12 Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Interviews follow predictable patterns across Europe. Preparing strong answers to the most common interview questions is the single highest-leverage thing you can do before meeting a recruiter. Here is how to handle the 12 that come up again and again.

1. Tell me about yourself

Keep it to 60-90 seconds: present, past, future. Start with your current role, add one or two relevant achievements, and close with why this role excites you.

2. Why do you want to work here?

Reference something specific about the company — a product, a value, recent news. Generic answers signal low effort.

3. What are your strengths?

Pick two that map to the job description and back them with a concrete example each.

4. What is your biggest weakness?

Choose a real weakness with a genuine improvement plan. Avoid humble-brags.

5. Why are you leaving your current role?

Frame it around growth, not grievance. Never criticise a former employer.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Show ambition that aligns with a realistic path inside the company.

7. Tell me about a challenge you overcame

Use the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result.

8. What are your salary expectations?

Give a researched range and express flexibility. See our salary guides for European benchmarks.

9. Why should we hire you?

Match three of your strengths to three requirements from the job description.

10. Do you have any questions for us?

Always say yes. Ask about the team, success metrics, or how the role evolves.

11. How do you handle pressure?

Share a short example with a calm, structured response.

12. What motivates you?

Be honest but professional — impact, learning, and solving real problems resonate well.

Key takeaways

• Prepare, don't memorise — sound natural.
• Tie every answer back to the role.
• Always have questions ready for the interviewer.