Top Entry-Level Job Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to job hunting, having a strong CV, cover letter and resume is just the beginning. The interview is where you can really let your personality shine through and show hiring managers why you’re the right person for the job. Your resume might have caught their attention, but now they want to know if you’re the person they think you are. That being said, interviewers are usually looking for certain key traits when meeting potential new employees: Are you a team player? Do you take initiative and proactively suggest new ideas? Are you trustworthy? Do you ask good questions? Are you willing to go above and beyond for your company? To help boost your chances of getting hired after a first interview, we’ve compiled some of the top entry-level job interview questions with answers.

Tell me about yourself.

This is a pretty standard question that many interviewers like to kick off with. It’s a great way to get a better feel for your personality, what you’re passionate about and how you present yourself. Try to avoid just giving a chronological rundown of your CV and instead focus on highlighting key experiences or life lessons that have shaped the person you are today. For example, maybe you spent a year backpacking across South America and that experience gave you a newfound appreciation for adventure, or you took care of a sick family member and realized the importance of being a good and responsible caregiver. Whatever your story is, make sure you weave it into your answer so that the hiring manager can understand how it is linked to the job you’re applying for.

Why do you want to work for our company?

This is a great question to ask at the end of the interview and one you should definitely have an answer prepared for. Try to avoid simply saying you want a job in the industry or that it’s the only job you’ve applied to — those are very generic and cliched answers. Come up with a more thoughtful response that shows you’ve put some thought into why you would want to work for this particular company. For example, maybe you like that the company is very focused on employee development and growth, or you like that they have a very collaborative team environment.

What’s your biggest weakness?

This is one of the most common job interview questions, and employers often look for ways to turn a potential weakness into a positive by asking follow-up questions. For example, if you say your biggest weakness is that you’re too dedicated to your job and work too many hours, they might follow up by asking you how you would balance work and other aspects of your life. Your answer should be that you’re working on improving that weakness by managing your time better and setting realistic expectations for yourself.

What’s your greatest strength?

This is another common job interview question that’s looking at your strengths and how you can apply them to the job. Try not to pick something generic, like “I’m a people person” or “I’m a hard worker” — those are things that anyone can say about themselves. Instead, pick a skill or trait that is specific to you, like being a quick learner, able to prioritize well or having a great work ethic.

Tell me about a time you failed?

Many employers will ask this question because they’re hoping you’ll show them that you’re human and that failure is an important part of growing as a person and a professional. So, don’t try to cover it up or spin it — just be honest. Try to find a way to spin the situation into a positive, like how you bounced back from that failure or how it made you a stronger person and employee.

How did you recover?

This is another great follow-up to the “failed” question — it’s looking to see how you’ve grown as a person and employee. It’s also a good way for the hiring manager to see if you’re someone that they can trust — trust is a huge part of any job. If you’re honest about your past mistakes and show them that you’ve learned from your past and are working toward being a better person, they’ll likely see you as trustworthy and someone they want on their team.

Give me an example of when you exceeded expectations.

This is another great question to answer with a specific example from your past. It’s a good way to show the hiring manager that you’re the type of person that goes above and beyond for their company. For example, maybe you volunteered for a project at work that wasn’t part of your job description, or you were able to successfully solve a problem that a co-worker was struggling with.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This is a classic job interview question that’s increasingly getting harder to answer now that companies are hiring employees that they want to keep around for much longer than just 5 years. Try to avoid giving a generic answer like “I’ll be climbing the career ladder” or “I’ll be managing a team” — interviewers want to know how you’ll be growing and what you hope to achieve with their company. Answering this question well can help show them that you’re a goal-oriented person who is looking to contribute to the company and put in the effort to reach those goals. If you don’t know what you want to do in 5 years, don’t panic. Instead, focus on the present, and try to show the hiring manager that you’re someone who is focused on improving and growing. You can do this by answering questions like this one with examples from your past where you’ve grown professionally.

Conclusion

While an entry-level job interview can be nerve-racking, the right preparation can put you in the best position to succeed. The key is to be prepared and to use the tips and questions we’ve outlined above to help you come prepared and ready to impress! If you have a friend or family member who has gone through a job interview recently, ask them what tips they can give you to help prepare for yours. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel — and that’s what really matters.