Introduction
Preparing for what are good interview questions is one of the smartest career moves you can make. By mastering these what are good interview questions, you gain clarity about your own story, confidence in your delivery, and credibility with hiring managers. From behavioral prompts to cultural-fit queries, every well-practiced response to what are good interview questions helps you stand out and demonstrate that you are the solution the company is seeking. Verve AI’s Interview Copilot is your smartest prep partner—offering mock interviews tailored to specific roles. Start for free at Verve AI.
What are what are good interview questions?
What are good interview questions are the proven prompts recruiters rely on to gauge competence, motivation, and cultural fit. They range from broad “Tell me about yourself” openers to targeted “Why did you leave each role?” follow-ups. Because these what are good interview questions cover achievements, failures, teamwork, leadership, and goals, candidates who rehearse them can articulate value quickly and persuasively.
Why do interviewers ask what are good interview questions?
Hiring managers use what are good interview questions to explore three key areas: can you do the job, will you love the job, and will the team love working with you? By probing your resume, mindset, and real-world examples, they validate skill depth, critical thinking, and authenticity. Solid answers to what are good interview questions reassure interviewers that you will thrive, adapt, and contribute results from day one.
Preview of the 30 What Are Good Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself/your work experience
Walk me through your resume
How did you hear about this position?
Why do you want to work at this company?
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Why do you think you would do well in this role?
Tell me about a time when you showed initiative
What type of role do you play on teams?
What motivates you?
What do you think are the most important qualifications for this job?
Why are you interested in this job in particular?
Tell me what you know about this company/industry
Are you willing to travel? How much? Work nights? Weekends? Relocate?
How soon would you be able to start?
(If employed) Why are you looking for a new job? (If unemployed) What have you been doing with your time?
What have you done to advance your career during the last year?
Why did you leave each of your previous jobs?
Why haven’t you stayed at any of your jobs very long?
What would your previous co-workers/bosses/subordinates say about you?
What are your salary expectations?
Tell me why I should hire you
What question have I forgotten to ask you?
Do you have any questions for me?
Why haven’t you gotten your degree?
Why have you switched jobs so many times?
Why did you change your career path?
Why did you decide to leave your previous job?
Is there a difference between hard work and smart work?
How quickly do you adapt to new technology?
What are your interests outside of work?
1. Tell me about yourself/your work experience
Why you might get asked this:
This opener is a staple among what are good interview questions because it lets hiring managers evaluate how succinctly you can summarize your background while aligning it to the role. They listen for a logical career narrative, evidence of growth, and relevance to the organization’s needs. A clear, engaging snapshot helps interviewers envision you thriving on their team and sets the tone for deeper discussion.
How to answer:
Structure your reply around present, past, and future. Start by stating your current role and primary wins, backtrack to earlier experiences that built key skills, then connect the dots to what excites you about this opportunity. Keep it two minutes, avoid personal minutiae, and weave the employer’s top priorities into your story. Practicing with Verve AI Interview Copilot can help you refine timing and flow.
Example answer:
“Right now, I lead a three-person digital marketing squad where we grew qualified leads 45 % in twelve months by optimizing content strategy. Before that, I spent four years at a SaaS startup wearing multiple hats—analytics, email automation, even UX copy—which taught me to pivot fast and own outcomes. I’m now eager to apply that breadth to a brand committed to data-driven creativity like yours, where I can scale campaigns and mentor junior talent.”
2. Walk me through your resume
Why you might get asked this:
Among what are good interview questions, this prompt checks your ability to curate highlights rather than recite every bullet. Interviewers assess your judgment: which experiences you spotlight, how you frame transitions, and how you showcase impact. A confident walkthrough signals self-awareness, strategic thinking, and respect for the listener’s time.
How to answer:
Guide them chronologically but selectively. For each role, state scope, key achievement, and skills gained in one sentence each, then explain why you moved on. Emphasize themes that match the job description. Finish by summarizing how the journey has primed you for their challenges. Use the STAR framework for standout accomplishments and rehearse on Verve AI to perfect pacing.
Example answer:
“After graduating, I joined ABC Logistics as an analyst, where I automated reporting and cut weekly prep time by 60 %. Wanting customer-facing exposure, I moved to DEF Corp and managed six enterprise accounts, boosting renewal rates to 98 %. Recently, I led cross-functional supply-chain projects at GHI Retail that trimmed inventory costs $2 M. Each step deepened my data storytelling and stakeholder management—skills I’m excited to deploy here.”
3. How did you hear about this position?
Why you might get asked this:
This is one of those deceptively simple what are good interview questions that uncovers your genuine interest and networking savvy. Recruiters gauge whether you’ve been actively following the company, were referred by employees, or simply job-board browsing. Your answer signals how intentional your search is and can hint at cultural fit.
How to answer:
Be transparent and enthusiastic. If referred, name-drop with permission and connect the referral to your passion for the role. If found online, describe what in the posting or company mission sparked you to act immediately. Link the discovery to specific values or projects you admire. Authentic excitement is key.
Example answer:
“I first heard about the opening through Maria Lopez, your senior product manager. We collaborate in a local women-in-tech meetup, and when she described the team’s user-centric ethos, I knew it aligned with my own approach. I checked the posting that night, loved the focus on inclusive design, and applied within the hour because I want to build products that truly reflect diverse voices.”
4. Why do you want to work at this company?
Why you might get asked this:
Of all what are good interview questions, this probes alignment with company values and tests whether you’ve done homework beyond surface perks. Interviewers measure cultural fit, long-term motivation, and the likelihood you’ll stay engaged when challenges arise. A thoughtful answer distinguishes you from candidates chasing any paycheck.
How to answer:
Research deeply: read recent press, product launches, ESG reports, and leadership interviews. Pick two or three elements—mission, growth trajectory, innovation culture—that authentically resonate. Connect them to your personal values and career goals. Illustrate with a story or stat that proves your enthusiasm is genuine, not generic.
Example answer:
“Your commitment to circular manufacturing grabbed me. Seeing your zero-waste facility in last quarter’s sustainability report convinced me that profit and planet can coexist. My engineering thesis was on biodegradable polymers, so I’m energized by the chance to apply that expertise to your new packaging line and help expand your 35 % recyclate goal to 50 % within two years.”
5. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Why you might get asked this:
This evergreen among what are good interview questions examines self-awareness and growth mindset. Interviewers expect candor: do you recognize assets you can leverage and areas requiring development? They also gauge whether your strengths match role priorities and whether your weakness is manageable with the resources available.
How to answer:
Select two or three strengths tied to key job competencies, back them with concrete examples. For weakness, choose a real skill gap that won’t cripple core duties, then present actions you’re taking to improve. Show progress metrics. Avoid humblebrags. Practicing honesty with Verve AI’s real-time feedback can polish your delivery.
Example answer:
“My top strength is synthesizing complex data into clear business narratives—last quarter I briefed executives with a one-page dashboard that drove a 15 % budget shift to the most profitable SKU. I’m also a calm crisis communicator, which helped us navigate a major outage without customer churn. As for weakness, I tended to over-commit on side projects. I now use Scrum capacity planning to allocate only 20 % buffer time, cutting missed internal deadlines from five per quarter to zero.”
6. Why do you think you would do well in this role?
Why you might get asked this:
This members-only club of what are good interview questions zeroes in on competency match. Employers want evidence you understand deliverables and already possess the technical, interpersonal, and strategic capabilities required. Your answer should prove you’ve truly internalized the job description.
How to answer:
Map three critical job requirements to specific accomplishments. Quantify impact, cite tools or methodologies identical to those in the listing, and highlight cultural fit traits such as adaptability or customer obsession. Conclude with how you’ll add unique value quickly—perhaps referencing a 90-day plan you drafted with Verve AI practice sessions.
Example answer:
“The role calls for scaling paid media globally, optimizing ROAS, and mentoring junior analysts. In my last position, I expanded campaigns into six new regions, lifted ROAS 38 % using look-alike modeling, and created a mentoring playbook that cut onboarding time by half. That combination of technical depth and coaching instinct positions me to outperform targets here almost immediately.”
7. Tell me about a time when you showed initiative
Why you might get asked this:
Behavioral what are good interview questions like this test proactivity. Employers need self-starters who don’t wait for instructions. By analyzing your past initiative, they infer future performance, leadership potential, and ability to identify opportunities others overlook.
How to answer:
Use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Detail how you recognized a problem or opportunity, took ownership without prompting, and delivered measurable benefits. Emphasize creativity and tenacity. Avoid vague claims; data rules.
Example answer:
“While at CloudFin, I noticed our churn analytics ignored product usage depth. I proposed integrating feature-level data, built a prototype with Python, and convinced leadership in one meeting. Post-launch, retention in the at-risk segment improved 12 % over six months, and the model is now standard across three business units—proving initiative can drive enterprise-wide gains.”
8. What type of role do you play on teams?
Why you might get asked this:
Collaboration lies at the heart of what are good interview questions because every hire impacts group dynamics. Interviewers examine self-perception, versatility, and how your default role meshes with existing strengths. They also want evidence you can flex when team needs shift.
How to answer:
Identify your primary team persona—facilitator, strategist, or executor—and support it with examples. Then show adaptability: times you led, supported, or challenged respectfully for better outcomes. Align traits to the employer’s culture and illustrate emotional intelligence.
Example answer:
“Colleagues often label me the ‘bridge builder.’ I translate technical jargon for non-tech partners so projects stay aligned. Yet when urgency strikes, I step into coordinator mode, setting sprint priorities and clearing blockers. On our last release, that dual role enabled us to ship two weeks early while maintaining 100 % stakeholder satisfaction.”
9. What motivates you?
Why you might get asked this:
Understanding drivers via what are good interview questions helps companies craft roles that keep talent engaged. They seek alignment between your intrinsic motivations and job realities. Misalignment can lead to burnout or turnover.
How to answer:
Share authentic internal motivators—solving customer pain points, learning new tech, mentoring others—then tie them to role activities. Give a story where this motivation produced results and satisfaction. Avoid extrinsic factors like money alone.
Example answer:
“I’m energized by untangling messy workflows to make users’ lives easier. At my last job, I rebuilt our onboarding flow, cutting setup time from 90 to 25 minutes, which boosted NPS nine points. Knowing customers now achieve value faster fuels my drive every morning.”
10. What do you think are the most important qualifications for this job?
Why you might get asked this:
This fixed star in what are good interview questions gauges your understanding of the position and your ability to read between the lines. Interviewers assess if you recognize true priorities versus peripheral tasks and whether your view mirrors theirs.
How to answer:
Reference three qualifications from the job description, explaining why each is critical to business outcomes. Show mastery by linking each qualification to your track record. End by confirming that your skill set mirrors those essentials.
Example answer:
“First, data-driven decision-making, because marketing budgets must defend ROI. Second, cross-channel campaign experience to maintain consistent brand voice. Third, team leadership to scale processes. I bring six years of budget analytics, omnichannel execution in five regions, and a track record of promoting four analysts to senior roles.”
11. Why are you interested in this job in particular?
Why you might get asked this:
Distinct from company passion, this among what are good interview questions centers on role content. Managers want to ensure tasks and growth paths align with your goals, reducing flight risk.
How to answer:
Explain how day-to-day responsibilities map to skills you love using and stretch areas you crave. Mention career trajectory and learning opportunities unique to this job. Authenticity beats flattery.
Example answer:
“This role blends customer insights with product strategy—exactly where I thrive. It offers the chance to own roadmap decisions while still interviewing users weekly, which keeps me close to real problems. Few positions provide that dual exposure, making it the perfect next chapter for my career.”
12. Tell me what you know about this company/industry
Why you might get asked this:
Research diligence is revealed through what are good interview questions like this. Interviewers measure curiosity, preparedness, and ability to contextualize your value within broader industry shifts.
How to answer:
Cite recent news, competitor moves, regulatory changes, and how the company uniquely positions itself. Then connect how your expertise can amplify competitive advantages or mitigate threats.
Example answer:
“I read your Series C announcement citing expansion into tele-dermatology, a market projected to grow 23 % CAGR. With my background in HIPAA-compliant mobile UX, I can help you launch that service securely and ahead of the curve.”
13. Are you willing to travel? How much? Work nights? Weekends? Relocate?
Why you might get asked this:
Logistical what are good interview questions assess availability alignment. Misalignment can derail otherwise perfect matches, so clarity upfront saves time.
How to answer:
State limits honestly. Offer context—family, commitments—while expressing flexibility where feasible. Provide concrete percentages or ranges.
Example answer:
“I’m comfortable traveling up to 30 % of the time, primarily weekdays. Occasional night or weekend work during product launches is fine. Relocation is possible with a three-month transition window to coordinate my partner’s job.”
14. How soon would you be able to start?
Why you might get asked this:
Hiring timelines are critical, so this what are good interview questions clarifier ensures both parties align on start date expectations.
How to answer:
Specify contractual notice required and any planned commitments. Express willingness to accommodate urgent needs via part-time overlap or early paperwork.
Example answer:
“My current role requires a standard two-week notice, but I can begin background checks immediately and join onboarding sessions virtually if that accelerates ramp-up.”
15. (If employed) Why are you looking for a new job? (If unemployed) What have you been doing with your time?
Why you might get asked this:
This dual-path staple among what are good interview questions explores motivation, loyalty, and productivity. Employers want positive reasoning rather than negativity or stagnation.
How to answer:
For employed, emphasize growth, new challenges, or cultural alignment. For unemployed, spotlight skill-building, freelancing, or volunteering. Never disparage past employers.
Example answer:
“While I value my current company, its product line has plateaued. I’m eager to apply my innovation skills in a faster-moving environment like yours. During my transition, I completed a certificate in design thinking and consulted pro bono for a nonprofit to keep skills sharp.”
16. What have you done to advance your career during the last year?
Why you might get asked this:
Continuous learning is probed by what are good interview questions like this. Interviewers test proactivity and passion for self-development.
How to answer:
List tangible actions: certifications, stretch projects, mentoring, industry conferences. Quantify impact on performance. Connect learning to role relevance.
Example answer:
“In the past twelve months I earned AWS Solutions Architect Associate, automated our CI/CD pipeline saving 20 deployment hours monthly, and mentored two interns who later secured full-time offers. These efforts sharpen my cloud skills and leadership—the very expertise this role demands.”
17. Why did you leave each of your previous jobs?
Why you might get asked this:
Patterns matter in what are good interview questions assessing stability. Interviewers look for rational, forward-looking moves, not red flags like conflicts or performance issues.
How to answer:
Explain each transition succinctly, focusing on positive pulls (growth, new skills) rather than negative pushes. Show a logical career narrative.
Example answer:
“I left my first firm to pursue international project exposure; the second move allowed me to lead a team for the first time; my most recent departure stems from a company merger that removed the product R&D function I’m passionate about.”
18. Why haven’t you stayed at any of your jobs very long?
Why you might get asked this:
Frequent moves invite scrutiny through what are good interview questions aimed at assessing reliability. Employers want reassurance you will commit.
How to answer:
Provide context—startups with acquisition, contract roles, or intentional exploration. Emphasize lessons learned and desire for longer-term growth now.
Example answer:
“The past five years were deliberate sprints in hyper-growth startups, each scaling then exiting. Those experiences honed my agility, and I’m now seeking stability to deepen expertise over several product cycles.”
19. What would your previous co-workers/bosses/subordinates say about you?
Why you might get asked this:
Self-perception vs. external perception is explored via what are good interview questions like this. Hiring managers cross-reference with future reference checks.
How to answer:
Quote concrete feedback from reviews or 360s, share specific adjectives, and back them with examples. Align traits with job needs.
Example answer:
“My last 360 review mentioned ‘calm under fire, data-driven, and generous with knowledge.’ During a critical outage, I coordinated fixes without blame and later hosted a post-mortem workshop to uplift team capabilities.”
20. What are your salary expectations?
Why you might get asked this:
Compensation what are good interview questions ensure alignment early. Interviewers also judge your market research and negotiation maturity.
How to answer:
Provide a researched range based on role, geography, and experience. Express openness to the total package. Mention you value growth and culture too.
Example answer:
“Based on comparable roles and my eight years’ experience, I’m targeting $95-105 K base, with flexibility depending on equity and professional development opportunities.”
21. Tell me why I should hire you
Why you might get asked this:
This pinnacle of what are good interview questions invites a closing sales pitch. Interviewers expect a concise value proposition.
How to answer:
Summarize top three differentiators—skills, achievements, mindset—tailored to pain points mentioned. End with enthusiasm and immediate impact statement.
Example answer:
“You should hire me because I blend growth-marketing expertise, proven 2× ROI campaigns, and a servant-leader ethos that elevates teams. I’ve solved the attribution challenges you described and can replicate that success here within 90 days.”
22. What question have I forgotten to ask you?
Why you might get asked this:
Such reflective what are good interview questions test creativity, self-promotion, and listening. It’s your chance to spotlight overlooked strengths.
How to answer:
Introduce a skill or story relevant to the role but unaddressed. Keep it brief and impactful.
Example answer:
“One question you haven’t asked is how I foster cross-team innovation. I recently launched a monthly hackathon that produced three new revenue features, reinforcing my knack for cultivating creativity.”
23. Do you have any questions for me?
Why you might get asked this:
This reverse among what are good interview questions assesses curiosity and due diligence. Smart queries show engagement.
How to answer:
Prepare three insightful questions about success metrics, team culture, and near-term challenges. Avoid queries answered on the website.
Example answer:
“What does success look like in the first six months for this role, and how will it be measured?”
24. Why haven’t you gotten your degree?
Why you might get asked this:
Educational gaps are probed via what are good interview questions to evaluate persistence and alternative learning.
How to answer:
Explain circumstances, highlight substitute education—certs, MOOCs—and showcase results that prove capability despite traditional path.
Example answer:
“I left university to support family finances but completed Google’s UX Professional Certificate and have since launched two apps with 100 K+ users, demonstrating real-world mastery.”
25. Why have you switched jobs so many times?
Why you might get asked this:
Similar to Q18, this what are good interview questions variation digs into stability.
How to answer:
Frame moves around project completion, acquisitions, or pursuit of specific skills. Emphasize readiness to commit long term now.
Example answer:
“Each move corresponded to successfully shipping a major release, after which the challenge diminished. I’m now seeking continuous product evolution in one place.”
26. Why did you change your career path?
Why you might get asked this:
Career pivots surface often in what are good interview questions to unearth transferable skills and passion consistency.
How to answer:
Describe catalyst for change, link old skills to new field, and show rapid progress evidence.
Example answer:
“After five years in journalism I realized storytelling could drive product adoption. I transitioned to content marketing, leveraging research and narrative to grow user bases, hitting 150 % engagement targets.”
27. Why did you decide to leave your previous job?
Why you might get asked this:
A variation on earlier what are good interview questions, focusing on last departure.
How to answer:
Present one positive reason: growth, organizational shift, or value mismatch you couldn’t change.
Example answer:
“My previous firm shifted from B2C to B2B focus, limiting consumer insights work I’m passionate about. I’m seeking roles where user empathy remains central.”
28. Is there a difference between hard work and smart work?
Why you might get asked this:
This conceptual member of what are good interview questions assesses efficiency mindset.
How to answer:
Define both, illustrate how you balance them with an example that saved time/resources while preserving effort quality.
Example answer:
“Yes—hard work is effort intensity, smart work is effort direction. When I introduced automated testing, we reduced manual QA by 70 % yet increased coverage. It freed the team to tackle strategic tasks without sacrificing diligence.”
29. How quickly do you adapt to new technology?
Why you might get asked this:
Digital acceleration means adaptability is a core theme in what are good interview questions.
How to answer:
Provide a timeline of mastering recent tools, describe learning strategy, show outcome benefits.
Example answer:
“When our team adopted Kubernetes, I completed the Linux Foundation course in three weeks, deployed two microservices in staging, and documented guidelines that cut future onboarding to five days.”
30. What are your interests outside of work?
Why you might get asked this:
Holistic culture fit appears in what are good interview questions to see personality and potential shared passions.
How to answer:
Share genuine hobbies that illustrate transferable skills—discipline, creativity, empathy—without venturing into overly personal territory.
Example answer:
“I volunteer teaching coding at a local youth center twice a month. Mentoring keeps my communication sharp and aligns with my belief in tech accessibility, values I’ll bring to your community outreach efforts.”
Other tips to prepare for a what are good interview questions
Conduct mock interviews with peers or an AI recruiter. Verve AI lets you rehearse actual company formats 24/7 and offers dynamic feedback—try it free today at https://vervecopilot.com
Build a 90-day learning roadmap for the role so answers feel future-focused.
Record yourself to refine pacing and body language.
Keep a wins journal; fresh metrics make your what are good interview questions stories vivid.
Study the company’s annual report to ask sharper questions.
As Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Prepare diligently, and you’ll be ready when opportunity knocks. Thousands of job seekers use Verve AI Interview Copilot to land dream roles—practice smarter, not harder: https://vervecopilot.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many what are good interview questions should I prepare for?
A: Aim for the top 30 listed here; mastering them covers 80 % of scenarios.
Q2: How long should my answers be?
A: Two minutes max for most what are good interview questions, unless it’s a technical deep dive.
Q3: Is it okay to bring notes?
A: A single page with bullet reminders is acceptable, but avoid reading verbatim.
Q4: How can I calm nerves before facing what are good interview questions?
A: Practice breathing, rehearse with Verve AI Interview Copilot, and visualize success.
Q5: Should I use the same stories for multiple what are good interview questions?
A: Yes, if they fit, but tweak focus to match each competency the interviewer is assessing.
