Expect These Questions

Welcome back! By now, you’ve started to think about your interview as a conversation and begun to understand what employers are really looking for. The next step is to prepare for the kinds of questions you’re most likely to hear.

Practice Out Loud

One of the easiest ways to reduce interview nerves is to prepare for the questions you’re most likely to hear. Most interviews, no matter the industry, include a few that come up again and again.

You’ll find a list of 20 common interview questions in your course materials. Click on “Exercise Files” at the top of this lesson to download the PDF.
As you go through the questions, practice answering them out loud. Speaking your answers helps you find the right words, notice any gaps and feel more comfortable.

Roleplay for Realistic Practice

If possible, roleplay with a friend or family member. Ask them to take the role of the interviewer and throw in a question or two you weren’t expecting. This will help you get used to thinking on your feet without losing your train of thought.

As you practice, focus on these three points:

• • Keep your answers clear and to the point.

  • Use specific examples where you can.

  • Speak naturally, like you would in a conversation.

The Purpose Behind Questions

It is good to keep in mind that interview questions often have more than one purpose.
For example, when an interviewer asks “Tell me about yourself,” it is not just for small talk. Your answer gives them insight into how you communicate and how you organize your thoughts. It also shows them whether you can highlight the experiences and skills that matter most for this position.
Understanding the purpose behind a question can help you shape an answer that feels relevant and confident.

In the next lesson, we’ll look at a simple structure you can use to keep your answers organized and easy to follow.