How to answer the 10 most commonly asked interview questions (at companies like Google)
I’ve been hired by Google, Epic Games and Affirm to name a few.
Here are the 10 most commonly asked interview questions — and how to respond to each so you stand out & get the offer:
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
• 2–3 sentences on your summary
• 2–3 recent accomplishments relevant to the role
• End on why the role is a great fit for your goals
Keep it to two minutes. Go on offense by sticking to the “role relevant” stuff only. Brief over the rest.
2. “Why do you want to work here?”
• I love the mission & vision
• The role is a great fit for my career goals & experience
• I’ve enjoyed meeting the people & the company’s values
Add in the actual information about the company, role, and people you’ve met. Look excited.
3. “What is your greatest weakness?”
• I’m always improving
• My most recent performance cycle had this feedback
• Here’s how I’m working on it
Show you don’t have a fixed mindset. But be respectful of the question and show it’s a weakness. Then end with how you’re growing.
4. “What are your compensation expectations?”
• The high end of the band for this level
• I am concerned about the whole package
• I am keen to see how the interviews proceed in terms of fit
Don’t throw out a number. And don’t act like you wouldn’t like their number either.
5. “What work accomplishment are you most proud of.”
• There was this tough problem
• I took these specific actions
• It resulted in this business impact
Captivate them with a story. Be specific about your contributions. Use numbers in the impact to make it stick.
6. “What is your biggest failure?”
• I can choose a work failure
• Here’s what I did wrong
• Here’s how I grew
They may drill down on why it’s your biggest failure or what you did wrong. So choose a real example. But end on a high note — show you have a growth mindset.
7. “How do you handle competing priorities?”
• I prioritize based on ROI
• I let affected parties know early and often
• If needed, I change my tune. Here’s an example
Show your framework and outline with a specific example. Act like it’s normal and you handle it well.
8. “Tell me about a conflict at work.”
• Here’s why there was a conflict
• What I did to resolve it
• How I’m applying the learning going forward
Use it as an opportunity to demonstrate your teamwork & EQ. Don’t come across as blaming anyone else.
9. “What are your career goals?”
• I want to progress in the job function of this role
• I especially like the domain this company is in
• Companies of these size are perfect
Show the role, company, and size are a fit for you. Tie it back to authentic things you care about.
10. “What is your approach to giving and receiving feedback?”
• Early and often
• Use 1:1s to develop personal relationships
• View feedback as a gift
Show that you like the process of growth. Demonstrate you can handle tough conversations with EQ.
NOTE: These are just templates to inspire you. Personalize to your situation — and always be truthful.
