Practise Common Questions
Eighteen easy tips to practise common questions, so your answers sound calm and clear.
Practice calms nerves. Say it aloud.
25 tips that really help
These ideas come from Knock ’Em Dead (Martin Yate), Power Questions (Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Why practise
Most interviews use similar questions. Practice makes answers smooth and keeps panic away.
Practise.
List ten common questions
Include tell me about yourself, strengths, weakness and why us. Preparing a list helps.
List ten.
Write short answers
Aim for one to two minutes. Short answers are easier to say.
Write them.
Use your stories
Link each answer to a real example. Stories add proof.
Link stories.
Say answers aloud
Speak your answers to hear how they sound. Aloud practice builds ease.
Say aloud.
Record yourself
Listen for pace, fillers and warmth. Fix one thing at a time.
Record it.
Practise with a friend
Ask a friend to ask questions and give kind feedback.
Ask a friend.
Practise a few times, not too many
Too much practice can sound stiff. Aim for natural.
Do three runs.
Script: tell me about yourself
I am a friendly support specialist with five years of experience, and I love solving problems. Say it warmly.
Use it.
Script: why us
I admire your mission and I think my skills can help your customers. Say it clearly.
Use it.
Script: strength
One of my strengths is staying calm and helping people feel heard. Say it kindly.
Use it.
Mistake: memorising word for word
It sounds stiff, so know your ideas.
Know ideas.
Mistake: avoiding practice
Hope is not a plan, so practise.
Practise.
Troubleshoot: when you blank
Say, let me take a moment, and breathe. A pause is fine.
Pause.
Troubleshoot: when you feel nervous
Practise with a friend and breathe slowly. Calm builds with practice.
Breathe.
Drill: ask a friend for feedback
Ask a friend for one thing you did well and one tip.
Ask.
Practise with a video call
Practise on camera if the interview is online. It builds comfort.
Practise on video.
Ask a friend to be harsh once
One tough practice makes the real thing feel easier.
Ask a friend.
Prepare for odd questions
Questions like what animal would you be? are rare, but a calm smile helps.
Prepare a light answer.
Practise pausing
Take two seconds before answering. It looks wise.
Pause on purpose.
Example: the three rounds
Ana did three practice rounds with a friend. Her real interview felt like a repeat.
Do three rounds.
Example: the recording
Ben recorded his answers and cut filler words. His answers became crisp.
Record yourself.
Mistake: practising only in your head
Say answers aloud, because speaking differs from thinking.
Speak aloud.
Troubleshoot: when you cannot find a practice partner
Use a mirror or record yourself. Both work.
Use a mirror.
Practise your answers while walking or cooking
Moving around helps you speak naturally and makes your practice feel less stiff and more like real talk.
Try it today.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many networking and career moments.
“Tell me about yourself.”
“Why do you want this job?”
“What are your strengths?”
“Tell me about a hard time.”
“How do you work in a team?”
“Do you have questions?”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
List common questions
Write short answers
Say aloud
Record
Practise with a friend
Adjust
Rest
Further reading
- Knock ’Em Dead (Martin Yate)
- Power Questions (Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas)
- Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Acing Job Interviews”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Prepare Three StoriesNext: Calm Your Nerves Before You Go In →
- Research the Company
- Prepare Three Stories
- Practise Common Questions
- Calm Your Nerves Before You Go In
- Make a Strong First Impression
- Answer Clearly and Kindly
- Answer "Tell Me About Yourself"
- Answer Weakness and Failure Questions
- Answer Salary Questions Calmly
- Ask Smart Questions
- Send a Thank-You Note
- Learn From Every Interview
