Interview questions and answers in English are easier when you prepare in groups: questions about you, your education and experience, situation-based questions and closing questions. Prepare short points, not memorised speeches. Use the present-past-future formula for “Tell me about yourself” and the STAR method for situation questions. Practise aloud before the interview.
Most interviews use a similar set of questions. If you know them and practise your answers in simple English, you will feel much calmer on the day.
Below are 25 common questions in four groups, with a short tip for each.
Which questions are asked about you?
| # | Question | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tell me about yourself. | Use present–past–future (see the box below). |
| 2 | What are your strengths? | Name 2 strengths with one real example each. |
| 3 | What is your weakness? | Share a real weakness and how you are improving it. |
| 4 | Why should we hire you? | Match your skills to the job description. |
| 5 | Where do you see yourself in five years? | Talk about growing skills in this field. |
| 6 | What are your hobbies? | Pick one and say what it teaches you. |
| 7 | How do you handle pressure? | Say how you plan, prioritise and stay calm. |
Present: “I am a B.Com graduate working as an accounts assistant.”
Past: “Earlier, I handled billing and GST entries for a trading firm.”
Future: “Now I want to grow in a larger finance team like yours.”
Which questions are asked about education and experience?
| # | Question | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Tell me about your education. | Mention your degree and one useful subject or project. |
| 9 | Why did you choose this field? | Give a simple, honest reason. |
| 10 | What did you do in your last job? | List 2–3 main duties and one achievement. |
| 11 | Why do you want to leave your current job? | Stay positive: talk about growth, not complaints. |
| 12 | Why is there a gap in your career? | Explain briefly and say what you learned in that time. |
| 13 | What do you know about our company? | Mention 2 facts from their website. |
| 14 | What skills did you learn in your last role? | Pick skills that match this job. |
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Which situation-based questions should you prepare?
| # | Question | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Tell me about a challenge you faced. | Use STAR and end with what you learned. |
| 16 | Describe a time you worked in a team. | Show your own role clearly. |
| 17 | Tell me about a mistake you made. | Admit it, show how you fixed it. |
| 18 | How do you handle a difficult customer? | Listen, stay polite, solve, follow up. |
| 19 | What will you do if you miss a deadline? | Inform early, give a new plan, learn from it. |
| 20 | Describe a time you led something. | A small example is fine, like a college event. |
S – Situation: Where and when? T – Task: What did you need to do? A – Action: What did you do? R – Result: What happened, and what did you learn?
Which closing questions come at the end?
| # | Question | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | What are your salary expectations? | Give a range based on research and say you are flexible. |
| 22 | When can you join? | Give a clear, honest date or notice period. |
| 23 | Are you willing to relocate or travel? | Answer honestly; mention any limits politely. |
| 24 | Do you have any questions for us? | Always ask one question about the role or team. |
| 25 | Is there anything else you want to add? | Repeat your key strength in one line. |
If you want guided practice on these questions, see our interview preparation classes.
Which phrases should you avoid in an interview?
- “I don’t know” – say “I’m not sure, but I would find out by…”
- “I have no weakness” – it sounds unreal.
- “My last boss was bad” – never speak badly of past employers.
- “Actually, basically, like” again and again – they sound like fillers.
- “Sir/Ma’am” in every sentence – once at the start is enough.
What body language and online interview checks matter?
- Sit straight, keep both feet on the floor and hands relaxed.
- Make eye contact; in online interviews, look at the camera.
- Smile when you greet and when you say thank you.
- Test your internet, camera and microphone 30 minutes before.
- Use a quiet room with light on your face and a plain background.
- Keep your resume, a pen and water near you.
- Join the call 5 minutes early and keep your phone on silent.
How does GIEL help with interview preparation in English?
GIEL offers interview practice where learners answer common questions aloud and get feedback on language, clarity and body language. For daily office English, there is also a course in spoken English for jobs.
The Guide Institute Of English Language (GIEL) is at 408, 3rd Floor, near Mother Dairy, Koil Camp, Phase 2, Sunlight Colony, New Delhi 110014. Classes run Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 8 pm, in the classroom and online. You can join a free demo class before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I answer “Tell me about yourself” in English?
Use the present-past-future order. Say what you do now, what you did before that is useful for this job, and why you want this role. Keep it under 90 seconds.
What is the STAR method in interviews?
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. It helps you answer situation-based questions as a short, clear story about something you really did.
Should I memorise interview answers?
Do not learn full answers word by word, as they sound unnatural. Prepare key points and phrases, then practise saying them in your own words.
How can I improve my English for interviews quickly?
Practise answers aloud daily, record yourself and do mock interviews with a friend or trainer. Focus on clear, simple sentences rather than difficult words.
What should I ask at the end of an interview?
Ask about the role, the team or the next steps. For example: “What would a typical day in this role look like?” Avoid asking only about leave or salary in the first round.