The 7 Types Of Job Interview Questions You'll Get Asked And How To Prepare for Them

Nikki Paterson Author

Use the 7 interview question types to strategically prepare for a interview success.

A lot of people wish they knew what questions they’ll be asked during their job interview.  I remember a friend of mine who had the inside word and confidently walked into an interview room, ready to tackle anything, only to be stumped by an unexpected, off-the-cuff curveball question.  It happens.

But what if there was a way to be better prepared? Imagine having a comprehensive toolkit that equips you to handle not only the anticipated questions but also those unexpected twists. That's where understanding the different types of interview questions comes into play. Knowing the different types of interview questions you could be asked allows you to comprehensively prepare for any question.

In this article, we’ll dive into the seven most common types of interview questions that you're likely to encounter, giving you the upper hand in your preparation.

1. Behavioural Questions

The most common type of interview question, particularly in panel interviews, is the behavioural question.

Behavioural questions aim to understand your past actions and experiences to predict your future behaviour in the workplace.

Behavioural questions ask candidates to share examples of how they acted and behaved in specific situations and often start with, “Tell us about a time you…”

Employers want to see how you've handled challenges, worked in teams, and demonstrated key skills.

To prepare for behavioural questions, review the key accountabilities, or common ‘themes’ of the role and identify relevant stories that showcase your abilities to meet these criteria.

When preparing your ‘stories’, it’s helpful to use an interview response structure such as the STAR or CAR method.

2. Technical or Knowledge-Based Questions

For roles that require specific technical skills or domain knowledge, you can expect questions that assess your expertise.

These questions will usually be about processes, software applications, emerging technologies, industry trends, theoretical principles, best practices, and problem-solving approaches.

To prepare for technical or knowledge-based questions, review the key accountabilities of the role and consider all of the different types of knowledge that underpin those accountabilities and brush up on industry trends, review job-specific concepts, and be ready to discuss projects or experiences that highlight your technical prowess.

3. Weakness or Challenges Questions

These types of questions usually ask you to either identify one of your own weaknesses or alternatively identify challenges of the role you’re applying for.

It’s easy to shy away from these ‘negative’ types of questions, but they’re an opportunity to showcase your self-awareness and growth and your understanding of the role.

To prepare for weakness questions, have a weakness pre-thought-out and ready to go. Choose a genuine weakness (but one that doesn’t impact your ability to perform the role), explain how you've taken steps to improve, and share how it's positively impacted your work. Turn the focus toward your dedication to self-improvement.

For challenge questions, review the role and consider its responsibilities, expectations and potential roadblocks and choose a challenge that you can overcome and be ready to explain how you’ll overcome this challenge – the steps you’ll take and the processes you’ll put in place.

4. Problem-solving or Situational Questions

Employers want to assess your ability to think on your feet and solve real-world challenges which often prompts them to present hypothetical or situational problems during the interview. These questions offer you a chance to showcase your problem-solving abilities, creative thinking, and how you navigate through complexities.

Interviewers usually draw on real-life problems or situations in these questions so to prepare, review the role and consider all the different types of challenges, problems and situations you may be faced with.

In your responses, you’ll want to outline your thought process and present a structured solution that details your approach, systems, processes, and steps.

Beyond demonstrating your analytical skills, problem-solving questions are also an opportunity to demonstrate your working or leadership style, so consider your style when responding to questions.

Remember, these questions are not solely about giving the 'right' answer; it's about demonstrating your aptitude to confront ambiguity, apply structured thinking, and formulate innovative solutions under pressure.

5. Competency-Based Questions

Competency questions are designed to assess specific skills, behaviours, and qualities that are essential for success in a particular job role. Rather than focusing solely on past experiences, these questions probe into your competencies—your abilities, traits, and attributes—to gauge how well you align with the requirements of the position.

These competencies might include communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, time management, and many others that are crucial for excelling in the role.

These questions are ‘forward-looking’, can be open-ended and ask candidates to discuss their general abilities, for example, ‘Tell us how you motivate and manage your staff?’

To prepare for competency-based questions, review the job description, identify competencies, skills, behaviours, and qualities that are key to the role and consider how you will address these within the role. Also, consider examples of when you have demonstrated these in the past so that you can incorporate these examples into your response.

6. Cultural Fit Questions

Companies value candidates who align with their values, work style, and company culture and an emerging trend is questions that assess a candidate’s culture fit.

To prepare for these types of questions, research the company culture, mission, and values. This is a valuable but often overlooked area in interview research. Consider how you align with the organisation’s culture and values and have ready some stories that demonstrate your alignment with these aspects and how you've thrived in similar environments.

7. Motivation Questions

Interviewers want to know why you're interested in the role and company (beyond your paycheck).

This is a common one that trips people up because although a person often has a genuine desire for the role, they often haven’t consciously articulated their motivation or reasons and then stumble through a related question.

To prepare, dig deep into your motivation, whether it's the company's mission, growth opportunities, or the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is also an opportunity to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

In summary, mastering the art of interview preparation involves understanding and effectively addressing various question types. By anticipating and practising your responses to the different types of interview questions, you'll approach your interview with confidence and clarity. 

Remember, each question type offers a unique opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and personality. By tailoring your responses to the specific needs of the role and company, you'll stand out as a top-tier candidate who's ready to excel in any situation!

Want more help preparing for your interview?  Check out our panel interview preparation course where we dive deep into every element of your interview preparation.