Do your 2025 plans involve looking for a job? Whether you are new the work force or a seasoned professional looking for a change, some of the ways you approach a job search do not change. HR experts say these are the interview questions you should be prepared to answer:
What are your weaknesses?
Despite being one of this HR expert’s “least favorite questions,” HR and employment expert Amy Lentz admits it’s also one of the most common. By effectively re-framing your “weaknesses” at work during an interview, candidates can rest assured that their potential employer is confident in their abilities.
“Start by saying, ‘I seek feedback,’” she advised. “A piece of recent feedback I’ve gotten on a performance review was this, and this is how I made progress on it.”
While you might be tempted to answer with something like, “I’m a perfectionist,” other HR experts urge you not to. Instead, they suggest utilizing a formula for crafting the perfect response.
“Number one: It needs to be true,” interview coach Anna Papalia on TikTok explained. “It needs to be one of your real weaknesses. Number two: it needs to be professional. I would never say that I’m a procrastinator or can’t be on time… They need to be construed as a strength.”
What are your goals?
“I would be prepared for that question,” she noted of long-term and short-term career goals. “Make sure you speak to exactly what you’re interviewing for. If I’m interviewing for an HR job, I’m not going to say, ‘Well, years ago I wanted to be a CEO,’ because that has the opportunity to be misperceived.”
Career coach Terry Jones recommends candidates be specific, realistic, and enthusiastic when answering this question. "Show how the company can help you achieve your goals," he explained. "Highlight how the company's mission and values align with your own career aspirations."
Can you tell us about a time when [blank]?
Of course, in any interview, candidates will be asked industry—and role-specific questions.
“You’ll have to speak to what you’ve done in the past,” Lentz added. “Practice really outlining, ‘Tell me about a time when’ questions and practice them.”
Researching the role before the interview can help you to shape those answers. For example, if a company is looking for someone to lead a team of people, be prepared to discuss past experiences in which you've done the same.
What motivates you?
“I really like asking people, ‘What makes you tick? What gets you out of bed daily?’” the HR expert asked. This question allows you to show your excitement and enthusiasm about your career and the role you are interviewing for.
Still, don't be too honest. If you aren’t motivated by your job or industry and tell your potential employer so, it shows a “dissonance” between your passions and your job — likely a red flag in the interviewer's mind.
“It all comes down to self-awareness in knowing where you want to go and how the job you’re interviewing for makes sense,” Lentz concluded, “not just for the company, but also for you. Demonstrate why you’re excited about the job.”
Can you tell us about yourself?
The standard “opening question” may be the most important. “What they’re really asking for is an elevator pitch,” Emily Durham, a recruiter and content creator, claimed, “which is just a 30- or 60-second breakdown of who you are.”
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These tips can come in handy if you find yourself up for a promotion with your current employer, for example. Or are looking to hire someone yourself. Knowing how to ask and answer interview questions is a helpful skill.