Job Interview Preparation: The Most Common Questions and How to Convince
Most questions in a job interview are predictable — and that is precisely your chance. This guide shows how to prepare in three steps, answer the 10 most common questions confidently and score points with your own questions.
By Redaktion ·
Key takeaways
- Around 80% of interview questions are predictable — preparing the standard questions removes the biggest uncertainty from the conversation.
- The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) turns vague self-descriptions into concrete, credible stories.
- For “Tell us about yourself”, prepare a 2-minute pitch along the thread past → present → why this role.
- Asking your own questions is a must: it shows genuine interest — good questions target the team, expectations for the first months and development opportunities.
- Answer the weakness question honestly: a real but non-critical weakness plus what you concretely do about it.
The good news first: job interviews are surprisingly predictable. Most interviewers ask variations of the same ten questions — and you can prepare for those. If you can answer the standard questions confidently, your head is free for what really decides an interview: genuine interest, concrete examples and good questions of your own.
Preparation in 3 steps
Step 1: Understand the company and the role (about 1 hour)
- Skim the website, products and current news about the company — what is the firm proud of, what is on the industry's mind?
- Re-read the job ad thoroughly: Which 3 requirements are at its core? You need one example of your own for each.
- Look up your interviewers (LinkedIn/Xing) if names appear in the invitation — it takes the anonymity out of the conversation.
Step 2: Prepare your examples (about 1 hour)
Collect 4–6 situations from your working life that show successes, problem-solving and collaboration. Structure each one with the STAR method:
- Situation: What was the context? (1 sentence)
- Task: What was your task or the problem? (1 sentence)
- Action: What did you concretely do? (2–3 sentences — this is the core)
- Result: What came of it? Ideally with a number. (1 sentence)
These examples are your toolbox — they answer almost every behavioural question (“Tell us about a situation where…”).
Step 3: Sort out the practicalities (15 minutes)
Test the route or your video setup, lay out your clothes, prepare documents (CV, references, notes), research your salary range. For video interviews: calm background, camera at eye level, test the tech 10 minutes early.
The 10 most common questions — and what's behind them
1. “Tell us something about yourself.” Not a CV monologue but a 2-minute pitch: Where do you come from professionally, where are you today, why are you here? Always end with the link to the role.
2. “Why do you want to join us?” This is where your company research from step 1 counts. Name something concrete: product, way of working, industry — and connect it to your goals.
3. “Why do you want to leave your current job?” Never badmouth your old employer. Phrase it forward: “I learned a lot there, but I'm looking for more responsibility in X.”
4. “What are your strengths?” Two or three strengths with evidence (STAR example!) — chosen according to what the role demands.
5. “What are your weaknesses?” A real but non-critical weakness plus your counter-strategy. No disguised strengths (“too much of a perfectionist”) — that comes across as evasive.
6. “Tell us about a difficult situation / a conflict.” A classic STAR question. Important: stay factual, show your own part, end with the solution and the lesson learned.
7. “Where do you see yourself in five years?” This is about realism and commitment, not clairvoyance: professional development, growing responsibility — within what the company can actually offer.
8. “Why should we choose you?” Your summary: the two or three strongest matches between you and the role. Confident, without putting other candidates down.
9. “What are your salary expectations?” State a researched range (annual gross) and justify it briefly. Saying “I'm flexible” means negotiating from the weaker position later.
10. “Do you have any questions for us?” The only right answer: yes. More on that now.
Your questions: this is where the lasting impression is made
Asking no questions signals a lack of interest. Good questions target the work itself, not holidays and perks (you sort those out at the contract stage):
- “What does a typical day or week look like in this role?”
- “What would I need to achieve in the first six months for you to say: that was a good hire?”
- “How is the team set up that I would be working with?”
- “What sets apart the people who really thrive here?”
- “What are the next steps after this conversation?”
Two to four questions are enough — and you're allowed to bring them written down. That looks prepared, not insecure.
Nervousness is normal — how to keep it in check
- Preparation is the best sedative: if you know your examples, you don't have to improvise.
- Practise out loud: answer the 10 questions aloud once — alone, with someone you trust, or with an AI coach. The gap between “knowing it in your head” and “being able to say it” is huge.
- Pauses are allowed: “Good question, let me think for a moment” is more composed than rushing into an answer.
- Blackout plan: honestly say “I can't think of it right now — may I come back to that later?” No interviewer will hold that against you.
After the interview
A short thank-you email on the same or the next day (2–3 sentences: thanks, confirmation of interest, reference to a topic from the conversation) leaves a professional final impression. After that: wait for the stated feedback date, then follow up politely.
Want to run through the most common questions once in a safe space? Our AI application coach simulates the interview with you — question by question, with honest feedback on your answers.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a job interview take?
- Usually 45 to 90 minutes. First interviews (often via video) are shorter at 30 to 45 minutes; second rounds with the department or senior managers can take longer. Allow a generous buffer.
- What should I wear to a job interview?
- Take your cue from the industry and dress one step more formally than the everyday dress code there. Banking and consulting: suit or business attire. Trades, IT, startups: neat smart-casual is usually fine. When in doubt, slightly overdressed beats too casual.
- How do I answer the question about my weaknesses?
- With a real weakness that isn't critical for the role, plus your counter-strategy. Example: “I sometimes get lost in details — so I set myself fixed time slots and ask for feedback early.” Avoid disguised strengths like “I'm too much of a perfectionist”.
- What do I say when asked about salary in the interview?
- State a researched range (annual gross) and briefly justify it with your experience and market level: “Based on my experience, I'm thinking of €52,000 to €58,000.” Research salary portals and industry pay scales beforehand instead of guessing a number.
- When and how do I follow up after the interview?
- A short thank-you email on the same or the next day leaves a good impression. If a feedback date was mentioned, wait for it and then ask politely — about three to five working days after the deadline has passed.