, availability, and salary expectations. It would be best to prepare and practice your elevator pitch, some of your key accomplishments, and the alignment between the role and your experience in order to demonstrate why you’re motivated for the role. Have answers ready about your availability and notice period, and have a ballpark figure when it comes to your salary. Rarely, you can expect a few behavioral interview questions, so go through a few of them, just in case.

What are the best tips for panel interviews?

Expect various behavioral questions, especially the ones regarding your conflict-resolution skills, problem-solving, and leadership. Practice answering them using the STAR method. As usual, before the panel interview, research the role and the company, as well as all the interviewers that will be present (check out their LinkedIn pages, too), prepare a few achievements, and practice. Additionally, you can bring extra copies of your resume and hand them out to all interviewers. Look for different ways you can connect and communicate with all panel members and have outstanding communication skills: carefully answer questions, practice active listening, and have a positive attitude and body language. Make eye contact with everyone. After the interview, send a separate thank-you email to each panel member, and make sure to personalize each — don’t copy-paste and send the same thing to everyone.

Where can I learn some effective interviewing techniques?

Through online courses and webinars, books and guides, career centers and workshops, or interview simulators like Big Interview. You’ll find a lot of invaluable resources in blogs, YouTube channels, or podcasts. If you’re in the position to work with a career coach or consultant, you’ll learn the most. Spot mentorship opportunities and work on building your network, as it can provide you with practical insights and personalized guidance.

Maja Stojanovic

Fact Checked By:

Industry Expert Contributions:

Vukasin Vukosavljevic, Michael Tomaszewski

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19 Job Interview Tips That Will Get You Hired In 2024

Are you gearing up for a job interview? If so, make sure you’re following the latest trends to stand out from the competition.

Customers Interviewed by:

The job interview can be a nerve-wracking process, but if you  prepare yourself , you’ll have a better chance of convincing employers that you’re the best candidate for the job.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together 19 job interview tips. By following them, you’ll calm your nerves and boost your confidence, which is essential to nailing your interview and landing the job you want!

Tip #1 – Learn about the company

The first step in preparing for a job interview is to  research the company  you are interviewing with. In  one survey , 47% of hiring managers said that they would NOT offer the job to someone who didn’t know much about the company. So don’t skip this step!

The best way to research a company is to review its website and search for news articles or blog posts about it. Try to learn about the company’s product, business model, values, and the challenges it’s facing.

Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to ask more informed questions during the interview.

Read the full guide : “ How to Research a Company for an Interview “

Tip #2 – Practice answering the most common interview questions

The following are some of the most common questions asked by interviewers. Practice answering them in a way that focuses on your strengths while remaining honest.

Common interview questions include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Give me an example of a time when you had to overcome a challenge at work.
• Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work.
• Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond your job duties.
• Why do you want to leave your current job?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Do you have  any questions  for me?

Read the full guide : “ How to Answer Common Interview Questions “

Tip #3 – Review the job posting

There are a few key reasons why you should always  review the job posting  before an interview:

Reviewing the job posting:

• Will help refresh your memory about what the company is looking for in a candidate.
• Will help you prepare specific questions or talking points that will show the interviewer that you’re truly interested in and qualified for the role.
• Will put you in the right frame of mind to discuss your expertise and skills in a way that is most relevant to what the company is seeking.

Re-reading the job description can be especially helpful if you’ve been interviewing for multiple positions and start to feel like they’re all starting to blur together.

To help keep things organized, consider using Jobscan’s  Job Tracker . It’s a free tool that allows you to track and manage your job applications and interviews all in one place.

Tip #4 – Prepare questions you can ask the interviewer

Towards the end of most job interviews, you’ll be asked if you have any questions.

It’s  always  a good idea to have some questions prepared because it shows that you’re interested in the position and the company and that you’ve done your homework.

Questions you might want to ask the interviewer:

• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• What would you say is the biggest challenge facing the company?
• How would you describe the company’s culture?
• What are the company’s values?
• What are the biggest priorities for the company right now?
• Where do you see the company going in the next 5-10 years?
• Who would I be working with closely on a day-to-day basis?

Read the full guide : “ 4 Important Questions to Ask in an Interview (And Why) “

Tip #5 – Be prepared to talk about the salary

One of the most common and difficult questions to answer in a job interview is, “What are your salary requirements?”

It’s natural to want to give a lowball number in order to get the job, but this can backfire if the employer is looking for someone who is more experienced.

On the other hand, giving a high number may price you out of the job. So how can you handle this question without shooting yourself in the foot?

First, try to avoid giving a specific number. Instead, say something like, “I’m open to negotiation based on the job responsibilities.”

If pressed for a number, be honest but also try to emphasize your value. For example, you could say something like, “I’m currently making $50,000 at my job. I’m confident that I can bring a lot of value to your company and I’m hoping for a salary that reflects that.”

By being honest and emphasizing your value, you’re more likely to get the salary you deserve.

Read the full guide : “ How to Answer: What are Your Salary Expectations? “

Tip #6 – Dress appropriately

One common piece of advice is to “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” In other words, it is generally best to err on the side of being too dressy, rather than too casual.

A good rule of thumb is to dress one step up from what is considered normal for the workplace. So, if jeans and a polo shirt are considered acceptable attire at the company, you would wear slacks and a button-down shirt to your interview.

Avoid wearing anything that is too revealing, controversial, or distracting. You want the interviewer to focus on your qualifications, not your clothing.

Tip #7 – Bring copies of your resume, references, a pen, and a notebook

There are a few essential items that you should always bring with you to an interview.

First, be sure to bring several copies of your resume. The person or people interviewing you might want a copy, and you can also refer to your resume if you need specific examples.

Next, be sure to bring a list of references. These can be professional references or personal references, but they should be people who can attest to your skills and abilities.

Finally, bring a notebook and pen so that you can take notes during the interview. This will not only show that you’re serious about the job, but it will also help you remember important details about the position.

Tip #8 – Arrive 10-15 minutes early

Arriving 10-15 minutes early for a job interview is a good way to make a positive first impression on your interviewer. This will give you time to fill out any paperwork and get settled in before the interview begins.

Don’t arrive too early! This can be seen as intrusive and make the interviewer feel uncomfortable, so aim to arrive slightly early.

Tip #9 – Smile and make eye contact

Smiling and making eye contact during a  job interview  shows that you’re confident, engaged, and interested in the position. It also conveys that you’re friendly and easy to talk to – two qualities that are always valued in the workplace.

Just how important is it to smile and make eye contact? According to a  survey , 65% of recruiters said that they would reject candidates who didn’t make enough eye contact, while 40% of  recruiters  thought that a lack of a smile was a good enough reason not to hire them!

Tip #10 – Don’t come across as arrogant

While it is essential to exude confidence during your interview, you don’t want to come across as cocky or entitled. Arrogance will alienate the interviewer and damage your chances of being hired.

In fact, according to a  survey  of hiring managers, 76% of respondents say they would reject a candidate who is arrogant.

Tip #11 – Don’t badmouth a previous employer

Interviewers are always looking for red flags, and one of the biggest is when a candidate badmouths a former boss or company. While it’s important to be honest, you don’t want to come across as negative and petty.

After all, no job is perfect. Mature job candidates understand this, which is why they take responsibility for their own actions and don’t try to shift blame onto others.

Read the full guide : “ Real-Life Interview Blunders and How to Avoid Them “

Tip #12 – Be concise in your answers

Many of us tend to talk too much when we’re nervous. During your interview, avoid going off on tangents and instead focus on answering questions in a clear and concise way.

This will show that you have the ability to effectively communicate your ideas and opinions, which is an important skill in any job.

Tip #13 – Tie your answers to the job requirements

It’s important to remember that, in a job interview, you are not just selling yourself as a person – you’re also selling your ability to do the job.

With that in mind, every question you answer should be focused on demonstrating how your background and experience have prepared you to excel in the role you’re applying for. To do that effectively, you need to be able to tie your answers back to the requirements listed in the job description.

By providing specific examples of solutions and results you’ve achieved, you’ll be able to show the interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the role.

Tip #14 – Tips for interviews via Zoom

In today’s job market, more and more employers are choosing to conduct interviews using video conferencing software like Zoom. This is because it tends to be more convenient for remote positions or initial screening interviews.

Virtual interview tips:

• Make sure that you have a strong internet connection and that your camera and audio are working properly.
• Find a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted during the interview.
• Even though you’re remote, you should still dress professionally.
• Consider using a virtual or blurred background.
• Position the camera at eye level.
• Arrange your seating so the window light is facing you (or place lamps behind your computer).
• Sit an arm’s length away from the camera.
• Consider using the “touch up my appearance” setting on Zoom.

Read the full guide : “ Zoom Interviews: 8 Tips for Your Video Interviews “

Tip #15 – Turn off your cell phone!

In a job interview, you only have a few short minutes to create a good impression and sell yourself as the best person for the job. But if you’re distracted by your phone, it’s all too easy to blow your chance.

A  recent survey  found that 90 percent of interviewers would disqualify a candidate if they simply  touched  their phones during an interview!

Among interview best practices, turning off your phone and putting it away is one of the most important. By staying focused and present, you’ll increase your chances of getting the job.

Tip #16 – Ask about the next steps at the end of the interview

When you reach the end of the interview, it is perfectly natural to want to know what the next steps in the hiring process are. You can ask your interviewer about this directly.

For example, you might say something like, “Can you tell me what the next steps are in the hiring process?” or “When can I expect to hear back from you about whether I’ve been selected for the job?”

Asking questions like this helps keep the conversation going and shows that you’re interested in the position and are actively pursuing it.

Tip #17 – Send a thank you note or email

After the interview, reach out to your interviewer and thank them for their time. This indicates that you are professional and courteous, and it may help you stand out from the other candidates.

The key to a successful follow-up note is to keep it brief and to the point. For example:

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with you. I appreciate your time and I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

If you don’t know the interviewer’s email address, you can send it to the human resources department and ask them to forward it.

Read the full guide : “ How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview “

Tip #18 – Send a follow-up email

Don’t be afraid to touch base with the hiring manager if you haven’t heard back within a reasonable amount of time.

When reaching out, keep your communication professional and courteous. You don’t want to come across as desperate or pushy, but you do want to let the interviewer know that you’re still interested in the role and would like to know if they’ve made a decision. For example:

“I just wanted to check in and see if there was an update on the job opening. I’m still very interested and would love to know where things are at. Thanks!”

Read the full guide : “ How to Follow Up After an Interview “

Tip #19 – Stay positive!

Job interviews can be daunting experiences, especially if you’re not used to them.

The good news is that with each interview you’ll gain valuable experience and learn how to effectively sell yourself to potential employers. You’ll also become more comfortable with the format and the questions that are typically asked.

So if you’re feeling nervous about your next job interview, just remember that it’s all part of the process. The more job interviews you have, the better you’ll become at them!

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More expert insights on this topic:

Phone Interview Tips to Stay Calm and Speak Confidently

How to Tailor Your Resume Job Description (With Examples)

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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How To Ace a Job Interview: 7 Research-Backed Tips

1) Be Similar to The Interviewer

“Be yourself” can actually be a problem.

If you want to know how to ace a job interview it’s important to note that study after study shows the key to being liked and being more influential is similarity.

Research shows you can take advantage of this by researching the interviewer and coming across as similar to them :

After carefully transcribing and analyzing her interviews and field notes from observations in the firm, Rivera determined that, by the time a candidate had made it through the relevant resume screenings and landed an interview, her evaluation was not necessarily based on “maximizing skill—finding the person who was absolutely best at the soft or the hard dimensions of the job,” as Rivera puts it. Rather, the most common mechanism by which a candidate was evaluated was her similarity to her interviewer.

No lies are necessary. Think attitude.

Do they come across as aggressive and hard-charging or calm and passive? Do they come across as cultured or school of hard knocks?

2) Timing Matters

You might not have much control over this but make an effort to manipulate the timing to your advantage.

Research shows interviews go better when:

• They’re earlier in the day .
• The weather is good .
• And when you’re not interviewed on the same day as your strongest competition .

3) Frame the Conversation

First impressions matter even more than you think . And once they’re set, they are very hard to resist . Mastering first impressions is a key part of learning how to ace a job interview.

Research shows they’re the most important part of any job interview:

By careful analysis, the researchers found that all of these factors influenced the final interview ratings, and that this was due to the way they shaped first impressions: after those first few minutes, there was little extra influence of these qualities across the rest of the interview.

Optimize first impressions from the outset by framing the conversation with a few well-rehearsed sentences regarding how you want to be perceived. This will end up being the structure the other person forms their memories around .

Via Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To :

If you start out with a few well-rehearsed sentences about why you are the right person for the job, this first impression can help set the tone for your interview and for what is taken away from the meeting.

Persuasion expert Robert Cialdini , author of the classic book, Influence , slyly recommends asking them why they thought you might be good for the role .

After people make positive public statements about you they will subconsciously feel the need to not contradict them.

4) Feel Powerful

People who felt powerful before going in to an interview performed better :

Priming participants with feelings of power improves professional interview outcomes… In both studies, unaware judges significantly preferred the power-primed applicants.

As I’ve posted before, “fake it ’til you make it” works .

How can you make sure you feel powerful? Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy recommends doing a “power pose” in private before the interview :

Preparatory power posing is taking a few minutes before walking into a stressful interaction or situation to open up, occupy more space, and make yourself big. Stand with your feet apart and your hands on your hips, or with your arms reaching up in a ‘V.’ Or sit with your legs in front of you, feet propped up on desk or a table, leaning back, with your hands on the back of your head, fingers interlaced, and elbows pointing out.

Try power poses in the elevator, a bathroom stall, the stairwell…wherever you can find two minutes of privacy.

Does striking poses in the bathroom sound silly to you? Don’t laugh — it works :

As predicted, high power posers performed better and were more likely to be chosen for hire, and this relationship was mediated only by presentation quality, not speech quality. Power pose condition had no effect on body posture during the social evaluation, thus highlighting the relationship between preparatory nonverbal behavior and subsequent performance.

What type of people naturally know how to ace a job interview? Narcissists .

Now you don’t want to be overbearing but better to toot your own horn than to have it go untooted:

Narcissists scored much higher in simulated job interviews than non-narcissists, researchers found. They pointed to narcissists’ innate tendency to promote themselves, in part by engaging and speaking at length, which implied confidence and expertise even when they were held to account by expert interviewers.

5) Have a Strong Handshake

Your handshake matters a lot more than you might think.

Via The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism :

…experts at the University of Iowa analyzing interactions in job interviews declared handshakes “more important than agreeableness, conscientiousness, or emotional stability.”

And it’s correlated with getting an offer :

Five trained raters independently evaluated the quality of the handshake for each participant. Quality of handshake was related to interviewer hiring recommendations.

6) Know the Right Questions To Ask

Many people struggle with that moment in most interviews where they ask “Do you have any questions for us?”

This is not only a good time to get information but it’s a great time to impress them with an insightful question.

Quora and Inc offer a few winners:

• Thinking back to people who have been in this position previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?
• How would you describe the culture of the company?
• What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days?

7) Know How To Negotiate Salary

I’ve posted a lot of research about effective negotiating including my interviews with Robert Cialdini and FBI hostage negotiators .

But what’s the thing Harvard’s MBA school says is most important for landing a big offer?

“They need to like you.”

About 3:30 into the video below:

Here’s the equation for getting what you want. Cutting to the chase: You want to get more. You want more money, a better offer, a better deal; here are the components of what you need to do. First, they need to like you. That’s the first component. The things you do that make them like you less make it less likely that you are going to get what you want…

To learn more about how to ace a job interview, click the one you need more help with:

• Increasing charisma .
• “Clicking” with people.
• Mastering conversation .
• Improving your negotiation skills.

Join 45K+ readers. Get a free weekly update via email here .

This piece originally appeared on Barking Up the Wrong Tree .

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14 Research-Backed Interview Tips To Help You Make a Great Impression

Job interviews can be stressful and often feed our “impostor syndrome”. What if they notice right off the bat that I’m not qualified enough? Why did I even apply to that job? Yikes! Our brain gets naturally panicky when it faces the unknown and fails to understand how to act. 

That’s why interview preparation is so hugely important. By coaching yourself on what to anticipate and how to act in advance, you’ll be more calm and confident during the big day. And here are some of the best interview tips to help you with that. 

Pre-Interview Tips 

To show your best self during the day X, practice your game plan in advance. Here’s what you should do. 

1. Read Up on The Employer 

Before you go on a date with someone, what do you do these days? Right, get on Google and social media. Target those well-honed web research skills at learning as much as you can about your new employer. 

Because just like in love life, it’s all about finding the right fit. Companies want to hire people that share the same principles and values as they do. So learn what their ‘type’ is before you enter the room. Specifically:

• Try to learn about the company’s value, mission, and operating principles. Most corporate “About Us” sections have that data.
• Get to know a bit more about their leadership — what’s their story, why did they launch the business, what motivates to keep them going. 
• Peruse any other employee materials, circulating the web. Many companies have publicly available “Codes of Conduct” and other types of collateral, introducing their brand.

Also, learning more about the company will help you to answer questions in the same sort of language that they commonly use will make you appear more like a person that will fit in well with the company culture. And that’s a good thing because research suggests that interviewers rate candidates ‘just like them’ more favorably. 

2. Practise the Common Interview Questions

No matter which position you are applying for, you’ll be sure to ask some of these common interview questions such as:

• Can you please tell us something about yourself ?
• Why do you want to work here?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?
• Why should we hire you?

Also, the interviewer may throw in some behavioral interview questions to get a better sense of your overall personality and interpersonal skills. 

In either case, you shouldn’t a) flinch b) scramble to find words or c) provide a generic reply. The goal of a job interview is to help you add extra context to the information you’ve already provided in your resume and cover letter. 

As you are preparing for an interview, create a set of key talking points that dwell deeper into your work experience, accomplishments, and relevant job training you have undertaken. Then try to mentally pair these with the common interview questions. 

By prepping a list of ideas, rather than written replies, you’ll ensure that you don’t sound too rehearsed during the interview, but still well-prepared to talk shop. 

3. Plan Your Outfit The Night Before 

Whenever you think about job interviews, you always imagine a smartly dressed interviewer and job candidates all probably wearing business suits. However, appearances can be deceptive! You must indeed think carefully about what you wear to your job interview . 

You don’t want to turn up looking a little disheveled or dressed casually when everyone around you is dressed a bit more sophisticated . This will give off the impression that you have put no effort into your interview and that you are not really serious about taking the position.

As a rule of thumb, business casual attire is the best way to go. Unless you are applying to a higher-level corporate job (legal, banking, c-suite business positions) with a traditional employer. Then go with your smartest business suit.  

4. Try to Negotiate an Early Morning Interview

Our brain is inherently wired to like the ‘first’ thing we see the most as research found . The first item on the menu, the first pair of boots, or even the first job applicant we meet during the interview day. Thus, negotiating an early interview with HR can increase your odds of being liked.In addition, by stepping to the interview room first, you avoid getting instantly compared against other job candidates, scheduled for the same day. This can win you some extra points too. 

5. Plan Your Route in Advance

Send a quick email to HR the day before to reconfirm all the arrangements. Ask for:

• Full address 
• Any extra access instructions. 

The last thing you want during the job interview day is to frantically run around a huge business campus, struggling to locate the right building or entrance. 

Don’t forget to pack your interview bag too. You can learn what to bring to a job interview from our previous post.  

6. Get There Early

On the day of your interview, plan to arrive early. This way you are guaranteed not to be late should any mishap occur, such as public transport running late, roadworks causing delays, or getting stuck in heavy traffic. 

Arriving early for your interview will allow you to gather your thoughts and get focussed before you walk into the room. If you have penned yourself a little crib sheet to read or you want to perform some breathing exercises to steady your nerves, allowing yourself some extra time to prepare will pay off greatly. 

As Alison Brooks , Harvard Business School professor, told Glamour magazine , having a pre-interview ritual is a great way to distract your brain from nervousness. Plus, “ enhance physical and mental readiness, increase a feeling of control.”

The Job Interview Tips 

You already planned out your act. Now you need to deliver it. Below are several essential tips for doing great on the interview day. 

7. Give a Firm Handshake 

Yes, something as simple as an earnest handshake can increase your chances of getting hired as psychologists determined . Based on a focus group assessment, a firm handshake transposes some of the candidate’s extraversion on the interviewer, meaning that they feel more positive towards them although the interview.

What’s even more curious is the correlation between positive hiring recommendations and a firm handshake is stronger for women. So gals, give that arm a hearty squeeze! 

8. Maintain Positive Eye-Contact

Enter your interview with confidence. Walk in with a good posture and your head held high. Believe in yourself. After all, they would be lucky to have you on their team so you have to show them that you are worth a chance. 

Make eye contact with your interviewer during your first greeting and whenever they are speaking directly to you. This doesn’t mean staring them down though! You can look away or break your gaze by checking your notes. 

You will want to come across as friendly and relaxed, so if you feel the nerves welling up in your stomach, make sure that you smile. A smile will make you feel better, as well as convey to your interviewer that you are friendly and approachable.

9. Fall Back to “Fillers” When You Need Time to Think

To avoid awkward pauses and ‘ummmm’ sounds during your interview, come up with a list of go-to phrases when you need a few more minutes to gather your thoughts. 

Here are several good options to keep at the back of your mind as Dr. Joseph Barber from Penn State University suggests :

• Let me see. Slowly reiterate their question.
• Wow, that’s an interesting question. Let me have a few minutes to think this through.
• Typically, that’s not the topic I discuss quite often, but I’d probably say that … 
• You know, I was actually thinking about this question the other day and I came to the conclusion that … 

And if you are faced with a particularly tough question you don’t fully understand, try something like this: “ I am wondering if you can just clarify what you mean by…”

10. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions Too 

Believe it or not, job interviews are supposed to be a two-way conversation. So you should never leave a job interview with questions still circling your head. 

In fact, asking your interviewer some on-point questions can help you get some extra points. Remember the company background research you did pre-interview? Use it to form targeted questions. For example: 

• Can you tell me a bit more about [Company Project]? I was really fascinated when reading about it the other day.
• Thinking back to people who have been in this position earlier, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were great?
• What would you expect me to accomplish in this role within the next 60/90 days?

Asking questions will show that you are interested in the position and will make you more likely to stick in the interviewer’s mind afterward when they are making their decision.

11. End On A Positive Note

Once the interview draws to an end, it can sometimes feel you are coming down from a bit of a roller-coaster ride. If it was a particularly grueling or intense interview, both interviewer and candidate can sometimes be left feeling a little mentally drained and deflated. 

Rather than walking out of the room on an exhausted note, try to end the interview positively. This could be as simple as standing up, shaking the interviewer’s hand, and saying, “Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.” Finish this with a friendly nod and a positive smile. 

Try to walk out of the interview room just as you walked in – with a confident posture and your head held high. Never slump or hang your head as you exit, no matter how tiring the interview may have been. Remember – they are still watching you!

Video Interview Tips

Considering the new work-from-home reality, many companies have forgone in-person interviews in favor of remote ones over Zoom or Skype. While going through the interview ordeal may seem a bit more comforting, video job interviews have their unique host of challenges to account for — from impromptu pet appearances to glitching Internet connection, or outside noise. 

When it comes to the conversation itself, use the interview tips above (except for the handshake one), plus some extra ones:  

12. Adjust Your Speech 

A glitchy web connection can make your perfectly normal pace and tone of speech sound pretty distorted over video. So do some ‘practice’ talk with a friend over Zoom. In particular, pay attention to:

• Your speech pace. Don’t rush and chew on words. Try to speak a bit slower to ensure that all the information lands well with the other person.
• The way you pause. As connection lags sometimes, be sure to make natural pauses in your speech. 
• Your tone. During video interviews, the tone of your voice replaces all the other body language. So rely more on your voice to communicate your enthusiasm, convey excitement about the opportunity, or otherwise get across the important points. 

13. Keep Some Cheat Notes

During a video interview, you have a lavish opportunity to keep your speaking notes at the line of sight. So that when you struggle to pull in a nice number or example, you can fall back on these. But don’t overly rely on these. The interviewer will eventually notice that something is off and think that you are distracted, or worse — incapable of speaking coherently without your props. 

14. Mind Your Posture 

A job interview is all about projecting confidence. Your posture is a sure-fire giveaway of how comfortable you are feeling. So don’t let it giveaway your nerves during the video call. Or, on the contrary, the overly relaxed vibe of slouching at home.

To appear more pulled together, pull your chair away from the table, and position yourself on the edge of your seat. Put both feet on the ground, and both hands on the tabletop. Then adjust your camera if needed, so that 78% of your upper body is in the line of sight.  

Bonus: Phone Interview Tips!

Phone interviews still remain hugely popular, both for pre-screening job candidates and as the first job interview round.

Previously, we tackled 6 popular phone interview questions , along with ways to answer them effectively. Again, just like with an in-person (or video) job interview, you should plan your answers, but don’t rehearse them word-by-word. 

Plus, we also shared 12 actionable phone interview tips . They are just as good and data-backed as the ones we’ve rounded up for face-to-face interviews. 

Lastly, remember: a job interview is a two-way conversation, not a one-way interrogation. Interact with the counterpart, ask for their input when needed, engage them in a discussion, and weave in your key points whenever the opportunity presents itself!

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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11 interview tips to boost your confidence

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Before the big day: 4 interview preparation tips

During: 3 interview tips for the moment of , after: 4 tips on the art of following up, use your interview to stand out.

A job interview could be the gateway to a new career path. That might mean working at your dream company, getting a more challenging role, or scoring a well-paying job that helps you reach financial goals . 

With those stakes, your pre-interview nerves aren’t just normal. They’re justified. 

And while the nerves may give you an adrenaline boost that keeps you on your toes, they can also keep you up the night before or make you freeze in the face of a tough question. 

Preparing well beforehand can grow your morale and set you up for success. The better you feel on the day of an interview, the more likely you’ll ace every question, manage your stress , and act with confidence . 

These interview tips will help you prepare accordingly and make a great first impression . You’ll leave the meeting feeling proud of your performance, whether you land the job or not. 

Excellent interview skills don’t always come naturally. Developing confidence, stress management skills, and the ability to think outside of the box start with practice and solid preparation . Here’s how to equip yourself with the right skills and knowledge to crush your interview before it even starts:

1. Do your homework 

Learn everything you can about the organization and role before the interview. Spend time on the company’s website studying its mission, vision, and purpose , and familiarize yourself with the job description to understand what the ideal candidate can do. You can’t explain why you’re right for the job posting without that context.

As you research these points, consider how your skills and qualities align. What about your personal vision supports the company’s? What skills could you bring to the organization’s projects? And how does your work experience match the role? Forming these connections will deepen your knowledge and maybe even your interest in the job. It also prepares you for questions about your core values and skills. 

2. Practice 

It may feel silly to talk to yourself in the mirror or hold a fake interview with a family member, but it’s worth it to prepare well and know how you behave on the spot. Use common interview questions to drill yourself and answer as genuinely and seriously as possible. You can even ask your interview partner to ask questions you don’t know beforehand. At this stage in the prep process, read up on the STAR method , which will help you craft compelling responses to “Tell me about a time” questions . 

If your first mock interview is shaky, that’s okay. To level up your practice, consider working with a coach. Interview coaching can provide expert constructive feedback that a mirror or a loved one can’t.

3. Prepare your look 

The things you wear to an interview might seem like an afterthought. But according to one survey, 75% of recruiters have interviewed a candidate in clothing that was too casual . 

The goal is to dress for the job you’re applying for, as doing so will show the recruiter that you’re professional and understand the company culture . If you’re applying for a finance job on Wall Street, then you might want to wear a perfectly tailored suit. But if you’re interviewing at a tech start-up, smart business casual could be a good fit. Try researching the company’s environment and dress code first to get a feel for its expectations.

Whatever you decide to wear to your interview , make sure it represents your true self and what you might actually wear on the job. If you love to wear bright colors, try a colorful blazer. If you dislike skirts, wear trousers. Being professional doesn’t mean completely hiding who you are.

4. Consider timing

One of the most common and best interview tips out there is to make sure you aren’t late. If attending a live interview, study your transit route and add in extra time for potential traffic or delays. You can even travel there a few days beforehand to check how long it takes you. 

Even if you’re taking the session via a virtual interview in the comfort of your home, set an extra alarm the morning of. Lay out your outfit the night before and ensure any materials you need for the interview (like copies of your resume) are right where you need them. You don’t want to scramble for something at the last minute.

Once a work interview starts, it’s easy to get lost in the moment, draw a blank, and forget to pay attention to what you’re saying. Take a breath and check in with yourself throughout the process. Ensure you’re making a good impression with the following in-the-moment job interview tips:

1. Be honest

According to psychologist Ron Friedman, 81% of people lie during job interviews . But stretching the truth is never a good way to gauge whether a position is the right match for you. The more honest you are in your responses, the more likely you’ll land a role that’s a good fit. If you lie and say you’re familiar with Agile management when you aren’t, you could end up floundering on the job.

Just remember that being honest doesn’t equate to being negative. If the interviewer asks about your weaknesses or a challenging professional situation from the past, be forthcoming, but put a positive spin on your responses. Demonstrate how you turned a problem into a solution and worked to improve your skills, not the mistakes made in the process.

2. Ask questions 

One of the most common interview mistakes is to end the interview early. Saying that you have no questions when the conversation ends can imply a lack of investment or curiosity. Even if you’re short on time, posing a few extra questions shows you’ve prepared accordingly and are actively trying to understand whether this role is a good fit. 

Ask the hiring manager about a company project you’d read about in your research, the next steps in the hiring process , or the organization’s culture. Here are some example questions that apply to almost any role:

• What does a typical day-to-day schedule look like?
• What’s your favorite part of working here?
• What opportunities are there for career development in this position?
• If given the job, what would you expect me to accomplish in the first 90 days?
• Can I answer any other questions to guide your decision?

3. Take a breath

You might know you’re nervous, but the recruiter doesn’t have to. Sit up straight, make eye contact, and use approachable body language . Practice mindful breathing and try not to talk too fast when you’re answering questions. It can help to approach the interview as a conversation rather than a make-or-break meeting.

While you should show self-assurance, remember that confidence doesn’t mean arrogance . Speak honestly about why you think you’re the right person for the job, backing up every claim with anecdotes and nods to your abilities. Acting like you already have the job in the bag can be offputting for a recruiter. 

Not all tips for interviews are about the interview itself. The process isn’t over after the session ends. Afterward, you can continue expressing interest and making an excellent impression. Here’s a post-interview guide to keeping your application top-of-mind with a recruiter: 

1. Say thank you 

In one survey from TopResume, 68% percent of recruiters said showing appreciation positively impacts your candidacy , so send a thank you note after your interview . In a quick email, thank the hiring manager for their time, cite a brief anecdote about what you enjoyed in the meeting, and reaffirm your interest. 

Keep the message to a few sentences to avoid overwhelming the recruiter with too much information. The goal is to say “Thank you,” not explain again why you’re the right person for the job. And if they asked you for additional materials during the interview, like a portfolio , be sure to attach them here. 

2. Follow up 

Asking about the hiring timeline during your interview lets you know when to expect a response, and it helps you structure your follow-up cadence. If you know the hiring manager will make a decision in two weeks and don’t hear back in this period, you have the grounds to send them an email about it. 

The lack of contact doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be getting a job offer. The company could be taking longer than normal to decide, and sending another email shows the hiring team that the job still interests you. Like the thank you note, keep your follow-up email short and sweet, saying that you’re looking forward to hearing back and remain enthusiastic about the position. 

3. Keep looking for new work

No matter how well the interview went, continue your job search while waiting for an answer. If you don’t feel comfortable sending your resume to other organizations, at least research other options in case the current one falls through. 

Looking for other opportunities can take the edge off because it’s a reminder that other interesting, rewarding roles exist. Having a clear route to finding another position also lessens the blow if you don’t get the job. And since you now know how to research a company and practice for an interview, you know what the upcoming process will look like.

4. Be careful what you post 

During the interview process, all eyes are on you. A recruiter wants to ensure you’re a good cultural fit for the organization, so they may check out your social media accounts like Facebook or LinkedIn . Be sure that your image on these platforms represents your values, and when in doubt, set them to “private” so they don’t influence a hiring manager’s decision.

It’s normal to feel anxious about the unknown when you start a new interview process. But instead of giving in to the nerves and down-talking yourself into thinking you’ll interview poorly , use that adrenaline to fuel winning prep, delivery, and follow-up. 

Researching interview tips beforehand can give you the insight you need to land the job. Even if you know your skills inside and out and have stayed up on your dream company’s progress for years, you can still up your game by preparing answers, looking sharp for your interview, and learning how to be yourself professionally.

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Chris Helvajian

Chris Helvajian is a talent acquisition leader with more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition. He's passionate about creating scalable solutions to resolve recruiting problems at their root. His golden thread is "connecting people to opportunity." Chris is currently a recruiter at BetterUp and received his MBA at Chapman University.

10 interview skills, techniques and examples to land your dream job

10+ virtual interview tips: from preparation to interview day, 6 tips on how to answer promotion interview questions, how to decline a job interview: what to do when you’re in demand, why you’re bad at job interviews, and how to fix it, how to answer “what are your weaknesses” with ease, 6 ways interview coaching can help you land your dream job, how to ace your second interview questions, 15 questions to ask at the end of an interview to impress recruiters, phone screen interviews: what to do before, during, and after, how to ace your first meeting with a new team, what to wear to a job interview: do’s and don’ts, make a good first impression: expert tips for showing up at your best, breathe in, breathe out: 15 tips to prepare for an interview, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Eight Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Do your research, arrive early, and be your authentic self

Jada warmington (questrom’23), justin tang (questrom’23).

Let’s not sugarcoat things—interviews can be uncomfortable. Finding that perfect balance of showing off your skills while remaining true to yourself is a lot of pressure. Here are eight tips to make the experience successful for both you and your potential employer.

Create your elevator pitch

Often the first prompt you’ll get at an interview is: “Walk me through your résumé” or “Tell me about yourself.” Make sure to dedicate some time to figuring out how you want to portray yourself in that first moment. Don’t just read your résumé—talk about the passions and motivations that drove you to do those things. After all, it’s always more fun talking about what you care about.

Develop your power stories

Everyone has a story to tell. An interview is your chance to tell the stories of your most valuable experiences that make you the best applicant for the job. Develop about four or five power stories with a centralized theme that explains the situation or task you were faced with and what you learned from the experience.

Be authentic

Your interviewer is just another person who’s trying to get to know you. Treat the interview as such. Approach your interview as a conversation rather than an exam. Keep in mind that an interview is an opportunity for you to learn more about your fit in the organization and that if you need to be a fake version of yourself to fit the mold, you might not enjoy the actual work.

Be prepared with good questions

A great way to make the interview more conversational is to ask interesting questions. If you know your interviewer’s name beforehand, look them up on Google or LinkedIn and ask them about something you find interesting. People love talking about themselves. Asking questions is a great way to learn more details about the job you’re applying for or the organization’s culture.

Pro tip: ask questions that you can’t find the answers to on the internet .

Arrive early

Keep in mind one of the oldest sayings: “To be early is to be on time, and to be on time is to be late, and to be late is unacceptable.” Landing an interview is hard enough, therefore, you don’t want tardiness to taint your potential employer’s impression of your work ethic and affect your ability to get the job. Being early allows you to go over your power stories, de-stress, and get a feel for the workplace.

Relax your body language

Before the interview starts, take a few deep breaths. Do a power stance. Or even listen to your favorite song. Do whatever you need to do to relax your body, as your body language helps communicate your strengths without any words being said.

Do your research

As Neil Armstrong said, “Research is creating new knowledge.” Doing research before a job interview gives you the advantage of gaining valuable information about the job, the workplace, the industry, etc. This allows you to better communicate how your skills and power stories align with the company’s goals. More important, the more you know, the more comfort and confidence you will feel going into the interview. 

Study your résumé

Be ready to answer follow-up questions about every item on your résumé. If you aren’t sure you can justify the presence of a bullet point, don’t include it.

As corny as it sounds, be yourself! Your interviewer will understand that you might be a bit nervous, but just know that they were in your shoes not so long ago.

Never written a résumé? Need to punch up your cover letter? Unsure about your interview outfit? Check out the Center for Career Development for online resources, workshops, and more.

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Jada Warmington (Questrom’23) is a social media intern with BU Public Relations. She can be reached at [email protected] Profile

Justin Tang (Questrom’23) is a student at BU's Questrom School of Business. He can be reached at [email protected]. Profile

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50+ Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

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 53 of the most commonly asked interview questions and answers, along with advice on how to come up with your own responses.

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.

Land more interviews by looking for more open jobs on The Muse »

Consider this list your job interview answer and question study guide. (And don’t miss our bonus list at the end, with links 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.)

50+ most common job interview questions and answers

1. tell me about yourself..

This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but it’s crucial. Here's 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.

Possible answer to “Tell me about yourself.”

“ Well, I’m currently an account executive at Smith, where I handle our top-performing client. Before that, I worked at an agency where I was on three different major national healthcare brands. And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I’d love the chance to dig in much deeper with one specific healthcare company, which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity with Metro Health Center.”

Read More: A Complete Guide to Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)

2. Walk me through your resume.

Like “Tell me about yourself,” this question is a common interview opener. But instead of framing your answer around what qualities and skills make you best for the position, your answer should group your qualifications by your past jobs and tell your career story. You might choose to tell this story chronologically, especially if there’s a great anecdote about what set you on this path. Or, as with “Tell me about yourself,” you can begin with your present job then talk about what brought you here and where you’re going next. But regardless, when you speak about your “past” and “present,” highlight your most relevant experiences and accomplishments for this job and wrap up by talking about the future, i.e. connect your past and present together to show why this job should be the next one you add to your resume.

Possible answer to “Walk me through your resume.”

“Well, as you can see from my resume, I took a bit of a winding road to get to where I am today. In college, I double majored in chemistry and communications. I found early on that working in a lab all day wasn’t for me and at some point I realized I looked forward to the lab class I TA’ed the most.

“So when I graduated, I found a job in sales for a consumer healthcare products company, where I drew on my teaching experience and learned even more about tailoring your message and explaining complex health concepts to people without a science background. Then, I moved into a sales training role at a massive company where I was responsible for teaching recent graduates the basics of selling. My trainees on average had more deals closed in their first quarter than any of the other trainers’ cohorts. Plus, I got so much satisfaction from finding the right way to train each new hire and watching them progress and succeed. It reminded me of my time as a TA in college. That’s when I started taking night classes to earn my chemistry teaching certificate.

“I left my full-time job last year to complete my student teaching at P.S. 118 in Manhattan, and over the summer, I worked for a science camp, teaching kids from the ages of 10 to 12 about basic chemistry concepts and best practices for safe experiments. Now, I’m excited to find my first full-time teaching job, and your district is my top choice. The low student-to-teacher ratio will let me take the time to teach each student in the best way for them—which is my favorite part of the job.”

Read More: How to Respond to “Walk Me Through Your Resume”—and Get Your Interview Started on the Right Note

3. How did you hear about this position?

Another seemingly innocuous interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name-drop that person, then share why you were so excited about the job. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.

Possible answer to “How did you hear about this position?”

  “I heard about an opening on the product team through a friend of a friend, Akiko, and since I’m a big fan of your work and have been following you for a while I decided it would be a great role for me to apply for.” Read More: 3 Ways People Mess Up the (Simple) Answer to “How Did You Come Across This Job Opportunity?”

4. Why do you want to work at this company?

Beware of generic answers! If what you say can apply to a whole slew of other companies, or if your response makes you sound like every other candidate, you’re missing an opportunity to stand out. Zhang recommends one of four strategies: Do your research and point to something that makes the company unique that really appeals to you; talk about how you’ve watched the company grow and change since you first heard of it; focus on the organization’s opportunities for future growth and how you can contribute to it; or share what’s gotten you excited from your interactions with employees so far. Whichever route you choose, make sure to be specific. And if you can’t figure out why you’d want to work at the company you’re interviewing with by the time you’re well into the hiring process? It might be a red flag telling you that this position is not the right fit.

Possible answer to “Why do you want to work at this company?”

“I saw on The Muse that you were also hiring for new positions on the West Coast to support your new operations there. I did some more reading about the new data center you’re building there and that excites me as I know this means there’ll be opportunities to train new teammates. I also learned through a Wall Street Journal article that you’re expanding in Mexico as well. I speak Spanish fluently and would be eager to step up and help liaise whenever necessary.”

Read More: 4 Better Ways to Answer “Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?”

5. Why do you want this job?

Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. (And if you don’t? You probably should apply elsewhere.) First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem”), then share why you love the company (e.g., “I’ve always been passionate about education, and I think you’re doing great things, so I want to be a part of it”).

Possible answer to “Why do you want this job?”

“I’ve always been a fan of X Co’s products and I’ve spent countless hours playing your games. I know that your focus on unique stories is what drew me and other fans into your games initially and keeps us coming back for more. I’ve followed X Co on social media for a while, and I’ve always loved how you have people in different departments interact with users. So I was psyched when I came across this posting for a social media manager with TikTok experience. At my last job, I was responsible for launching our TikTok account and growing it to 10,000 followers in six months. Between that experience, my love of gaming, and my deep knowledge of your games and fanbase, I know I could make this TikTok account something special and exciting.”

Read More: 3 Steps for Answering “Why Do You Want This Job?”

6. Why should we hire you?

This interview question seems forward (not to mention intimidating!), but if you’re asked it, you’re in luck: There’s no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, but also deliver great results; that you’ll really fit in with the team and culture; and that you’d be a better hire than any of the other candidates.

Possible answer to “Why should we hire you?”

“ I know it’s been an exciting time for General Tech—growing so much and acquiring several startups—but I also know from experience that it can be challenging for the sales team to understand how new products fit in with the existing ones. It’s always easier to sell the product you know, so the newer stuff can get shortchanged, which can have company-wide ramifications. I have over a decade of experience as a sales trainer, but more importantly, most of those years were working with sales teams that were in the exact same boat Gen Tech is in now. Growth is wonderful, but only if the rest of the company can keep up. I’m confident I can make sure your sales team is confident and enthusiastic about selling new products by implementing an ongoing sales training curriculum that emphasizes where they sit in a product lineup.”

Read More: 3 Better Ways to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”

7. What can you bring to the company?

When interviewers ask this question, they don’t just want to hear about your background. They want to see that you understand what problems and challenges they’re facing as a company or department as well as how you’ll fit into the existing organization. Read the job description closely, do your research on the company, and make sure you pay attention in your early round interviews to understand any issues you’re being hired to solve. Then, the key is to connect your skills and experiences to what the company needs and share an example that shows how you’ve done similar or transferable work in the past.

Possible answer to “What can you bring to the company?”

“As Jocelyn talked about in our interview earlier, PopCo is looking to expand its market to small business owners with less than 25 employees, so I’d bring my expertise in this area and my experience in guiding a sales team that’s selling to these customers for the first time. In most of my past roles, this segment has been my focus and in my current role, I also played a big part in creating our sales strategies when the business began selling to these customers. I worked with my managers to develop the sales script. I also listened in on a number of sales calls with other account execs who were selling to these customers for the first time and gave them pointers and other feedback. In the first quarter, our 10-person sales team closed 50 new bookings in this segment, and I personally closed 10 of those deals. I helped guide my last company through the expansion into small businesses, and I’m eager to do that again at PopCo. Plus, I noticed you have a monthly karaoke night—so I’m eager to bring my rendition of ‘Call Me Maybe’ to the team as well.”

Read More : What Interviewers Really Want to Hear When They Ask “What Can You Bring to the Company?”

8. What are your greatest strengths?

Here’s an opening to talk about something that makes you great—and a great fit for this role. When you’re answering this question, think quality, not quantity. In other words, don’t rattle off a list of adjectives. Instead, pick one or a few (depending on the question) specific qualities that are relevant to this position and illustrate them with examples. Stories are always more memorable than generalizations. And if there’s something you were hoping to mention because it makes you a great candidate, but you haven’t had a chance yet, this would be the perfect time.

Possible answer to “What are your greatest strengths?”

“ I’d say one of my greatest strengths is bringing organization to hectic environments and implementing processes to make everyone’s lives easier. In my current role as an executive assistant to a CEO, I created new processes for pretty much everything, from scheduling meetings to planning monthly all hands agendas to preparing for event appearances. Everyone in the company knew how things worked and how long they would take, and the structures helped alleviate stress and set expectations on all sides. I’d be excited to bring that same approach to an operations manager role at a startup, where everything is new and constantly growing and could use just the right amount of structure to keep things running smoothly.”

Read More: 3 Smart Strategies for Answering “What's Your Greatest Strength?”

9. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?

What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question—beyond identifying any major red flags—is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, “I can’t meet a deadline to save my life” is not an option—but neither is “Nothing! I’m perfect!” Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you’re working to improve. For example, maybe you’ve never been strong at public speaking, but you’ve recently volunteered to run meetings to help you get more comfortable when addressing a crowd.

Possible answer to “What do you consider to be your weaknesses?”

“It can be difficult for me to gauge when the people I’m working with are overwhelmed or dissatisfied with their workloads. To ensure that I’m not asking too much or too little from my team, we have weekly check-ins. I like to ask if they feel like they’re on top of their workload, how I could better support them, whether there’s anything they’d like to take on or get rid of, and if they’re engaged by what they’re doing. Even if the answer is ‘all good,’ these meetings really lay the groundwork for a good and trusting relationship.”

Read More: 4 Ways to Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” That Actually Sound Believable

10. What is your greatest professional achievement?

Nothing says “hire me” better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs, so don’t be shy when answering this interview question! A great way to do so is by using the STAR method : situation, task, action, results. Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., “In my last job as a junior analyst, it was my role to manage the invoicing process”), then describe what you did (the action) and what you achieved (the result): “In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 person-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%.”

Possible answer to “What is your greatest professional achievement?”

“My greatest accomplishment was when I helped the street lighting company I worked for convince the small town of Bend, Oregon to convert antiquated street lighting to energy-efficient LED bulbs. My role was created to promote and sell the energy-efficient bulbs, while touting the long-term advantage of reduced energy costs. I had to develop a way to educate city light officials on the value of our energy-efficient bulbs—which was a challenge since our products had an expensive up-front cost compared to less efficient lighting options. I created an information packet and held local community events aimed at city officials and the tax-paying public. There, I was able to demo the company product, answer questions, and evangelize the value of LED bulbs for the long term. It was crucial to have the public on board and I was able to reach a wide variety of community members with these events. I not only reached my first-year sales goal of $100,000, but I was also able to help us land another contract in a neighboring city. Plus, the community-focused strategy garnered attention from the national media. And I’m proud to say I got a promotion within one year to senior sales representative.”

Read More: The Perfect Formula for Answering “What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment” in an Interview

11. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.

You’re probably not eager to talk about conflicts you’ve had at work during a job interview. But if you’re asked directly, don’t pretend you’ve never had one. Be honest about a difficult situation you’ve faced (but without going into the kind of detail you’d share venting to a friend). “Most people who ask are only looking for evidence that you’re willing to face these kinds of issues head-on and make a sincere attempt at coming to a resolution,” former recruiter Richard Moy says. Stay calm and professional as you tell the story (and answer any follow-up questions), spend more time talking about the resolution than the conflict, and mention what you’d do differently next time to show “you’re open to learning from tough experiences.”

Possible answer to “Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.”

“ Funnily enough, last year I was part of a committee that put together a training on conflict intervention in the workplace and the amount of pushback we got for requiring attendance really put our training to the test. There was one senior staff member in particular who seemed adamant. It took some careful listening to understand he felt like it wasn’t the best use of his time given the workload he was juggling. I made sure to acknowledge his concern. And then I focused on his direct objection and explained how the training was meant to improve not just the culture of the company, but also the efficiency at which we operated—and that the goal was for the training to make everyone’s workload feel lighter. He did eventually attend and was there when I talked to the whole staff about identifying the root issue of a conflict and addressing that directly without bringing in other issues, which is how I aim to handle any disagreement in the workplace.”

Read More: 3 Ways You’re Messing Up the Answer to “Tell Me About a Conflict You’ve Faced at Work”

12. Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.

You don’t have to have a fancy title to act like a leader or demonstrate leadership skills. Think about a time when you headed up a project, took the initiative to propose an alternate process, or helped motivate your team to get something done. Then use the STAR method to tell your interviewer a story, giving enough detail to paint a picture (but not so much that you start rambling) and making sure you spell out the result. In other words, be clear about why you’re telling this particular story and connect all the dots for the interviewer.

Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.”

“I think that a good leader is someone who can make decisions while also listening to others and being willing to admit when you’re wrong and course correct. In my last role, my team and I were responsible for giving a big presentation to a prospective client. I quickly assigned different tasks to members of my team, but the project never really got moving. I gave everyone an opportunity to share their input and concerns, and it turned out that they were struggling in the roles I’d given them. I ended up switching a few people around. Meanwhile, the employee I’d assigned to give the presentation was nervous, but still wanted to give it a try. I worked with them to make sure they were ready and even held a practice session so that they could rehearse in a more comfortable environment. When the time came for the real thing, they nailed it! We landed the client and the company still has the account to this day. And that employee became a go-to person for important client presentations. I’m really glad I took the time to listen to everyone’s concerns so that I could re-evaluate my approach and help my team be the best it could be.”

Read More: The Best Way to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Demonstrated Leadership Skills” in a Job Interview

13. What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?

The ideal anecdote here is one where you handled a disagreement professionally and learned something from the experience. Zhang recommends paying particular attention to how you start and end your response. To open, make a short statement to frame the rest of your answer, one that nods at the ultimate takeaway or the reason you’re telling this story. For example: “I learned early on in my professional career that it’s fine to disagree if you can back up your hunches with data.” And to close strong, you can either give a one-sentence summary of your answer (“In short…”) or talk briefly about how what you learned or gained from this experience would help you in the role you’re interviewing for.

Possible answer to “What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?”

“In my job as a finance assistant, I was in charge of putting together reports for potential company investments. It was important to get the details and numbers right so that leaders had the best information to make a decision. One time, my boss asked me to generate a new report on a Wednesday morning and wanted it done by Thursday at 5 PM. Because I’m committed to high-quality work and I wasn’t sure my boss fully understood what goes into each report, I knew I needed to speak up. At her next available opening, I sat down with my boss and explained my concerns. She was firm that the report would be completed by Thursday at 5 PM. So I decided to ask if there was anyone who could help out. After thinking about it, my boss found another assistant who could put in a few hours. While it was a tight timeline, we got the report done, and the committee was really pleased to review it at the meeting. My boss appreciated my extra efforts to make it happen and I felt good that I hadn’t let the quality of the report slip. It was a good experience of being a team player but also knowing when and how to ask for help. And once I explained how much time and work goes into each report, my boss was careful to assign them further in advance.”

Read More: Here’s the Secret to Answering “Tell Me About a Time You Had a Conflict With Your Boss” in an Interview

14. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.

You’re probably not too eager to dig into past blunders when you’re trying to impress an interviewer and land a job. But talking about a mistake and winning someone over aren’t mutually exclusive, Moy says. In fact, if you do it right, it can help you. The key is to be honest without placing blame on other people, then explain what you learned from your mistake and what actions you took to ensure it didn’t happen again. At the end of the day, employers are looking for folks who are self-aware, can take feedback, and care about doing better.

Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you made a mistake.”

“Early in my career, I missed a deadline that ended up costing us a really big account. There were a lot of factors that contributed to this, but ultimately, I was the one who dropped the ball. From that experience, I went back and thought really hard about what I could’ve controlled and what I would’ve changed. It turns out that I was not nearly as organized as I thought I was. I sat down with my boss, asked for suggestions on how to improve my organizational skills, and a few months later I was able to score an even bigger account for the department.”

Read More: 3 Rules That Guarantee You'll Nail the Answer to “Tell Me About a Time You Made a Mistake”

15. Tell me about a time you failed.

This question is very similar to the one about making a mistake, and you should approach your answer in much the same way. Make sure you pick a real, actual failure you can speak honestly about. Start by making it clear to the interviewer how you define failure. For instance: “As a manager, I consider it a failure whenever I’m caught by surprise. I strive to know what’s going on with my team and their work.” Then situate your story in relation to that definition and explain what happened. Finally, don’t forget to share what you learned. It’s OK to fail—everyone does sometimes—but it’s important to show that you took something from the experience.

Possible answer to “Tell me about a time you failed.”

“ As a team manager, I consider it a failure if I don’t know what’s going on with my staff and their work—basically if a problem catches me by surprise then I’ve failed somewhere along the way. Even if the outcome is ultimately fine, it means I’ve left a team member unsupported at some point. A somewhat recent example would be this training we do every year for new project managers. Because it’s an event that my team has run so many times, I didn’t think to check in and had no idea a scheduling conflict was brewing into a full-on turf war with another team. The resolution actually ended up being a quick and easy conversation at the leadership team meeting, but had I just asked about it sooner it would never have been a problem to begin with. I definitely learned my lesson about setting reminders to check in about major projects or events even if they’ve been done dozens of times before.”

Read More: 4 Steps for Answering “Tell Me About a Time When You Failed”

16. Why are you leaving your current job?

This is a toughie, but one you can be sure you’ll be asked. Definitely keep things positive—you have nothing to gain by being negative about your current employer. Instead, frame things in a way that shows that you’re eager to take on new opportunities and that the role you’re interviewing for is a better fit for you. For example, “I’d really love to be part of product development from beginning to end, and I know I’d have that opportunity here.” And if you were let go from your most recent job? Keep it simple: “Unfortunately, I was let go,” is a totally acceptable answer.

Possible answer to “Why are you leaving your current job?”

“I’m ready for the next challenge in my career. I loved the people I worked with and the projects I worked on, but at some point I realized I wasn’t being challenged the way I used to be. Rather than let myself get too comfortable, I decided to pursue a position where I can continue to grow.”

Read More: 4 Better Ways to Answer “Why Are You Leaving Your Job?”

17. Why were you fired?

Of course, they may ask the follow-up question: Why were you let go? If you lost your job due to layoffs, you can simply say, “The company [reorganized/merged/was acquired] and unfortunately my [position/department] was eliminated.” But what if you were fired for performance reasons? Your best bet is to be honest (the job-seeking world is small, after all). But it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Frame it as a learning experience: Share how you’ve grown and how you approach your job and life now as a result. And if you can portray your growth as an advantage for this next job, even better.

Possible answer to “Why were you fired?”

“After working for XYZ Inc. for four years, there were some changes made to the amount of client calls we were expected to process per hour. I used the techniques we were taught after the change took effect, but didn’t want our customer service to slip. Unfortunately, I wasn’t consistently completing the required number of calls, and, as a result, I was let go. I felt really bad about this and in retrospect I could have done better sticking to the process that would have let me meet the per hour quota. But you’ve told me about the customer service standards and the volume expectations here, and I believe it won’t be a problem.”

Read More: Stop Cringing! How to Tell an Interviewer You've Been Fired

18. Why was there a gap in your employment?

Maybe you were taking care of children or aging parents, dealing with health issues, or traveling the world. Maybe it just took you a long time to land the right job. Whatever the reason, you should be prepared to discuss the gap (or gaps) on your resume. Seriously, practice saying your answer out loud. The key is to be honest, though that doesn’t mean you have to share more details than you’re comfortable with. If there are skills or qualities you honed or gained in your time away from the workforce—whether through volunteer work, running a home, or responding to a personal crisis—you can also talk about how those would help you excel in this role.

Possible answer to “Why was there a gap in your employment?”

“I spent a number of years working at a company in a very demanding job, in which—as you’ll see from my references—I was very successful. But I’d reached a stage in my career where I wanted to focus on my personal growth. The time I spent traveling taught me a lot about how to get along with people of all ages and cultures. Now I feel more than ready to jump back into my career with renewed energy and focus and I feel this role is the ideal way to do that.”

Read More: How to Explain the Gap in Your Resume With Ease

19. Can you explain why you changed career paths?

Don’t be thrown off by this question—just take a deep breath and explain to the hiring manager why you’ve made the career decisions you have. More importantly, give a few examples of how your past experience is transferable to the new role. This doesn’t have to be a direct connection; in fact, it’s often more impressive when a candidate can show how seemingly irrelevant experience is very relevant to the role.

Possible answer to “Can you explain why you changed career paths?”

“Ever since my brother was diagnosed with a heart condition, I’ve been training and running with him in your annual Heart Run to raise money for your organization and help support patients with expenses not covered by insurance. Each time, I’ve been struck by how truly dedicated and happy to be there your employees have been. So when I saw this posting for a fundraising role, it felt like it was meant to be. For the last 10 years of my career I’ve been an account executive for various SaaS companies, and I’ve really honed my skills when it comes to convincing organizations to make regular payments for something over the long-term. But I’ve been looking for a position in fundraising where I can use these skills to really help people and I’m highly motivated to do that with your organization.”

Read More: How to Explain Your Winding Career Path to a Hiring Manager

20. What’s your current salary?

It’s now illegal for some or all employers to ask you about your salary history in several cities and states, including New York City; Louisville, North Carolina; California; and Massachusetts. But no matter where you live, it can be stressful to hear this question. Don’t panic—there are several possible strategies you can turn to. For example, you can deflect the question, Muse career coach Emily Liou says, with a response like: “Before discussing any salary, I’d really like to learn more about what this role entails. I’ve done a lot of research on [Company] and I am certain if it’s the right fit, we’ll be able to agree on a number that’s fair and competitive to both parties.” You can also reframe the question around your salary expectations or requirements (see question 38) or choose to share the number if you think it will work in your favor.

Possible answer to “What’s your current salary?”

“Before discussing any salary, I’d really like to learn more about what this role entails. I’ve done a lot of research on [Company] and I am certain if it’s the right fit, we’ll be able to agree on a number that’s fair and competitive to both parties.”

Read More: Here's How You Answer the Illegal “What's Your Current Salary” Question

21. What do you like least about your job?

Tread carefully here! The last thing you want to do is let your answer devolve into a rant about how terrible your current company is or how much you hate your boss or that one coworker. The easiest way to handle this question with poise is to focus on an opportunity the role you’re interviewing for offers that your current job doesn’t. You can keep the conversation positive and emphasize why you’re so excited about the job.

Possible answer to “What do you like least about your job?”

“In my current role, I’m responsible for drafting media lists to pitch. While I’ve developed a knack for this and can do it when it is necessary, I’m looking forward to a job that allows me to have a more hands-on role in working with media partners. That’s one of the things that most excited me about your account supervisor position.”

Read More: What Interviewers Really Want When They Ask, “What Do You Like Least About Your Job?”

22. What are you looking for in a new position?

Hint: Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.

Possible answer to “What are you looking for in a new position?”

“I’ve been honing my data analysis skills for a few years now and, first and foremost, I’m looking for a position where I can continue to exercise those skills. Another thing that’s important to me is the chance to present my findings and suggestions directly to clients. I’m always very motivated by being able to see the impact of my work on other people. And I’m definitely looking for a position where I can grow since I hope to take on managerial responsibilities in the future. To sum it up, I’d love a position where I can use my skills to make an impact that I can see with my own eyes. Of course, the position is only part of the equation. Being at a company where I can grow and work toward something I care about matters, too. DNF’s goal of being at the intersection between data and education inspires me, and I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

Read More: 4 Steps for Answering “What Are You Looking for in a New Position?”

23. What type of work environment do you prefer?

Hint: Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.

Possible answer to “What type of work environment do you prefer?”

“I really like the environment in my current position. My manager is a great resource and always willing to help out when I run into an issue, but they trust me to get my work done so I have a lot of freedom in how I schedule and prioritize, which is very important to me. Everyone has their own cubicle, so it’s often pretty quiet to get our work done, but we all get lunch together and our team has a lot of check-in meetings and communicates frequently via Slack so we still get a lot of opportunities to bounce ideas off each other. So I like both individual and more collaborative work. How would you describe the mix here?”

Read More: 3 Steps to Answering “What Type of Work Environment Do You Prefer?”

24. What’s your work style?

When an interviewer asks you about your work style, they’re probably trying to imagine you in the role. How will you approach your work? What will it be like to work with you? Will you mesh well with the existing team? You can help them along by choosing to focus on something that’s important to you and aligns with everything you’ve learned about the role, team, and company so far. The question is broad, which means you have a lot of flexibility in how you answer: You might talk about how you communicate and collaborate on cross-functional projects, what kind of remote work setup allows you to be most productive, or how you approach leading a team and managing direct reports. Just try to keep it positive. And remember, telling a story will almost always make your answer more memorable. 

Possible answer to “What’s your work style?”

“I tend to do my best work when I’m collaborating with colleagues and we’re working together toward a common goal. I was that rare student who loved group projects and now I still get a rush of excitement when I’m planning marketing campaigns with a team and bringing new and different voices into the fold. When I was working at XYZ Agency, I made it a habit to extend invitations to folks in different departments to join certain brainstorming and feedback sessions. Some of our most successful campaigns grew out of the ideas we generated together with coworkers in IT, HR, product, and customer success. That’s why I was so excited to learn that this role would have me working closely with the product and sales teams as well as with a talented marketing team. The other thing I find is crucial to making these collaborations successful is organization and documentation, so I’m also really big on creating one central home for all materials related to a project, including meeting notes, action items, drafts of campaign copy and visuals, and timelines.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Is Your Work Style?” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)

25. What’s your management style?

The best managers are strong but flexible, and that’s exactly what you want to show off in your answer. (Think something like, “While every situation and every team member requires a bit of a different strategy, I tend to approach my employee relationships as a coach...”) Then share a couple of your best managerial moments, like when you grew your team from five to 15 or coached an underperforming employee to become the company’s top salesperson.

Possible answer to “What’s your management style?”

“ Management style is so hard to put your finger on, but I think in general a good manager gives clear directions and actually stays pretty hands-off, but is ready and available to jump in to offer guidance, expertise, and help when needed. I try my best to make that my management style. I also go out of my way to make sure I know when my team needs help. That means plenty of informal check-ins, both on the work they’re doing and on their general job satisfaction and mental well-being. I remember one project in particular at my most recent position that involved everyone working on a separate aspect of the product. This meant a lot of independent work for my team of seven people, but rather than bog everyone down with repetitive meetings to update me and everyone else on progress made, I created a project wiki that allowed us to communicate new information when necessary without disrupting another team member’s work. I then made it my job to make sure no one was ever stuck on a problem too long without a sounding board. Ultimately, despite the disparate project responsibilities, we ended up with a very cohesive product and, more importantly, a team that wasn’t burnt out.”

Read More: How to Answer “What’s Your Management Style?”

26. How would your boss and coworkers describe you?

First, be honest (remember, if you make it to the final round, the hiring manager will be calling your former bosses and coworkers for references!). Then try to pull out strengths and traits you haven’t discussed in other aspects of the interview, such as your strong work ethic or your willingness to pitch in on other projects when needed.

Possible answer to “How would your boss and coworkers describe you?”

“Actually, in my most recent performance review in April, my direct supervisor described me as someone who takes initiative and doesn’t shy away from hard problems. My role involves a lot of on-site implementation, and when things go wrong, it’s usually up to me to fix it. Rather than punting the problem back to the team, I always try to do what I can first. I know she appreciates that about me.”

Read More: 3 Strategies for Answering “How Would Your Boss or Coworkers Describe You?”

27. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

Here’s another question you may feel the urge to sidestep in an effort to prove you’re the perfect candidate who can handle anything. But it’s important not to dismiss this one (i.e. don’t say, “I just put my head down and push through it,” or, “I don’t get stressed out”). Instead, talk about your go-to strategies for dealing with stress (whether it’s meditating for 10 minutes every day or making sure you go for a run or keeping a super-detailed to-do list) and how you communicate and otherwise proactively try to mitigate pressure. If you can give a real example of a stressful situation you navigated successfully, all the better.

Possible answer to “How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?”

“I stay motivated by thinking about the end result. I’ve found that even in the midst of a challenging situation, reminding myself of my goals helps me take a step back and stay positive.”

Read More: 3 Ways You’re Messing Up the Answer to “How Do You Deal With Stressful Situations?”

28. What do you like to do outside of work?

Interviewers will sometimes ask about your hobbies or interests outside of work in order to get to know you a little better—to find out what you’re passionate about and devote time to during your off-hours. It’s another chance to let your personality shine. Be honest, but keep it professional and be mindful of answers that might make it sound like you’re going to spend all your time focusing on something other than the job you’re applying for.

Possible answer to “What do you like to do outside of work?”

“I’m a huge foodie. My friends and I love trying new restaurants in town as soon as they open—the more unusual the better! I love discovering new foods and cuisines, and it’s also a great activity to share with friends. I try to go out with the same group at least once a week and it’s a fun way to make sure we keep in touch and share experiences even when we’re busy with other things. We even took a trip to New York City and spent each day in a different neighborhood, buying something to share from a few restaurants.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Are Your Hobbies?” in an Interview (It’s Not a Trick Question!)

29. Are you planning on having children?

Questions about your family status, gender (“How would you handle managing a team of all men?”), nationality (“Where were you born?”), religion, or age are illegal—but they still get asked (and frequently). Of course, not always with ill intent—the interviewer might just be trying to make conversation and might not realize these are off-limits—but you should definitely tie any questions about your personal life (or anything else you think might be inappropriate) back to the job at hand. 

Possible answer to “Are you planning on having children?”

“You know, I’m not quite there yet. But I am very interested in the career paths at your company. Can you tell me more about that?”

Read More: 5 Illegal Interview Questions and How to Dodge Them

30. How do you stay organized?

Would you want to work with a hot mess? Yeah, we didn’t think so. Neither does anyone else. A disorganized worker doesn’t just struggle in their own role, they can also create chaos for peers, managers, direct reports, clients, customers, and anyone else they interact with. So interviewers will often ask about how you keep yourself organized to make sure you’d be able to handle the workload and gauge what you’d be like to work with. In your answer, you’ll want to reassure them you’d have things under control (both in what you say and how you say it), describe a specific system or method you’ve used (bonus points if you can tie it to the role you’re interviewing for), and explain how it benefited you and your team. Just make sure your answer is succinct and, well, organized.

Possible answer to “How do you stay organized?”

“I take pride in my ability to stay organized, and it’s really come in handy in my past roles and especially the social media assistant job I’m in now. First, I keep a really meticulous calendar for each of the platforms I’m responsible for using Hootsuite—which I noticed you use here as well—and I try to block off time twice a week to get ahead on creating and slotting in posts. 

“ Second, I’m a big fan of Trello, where I have one personal board I use as a to-do list color-coded by type of task and marked with priority level and one shared marketing team board that we use to coordinate campaigns launching across social, email, and other channels. We pay very close attention to the news in case we need to pause a campaign. If needed, I’d tag all the relevant stakeholders on Trello, immediately suspend all scheduled content in Hootsuite, and start a discussion on Slack or suggest a meeting to reassess strategy.

“Finally, I created a shared folder on Google Drive with subfolders by campaign that I update with one-pagers on goals and strategies, assets, a record of the actual posts deployed, performance analyses, and retros. That way, there’s a go-to place for anyone on the team to refer back to past projects, which I’ve found really helps us learn from every campaign and incorporate those learnings into what we’re working on next.”

Read More: What Interviewers Really Want to Know When They Ask “How Do You Stay Organized?”

31. How do you prioritize your work?

Your interviewers want to know that you can manage your time, exercise judgement, communicate, and shift gears when needed. Start by talking about whatever system you’ve found works for you to plan your day or week, whether it’s a to-do list app you swear by or a color-coded spreadsheet. This is one where you’ll definitely want to lean on a real-life example. So go on to describe how you’ve reacted to a last-minute request or another unexpected shift in priorities in the past, incorporating how you evaluated and decided what to do and how you communicated with your manager and/or teammates about it.

Possible answer to “How do you prioritize your work?”

“I’d be lost without my daily to-do list! At the beginning of each workday, I write out tasks to complete, and list them from highest to lowest priority to help keep me on track. But I also realize priorities change unexpectedly. On one particular day recently, I had planned to spend most of my time making phone calls to advertising agencies to get price quotes for an upcoming campaign. Then I did a quick check-in with my manager. She mentioned she needed help putting together a presentation ASAP for a major potential client. I moved the more flexible task to the end of the week and spent the next few hours updating the time-sensitive presentation. I make it a point to keep lines of communication open with my manager and coworkers. If I’m working on a task that will take a while to complete, I try to give a heads-up to my team as soon as possible. If my workload gets to be unmanageable, I check in with my boss about which items can drop to the bottom of the priority list, and then I try to reset expectations about different deadlines.”

Read More: A Foolproof Method to Answer the Interview Question “How Do You Prioritize Your Work?”

32. What are you passionate about?

You’re not a robot programmed to do your work and then power down. You’re a human, and if someone asks you this question in an interview, it’s probably because they want to get to know you better. The answer can align directly with the type of work you’d be doing in that role—like if, for example, you’re applying to be a graphic designer and spend all of your free time creating illustrations and data visualizations to post on Instagram.

But don’t be afraid to talk about a hobby that’s different from your day-to-day work. Bonus points if you can “take it one step further and connect how your passion would make you an excellent candidate for the role you are applying for,” says Muse career coach Al Dea. Like if you’re a software developer who loves to bake, you might talk about how the ability to be both creative and precise informs your approach to code.

Possible answer to “What are you passionate about?”

“One of my favorite pastimes is knitting—I love being able to create something beautiful from nothing. Of course, knitting also requires a keen attention to detail and a lot of patience. Luckily, as an accountant I have cultivated both of those qualities!”

Read More: 3 Authentic Ways to Answer “What Are You Passionate About?” in a Job Interview

33. What motivates you?

Before you panic about answering what feels like a probing existential question, consider that the interviewer wants to make sure you’re excited about this role at this company, and that you’ll be motivated to succeed if they pick you. So think back to what has energized you in previous roles and pinpoint what made your eyes light up when you read this job description. Pick one thing, make sure it’s relevant to the role and company you’re interviewing for, and try to weave in a story to help illustrate your point. If you’re honest, which you should be, your enthusiasm will be palpable.

Possible answer to “What motivates you?”

“I’m driven primarily by my desire to learn new things—big or small—and take on new responsibilities so that I’m constantly growing as an employee and contributing more to my team and organization. I spent several summers working as a camp counselor and felt most fulfilled when I volunteered to lead planning for a talent show, jumped in to help with scheduling logistics, and learned how to run pickups efficiently. All of that experience helped immensely when I took a step up to become the lead counselor last year focused on operations, and that’s what excites me so much about the opportunity to take on this managerial role for the after-school program.”

Read More: 5 Easy Steps to Answer “What Motivates You?” in an Interview

34. What are your pet peeves?

Here’s another one that feels like a minefield. But it’ll be easier to navigate if you know why an interviewer is asking it. Most likely, they want to make sure you’ll thrive at their company—and get a glimpse of how you deal with conflict. So be certain you pick something that doesn’t contradict the culture and environment at this organization while still being honest. Then explain why and what you’ve done to address it in the past, doing your best to stay calm and composed. Since there’s no need to dwell on something that annoys you, you can keep this response short and sweet.

Possible answer to “What are your pet peeves?”

“It bothers me when an office’s schedule is really disorganized, because in my experience, disorganization can cause confusion, which can hurt the motivation of the team. As a person who likes things to be orderly, I try to help keep my team on task while also allowing for flexibility.”

Read More: 6 Tips for Answering “What Are Your Pet Peeves?” in an Interview

35. How do you like to be managed?

This is another one of those questions that’s about finding the right fit—both from the company’s perspective and your own. Think back on what worked well for you in the past and what didn’t. What did previous bosses do that motivated you and helped you succeed and grow? Pick one or two things to focus on and always articulate them with a positive framing (even if your preference comes from an experience where your manager behaved in the opposite way, phrase it as what you would want a manager to do). If you can give a positive example from a great boss, it’ll make your answer even stronger.

Possible answer to “How do you like to be managed?”

“I enjoy having my hands in a lot of different projects, so I like working with managers who allow their employees to experiment, be independent, and work cross-functionally with other teams. At the same time, I really welcome it when a boss provides me with support, guidance, and coaching. No one can do anything alone, and I believe when managers and employees collaborate together and learn from one another everyone comes out on top.”

Read More: 3 Easy Steps to Answer “How Do You Like to Be Managed?” in an Interview

36. Do you consider yourself successful?

This question might make you uncomfortable. But you can think of it as an opportunity to allow the interviewer to get to know you better and to position yourself as an excellent choice for this job. First off, make sure you say yes! Then pick one specific professional achievement you’re proud of that can be tied back to the role you’re interviewing for—one that demonstrates a quality, skill, or experience that would help you excel in this position. You’ll want to explain why you consider it a success, talk about the process in addition to the outcome, and highlight your own accomplishment without forgetting your team. Zooming in on one story will help if you feel awkward tooting your own horn!

Possible answer to “Do you consider yourself successful?”

“I do consider myself successful, even though I’m early in my professional career. I took a full load of classes in my junior year of college because I wanted to take that summer to volunteer for a human rights organization overseas. I knew that I needed to make sure I was on track with my major, minor, and graduation requirements. It was difficult to juggle it all with my part-time job, which I kept to help account for the fact that I wouldn’t be earning money over the summer, and there were a few sleepless nights. But it was worth the hard work: I ended the year with a 3.9 GPA and the opportunity to volunteer for the agency in Ghana without falling behind my graduation timeline. For me success is about setting a goal and sticking with it, no matter how hard it is, and this experience was proof that I could be successful even when there’s a lot to balance, which I know there always is at a nonprofit like this one.”

Read More: How to Answer “Do You Consider Yourself Successful?” Without Feeling Like a Show-Off

37. Where do you see yourself in five years?

If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you’re considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn’t necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It’s OK to say that you’re not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

Possible answer to “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“In five years, I’d like to be in a position where I know more about my longer-term career aspirations as a designer. I will have gotten experience working for a design agency and know more about the industry overall. I’ll have grown my technical skills and learned how to take feedback from clients and incorporate it. And the way your agency is set up, I’ll also have gotten the opportunity to design different kinds of deliverables—including websites, branding, and ad campaigns—for different kinds of clients to see where I really feel at home before settling on a focus.”

Read More: How to Answer “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?”

38. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

Having goals shows interviewers you care, are ambitious, and can think ahead. Having a plan for how you’ll achieve your goals demonstrates your self-motivation as well as organizational and time management skills. Finally, the fact that you’ve accomplished past goals you’ve set for yourself is proof of your ability to follow through. All together, these are indications that you can not only set and achieve goals of your own, but also help your prospective boss, team, and company do the same. To craft your answer, make sure you focus on one or two goals in detail, explain why the goals are meaningful, communicate what milestones are coming up, highlight past successes, and connect back to this job. 

Possible answer to “How do you plan to achieve your career goals?”

“My current goal is to earn the CPA license so that I’m fully certified and prepared to contribute in a junior staff accounting job. My undergraduate degree is in finance and I completed an accounting internship with XYZ Company last summer. While I was there, I decided that each week I’d ask one person from a different team to coffee to learn about their job and career path. Not only did those conversations impress upon me the importance of getting my CPA as soon as possible, they also helped me realize I was eager to pursue forensic accounting, which is why I’m so excited about the opportunity to join this team. In order to ensure I earn my CPA this year, I enrolled in NASBA workshops, created a study schedule to keep myself on track, and will be taking my first trial test in three weeks. I plan on taking the actual test within the next three to six months.”

Read More: How to Answer “How Do You Plan to Achieve Your Career Goals?” in an Interview

39. What are your career aspirations?

Career aspirations are bigger and loftier than career goals. With this question, interviewers are asking: What kind of career would make you happiest (while also being realistic)? Your aspirations might revolve around what kind of company you’d like to work for, what tasks you’d like to do, who you’d like to help, or how you’d like to be seen by your colleagues. So to answer this question, talk about what would energize and fulfill you and connect it to the position you’re interviewing for. Be specific about how this job will help you achieve your career aspirations.

Possible answer to “What are your career aspirations?”

“After growing up in a food desert, my biggest professional aspiration is to help make healthy food more widely available and accessible regardless of where you live. I also love solving complex problems. Currently, as a project manager, I specialize in strategic planning and combine it with a natural ability to engage critical stakeholders—resulting in on-time and under-budget delivery. This role would help me use those skills to work on a mission I’m passionate about. I am determined to use these skills to help your organization guarantee our community has access to affordable, nutritious food and information to make healthy decisions. In the next five or so years, I would love to take on additional responsibility and be in a decision-making role to drive the mission beyond our community and support even more families in gaining access to nutritious food options.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Are Your Career Aspirations?” in an Interview

40. What’s your dream job?

Along similar lines, the interviewer wants to uncover whether this position is really in line with your ultimate career goals. While “an NBA star” might get you a few laughs, a better bet is to talk about your goals and ambitions—and why this job will get you closer to them.

Read More: The Secret Formula to Answering “What's Your Dream Job?” in an Interview

41. What other companies are you interviewing with?

Companies might ask you who else you’re interviewing with for a few reasons. Maybe they want to see how serious you are about this role and team (or even this field) or they’re trying to find out who they’re competing with to hire you. On one hand, you want to express your enthusiasm for this job, but at the same time, you don’t want to give the company any more leverage than it already has by telling them there’s no one else in the running. Depending on where you are in your search, you can talk about applying to or interviewing for a few roles that have XYZ in common—then mention how and why this role seems like a particularly good fit.

Possible answer to “What other companies are you interviewing with?”

“I’m interviewing with a few companies for a range of positions, but they all come down to delivering an excellent customer experience. I wanted to keep an open mind about how to best achieve that goal, but so far it seems that this role will really allow me to focus all of my energy on customer experience and retention, which I find very appealing.”

Read More: How to Answer “What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With?”

42. What makes you unique?

“They genuinely want to know the answer,” Dea promises. Give them a reason to pick you over other similar candidates. The key is to keep your answer relevant to the role you’re applying to. So the fact that you can run a six-minute mile or crush a trivia challenge might not help you get the job (but hey, it depends on the job!). Use this opportunity to tell them something that would give you an edge over your competition for this position. To figure out what that is, you can ask some former colleagues, think back to patterns you’ve seen in feedback you get, or try to distill why people tend to turn to you. Focus on one or two things and don’t forget to back up whatever you say with evidence.

Possible answer to “What makes you unique?”

“I basically taught myself animation from scratch. I was immediately drawn to it in college, and with the limited resources available to me, I decided to take matters into my own hands—and that’s the approach I take in all aspects of my work as a video editor. I don’t just wait around for things to happen, and when I can, I’m always eager to step in and take on new projects, pick up new skills, or brainstorm new ideas.”

Read More: A Simple Way to Answer “What Makes You Unique?” in Your Job Search (Plus, Examples!)

43. What should I know that’s not on your resume?

It’s a good sign if a recruiter or hiring manager is interested in more than just what’s on your resume. It probably means they looked at your resume, think you might be a good fit for the role, and want to know more about you. To make this wide-open question a little more manageable, try talking about a positive trait, a story or detail that reveals a little more about you and your experience, or a mission or goal that makes you excited about this role or company.

Possible answer to “What should I know that’s not on your resume?”

“Well, one thing you won’t find on my resume: the time I had to administer emergency CPR. Last year, I was at the lake when I saw a young girl who looked like she was drowning. I was a lifeguard in high school, so I swam out, brought her to shore, and gave her CPR. Although this was—hopefully—a one-time event, I’ve always been able to stay calm during stressful situations, figure out a solution, and then act. As your account manager, I’d use this trait to quickly and effectively resolve issues both within the team and externally. After all, obstacles are inevitable, especially in a startup environment. And if anyone needs CPR at the office beach party, well, I’m your woman.”

Read More: The Right Way to Answer “What Should I Know That’s Not on Your Resume?”

44. What would your first few months look like in this role?

Your potential future boss (or whoever else has asked you this question) wants to know that you’ve done your research, given some thought to how you’d get started, and would be able to take initiative if hired. (In some interviews, you might even get the more specific, “What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role?”) So think about what information and aspects of the company and team you’d need to familiarize yourself with and which colleagues you’d want to sit down and talk to. You can also suggest one possible starter project to show you’d be ready to hit the ground running and contribute early on. This won’t necessarily be the thing you do first if you do get the job, but a good answer shows that you’re thoughtful and that you care.

Possible answer to “What would your first few months look like in this role?”

“It’s been exciting to hear about some of the new initiatives the company has started in our previous conversations—like the database project and the company-wide sync, but I know there’s still a lot for me to learn. The first thing I’d do is line up meetings with the stakeholders involved in the projects I’d be tackling to help me figure out what I don’t know and then go from there. Hopping into a database project halfway through can be tricky, but I’m confident that once I know what all the stakeholders are looking for, I’ll be able to efficiently plot out our next steps and set appropriate deadlines. From there, I’ll be focused on hitting the milestones that I’ve set for the team.”

Read More: The 30-60-90 Day Plan: Your Secret Weapon for New Job Success

45. What are your salary expectations?

The number one rule of answering this question is: Figure out your salary requirements ahead of time. Do your research on what similar roles pay by using sites like PayScale and reaching out to your network. Be sure to take your experience, education, skills, and personal needs into account, too! From there, Muse career coach Jennifer Fink suggests choosing from one of three strategies:

• Give a salary range: But keep the bottom of your stated range toward the mid-to-high point of what you’re actually hoping for, Fink says.
• Flip the question: Try something like “That's a great question—it would be helpful if you could share what the range is for this role,” Fink says.
• Delay answering: Tell your interviewer that you’d like to learn more about the role or the rest of the compensation package before discussing pay.

(And here’s some more info on responding to a question about your salary requirements on an application form .)

Possible answer to “What are your salary expectations?”

“Taking into account my experience and Excel certifications, which you mentioned earlier would be very helpful to the team, I’m looking for somewhere between $42,000 and $46,000 annually for this role. But for me, benefits definitely matter as well. Your free on-site gym, the commuter benefits, and other perks could definitely allow me to be a bit flexible with salary.”

Read More:  3 Strategies for Answering “What Are Your Salary Expectations?” in an Interview

46. What do you think we could do better or differently?

This question can really do a number on you. How do you give a meaty answer without insulting the company or, worse, the person you’re speaking with? Well first, take a deep breath. Then start your response with something positive about the company or specific product you’ve been asked to discuss. When you’re ready to give your constructive feedback, give some background on the perspective you’re bringing to the table and explain why you’d make the change you’re suggesting (ideally based on some past experience or other evidence). And if you end with a question, you can show them you’re curious about the company or product and open to other points of view. Try: “Did you consider that approach here? I’d love to know more about your process.”

Read More: How to Answer the “How Would You Improve Our Company?” Interview Question Without Bashing Anyone

47. When can you start?

Your goal here should be to set realistic expectations that will work for both you and the company. What exactly that sounds like will depend on your specific situation. If you’re ready to start immediately—if you’re unemployed, for example—you could offer to start within the week. But if you need to give notice to your current employer, don’t be afraid to say so; people will understand and respect that you plan to wrap things up right. It’s also legitimate to want to take a break between jobs, though you might want to say you have “previously scheduled commitments to attend to” and try to be flexible if they really need someone to start a bit sooner.

Possible answer to “When can you start?”

“I am excited for the opportunity to join your team. I have several projects to wrap up in my current role at [Company]. I plan to give them two weeks’ notice to make a smooth transition for my coworkers and will be happy to come onboard with the team here after that time.”

Read More: 4 Ways to Answer the Interview Question “When Can You Start?”

48. Are you willing to relocate?

While this may sound like a simple yes-or-no question, it’s often a little bit more complicated than that. The simplest scenario is one where you’re totally open to moving and would be willing to do so for this opportunity. But if the answer is no, or at least not right now, you can reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, briefly explain why you can’t move at this time, and offer an alternative, like working remotely or out of a local office. Sometimes it’s not as clear-cut, and that’s OK. You can say you prefer to stay put for xyz reasons, but would be willing to consider relocating for the right opportunity.

Possible answer to “Are you willing to relocate?”

“I do love living in Raleigh and would prefer to stay here. However, for the right opportunity I’d be willing to consider relocating if necessary.”

Read More: The Best Responses to “Are You Willing to Relocate?” Depending on Your Situation

49. How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?

1,000? 10,000? 100,000? Seriously? Well, seriously, you might get asked brain-teaser questions like these, especially in quantitative jobs. But remember that the interviewer doesn’t necessarily want an exact number—they want to make sure that you understand what’s being asked of you, and that you can set into motion a systematic and logical way to respond. So take a deep breath and start thinking through the math. (Yes, it’s OK to ask for a pen and paper!)

Read More: 9 Steps to Solving an Impossible Brain Teaser in a Tech Interview (Without Breaking a Sweat)

50. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There’s no wrong answer here, but you’ll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say…”

Read More: 4 Steps for Answering Off-the-Wall Interview Questions

51. Sell me this pen.

If you’re interviewing for a sales job, your interviewer might put you on the spot to sell them a pen sitting on the table, or a legal pad, or a water bottle, or just something . The main thing they’re testing you for? How you handle a high-pressure situation. So try to stay calm and confident and use your body language—making eye contact, sitting up straight, and more—to convey that you can handle this. Make sure you listen, understand your “customer’s” needs, get specific about the item’s features and benefits, and end strong—as though you were truly closing a deal.

Read More: 4 Tips for Responding to "Sell Me This Pen" in an Interview

52. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Just when you thought you were done, your interviewer asks you this open-ended doozy. Don’t panic—it’s not a trick question! You can use this as an opportunity to close out the meeting on a high note in one of two ways, Zhang says. First, if there really is something relevant that you haven’t had a chance to mention, do it now. Otherwise, you can briefly summarize your qualifications. For example, Zhang says, you could say: “I think we’ve covered most of it, but just to summarize, it sounds like you’re looking for someone who can really hit the ground running. And with my previous experience [enumerate experience here], I think I’d be a great fit.”

Read More: How to Answer “Is There Anything Else You’d Like Us to Know?”

53. Do you have any questions for us?

You probably already know that an interview isn’t just a chance for a hiring manager to grill you—it’s an opportunity to sniff out whether a job is the right fit from your perspective. What do you want to know about the position? The company? The department? The team? You’ll cover a lot of this in the actual interview, so have a few less-common questions ready to go. We especially like questions targeted to the interviewer (“What's your favorite part about working here?”) or the company’s growth (“What can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?”) If you’re interviewing for a remote role, there are some specific questions you might want to ask related to that.

Read More: 57 Smart Questions to Ask in a Job Interview in 2022

Bonus questions

Looking for more common interview questions and answers examples? Check out these lists of inquiries for different types of jobs.

• Behavioral interview questions
• Phone interview questions
• Remote interview questions
• Second interview questions
• COVID-related interview questions
• Diversity and inclusion interview questions
• Emotional intelligence interview questions
• Internship interview questions
• Manager interview questions
• Account management interview questions
• Accounting interview questions
• Administrative assistant interview questions
• Brand management interview questions
• Customer service interview questions
• Data science interview questions
• Digital marketing interview questions
• Financial analyst interview questions
• IT interview questions
• Nursing interview questions
• Product marketing interview questions
• Project management interview questions
• Retail interview questions
• Sales interview questions
• Software engineering interview questions
• Teaching interview questions

Want even more advice for answering common interview questions?

If you are looking for more in depth advice about these 53 interview questions and how to answer them, here's a list of articles with detailed guides to teach you how to approach your responses.

• Tell me about yourself.
• Walk me through your resume.
• How did you hear about this position?
• Why do you want to work at this company?
• Why do you want this job?
• Why should we hire you?
• What can you bring to the company?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
• What is your greatest professional achievement?
• Tell me about a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.
• What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
• Tell me about a time you failed.
• Why are you leaving your current job?
• Why were you fired?
• Why was there a gap in your employment?
• Can you explain why you changed career paths?
• What’s your current salary?
• What do you like least about your job?
• What are you looking for in a new position?
• What type of work environment do you prefer?
• What’s your work style?
• What’s your management style?
• How would your boss and coworkers describe you?
• How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
• What do you like to do outside of work?
• Are you planning on having children?
• How do you stay organized?
• How do you prioritize your work?
• What are you passionate about?
• What motivates you?
• What are your pet peeves?
• How do you like to be managed?
• Do you consider yourself successful?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
• What are your career aspirations?
• What’s your dream job?
• What other companies are you interviewing with?
• What makes you unique?
• What should I know that’s not on your resume?
• What would your first few months look like in this role?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What do you think we could do better or differently?
• When can you start?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?
• If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
• Sell me this pen.
• Is there anything else you’d like us to know.
• Do you have any questions for us?

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How to Succeed in Your Next Job Interview

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Three talking points to help you stand out as a candidate.

• TD Tori Dunlap is an entrepreneur, finance educator, and founder of Her First $100K .

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Pro Tip from Beth Notch, XPD Career Coach

Application materials may lead to an interview, but good interviewing skills can turn an interview into an offer. Like any skills, interviewing takes practice. Here’s how to set yourself up for success !

• Forbes | 20 Interview Tips to Get Yourself on the Shortlist For a Job "Your application made it past the applicant tracking software and you've landed an interview for your dream job. Now you just need to make a lasting impression and stand out as one of the top candidates for the role."
• USA Today | Job Interview Tips: What an Expert Says You Can Learn From a Worker's 17-Interview Journey "Even in the best of times, it can be hard out there. While the unemployment rate remained under 4% for the entirety of 2023, job hunting can still be a frustrating process. A recent Business Insider article documented the experience of a tech worker who went through 17 interviews for four jobs."
• US News | 6 Expert Tips for Interview Success "Companies often conduct two or more interviews with potential job candidates before hiring them. Knowing how to present yourself well in an interview is essential for long-term career growth. Here are six tips to help you prepare for a job interview and ace it like a pro."

Step 2: Ace your interview.

Put your best forward at your next interview with the advice below!

PRO TIP: XPD offers mock interviews if you want to practice first.

Keiling, H. (2024, May 31).  How to prepare for an interview in 11 steps . Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview.

How to Research a Company

Set yourself apart from your competitors, and use the library's databases and/or Google to research the company you're interviewing with! Some things to keep in mind:

• Who's in charge?
• What industry is the company in and how relevant are they?
• How many employees does the company have?
• What's the company's mission?
• Corporate values?
• How are they doing financially?
• Are they working on anything new? Interesting? Risky?
• Has anyone in leadership been in the news?
• What can you infer about the revenue model/target customer? Marketing/sales/growth strategy? Competitors?

Most importantly... why do you care? What is important to you in your future employer?

Unsure of where to look? Check out the Global Business Leadership Research Guide for a list of resources and tips!

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More From Forbes

How to conduct a productive and positive job interview.

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To conduct a successful interview, the hiring personnel should create a relaxed and supportive ... [+] environment.

Interviewing for a job is a stress-inducing event. Job interviewees nervously anticipate and expect the interview process to be a form of interrogation. There’s an uncomfortable feeling of being scrutinized and evaluated on everything they say and do. Bracing for tough questions, it’s hard for job applicants to maintain their composure. They worry that they’ll inadvertently say something that will knock them out of the running.

Here’s an insider’s secret: the interviewer, who could be the hiring manager, human resources professional or recruiter, may be more worried than the candidate.

A job seeker can always walk away from an interview, whereas the hiring manager is under pressure to hire the right person. If they offer the job to someone who epically flames out, they will be forced to contend with the fallout and subsequent political ramifications. Top executives will question why they hired this disastrous person, and harshly judge any decisions this person makes in the future.

Misconceptions About The Job Interview

One of the main purposes of an interview is to assess a candidate's fit for the role. Interviewers typically ask about an applicant’s current and prior jobs, responsibilities, experiences and to share some success stories where they have made a positive impact. The interviewer also wants to delve into why a candidate wants this specific job at this specific company. Additionally, there is a bit of probing to discern if they would be a good cultural fit within the organization.

You might be surprised to know that the HR person or hiring manager wants candidates to do well in the interview. When an applicant succeeds in the interview process, it makes the supervisor’s job easier. They won’t have to spend weeks or months sifting through résumés and continually interviewing people, taking precious time away from their main job and responsibilities.

Unfortunately, too many interviewers feel that they need to come across as superior, tough, aggressive and combative. That may work if you’re interrogating someone, but it’s not necessary to bully, pull rank or act and speak in an arrogant, judgemental manner. That approach will usually backfire.

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Instead, the hiring professional should come across warm, caring, friendly, easy to talk to and excited to be in the room.

Over the last 25-plus years as an executive recruiter and business owner, I have conducted several thousands of interviews. The majority of the interviews were conducted with high-level Wall Street executives. In light of this cohort, you’d think that the interview would be cold and clinical. It would be reasonable to surmise that the meetings would consist of asking and answering questions as if they were a tennis match.

However, the reality of interviewing is to be gracious and act as if the person is a guest in your home. Rather than grilling the interviewee, which only makes things uncomfortable and contentious, hold an informal, low-key conversation. The goal is to make the job seeker open up and feel more relaxed to talk honestly and freely.

Do Your Homework

Before meeting with a candidate, the interviewer should collect data and intelligence about the person they’re interviewing. This includes checking out the person’s LinkedIn profile and social media posts on X, Instagram, Facebook and more.

This isn't considered stalking; it’s a convenient way to get a picture of the person. The more information you glean, the better the conversation will flow. From your due diligence, you’ll gain a sense of their personality, know where they attended college, what sports teams they root for and other tidbits. Once you're in possession of this information, you are ready to start a conversation.

I purposely say “conversation” in the context of the interview because it makes people more comfortable. When someone feels safe, they’re more apt to be honest and transparent. Rather than diving right in, start with an ice breaker such as asking about a sports game from the other night, the weather or some trending topic.

Make The Interviewee Comfortable

To conduct an effective job interview that makes the candidate feel at ease, it's important to create a welcoming atmosphere and establish rapport from the outset. To create a comfortable mood, an interviewer should start by engaging in small talk to put the applicant at ease. If you create a nurturing environment, the candidate will engage more, which will allow you to learn much more about the person as they become relaxed, comfortable and confident.

On the day of the interview, greet the candidate warmly with a smile and offer a glass of water, coffee or beverage. Small gestures like this can significantly ease nerves and create a bond.

When it comes to asking tough questions, introduce them gradually. Save more challenging questions for the middle or end of the interview, and give the candidate ample time to think and respond. This approach helps to avoid putting undue pressure on the candidate right from the start.

Ask open-ended questions so that the applicant can’t just say “yes” or “no.” You want the person to elaborate on their answers. As they share their responses, provide follow-up questions in a friendly, non-intimidating manner.

Actively listen to what they say. Then, reframe their answers to show that you’re paying attention. Make sure to maintain eye contact. Nod your head when the applicant is saying something so they know you are paying attention. Use their name a number of times, as it will perk them up.

Be confident in your approach, but avoid coming across as arrogant or intimidating. Throughout the interview, maintain a balance between being friendly and professional. The interview is a two-way process. You're evaluating the candidate, but they're also assessing whether the company and role are a good fit.

Wrap up the interview by asking if the candidate has any questions or would like to expand upon something they talked about previously. Thank them for their time. Since there are other applicants, it’s hard for the interviewer to definitely give an answer one way or another regarding their candidacy. However, subtly offer some tidbits to help the applicant get a feeling of how they performed and the likelihood of moving forward in the process. Offer your business card so that they can keep in touch with you.

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Common AI Engineer Interview Questions & Answers (2024)

Join over 2 million students who advanced their careers with 365 Data Science. Learn from instructors who have worked at Meta, Spotify, Google, IKEA, Netflix, and Coca-Cola and master Python, SQL, Excel, machine learning, data analysis, AI fundamentals, and more.

It seems like every day we hear about some new AI development—whether it's an update to popular chatbots like ChatGPT or a robot that can whip up a home-cooked meal right in your kitchen.

But who are the minds behind these innovations?

While there are many roles in AI, AI engineers are critical within the broader AI ecosystem .

They bridge the gap between the theoretical aspects of AI research and practical, real-world applications.

With AI skills in high demand—as we saw in job postings for roles like data scientist and even data analyst in 2024 —the job market is fiercely competitive.

One of the best ways to stand out to employers is to ace the job interview .

This is your chance to show you have what it takes to succeed in this field—even without formal experience.

That’s why we’ve compiled the top 10 AI engineer interview questions along with detailed sample answers , so you can be fully prepared to land your dream role.

Table of Contents

What do ai engineers do, what does an ai engineer interview look like, question 1: how do you handle feature engineering in machine learning, question 2: can you explain how to implement a neural network from scratch, question 3: how do you handle overfitting in machine learning models, question 4: what are the key considerations when deploying machine learning models in production, question 5: how do you implement gradient boosting and what are its advantages, question 6: what is transfer learning, and how have you applied it in your projects, question 7: how do you optimize hyperparameters in machine learning models, question 8: what are the challenges of real-time data processing in ai systems, question 9: how do you implement model interpretability techniques in ai systems, question 10: what are the best practices for managing data pipelines in ai projects, job hunting tips for ai engineers, become an ai engineer with 365 data science.

AI engineers create and implement advanced models that demonstrate intelligent behaviors.

They turn complex data science models into scalable, efficient AI systems for real-world use.

For example, they might develop recommendation engines for e-commerce platforms , predictive maintenance systems for manufacturing, or fraud detection algorithms for financial institutions.

By working in diverse teams, they integrate machine learning and deep learning to develop innovative solutions, improving decision-making processes across various sectors.

An AI engineer interview tests a candidate's technical abilities and problem-solving skills.

AI job interview questions may cover a broad range of topics from coding to algorithm design , with a strong focus on AI engineering principles.

You might face assessments of your knowledge of machine learning, neural networks , and your ability to integrate AI into real-world applications .

Questions about AI ethics and implementation strategies are also increasingly common, reflecting the broader impacts of AI technologies in society .

But what’s the usual format of an AI engineer interview?

An AI engineer interview typically involves several stages—this is so employers can assess not only a range of skills, but also how you will fit into their existing company environment.

Here are some of the stages you may face:

Technical Screening :

• Coding Test : Solve programming problems to demonstrate coding skills and algorithm knowledge.
• Machine Learning Quiz : Test covering fundamental concepts of machine learning, statistics , and AI.

Project Review and Presentation :

• Present and discuss past AI-related projects to assess practical experience and test communication skills.

Behavioral and Team Fit Interview :

• Evaluate cultural fit, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills through meetings with potential colleagues to ensure team compatibility.

Now that you know the general format, let’s explore some common AI interview questions and answers for AI engineers—focusing on technical aspects to help you prepare for your interviews.

How to Answer: Feature engineering is a crucial step in building effective machine learning models and will likely be brought up in AI engineer interview questions.

Discuss techniques like feature selection , extraction, and transformation.

Highlight your experience with tools and frameworks that assist in feature engineering.

Example Answer: "Feature engineering involves selecting, extracting, and transforming data features to improve model performance.

I start with feature selection by using techniques such as recursive feature elimination or algorithms like Lasso for regularization.

For feature extraction, I use methods like Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce dimensionality and eliminate multicollinearity.

Transformation techniques like scaling and normalization ensure that features are on the same scale, especially for algorithms like SVM or neural networks.

Tools like pandas and scikit-learn are important in this process, helping automate and streamline feature engineering tasks."

How to Answer: Detail the steps in creating a neural network, including defining the architecture, initializing weights, and implementing the forward and backward propagation algorithms.

This question tests your understanding of deep learning , a common focus in AI engineer interview questions.

Example Answer: "To implement a neural network from scratch, I start by defining the architecture, which includes the number of layers and neurons per layer.

I initialize the weights and biases, using methods like He or Xavier initialization to maintain efficient training.

The forward propagation involves calculating the weighted sum of inputs and passing them through an activation function like ReLU or Sigmoid.

 During backpropagation , I calculate gradients using the chain rule and update weights using gradient descent.

This involves computing the loss using a function like cross-entropy or mean squared error and adjusting the weights to minimize this loss.

To implement this from scratch, you need a good understanding of how neural networks learn and adjust."

How to Answer: Discuss techniques such as cross-validation, regularization, and data augmentation to prevent overfitting.

Showcase your experience with these methods in different projects.

This is a common AI job interview question that addresses model generalization.

Example Answer: "Overfitting occurs when a model learns the training data too well, including noise and outliers, which negatively impacts its performance on new data.

To handle overfitting, I use cross-validation techniques like k-fold to be sure that the model's performance is consistent across different subsets of the data.

Methods such as L1 and L2 regularization (Ridge and Lasso) add a penalty to the loss function to discourage overly complex models.

Data augmentation is another technique I use, especially in computer vision projects, where I augment the training data by applying transformations like rotation, scaling, and flipping to create a more diverse dataset.

Using these methods all together help in building more robust models."

How to Answer: Discuss aspects like scalability, latency, monitoring, and model versioning.

This question assesses your understanding of production-level requirements, a critical aspect covered in AI interviews.

Example Answer: "Deploying machine learning models in production involves several important considerations.

Scalability is crucial, making sure that the system can handle increased load and data volume. For this, I use cloud-based services like AWS SageMaker or Google AI Platform, which offer auto-scaling capabilities.

Latency is another critical factor, particularly for real-time applications; for this, I optimize model inference speed and consider edge deployment for latency-sensitive use cases.

Monitoring involves tracking the model's performance over time, including metrics like accuracy and drift, using tools like Prometheus or custom monitoring solutions.

Finally, model versioning maintains traceability and rollback capabilities, using systems like MLflow or DVC for version control."

How to Answer:

Gradient boosting often appears in AI engineer interview questions because of the technique’s effectiveness.

Explain the principles behind gradient boosting, including how it builds models sequentially and focuses on correcting errors from previous models.

Discuss its advantages, such as handling a variety of data types and robustness to overfitting.

Example Answer: "Gradient boosting involves building a series of decision trees , where each new tree attempts to correct the errors of the previous ones.

The key idea is to minimize the residual errors by adding models sequentially.

I usually implement gradient boosting using libraries like XGBoost or LightGBM, which provide efficient implementations.

The advantages of gradient boosting include its ability to handle both numerical and categorical data, making it versatile.

It also includes built-in regularization techniques, which help in preventing overfitting.

Gradient boosting models are also often more interpretable than deep learning models, making them a popular choice for structured data tasks."

Define transfer learning and explain its benefits, such as reducing training time and improving model performance on small datasets.

Share specific instances where you've applied transfer learning, particularly in areas like computer vision or NLP .

This concept is frequently explored in generative AI interview questions.

Example Answer: "Transfer learning involves taking a pre-trained model on a large dataset and fine-tuning it on a smaller, task-specific dataset.

This approach is useful in domains like computer vision, where pre-trained models on datasets like ImageNet can significantly reduce the need for extensive data and training time.

In one project, we used a pre-trained ResNet model for a medical imaging application. By fine-tuning the last few layers, we adapted the model to detect specific medical conditions with high accuracy, despite having a limited amount of labeled medical data.

Transfer learning not only accelerated our development process but also improved the model's performance significantly."

How to Answer: Optimization will definitely appear in your questions about AI because of its critical nature in refining models.

Be prepared to discuss methods like grid search, random search, and Bayesian optimization for hyperparameter tuning .

Show how you balance computational resources with the need for optimal performance.

Example Answer: "Hyperparameter optimization is crucial for enhancing the performance of machine learning models.

I use grid search and random search for basic tuning. Grid search explores a specified subset of hyperparameters and random search samples random combinations.

For more sophisticated tuning, I prefer Bayesian optimization, which builds a probabilistic model of the objective function and uses it to select the most promising hyperparameters.

This method is more efficient than grid search, especially when dealing with a high-dimensional parameter space.

I also use tools like Optuna or Hyperopt to automate this process, balancing the trade-off between computational cost and model accuracy."

How to Answer: Identify challenges such as latency, data consistency, and handling data streams.

Discuss strategies you employ to overcome these challenges, including specific technologies.

This question often appears in AI interview questions to test your experience with real-time applications.

Example Answer: "Real-time data processing in AI systems presents challenges like maintaining low latency, ensuring data consistency, and handling high-velocity data streams.

To address latency, I optimize model inference time and utilize edge computing when necessary to bring computation closer to data sources.

For data consistency, especially when dealing with streaming data, I implement real-time data validation and error correction mechanisms.

Tools like Apache Kafka for data streaming and Apache Flink for real-time analytics are useful in managing these challenges.

These technologies enable us to process and analyze data in real time, ensuring that AI systems can provide timely and accurate responses."

Explain the importance of model interpretability and discuss techniques such as SHAP, LIME, and feature importance plots.

Share examples of how you've used these techniques to make models more transparent.

This is a critical area in artificial intelligence questions due to growing concerns about AI transparency.

Example Answer:

"Model interpretability is important for gaining insights into model behavior and building trust, especially in sensitive applications like healthcare or finance.

I use SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) to quantify the contribution of each feature to the model's predictions.

I also use LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations), which explains individual predictions by approximating the model locally.

Feature importance plots are useful for visualizing which features have the most impact on the model's output.

In one project, we used SHAP to explain a credit scoring model's decisions, which helped stakeholders understand the reasoning behind the scores and ensure the model wasn't biased."

Many companies are looking for multifaceted professionals who can tackle all aspects of the data lifecycle.

As a result, your AI job interview questions may include assessments of your data engineering skills .

Discuss the importance of data pipeline design, including automation, data quality checks, and monitoring.

Highlight your experience with tools and frameworks used to build robust pipelines.

"Managing data pipelines in AI projects involves designing systems that are automated, reliable, and scalable.

Automation is key to ensuring that data is ingested, cleaned, and processed efficiently.

I use frameworks like Apache Airflow for orchestrating complex workflows and scheduling tasks.

Data quality checks are integrated throughout the pipeline to catch issues early, using tools like Great Expectations.

Monitoring is crucial for detecting anomalies and ensuring the pipeline runs smoothly, and I typically use tools like Prometheus or custom dashboards for real-time monitoring.

These practices ensure that data pipelines are robust, minimizing downtime and ensuring data integrity."

To succeed in landing an AI engineer role:

Stay Updated

Continuously learn about new AI engineering trends and technologies .

The AI world is fast-paced and constantly being updated with bigger and better research, tools, and technology.

If you look away for just one second you might miss a new development that could change the way your company works.

That’s why employers are always seeking candidates who aren’t just aiming for a 9-5, but are genuinely interested in AI engineering and looking to make a difference in the field.

Don’t just prepare for technical AI engineer interview questions, show them you’re dedicated to bringing in the latest and greatest innovations by staying updated with the current trends.

Follow important influencers and figures on LinkedIn, read up on the latest technical journals, and sign up for blogs and newsletters that publish AI news.

Portfolio of Projects

How can you gain the experience required for a job when even entry-level positions demand 1-2 years of experience?

Many of us encounter this dilemma when job hunting for the first time.

Even if you ace your AI engineer interview questions, lack of experience can hold you back.

But there are ways to get around this challenge.

One effective strategy is to apply for unpaid internships . These can last as little as a few weeks and offer valuable company experience and references to bolster your resume.

On top of a well-crafted resume , we recommend that you build a detailed and diverse portfolio of projects , demonstrating your skills in real-world scenarios.

A good portfolio includes only the relevant information. Don’t overstuff with technical jargon and code, but also avoid just listing titles.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Start with the problem. Explain why you are undertaking this project.
• Show your planning. This demonstrates your organizational and critical thinking skills.
• Discuss any difficulties you faced and how you resolved them.
• Reveal your final results.

To get started on your portfolio, check out the ready-made projects we offer at 365 Data Science . You can choose from a variety of topics and skills levels, and begin without any research or finding datasets.

You're likely aware that LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professionals to network and stay connected.

Companies often employ recruiters who specialize in scouring LinkedIn profiles to find candidates that perfectly match their job openings.

These recruiters use advanced search techniques to filter out specific keywords from users' profiles, making it crucial to optimize your profile for visibility in these searches.

Check out this infographic for essential dos and don’ts to ensure recruiters can easily find you on LinkedIn and land some AI interviews.

Also engage with the AI community through forums, conferences, and seminars.

There are plenty of AI and data science subreddits out there. But if you want to get in touch with real professionals, check out the community channels on 365 Data Science’s platform .

With a free account, you gain access to a community where you can engage with both fellow learners and our top-notch industry instructors.

Test out your answers to common AI interview questions there and get personalized feedback.

In this fast-evolving field, AI engineers stand out as crucial contributors to technological advancement and innovation.

To land a job, you need to ace your AI engineer interview.

This requires not only a solid technical foundation but also an ability to demonstrate practical application and strategic thinking in solving real-world problems.

Preparing for these interviews can be demanding, but with the right resources and guidance, you can position yourself as a strong candidate in the field.

365 Data Science offers a comprehensive learning path that equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Our platform provides a range of courses , projects , and career resources specifically tailored to data and AI careers.

• Start with foundational courses: Python and Machine Learning Processes A-Z
• Machine Learning with Decision Trees and Random Forests
• Deep Learning with TensorFlow 2
• Machine Learning Deep Dive: Business Applications and Coding Walkthroughs
• Work on real-world data and AI projects alongside courses or independently.
• Simulate industry tasks and challenges to boost your portfolio.
• Downloadable cheat sheets and detailed AI guides .
• Use interactive flashcards to test your knowledge .

Career Guides:

• Explore insights into industry trends , salary expectations, and AI job interview tips .
• Make informed decisions about your AI education and career.

Our platform is designed to take you from beginner to expert level, ensuring you have the confidence and competence to excel in your AI engineering career and beyond.

Once you have developed the skills, come back to these AI engineer interview questions to land your dream role in AI.

Remember, 365 Data Science is here to support your journey every step of the way.

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Sophie Magnet

Sophie is a Copywriter and Editor at 365 Data Science. With a Master's in Linguistics, her career spans various educational levels—from guiding young learners in elementary settings to mentoring higher education students. At 365 Data Science, she applies her multifaceted teaching and research experience to make data science accessible for everyone. Sophie believes that anyone can excel in any field given motivation to learn and access to the right information. Providing that access is what Sophie strives to achieve.

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