Top Interview Questions & How to Answer Them

1.​Tell me about yourself/your work experience

This is often the first question in an interview—your moment to set the tone and make a
strong first impression.

Talking about yourself sounds easy, right? We do it every day, without even thinking about
it. But in an interview, the hiring manager isn’t looking for your life story or childhood
memories.

What they do want is a concise, compelling pitch that showcases why you’re the right fit for
the role.

How to Structure Your Answer:

✅ Start with a brief introduction – Who are you? How much experience do you have in
this field?​
✅ Highlight what excites you about your work – Show passion and enthusiasm.​
✅ Mention 2-3 key skills or achievements – Keep it relevant to the job you’re applying
for.

This formula helps you craft a confident, structured response that quickly paints a
picture of who you are as a professional.

Now, let’s go through some sample answers:

Answer 1: “My name is Adeife Adeoye. I’ve been in the content marketing
industry for 5 years and I’m currently a content marketing writer at T Williams
& Associates.

I am responsible for developing engaging content for web and social media.
Recently I was in charge of developing content marketing strategy, creating
content to support that and defining KPIs to track success.
I’m especially interested in Isoline communications because you offer
content marketing for B2B brands which is my forte. I see this role as a
chance for me to flex my skills and learn, which is important for me in my
journey.”

Answer 2: “I’m Temi, a Marketing Specialist with over five years of experience
at Piggyvest

I have a strong background in brand strategy and digital marketing, thanks to

my degree in Communications from the University of Ilorin

Over the years, I’ve worked on impactful campaigns—including leading a

rebranding initiative at Reanest that increased customer engagement by
40%. I also developed a content strategy that drove a 25% boost in organic
traffic within six months.

I’m passionate about creating compelling marketing strategies that not only
tell great stories but also drive real business growth!"

2.​What do you know about this company/organization?

A quick glance at the company’s “About” page might seem like enough prep—but is it
really?

Yes and no.

This question is open-ended, meaning there’s no single right answer. But there is a wrong
one:

🚫 Incorrect Answer: "I don’t really know much about this company."
That’s a surefire way to lose the job before the interview even gets going.

How to Give a Winning Response

If you want to stand out, don’t just memorize surface-level facts. Instead, dig deeper and
come prepared to discuss:
✅ What the company does – Its core products or services, who they serve, and how they
stand out.​
✅ Industry impact – What role the company plays in its sector and any notable
achievements.​
✅ Company culture & values – What principles guide them? What kind of work
environment do they promote?​
✅ Recent developments – Have they launched a new initiative? Expanded to new
markets? Secured funding?​
✅ Your personal connection – Have you used their product? Followed their blog? Heard
great things from employees?

The better you understand the company, the easier it’ll be to craft a compelling answer
that feels genuine and makes a lasting impression.

Here’s an answer I used for a company when I was applying:​

​
Answer: “First things first, I love the fact that this company was founded by a
woman. It just gives me joy to know that we are breaking the bias and we can
do anything. I founded a company of mine and I know how much hard work
it takes to grow a business and manage a team.

Talking about team, I know you have a small team of 9 which I really
appreciate because it makes me feel like a part of a small family. I also know
that you offer content strategies, content creation and marketing campaigns
to B2B tech brands, which is something I’m especially great at.”

3.​Why should we hire you?

This question is your chance to confidently showcase your strengths—without coming off
as cocky or desperate.

The goal? Strike a balance.

How to Answer This Question Like a Pro

Rather than making bold claims, focus on facts that prove your value. A strong response
typically highlights:
✅ Why you’re excited about the company – What draws you to this role? Why does the
company’s mission or culture appeal to you?

✅ How your skills align with their needs – Connect your experience to key job
requirements and responsibilities.

✅ How you can help solve their challenges – Show them how you can make an impact,
whether it’s improving processes, boosting efficiency, or driving growth.

A well-crafted answer keeps the focus on what you bring to the table—without
over-promising.

Here an example of how I did it:

Answer: “As I understand, this content marketing manager role will work
closely with the content director and different subject matter experts within
the organisation.

I can see that excellent content writing skills and ability to work under
pressure are key for a position like this, which is something I’ve mastered
over the years as a content marketer.

In my recent role, I collaborated with team members to manage and

implement content marketing strategies while defining KPIs to measure
marketing success. As a content marketing writer at Eulahub, which is a
digital marketing agency, I learned how to manage deadlines without
compromising quality of the content. I believe my experience with content
marketing and writing sets me up perfectly for this role, and I’d be very
excited to jump in and use my skills to make things easier for the team and
clients.”
 4.​What is your greatest weakness?
This question is always a bit of a trap—after all, who wants to talk about their flaws in an
interview? But here’s the good news: hiring managers don’t expect you to be perfect.

Instead, they’re looking for a few key things:

✅ Do you have the right skills for the job? – If you’re applying to be a server in a fast-paced
restaurant and say you struggle under pressure, that’s a red flag.

✅ Are you self-aware? – Admitting to a real weakness shows that you can recognize areas
for improvement, take feedback, and grow.

✅ Are you giving a genuine answer? – Saying, “I work too hard” or “I’m a perfectionist”
won’t fool anyone. Fake weaknesses don’t count.

How to Structure Your Answer

1.​ Choose a real weakness – But one that won’t affect your ability to succeed in the
role.
2.​ Show what you’re doing to improve – Employers appreciate candidates who are
actively working on their development.

For example, if you struggle with public speaking, you might mention that you’ve started
practicing in team meetings to build confidence.

The key is being honest while keeping the focus on growth—and avoiding weaknesses that
would raise red flags for the job.

Here’s an example of my own answer:

Answer: “Recently, my boss told me that I needed to communicate more

which came as a shock to me because I thought I communicated all the time.

But what I realised is, I’m more of an action-oriented person and lone wolf,
so whenever I get a brief, I like to dive into it and give it my all and I get so
consumed in the project that I forget to communicate my progress. So yes,
I'd do a good job but the team would still be asking questions that could have
been answered if I communicated.

Right now, I’ve been practising to actually take a step back whenever i’m
working and not get too consumed in the work, so I can actually take the
time to communicate. I’ve seen dramatic improvements from me actually
communicating with the team - it makes my work easier and faster.”

5.​Where do you see yourself in five years?

Let’s be honest—sometimes the real answer is “Hopefully, doing something better.”

And guess what? The hiring manager already knows that.

They’re not expecting you to stay in the same position forever. What they do want to know
is:

✅ Are you ambitious? – Do you have a vision for your career?​

✅ Are your expectations realistic? – Is your career trajectory achievable within the
company?​
✅ Are you interested in growing with the company? – Or are you just looking for a
short-term job?

How to Craft a Strong Answer

Think about the next logical step after this role and how it aligns with the company’s
growth. If the company offers advancement opportunities, highlight how you’d love to
develop your skills, take on more responsibility, and contribute in a bigger way.

Even if you’re not sure exactly where you’ll be, show that you’re motivated, open to
learning, and thinking about long-term growth.

Now, here’s how I answered this question:

Answer: “This role presents new challenges for me and I want to spend the
next five years developing my deep expertise as a content marketer in the
tech space. I know this role deals a lot with marketing campaigns which is a
skill I'd like to fully master. I have a passion for mentoring and coaching, so
after I build up my skills in the next few years, I’d love to mentor other
content writers and marketers in this space.”

6.​What are your salary expectations

This question isn’t easy. You don’t want to lowball yourself, but you also don’t want to
throw out a ridiculous number that instantly disqualifies you.

The key? Go in prepared. Before you answer, consider these three things:

✅ Industry Standards – What’s the typical salary range for someone with your skills and
experience? Research platforms like Glassdoor, Payscale, or LinkedIn Salary Insights to get
a realistic benchmark.

✅ Company Trends – How does this company compensate employees in similar roles? If
they’re known for competitive pay, you can aim higher.

✅ Your Current Salary – If you’re already employed, use your current pay as a baseline.
Employers expect candidates to negotiate an increase, so factor that in.

How to Craft Your Answer

Instead of giving a single number, provide a reasonable range based on your research. This
leaves room for negotiation while keeping you within their budget.

💡 Pro Tip: If you know the company is financially strong and pays employees well, don’t be
afraid to aim slightly higher—just make sure it’s justifiable.

Here’s an example of how I did it:

Answer: “I did some salary research and saw that typical salaries for a
content marketing manager always go from £45k to £80k. Does that fit with
your budget for this role?”
 7.​Can you give me an example of a time when you
performed well under pressure?
When an interviewer asks this question, they’re trying to gauge how well you handle
high-stakes situations. The best way to answer? Use the STAR method:

🔹 Situation – Set the scene with relevant context.

🔹 Task – Explain your role and the challenge you faced.
🔹 Action – Describe the steps you took to solve the problem.
🔹 Result – Share the outcome, ideally with measurable success.
Example Answer Using STAR

🔹 Situation: At my previous job as a marketing coordinator, we were preparing for a

product launch when, three days before the deadline, our lead designer unexpectedly left
the team.

🔹 Task: As the person overseeing the launch campaign, I needed to ensure we met our
deadline without compromising quality.

🔹 Action: I quickly gathered the remaining team members, reassigned design tasks, and
stepped in to manage client approvals. I also coordinated with a freelance designer to help
fill in the gaps.

🔹 Result: Despite the setback, we launched on time, and the campaign exceeded our
engagement goals by 30%. The experience reinforced my ability to adapt, delegate, and
problem-solve under tight deadlines.

Pro Tips for Your Answer:

✅ Pick a real example – Make sure it’s a situation where you truly faced pressure.
✅ Showcase problem-solving – Highlight how you took initiative and stayed calm.
✅ Quantify the results – If possible, share numbers or specific outcomes.
 8.​Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult
coworker
This question is designed to test your interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and
professionalism. The key is to demonstrate that you can navigate workplace challenges
while staying productive and professional.

Example answer using the STAR method

🔹 Situation: At my previous job, I worked with a colleague who was extremely resistant to
feedback. We were collaborating on a client project that required us to align our strategies,
but every time I suggested changes, they dismissed my input.

🔹 Task: Since meeting the client’s deadline was crucial, I had to find a way to work with my
colleague effectively without letting our differences affect the project.

🔹 Action: Instead of pushing back, I took a different approach. I scheduled a one-on-one

conversation and asked them to share their perspective first. I acknowledged their points
and then calmly explained my reasoning for my suggestions. I also emphasized that our
shared goal was to deliver the best results for the client. By focusing on common ground,
we found a compromise that worked for both of us.

🔹 Result: Not only did we complete the project successfully and on time, but we also
established a more collaborative working relationship. Now we are total buddies and easily
communicate.

9.​Why did you leave your last role?

When interviewers ask this question, they’re not just looking for a simple reason—they’re
evaluating:

✅ Did you have a valid reason for leaving? – Were you looking for growth, or did you jump
ship at the first sign of trouble?
✅ Did you leave on good terms? – Did you handle your exit professionally, or did you burn
bridges?
✅ Was your departure voluntary, or were you let go? – If you were fired, how do you
handle setbacks and accountability?
The way you frame your answer can make or break your chances—so avoid responses that
sound impulsive, bitter, or unprofessional.

🚫 What NOT to Say:

🔴 “The company was a sinking ship, so I bailed before it got worse.”
🔴 “My boss was unbearable, so I just stopped showing up.”
🔴 “I got fired, but honestly, it wasn’t my fault.”
Even if parts of these statements are true, they make you seem unreliable, negative, or
unwilling to take responsibility.

✅ How to Answer It The Right Way:

Instead, keep it professional and forward-looking. Here are better ways to phrase your
response:

✔ Seeking Growth & New Challenges:

"After a few years in my role, I reached a point where I wasn’t learning or growing as much
as I wanted to. I delivered great results, but I felt it was time to take on new challenges that
would help me develop my skills further.”

✔ Company & Role Misalignment:

"Over time, I realized that my professional goals and the company’s direction weren’t fully
aligned. I wanted to work in an environment where I could have more ownership over
projects and contribute in a way that played to my strengths.”

✔ Left Professionally & On Good Terms:

"Before leaving, I made sure to transition my responsibilities properly. I documented my
processes, trained my replacement, and had an open conversation with my manager to
ensure a smooth handover."

✔ If You Were Laid Off:

"Unfortunately, due to company restructuring, my role was affected. While it was
unexpected, it gave me the opportunity to rethink my career path and focus on finding a
role that aligns with my skills and long-term goals."

✔ If You Were Fired:

"I take full accountability for the situation. It was a challenging experience, but it gave me
valuable lessons in [communication, leadership, time management, etc.]. Since then, I’ve
worked on improving in those areas and ensuring they never hold me back in future roles."