Ace That Interview: Top 100 Questions to Prepare for and the Best Answers.

Job hunting can be stressful, with the continuous applications quickly becoming the bane of your existence and yet another reminder that you are not Blue Ivy or Rihanna’s unborn baby. You don’t even have the time to think of top 100 questions you could be asked; rather you are busy applying to as many places as possible.

But, with each email congratulating you on moving up to the interview stage, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and be one step closer to the soft life.

When prepping for an interview, practicing your response to routine questions can boost your confidence and increase your chances of getting the job. To increase your chances of acing that interview and getting the job, I have the top 100 questions to prepare for and answers to the most common questions.

These questions are categorized and aim to evaluate how well-rounded an individual is.

The categories of interview questions include:

• Behavioral Questions

• Qualifications and Experience Questions

• Personality and Cultural Fit Questions

• Problem Solving Questions

• Conflict Management and Teamwork Questions

• Career Development and Logistics Questions

We will start with the ten most common interview questions and the best answers, then move on to the questions in different categories.

1. Tell me about yourself?

A quick summary about yourself is a common question regardless of the industry or the position. 

Construct your answer with the past-present-future model by including details about what you are doing currently, the skills or qualifications that got you there, and a goal you have for the future.

Sample answer: I am a software engineer with five years of experience designing, testing, implementing, and managing software programs. I write C++, Java, and JavaScrip, and I am also familiar with agile development methodologies.

In 5 years, I am aiming for a Chief technical officer role, and this role as a senior software engineer will enable me to hone my leadership and project management skills. 

2. Why are you the best person for this role?

Stand out from other candidates by pitching your skills and qualifications and aligning them with the required skills on the job description with examples to support your case.

Sample answer: My skill set and experience working as a customer support associate make me the ideal person for the role. I have monitored and solved problems, ensured customer retention, and increased sales in the past two years. I have also developed empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills.

3. Why are you interested in working for this company?

Thrill interviewers with your knowledge of the role and the company by assessing the website, featured media articles, job description, and social media pages.

Sample answer: I am an avid reader of your newsletter and your blog posts, and this company is renowned for the value it provides young Africans. As a content writer on your team, I will work with talented individuals, provide resources for young people, and enhance a brand improving the lives of young Africans.

4. How has your experience prepared you for this role?

This question provides more details about how your qualifications relate to the position. State relevant skills needed to thrive in the role, and if you are switching careers, endeavor to highlight transferable skills.

Sample answer: In my previous role, I managed a team of four and interacted with customers regularly. This role requires customer support, and I have three years of experience working with distressed customers and identifying solutions to their problems.

5. What are your strengths?

You have to toe the line between tooting your own horn and being too modest about your strengths. List your soft and hard skills and shortlist attributes relevant to the role that make you a good fit.

Sample answer: I am an effective communicator, so I am patient with team members and create a space where people can express themselves comfortably. I also have strong writing and editing skills and can tailor my writing style to different audiences. 

6. What are your weaknesses?

Interviewers evaluate how qualified you are for the role and your ability to learn and adapt to new challenges. Be intuitive and open to self-improvement by considering skills you are improving or those not essential for the job. 

Sample answer: My data analytics skill is not the strongest, but working as a content writer has spurred me to take some courses online. I want to record data and explain it to others who struggle with numbers as I do.

7. Why are you leaving your current job?

Your response provides insight into your values and character, do not be petty or speak ill of your previous or current managers. The interviewer wants to know if you are leaving voluntarily or not, so give a simple reason for quitting.

Sample answer: A recruiter reached out about this role (I am hot cake), and I researched your company. The requirements align with my qualifications, experience, and my career trajectory.

8. What is your proudest accomplishment?

Remember when you parted the sea and saved the company from bankruptcy? Use the STAR approach to detail how you went above and beyond in your role and handled a challenge.

Sample answer: In my current role as a social media manager, I had to increase brand awareness and respond to customer inquiries across all social networks. I produced regular engaging content that provided more information about the products and attended to all issues within 30 minutes. After three months, social media engagement increased by 200%, with more followers and increased customer feedback and retention.

9. What is your salary expectation?

Like Zlatan, the great philosopher asked, “who does not like the best things?” To prevent being underpaid, do your research and compare the salary range in the industry for that role. Your answer to the question should reflect the research and be a range.

Sample answer- I would like to be compensated fairly for my experience, skillset, and the value I will add to this role. My salary range is flexible and is between x and y.

10. What are your goals for the future?

Are you planning on leaving the country in six months? Your interviewer probably does not want to hear that. Your response to this question shows your commitment to the role and the company. Your answer should start with your short-term goals, detail the actions you will take, and focus on the employer.

Sample answer- In the short term, I hope to work as a product designer in a company like yours and improve the accessibility of healthcare in Africa. I am eager to improve my technical and collaborative skills and be prepared for other opportunities in the future.

Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions focus on previous experience, behavior, and performance. These questions aim to discover how you have demonstrated your skillset as a predictor of future behavior and performance.

11. How do you accomplish tasks with tight deadlines? 

12. How do you set priorities when your responsibilities become overwhelming? 

13. What is an instance of when you worked under pressure?

14. Tell me about how you handled a challenge?

15. How did you handle making a mistake?

16. Tell me about a time you set a goal and the steps you took to achieve it.

17. What is an instance in which you failed to meet a goal?

18. Describe an unpopular decision you took and the steps it took to implement?

19. How do you handle disagreements with your colleagues? 

20. How do you motivate your co-workers?

21. How did you handle a difficult situation?

22. What do you do if you disagree with your boss?

23. How do you deal with a colleague unable to or refusing to complete their assigned task?

24. Can you give me an example of when you had to adapt to a new and sudden change in the workplace? What happened?

Qualifications and Experience Questions

Qualifications and experience interview questions evaluate competency by comparing your skills to the required skills. Your skills, qualifications, and knowledge of the role you are applying for are tested with specific questions to judge how your skills fare in real-life situations. Questions about your qualification and experience also provide insight into your performance and attitude toward work.

25. Tell me about your educational background.

26. Tell me more about your experience.

27. What can you contribute to this company?

28. What applicable skills do you have?

29. What part of this job will challenge you the most?

30. What part of this job will be least challenging?

31. What is an instance of you handling a heavy workload?

32. How would you describe the pace at which you work?

33. What does success look like to you?

34. What were your responsibilities in your last role?

35. What did you enjoy most in your previous job?

36. What was the least enjoyable part of your job?

37. What are you passionate about?

38. What do you hope to learn in this role?

39. Describe a time when you had to work as part of a team

40. Why are you qualified for this job?

Personality and Cultural fit Questions

Cultural fit questions evaluate how ideal a candidate will fit in the company by asking questions relating to your personality. Your answers will help them form an impression of you separate from your professional qualifications and achievements and provide an all-encompassing idea of who you are.

41. What do you know about this company?

42. What is your preferred leadership style?

43. What are your hobbies?

44. What are your pet peeves?

45. How would your colleagues describe you?

46. What is your work style?

47. Are you self-motivated?

48. What is your ideal company culture?

49. What is your dream job?

50. What interests you about this role?

51. What was the last book you read?

52. Are you a detail-oriented person?

53. Who is your mentor in this industry, and why?

54. How important is money to you?

Problem Solving Questions

Problem-solving interview questions test your critical thinking skills by evaluating how you would react in difficult situations. These questions seek your opinion on interpersonal issues in the workplace and client relations. 

55. Describe an instance where your suggestion improved the business.

56. Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict in the workplace.

57. How do you handle irate clients?

58. Tell me about a situation where you had to make a quick decision.

59. Tell me an instance when you went above and beyond your duties.

Conflict Management and Teamwork Questions

Conflict management and teamwork interview questions evaluate your ability to work independently or as part of a team and your collaboration and communication skills.

60. Do you work better independently or in a team?

61. How well do you handle conflict?

62. What are your feelings about working as part of a team?

63. What skills help you thrive in a team?

64. Have you ever disagreed with a boss or co-worker?

65. What kind of colleagues do you enjoy working with?

66. How well do you interact with management?

67. What type of person will you decline to work with?

68. How will you earn the respect of your co-workers?

69. What are the qualities of your ideal boss?

70. What position do you prefer when working on a project?

71. Tell me about a time you worked well as part of a team.

Career Development and Logistics Questions

Employers want to know if you are in it for the long haul. Career development interview questions focus on your plans for the future and your interest in committing to the company.

72. Why do you want to change jobs?

73. What are your salary requirements?

74. Are you willing to travel?

75. Are you willing to relocate?

76. Do you know anyone working in this company?

77. How long do you plan to work here if hired?

78. Have you ever been fired?

79. What do you seek for career growth and advancement potential and career growth?

80. How does this job fit in with your career plans?

81. Do you have any immediate plans to continue your studies?

82. What are your short-term and long-term goals?

83. How many hours a week do you typically work?

84. Are you willing to work overtime?

85. Are you applying to any other jobs?

86. Have you completed the mandatory national youth service scheme (Nigeria)

87. Are there any responsibilities that might hinder you from meeting your specified work schedule?

88. Do you speak other languages (besides English)?

89. Are you legally authorized to work in this country?

90. Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

91. Do you belong to any professional organizations or associations?

92. What if you get more than one job offer?

93. When do you expect a promotion?

94. What can you bring to this company?

95. When can you start?

96. What are your expectations for the first 30 days?

97. What are your expectations for the first 60 days?

98. How will you adjust to working for a new company?

99. Is there anything else you think we should know about you?

100. Do you have any questions for us?

Your time at the ball is here, and the magic does not expire at midnight.

Now I hope you practice your answers and have a delightful time securing the job. Remember to share this article with others and come back for more helpful tips.