A job interview can take many different forms, but some questions come up remarkably often. That is no coincidence. There is usually a clear purpose behind each question. The interviewer is not only interested in your answer, but also wants to gain insight into your motivation, expectations, personality and way of working.

Good preparation therefore does not mean learning answers by heart. What matters most is understanding why certain questions are asked and being able to give enough concrete examples from your own experience.

With this question, the interviewer first wants to find out whether you have prepared properly. This is also an immediate indication of your level of interest in the role.

In addition, the interviewer wants to know whether you have actually understood the content of the vacancy. Which aspects of the role do you mention spontaneously? What do you emphasise? This can reveal a great deal about what interests you in the position and what your expectations are.

Before the interview, take enough time to read the vacancy carefully and think about which responsibilities interest you most.

Again, this is mainly about preparation and interest. An interviewer does not necessarily expect you to know every detail about the organisation, but you should be able to explain what the company does, which market it operates in and why that context is interesting to you.

A candidate who has clearly made an effort to get to know the organisation will generally make a stronger impression than someone who only discovers during the interview what the company actually does.

This is a very open question and is often used at the start of the interview. At that stage, the interviewer usually does not want to hear a chronological repetition of your CV.

See it more as an opportunity to introduce yourself naturally. You can briefly talk about yourself, your professional background and a few personal elements such as hobbies or interests. The main goal is to establish an initial personal connection.

Make sure, however, that your answer does not turn into your entire life story. After all, the interviewer has already read your CV.

With this question, the interviewer is trying to gain insight into your self-awareness and personality. They also want to assess whether your way of working fits the role and the organisation.

You can of course mention qualities that are relevant to the job, but a good interviewer will often ask follow-up questions. Anyone can say that they are persistent. The more interesting question is: when have you demonstrated that in practice?

Concrete examples make your answer much more credible.

Many candidates find this question difficult because they have not reflected enough on their own strengths and areas for improvement, or because they find personal questions uncomfortable. Good preparation can help you approach the question with greater confidence.

The interviewer wants to understand why you left a previous employer and what you expect from a new role today.

Your answer may, for example, say something about your ambitions. If you explain that you left because there were too few opportunities for progression, you are also indicating that development is important to you.

Job-content-related reasons can also be relevant. If you explain, for example, that your previous role was too commercially focused and that you are now deliberately looking for a more content-driven role, the interviewer gains a clearer picture of your expectations.

Above all, be honest. Speaking negatively about a previous employer is rarely a good idea. Employers may also request references at a later stage, so it is important that your story remains accurate and consistent.

With this question, the interviewer wants to hear more than a list of your responsibilities. The focus is on what you have actually achieved or improved.

It does not have to be a major management achievement. Perhaps you managed to retain an important client, solved a complex situation or made an internal procedure more efficient.

Ideally, choose an example that is relevant to the role you are applying for and explain clearly what your personal contribution was.

This question goes directly to your motivation. Why does this role appeal to you, and why would you choose this position over another vacancy?

A convincing answer links your own ambitions and experience to the content of the role. Avoid general answers and explain specifically what attracts you.

Good preparation is important here. Think in advance about your current package, your expectations and the value of the role. Do not only consider the gross salary, but also any bonuses and fringe benefits.

At first sight, this seems like a simple question, but the interviewer is trying to understand several things.

Are you applying for similar roles? What attracts you to those other opportunities? And how does your motivation for this position compare?

The interviewer also wants to assess how likely it is that you will complete the recruitment process successfully. You do not need to hide the fact that you are speaking with other organisations. Honesty and transparency are usually the best approach.

This question usually comes at the end of the interview. The interviewer wants to check whether anything remains unclear and at the same time gives you the opportunity to ask your own questions.

Make use of that opportunity. Good questions show that you have listened and that you are genuinely interested in the role. You could, for example, ask about the main challenges of the position, the composition of the team or how success in the role is measured.

After all, a job interview is not a one-way conversation. You are not only trying to convince the employer; you also have the opportunity to assess whether the role and organisation are right for you.