30 Most Common Interview Questions and Answers (2026)

The most common interview questions fall into three categories: behavioral questions about past experiences, situational questions about hypothetical scenarios, and traditional questions about your background and goals. Preparing strong answers for each type will help you walk into any interview with confidence.

The STAR Method: Your Secret Weapon

For behavioral questions, use the STAR method to structure clear, compelling answers. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This framework ensures you tell a complete story with a concrete outcome.

Top 10 Behavioral Interview Questions

1. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work. How did you handle it?

This question assesses problem-solving skills. Choose a significant challenge where your actions led to a positive outcome. Focus on your thought process and the specific steps you took.

Strong Answer: 'At my previous company, we faced a critical server outage affecting 10,000 users. I immediately organized a war room, delegated diagnostic tasks, and maintained client communication. Within 3 hours, we identified a database corruption issue and restored service. I then led a post-mortem that resulted in new monitoring protocols, preventing similar issues.'

2. Describe a time you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you resolve it?

Interviewers want to see that you can navigate disagreements professionally. Choose an example where you listened, found common ground, and maintained the working relationship.

3. Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn?

Everyone fails - what matters is how you respond. Choose a genuine failure (not a humble brag), explain what went wrong, and emphasize what you learned and how you applied that lesson.

4. Give an example of when you had to meet a tight deadline.

This assesses time management and performance under pressure. Describe how you prioritized, what you sacrificed, and how you delivered quality work despite constraints.

5. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a customer or client.

Show that you're customer-focused and willing to put in extra effort. Include the impact your actions had on customer satisfaction or business results.

Traditional Interview Questions

6. Tell me about yourself.

This isn't an invitation to share your life story. Give a 60-90 second professional summary covering your current role, key accomplishments, and why you're interested in this position. Think of it as a verbal professional summary.

7. Why do you want to work here?

Show you've done your research. Reference specific things about the company - their products, culture, mission, or recent news. Explain how your goals align with what they're doing.

8. What are your greatest strengths?

Choose 2-3 strengths that directly relate to the job requirements. Back each one up with a brief example that proves you actually have this strength.

9. What is your greatest weakness?

Choose a genuine weakness that isn't critical to the job, and explain what you're doing to improve. Avoid cliches like 'I'm a perfectionist' or 'I work too hard.'

Strong Answer: 'I've historically struggled with public speaking. To address this, I joined Toastmasters and now volunteer to present at team meetings. While I'm still working on it, I've become much more comfortable presenting to groups of 20-30 people.'

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Show ambition while being realistic. Your answer should suggest you want to grow with this company, not that you're using this job as a stepping stone to something else.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Always prepare questions to ask the interviewer. This shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate if the job is right for you.