Are you gearing up for a job interview and feeling anxious about what they’ll ask? If you’re feeling anxious about blowing simple questions, you’re not alone.
Fortunately, dealing with common questions is easy once you understand them, and we’ve got you covered!
This comprehensive guide of ten basic interview questions is everything you need to prepare for your next job interview.
- 10 Common Basic Interview Questions
- What Should I Say in a Basic Interview?
- Sample Basic Interview Questions and Answers
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Why do you want to work for us?”
- “What interests you the most in a job?”
- “What is your biggest weakness?”
- “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
- “Describe your best boss.”
- “Give me an example of a time when you showed leadership.”
- “What do you think is your best accomplishment?”
- “What have you done to develop in the last few years?”
- “Why have you chosen this field?”
- Other Questions You Could Be Asked
- Additional Tips for Basic Interviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
10 Common Basic Interview Questions
Here are some of the most common questions you might hear in an interview.
Note that many interviewers will phrase these as statements, but they’re still fundamental questions that they want an answer for.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What interests you the most in a job?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Describe your best boss.
- Give me an example of a time when you showed leadership.
- What do you think is your best accomplishment?
- What have you done to develop in the last few years?
- Why have you chosen this field?
Interviewers often start with basic questions, but throw in other types later in the talk. To prepare for those, make sure to read our guides on tough interview questions and weird interview questions.
What Should I Say in a Basic Interview?
Basic interview questions are usually an interviewer’s first attempt to get to know you as a person.
They want to know if you’re responsible and professional, how forward-thinking you are, and whether you’ll fit in with their company culture.
Answering well doesn’t get you the job by itself, but can convince them that you’re worth spending more time on.
What Skills Are Basic Interviewers Looking for in a Candidate?
- Leadership: Most companies like candidates who display leadership and initiative. The less hand-holding you need in a job, the better, even if they prefer micromanaging. This may sound paradoxical, but showing leadership in your answers is almost always a good move.
- Teamwork: Interviewers like hearing that you understand how to work in a team and get your job done while making allowances for others. Try to mention at least a few times you showed teamwork.
- Adaptability: It’s okay to say that you haven’t been perfect. No candidate is. Discussing ways you’ve identified and adapted to problems is a much more valuable trait.
- Maturity: Most companies prefer applicants who are mature, regardless of age. Avoid joking around during the interview and focus on your professional value.
- Personality: A great applicant has enough personality to make friends, but without being so over-the-top it will cause trouble. As far as interviewers are concerned, enthusiasm is a vital part of a good personality.
What Traits Are Basic Interviewers Looking To Avoid in a Candidate?
- Negativity: Interviewers never like it when you badmouth your current employer. It helps to give a more neutral reason for leaving, such as saying you wanted to pursue new opportunities.
- Lack of Clarity: Long, rambling answers don’t go over well. Interviewers like people who are prompt, rehearsed, and ready for the discussion.
- Disinterest: Most employers prefer it when you ask questions because it shows that you genuinely care about the job. If you only answer things and never ask questions yourself, you won’t look as good.
Sample Basic Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most common questions that interviewers ask, including why they’re asking, what to avoid saying, and a sample answer for reference. We’ll be using an accountant for the sample answers.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Why This Question Is Asked
This is often the first question in your first interview. Interviewers want to know how you think and describe yourself.
First impressions matter, so ensure you memorize a response to this that puts your best attributes first.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Start by discussing your current situation. From there, mention your past and how you reached where you are now, then highlight an aspiration for yourself in your future.
This formula is a simple, solid story that’s easy to remember and covers the important details.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Avoid mentioning anything that isn’t related to work. The interviewer isn’t looking for a story about your personal life.
They want to get a solid grounding for the rest of your candidacy, so keep your focus on the job for now.
Example Answer
“I just finished getting my CPA. I studied accounting in college and did well there, and now that I’m licensed, I’m looking to get more real-world experience to help me get a senior accounting position in the next few years.”
“Why do you want to work for us?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Many interviewers want to know why you’re choosing their company over a competitor. It’s okay to compliment the company here, but don’t go overboard. Think of it as an opportunity to show that you’ve researched them.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Try to emphasize the professional aspects of the job and explain how working for them can benefit you professionally. It helps to tie in some of their public stances to show your research.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Don’t make it sound like you’re just in it for the money, regardless of whether that’s true. Even if a job is considered entry-level, focusing too much on yourself looks bad.
Example Answer
“While I was looking for openings, I noticed that Generic Business International has committed to a zero-emissions target by 2030. I like that, but I also saw that GBI is doing more overseas.
As an accountant, I thought it would be good to get more experience handling transactions like that, so I think a job here will be excellent for my professional development.”
“What interests you the most in a job?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Interviewers ask this to try and figure out your motivations. They like answers that show you have a reason to do well in the job.
If you’re only focusing on the paycheck and don’t care about the role, they assume you won’t work as hard.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
You can talk about career aspirations and continuing education here. For some jobs, it may work better to talk about how you can make a difference.
As a secondary consideration, interviewers often use this to help figure out how well you’ll match the company culture.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Once again, avoid saying that you’re interested in money, even if that’s true. Companies don’t like hearing that employees primarily care about a paycheck.
Example Answer
“I like having the opportunity to work on many different accounting tasks, as that’s the best way to keep learning.
GBI has been expanding into new fields over the last few years, so I think this is an excellent opportunity for me to continue developing.”
“What is your biggest weakness?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Interviewers want to see that you have some level of self-awareness. Anyone who’s too cocky and arrogant may not fit in with other employees, so this is their first attempt to check for that.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
An ideal answer is honest but discusses how you’re working to overcome it. Talking about solutions gets the interviewer to think of you as a problem-solver, which is a significant benefit at this stage of an interview.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Avoid mentioning anything illegal or immoral. You may be an alcoholic, but that doesn’t mean you should tell your employer about it during your first interview.
Example Answer
“I’m not as good at forensic accounting, which mostly comes up in things like fraud cases.
I don’t expect that to happen here, but I want to be well-rounded so I can help investigate competitors if needed, and I’m taking classes on the weekends to get certified in that.”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Interviewers have several reasons to ask this. They want to know if you’re likely to jump ship, but they also want to figure out if you have the motivation to get work done proactively.
The best answer to this question usually requires knowing what the company is trying to do.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Try to figure out what the employer is looking for in candidates. It helps to tie your answer to something they’ve announced publicly.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Don’t tell your employer that you’re planning to quit and work somewhere else. If they don’t think you can offer them long-term value, they’re much less likely to consider you a serious candidate.
Example Answer
“I see myself as a senior accountant. I heard that GBI is trying to diversify into entertainment areas, and I suspect it will need some dedicated accountants in that department.
Five years should be enough time to get to know the company and demonstrate the skills and expertise GBI expects from a senior role.”
“Describe your best boss.”
Why This Question Is Asked
Interviewers want to know what you see in bosses. They’re going to be wary of any negative statements, but you can also use your answer to identify what you find most valuable.
For the best results, try to tie this to anything they’ve said about employee support programs.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Focusing on bosses as coaches or mentors usually goes over well. This can also show that you’re professional, mature, and willing to learn from others as appropriate.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Don’t badmouth your boss, especially because the interviewer is specifically asking about your best one.
Don’t focus entirely on the boss, either, because your company probably isn’t trying to hire that boss.
Example Answer
“I used to work for Harold Balancer, who won a Tax And Accounting Technology Innovation Award for some of his Silicon Valley startup techniques. Accounting is a formulaic field, but sometimes we have to invent new formulas, and I learned a lot under him before getting my certification.”
“Give me an example of a time when you showed leadership.”
Why This Question Is Asked
Practically every employer likes candidates who show leadership. If you can take the initiative, you’re usually more valuable than someone who always needs to be told what to do.
There are few bad answers here as long as you focus on the professional side of your leadership.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Try to tell a story here. Explaining how you identified a problem and figured out a way to resolve it goes over better than just saying you wanted to boss other people around. Remember that genuine leadership does not require arrogance.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Don’t make it sound like you were butting in somewhere you weren’t wanted. That doesn’t sound like leadership, that sounds like a problem.
Example Answer
“Back at university, the football club was having trouble managing its budget. You know how passionate college sports can be.
Anyway, I offered to look at their budget, and I found that they were replacing some equipment far more often than needed. We wrote up a new purchasing schedule, and they ended up with a small surplus.”
“What do you think is your best accomplishment?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Interviewers want to know what you value, so they use questions like this to determine how you prioritize things. They’re looking for answers that focus on professionalism and maturity, too.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Give an answer that emphasizes your professional skills and personal development. Something education or job-oriented is usually the best choice depending on your seniority.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Avoid talking about accomplishments that you can’t tie into your job somehow.
The exception is if you’re applying for a job with a strong social component to it. For example, some private religious schools may like hearing that you did something notable for your church.
However, even in these cases, it’s usually better to tie your accomplishment to your job somehow.
Example Answer
“I’m very proud of scoring a cumulative score of 96 on my CPA. It only requires a 75 to pass, but I managed to significantly outperform most of the other test takers.
I think the difference was my experience with Mr. Balancer, who I told you about earlier. A little professional experience goes a long way, and I consider the score unbiased evidence of my abilities.”
“What have you done to develop in the last few years?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Most companies like applicants who engage in continuing education and develop new skills. The more publicly recognized your development is, the better.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Any kind of relevant certification or education can work as an answer to this question. If you don’t have either, consider talking about personal efforts to develop instead.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Try to avoid mentioning any developments that don’t relate to your job. Meeting your health and exercise goals is commendable, but that’s not the kind of answer an interviewer is looking for.
Example Answer
“Outside of my CPA, I’ve also acquired my Certified Management Accountant license.
That one focuses on things like cost management and decision analysis, and with GBI’s expansion into new areas, I think it will be a valuable skill for the company.”
“Why have you chosen this field?”
Why This Question Is Asked
Interviewers like to know that you care about your work and have some level of passion for what you’re doing.
What To Focus On When Answering This Question
Discuss your passion for the field and how you grew into it. You can consider adding a story here, which will help them understand you better.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Don’t say that you’re in it for the money. That’s almost always a bad answer in an interview, regardless of the question.
Example Answer
“I’ve always been great at math. When I got to High School, my teachers said I was unusually good and suggested I take some job placement tests.
I ended up scoring the highest on accounting principles, so I decided to take it seriously. I think my scores and certifications show this was the right choice, and I’m grateful to my teachers for suggesting this.”
Other Questions You Could Be Asked
Here are some other questions that you may hear alongside the basic interview questions.
- May We Contact This Employer?: Interviewers sometimes want to contact previous employers to check the truthfulness of your statements, and saying they can is usually the best response.
- Walk Me Through Your Resume: Walking through your resume gives you a chance to elaborate on things that may not be clear and provide additional context for them.
- How Do You Handle Stress?: Many jobs have stressful elements, so knowing how to handle stress is a central element of professional behavior.
- What Do You Bring to the Table?: Assuming you have basic competency, interviewers want to know what makes you stand out from other applicants.
- Sell Me This Pen: Selling a pen is a common question for any marketing role, giving you a chance to demonstrate your mastery of basic sales principles.
Additional Tips for Basic Interviews
Here are some additional tips for standing out in an interview.
How Do You Prepare for a Basic Interview?
Try to rehearse your answers to basic interview questions. It’s one thing to hesitate on a weird question, but you should know the answers to all common questions by rote.
Being able to answer quickly and accurately shows that you’re well-prepared and a better candidate than anyone who’s too hesitant and nervous.
What Should You Wear to a Basic Interview?
Standard professional wear is ideal for a basic interview.
Men should usually wear business formal wear, which is usually a dark suit, a tie, and dark shoes. Some relaxed environments may do better with business casual, including trousers and a shirt with a button-up collar.
Women should also wear business formal, such as a pantsuit or a skirt suit. Dark colors are usually better, with minimal patterns and a small amount of jewelry.
How Should You Introduce Yourself in a Basic Interview?
The best introduction is simple. Give a polite greeting, state your name, mention any connection to the company or why you’re there, and give a brief description of what you’re hoping to accomplish during the interview.
What Questions Should You Ask at the End of a Basic Interview?
Here are some good questions to ask if you have a chance at the end of an interview. Remember, you want to learn about the company as much as they want to learn about you.
- “What do you like most about working for this company?” Knowing what other people like can be a great way to determine if a company is worth your time. People value different things, so don’t worry if their answer doesn’t quite match your preferences.
- “What have past employees done to succeed in this role?” Asking what other people have found successful can help you set your expectations and find a way to hit the ground running in a new position.
- “How do you help your staff develop their professional skills?” Companies that actively help staff tend to be better workplaces. Remember, you probably won’t be at that company forever, and it’s important to think about your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some other questions that people have about basic interviews.
What is the most common interview question?
The one question you’ll almost always hear, regardless of where you’re applying, is a request for you to tell the employer about yourself. If you can only plan out and memorize a single answer to any question, memorize that one.
What is the toughest interview question?
Toughness is subjective in interviews, as questions one person finds easy may be difficult for someone else. However, many people find it hard to be open and honest about their flaws or failures, and interviewers take note of that.
Wrapping Up
Basic interview questions may seem intimidating at first, but these are things almost everyone answers when trying to get a job.
Master these and you’ll be well on your way to impressing employers and getting a great new position.
Do you have any other questions you have been asked in an interview? Let us know in the comments!
