50+ Questions Covered
6 Categories
100% Free Forever

Introduction & Background Questions

1. Tell me about yourself COMMON

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Follow the Present-Past-Future formula. Start with your current situation, briefly mention relevant past experiences, and connect to why you're interested in this role.

"I'm a recent Computer Science graduate from [University] with a strong foundation in Java and Python. During my final year, I interned at [Company] where I worked on backend development and improved API response times by 30%. I've also built personal projects including a job portal website. I'm excited about this opportunity because [Company Name]'s focus on innovative technology aligns perfectly with my passion for solving real-world problems through code."

Pro Tips

  • Keep it under 2 minutes
  • Don't recite your entire resume
  • Focus on professional aspects, not personal life
  • End by connecting to the job you're applying for

2. Why do you want to work at our company? IMPORTANT

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Research the company thoroughly. Mention specific products, values, culture, or recent news. Show genuine enthusiasm and connect their mission to your career goals.

"I've been following [Company]'s journey for a while, and I'm impressed by how you've [specific achievement or product]. Your commitment to [value from their website] resonates with my own professional values. I also noticed your recent expansion into [area], and I'd love to contribute to that growth with my skills in [relevant skill]. The learning opportunities here and the chance to work with talented engineers make this my ideal next step."

Pro Tips

  • Research the company's website, LinkedIn, and recent news
  • Mention specific products or services you admire
  • Show alignment between their values and yours
  • Avoid generic answers like "good salary" or "big brand"

3. Walk me through your resume COMMON

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

This is similar to "tell me about yourself" but focuses more on your career/educational journey. Highlight key transitions and achievements chronologically.

"I completed my B.Tech in Computer Science from [University] with a CGPA of 8.5. During college, I took on leadership roles in the coding club and organized hackathons. I completed two internships - first at [Company A] working on frontend development, then at [Company B] focusing on backend APIs. My major project was a machine learning-based recommendation system. These experiences helped me develop strong skills in full-stack development, and I'm now looking to apply them in a challenging role at your company."

Strengths & Weaknesses

4. What is your greatest strength? COMMON

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Choose a strength relevant to the job and back it up with a specific example (STAR method).

"My greatest strength is problem-solving. In my final year project, we faced a critical bug that was causing system crashes. While others suggested starting from scratch, I methodically debugged the code, identified the root cause in memory management, and fixed it within a day. This saved our team two weeks of work and taught me the value of systematic thinking."

Strong Strengths for Tech Roles

  • Problem-solving & analytical thinking
  • Quick learner / adaptability
  • Attention to detail
  • Teamwork & collaboration
  • Communication skills

5. What is your greatest weakness? TRICKY

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Be honest but strategic. Choose a real weakness that isn't critical to the job, and always include what you're doing to improve.

"I sometimes get so focused on details that I spend more time than necessary on certain tasks. I've recognized this and now use time-boxing techniques and set deadlines for myself. I also check in with my team regularly to ensure I'm prioritizing correctly. This has helped me become more efficient while maintaining quality."

Avoid These Answers

  • "I'm a perfectionist" (cliché)
  • "I work too hard" (insincere)
  • "I have no weaknesses" (arrogant)
  • Core job requirements (e.g., "I can't code" for SDE role)

6. Why should we hire you? IMPORTANT

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Summarize your unique value proposition. Connect your skills, experience, and enthusiasm to what the company needs.

"You should hire me because I bring a combination of strong technical skills, relevant project experience, and genuine enthusiasm for this role. My internship at [Company] gave me hands-on experience with the exact tech stack you use. I've demonstrated problem-solving ability in my projects, and I'm a quick learner who adapts well to new challenges. Most importantly, I'm genuinely excited about contributing to [specific company goal/product] and am ready to hit the ground running."

Situational & Behavioral Questions

7. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it BEHAVIORAL

✦ USE STAR METHOD

Situation - Task - Action - Result

"Situation: During my internship, our team was assigned to deliver a feature in 3 weeks, but a key team member left suddenly. Task: I was asked to take over their part in addition to mine. Action: I created a detailed plan, worked extra hours, and communicated daily progress to my manager. I also reached out to the departed colleague for a brief handover. Result: We delivered on time, and my manager praised my initiative. I learned the importance of adaptability and clear communication."

8. Describe a time you worked in a team COMMON

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Highlight collaboration, your specific contribution, and positive outcomes. Show you can work well with others.

"In my final year project, I worked with a team of 4 to build a full-stack e-commerce application. I took on the backend development role while coordinating with the frontend team on API specifications. When we faced integration issues, I organized daily sync meetings and created detailed documentation. The project was completed successfully and received the best project award. This experience taught me the value of clear communication and respecting different perspectives."

9. How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines? IMPORTANT

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Show that you stay calm, organized, and can deliver under pressure. Give a specific example.

"I actually perform well under pressure - it motivates me to focus intensely. During my internship, we had to fix a critical production bug on a Friday evening. I prioritized the issue, communicated status updates to stakeholders, and worked systematically to identify and fix the root cause. The fix was deployed within 3 hours. I stay calm by breaking down the problem, focusing on what I can control, and maintaining clear communication."

10. Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager/colleague TRICKY

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Show maturity and professionalism. Focus on constructive conflict resolution, not drama.

"During a group project, my teammate wanted to use a technology I felt was over-engineered for our needs. Instead of arguing, I scheduled a one-on-one discussion where I presented data on development time and maintenance complexity. I also listened to their perspective and found valid points in their reasoning. We eventually agreed on a middle ground that incorporated the best of both approaches. This taught me that disagreements can lead to better solutions when handled respectfully."

Career Goals & Aspirations

11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? COMMON

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Show ambition while aligning with realistic growth at the company. Don't say "in your chair" or "running my own company."

"In 5 years, I see myself as a senior engineer who has mastered the technical aspects of the role and started taking on leadership responsibilities. I want to become someone the team relies on for complex problem-solving and mentoring junior members. I'm also interested in understanding the business side better, so I'd love to be involved in architectural decisions and product development discussions. Your company's emphasis on growth and learning makes it an ideal place for this journey."

12. What are your short-term and long-term goals? COMMON

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Be specific and ensure your goals align with the role and company.

"Short-term (1-2 years): I want to thoroughly learn the technologies used at your company, contribute meaningfully to projects, and become a reliable team member. I also plan to get certified in cloud technologies.

Long-term (5+ years): I aim to become a technical lead or architect who can design scalable systems and guide technical decisions. I also want to contribute to the engineering community through open-source or technical writing."

13. Why are you leaving your current job? (For experienced) TRICKY

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Stay positive - never badmouth previous employers. Focus on what you're looking for, not what you're running from.

"I've had a great learning experience at my current company and am grateful for the opportunities. However, I've reached a point where I'm looking for new challenges and growth opportunities that aren't available in my current role. Your company's work on [specific area] and the chance to work with [technology/team] aligns perfectly with where I want to take my career next."

Never Say

  • "My boss is terrible"
  • "The pay is too low"
  • "I hate my coworkers"
  • "The work is boring"

Salary & Logistics Questions

14. What are your salary expectations? NEGOTIATION

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Research market rates first. Give a range, not a fixed number. Let them make the first offer if possible.

"Based on my research of the market and considering my skills, experience, and the responsibilities of this role, I'm looking for a package in the range of ₹X to ₹Y LPA. However, I'm flexible and open to discussion based on the overall compensation package including benefits, learning opportunities, and growth potential. I'd also be interested to know what range you have budgeted for this role."

Salary Research Resources

  • Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, LinkedIn Salary
  • levels.fyi (for product companies)
  • Our Salary Calculator
  • Talk to people in similar roles

15. Are you willing to relocate? LOGISTICS

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Be honest, but show flexibility if possible.

"Yes, I'm open to relocation for the right opportunity. [City name] is actually a place I've been interested in, and I'm excited about the possibilities there. I'm flexible and can make the move within [timeframe] if selected."

16. When can you join? / What is your notice period? LOGISTICS

✦ BEST ANSWER STRATEGY

Be realistic and honest. If you have a long notice period, mention if it's negotiable.

"For Freshers: I can join immediately / within [X weeks] after completing my final exams on [date]."

"For Experienced: I have a notice period of [X months] at my current company. However, I can discuss early release with my manager if needed. Alternatively, I'm happy to start the onboarding process during my notice period if that works."

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

17. Do you have any questions for us? MUST PREPARE

✦ ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS!

Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate if the company is right for you.

Great Questions to Ask

  • "What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?"
  • "What are the biggest challenges the team is currently facing?"
  • "How do you measure success for this position?"
  • "What opportunities for learning and growth are available?"
  • "Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?"
  • "What's the company culture like?"
  • "What are the next steps in the interview process?"

Questions to Avoid

  • "What does your company do?" (Shows no research)
  • "How much vacation time do I get?"
  • "Can I work from home from day one?"
  • "When will I get a promotion?"

🎯 Ready to Ace Your Interview?

Join our WhatsApp community for daily interview tips, job alerts, and mock interview practice.

Join Community