Most Common Interview Questions (Non-STAR)

In this article, we’ll explore how to answer commonly asked interview questions that don’t fall under the “STAR method” — such as “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and others.

Successfully passing an interview is a skill that can be developed. It’s important to remember that every interview requires preparation. Study the company’s background, values, and corporate culture to understand what qualities they look for in candidates.

In this article, we’ll go over examples of frequently asked questions and show how to respond to them effectively.

Some interview questions are best answered using the STAR technique (which we covered in another article).

However, the questions below are more open-ended and don’t have one-size-fits-all answers — though you can definitely learn the best ways to structure your responses.

1. Tell me about yourself

Key things to remember:

• HR managers care not just about what you say, but how you say it — confidence and enthusiasm matter.
• Your story should be clear, concise, and relevant to the job.
• Prepare and rehearse it in advance. Keep it under 2 minutes and focus on parts of your background that relate to the position.

They’re most interested in your professional experience, skills, and knowledge that match the role.

Example 1: Marketing Internship

"I’m a Chicago native, with five years of data analysis experience. Speaking of Chicago, I noticed on your LinkedIn profile that you’re also from Chicago! I moved to Denver for a marketing internship that fits well with my passion for analytics and conceptualizing creative campaigns. Having been so inspired by the active lifestyle here, I never left. Now, I’m looking for my next professional challenge, and believe I can bring these same skills to bear in the digital strategy role at your company."

Example 2: Entry-Level Event Planner

"I’m due to graduate from Santa Fe University this May, and I can’t wait to get started on my career in event planning and development. Ever since I was a high school student and organized my junior-year prom – 15% under budget and with record attendance – I’ve had a passion for planning amazing events. At school, I worked part-time at the local animal shelter, coordinating fundraising events and social media, where I grew our followership and increased revenue. I discovered that creating awesome events that effect positive change was a big driver for me. Now, I’m looking to do that full-time with your company, which does such meaningful work."

2. What are your strengths?

Pick a few strengths that are directly relevant to the role. Always back them up with specific examples.

Example:

"I’m a really good communicator. Whether it’s over the phone, in person, or over email, I can express myself clearly and concisely. In fact, I was awarded 'Captain Communicator' at my most recent internship. I received several shout-outs from my manager for diffusing difficult situations with my strong communication skills, and I even got an acknowledgment in the company newsletter for being excellent at talking to clients. I think this strength will help me do well on the job since being a receptionist requires interfacing with individuals from different backgrounds. I’ll be able to make each person feel welcome and that their business is valued."

3. What are your weaknesses?

There are two common strategies for this question:

• Mention a weakness not critical to the job (e.g., creativity for an accountant).
• Share a real weakness but show how you’re actively working on it and making progress.

Example:

"I struggle when it comes to giving people negative feedback. I’m not a super confrontational person, and I don’t like to hurt people’s feelings – I want to be the one cheering them on and making them feel great! Throughout my career, I’ve learned that sometimes, you need to give constructive feedback to build more honest, efficient work relationships. I spoke to my last boss about this, and we did some role-playing together so I could build my skills in this area. I still think being positive is crucial to motivating people, so I deliver feedback with compassion – but I try to be straightforward, honest, and helpful, too."