10 Common Job Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them With Confidence)

Job interviews can feel nerve-wracking, but the more prepared you are, the easier they become. The truth is, most employers ask everyone some variation of the same questions. We've all heard the classics: "Tell me about yourself" or "What are your weaknesses?". The key is in how you prepare for the job interview, so you can show up feeling calm, clear, and confident.

If you know what to expect and you've done your homework, you're already ahead of the game. How do I know? I'm a college professor turned freelance writer who helps people elevate their careers. I’ve conducted interviews, guided others through prep, and navigated hiring processes myself — so I know what works, what flops, and what will help you stand out.

Below, I’m breaking down 10 common job interview questions, how to approach each one, what to highlight, and practical strategies I’ve used to stand out and get hired. And if you’re applying for jobs right now, take a few minutes to polish your resume before sending it out. My Canva resume templates are designed to help you highlight your skills and experience in a clean, modern format that hiring managers love.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This question sets the tone and gives you a chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Your answer should be like an elevator pitch. A quick, relevant summary of:

• Who you are

• What you do / who you help

• A bit about your career journey and current goals

• Why this matters to the company / why they should care

If you need help with your self-introduction, check out my free Elevator Pitch Playbook! You'll create a 30-second introduction that feels natural, confident, and memorable.

💬 Example: "I'm Alessa, a writer and educator. I started my career as an ESL teacher, later became a college instructor, and now I help individuals and businesses elevate their careers and communication through freelance writing. Right now, I’m looking for a role where I can combine my writing and education experience to create impactful content, so I was really excited to come across this opportunity."

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question might seem like a trick, but it’s a great opportunity to show self-awareness and a willingness to grow.

For strengths: Choose one or two qualities that are genuinely true and relevant to the job: communication, leadership, or organization in a fast-paced environment.

For weaknesses: Pick something real but not disqualifying. More importantly, highlight what you’re doing to work on it. Things like struggling to maintain a work-life balance, being overly detail-oriented, or difficulty saying no can be considered weaknesses, but aren’t necessarily bad traits — we're all human, so we each bring unique strengths and areas for growth.

💬 Example: “One strength of mine is adaptability. I’ve taught everyone from children to adults and English language learners, and later transitioned between teaching and freelance writing. I know how to learn fast and stay calm in unfamiliar situations. A weakness I’m working on is perfectionism in my writing. I’ve been working on letting that go by setting time limits for drafts and focusing more on my progress than perfection.”

3. What made you want to apply here?

Show that you're prepared for the interview and aligned with the company’s mission, values, and work. Say what actually resonates with you, but always sprinkle in a hint of "I did my research".

💬 Example: “I was drawn to this role because of your work on creating student-focused classroom resources. As someone who’s worked in education for several years, I’m passionate about making information engaging and digestible for learners. I also noticed your blog covers topics I already write about, so I saw a clear overlap between my strengths and what you’re building!”

4. How do you set priorities when you have multiple deadlines?

Employers want to know you can manage time and energy — especially when things get busy. Share the systems you build around your priorities, not just what you do.

💬 Example: “I start by getting clear on what’s time-sensitive vs. what’s important but not necessarily urgent. I use a combination of my calendar, whiteboards, and to-do lists to map out my weekly goals, and I always build in buffer time for revisions by working backwards. Communication is key, so I check in early if I foresee any delays or issues to make sure everyone is on the same page."

5. Why are you leaving your current role?

or, "Why did you leave your last job?"

Keep it forward-focused and talk about your goals. Show that you’re intentional about your growth and have plans you're working towards. And always frame your past experiences positively, even if they weren’t perfect. What might seem like a negative can often be turned into a strength if you highlight what you learned from it!

💬 Example: “I loved working in higher education, but I reached a point where I wanted more flexibility and creativity in my career. That’s what led me to freelance writing. Now I’m looking for a role where I can apply my teaching and writing experience while continuing to grow in the content space."

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Be honest, but strategic. Employers want to see ambition without thinking you’ll be gone in six months. Be specific about your goals, skills you want to build, and the kind of impact you want to have.

💬 Example: “In five years, I see myself in a content management role, ideally still working at the intersection of education and writing. I want to be part of a company where I can grow long-term, contribute to meaningful work, and continue to expand my skills in content strategy and leadership.”

7. How do you handle stress or pressure?

Give a specific example if you can — especially one that shows calm, focus, and problem-solving. Think about what the interviewer is looking for here: can you stay organized, prioritize effectively, communicate clearly, and recover quickly when things get tough?

💬 Example: “First, I like to break things down into smaller steps so I don’t get overwhelmed. Managing multiple courses and grading deadlines taught me to use checklists and spreadsheets to stay on track and to always communicate with my team. I also know when to step away from a stressful situation. Sometimes a 10-minute walk can reset my focus and bring me back with a fresh perspective.”

8. Can you give an example of a time you received feedback and how you acted on it?

Here you can show that you’re coachable, open to growth, and able to turn constructive feedback into action. Employers want to know that you can take guidance, adapt, and improve your work without taking it personally (even when it feels that way).

💬 Example: “In a previous project, the editor suggested that I make my article more concise for readers. I changed my approach by breaking up long paragraphs, adding clear headings, and adding step-by-step tips. I’m always happy to take feedback and adapt to the style, and I make sure to implement that feedback into my future work."

9. What makes you the best fit for this role?

This is your chance to summarize your value. Ideally, you’ve researched the company in advance and can connect your strengths to what they prioritize. Highlight your unique qualifications, relevant experience, and any personal or professional connections to the interviewer or company.

💬 Example: “With my background in education, writing, and content creation, I bring structure and creativity to the table. I’ve worked with diverse audiences, tight timelines, and evolving needs, so I’m excited to work with a team that values quality, storytelling, and impact. I also noticed that your team recently launched a project on inclusive learning materials, which aligns well with my experience in education!”

10. Do you have any questions for us?

YES. Always yes. Having thoughtful questions shows you’re engaged, proactive, and genuinely curious. You’re not just trying to get any job; you’re looking for the right one.

Here are a few questions to ask your interviewer:

• What does a typical workweek look like here?

• How do you see this role evolving over time?

• What’s your favourite part about working here?

• What qualities do you think are essential for someone starting in this role?

• What's the policy for taking time off or vacation?

If you want even more ideas, I shared a list of great interview questions in this post. And if you want career tips, free resources, and tools to help you grow, join my email list!

✨ Ready to Get Hired?

Start by sending in a resume that helps you stand out from the crowd. If yours needs a refresh, grab one of my Canva resume templates — they’re fully customizable and designed to show off your skills, experience, and value before you even step into the interview.

Then, don’t miss my Job Interview Prep Guide. It's a complete walkthrough of how to prepare for an interview, what to say, what to ask, and how to follow up. Inside, you’ll find:

• A printable pre-interview checklist

• Common job interview questions + sample answers

• Smart questions to ask your interviewer

• Bonus: confidence and body language tips, plus a fill-in-the-blank elevator pitch template and follow-up email template

If you’re tired of doing interviews and never hearing back, this guide will help you walk in prepared, answer questions with confidence, and leave a lasting impression that gets you hired.