The Most Common Questions Job Interviews Ask

We’re just days into 2022, the year the Wall Street Journal has heralded as “the year you get your dream job,” and it seems more true than ever that this year will be a job seeker’s market.

The Great Resignation began almost a year ago in April 2021, when the number of employees who quit their jobs in a one-month span broke a record. But that record broke again in July and August, when 4.3 million people quit their jobs — about 2.9 percent of the workforce. Once again, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a record-breaking number of people who quit their jobs in November — 4.5 million, in fact — affecting all job sectors.

In addition to job leaves being at an all-time high, employers posted 10.6 million job openings in the same time period — down from a near-record 11 million the previous month and just below July’s all-time record, but still high. In other words, workers have a lot of leverage right now, so if you’re looking for a new job, it’s a great time to browse around. In doing so, you might want to brush up on interview skills before your next Zoom meeting with a recruiter.

A 2021 study conducted by career resource startup Zety, which spoke to 500 professionals who are involved in hiring, determined the most common interview questions you can expect to be asked. Zety also spoke to more than 1,000 American workers about their experiences as job candidates. Read on to find out the most common questions interviewers ask, and the most common questions interviewers expect candidates to ask.

The most common questions asked in job interviews

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about a challenge or conflict you faced at work and how did you deal with it?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• How did you hear about this position?
• What are your greatest weaknesses?
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.
• Why are you leaving your current position?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
• What type of work environment do you prefer?
• How would your boss and coworkers describe you?

The most common interviewers expect candidates to ask

• Can you show me examples of projects I'd be working on?
• What are the skills and experience you're looking for in an ideal candidate?
• What are the most immediate projects that would need to be addressed?
• What does a typical day look like?
• Do you expect the main responsibilities for this position to change in the next six months to a year?
• Is this a new role that has been created?
• Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?
• How will I be trained?
• What are the most important things you'd like to see someone accomplish in the first 30, 60 and 90 days on the job?
• Where have previous successful employees in this position progressed to?