Top 20 Interview Questions and Answers PDF

Reviewed by the OnJob Editorial Team — career researchers covering jobs, salaries and hiring across India. Questions? editorial@onjob.io

The top 20 interview questions and answers in this guide cover what employers ask most often and how to respond with confidence. Recruiters use a predictable pattern of questions to gauge your skills, experience, motivation, and problem-solving. Knowing those questions in advance — and rehearsing clear answers — measurably improves your chances. You can save or print this page as your own quick-reference PDF.

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The 20 most common interview questions

Here are the questions you’re most likely to hear, and what the interviewer is really trying to learn:

No.	Question	What it’s testing
1	Tell me about yourself	Your background and how you frame it
2	Why do you want this job?	Motivation and fit
3	What are your strengths?	Relevant skills
4	What are your weaknesses?	Self-awareness and honesty
5	Why should we hire you?	The value you add
6	Where do you see yourself in 5 years?	Career planning
7	Why did you leave your last job?	Job history and judgement
8	Describe a challenge you faced	Problem-solving
9	What motivates you?	Work attitude
10	Tell me about a success story	Achievements
11	How do you handle pressure?	Stress management
12	Describe a teamwork experience	Collaboration
13	What is your biggest achievement?	Evidence of impact
14	How do you prioritise work?	Time management
15	Do you have any questions for us?	Genuine interest
16	What do you know about our company?	Preparation and research
17	How do you handle conflict?	Communication
18	What salary do you expect?	Negotiation
19	Why should we trust you?	Integrity
20	When can you start?	Availability

How to answer them well

A few principles apply to almost every question:

• Lead with relevance. For “tell me about yourself,” give a 60-second summary of your background that points toward this role — not your life story.
• Use specific examples. For behavioural questions (challenges, teamwork, conflict), use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Concrete results beat vague claims.
• Be honest about weaknesses. Name a real one and show how you’re improving it. Avoid the cliché “I’m a perfectionist.”
• Research the company first. It directly answers “what do you know about us?” and sharpens your reasons for wanting the job.
• Always have questions ready. Asking about the team, expectations, or growth shows genuine interest.

Why preparation matters

Practising these answers improves several things at once: your confidence, the clarity with which you describe your skills, and the first impression you make. Many candidates underperform simply because they haven’t rehearsed the common questions out loud. Working through model answers — and doing a mock interview if you can — helps you respond clearly and professionally under pressure.

Quick-reference: the top 10

If you’re short on time, prioritise these:

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why do you want this job?
3. What are your strengths?
4. What are your weaknesses?
5. Why should we hire you?
6. What motivates you?
7. How do you handle stress?
8. Describe a teamwork experience
9. What are your career goals?
10. Do you have any questions for us?

Frequently asked questions

What are the top 20 questions asked in an interview?

They cover your background, strengths and weaknesses, motivation, career goals, achievements, teamwork, conflict, salary expectations, and availability — all listed in the table above.

Can I turn this into a downloadable PDF?

Yes. Use your browser’s “Print” or “Save as PDF” option on this page to keep an offline copy for practice.

What are the most common questions for a job interview?

“Tell me about yourself,” “Why should we hire you?”, and “What are your strengths?” appear in almost every interview.

Why are example answers helpful?

Worked examples show you how to structure responses, keep them concise, and avoid common mistakes.

How should I prepare for the questions asked most often?

Practise your answers out loud, research the company, and run through a mock interview before the real thing.

Conclusion

Interview preparation gets a lot easier once you know the questions that come up most. Work through these 20, build clear examples for the behavioural ones, and rehearse until your answers feel natural — then walk in ready to make a strong impression.