3 Interview Questions (And Answers) For Entry Level Jobs In 2024

So, you just graduated from college this summer and are eager to kickstart your career and land your first entry-level role relevant to your career goals.

But, it doesn’t always turn out as planned. Interview after interview, and you still haven’t received that dream offer. What could be going wrong?

If you are landing plenty of interviews but not getting any further than the initial or second round, it’s time to do a little introspection and check what you might be doing unsuccessfully. It could be something going wrong during the interview itself, or it might be in your job interview preparation and strategy.

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After all, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

So, having a bank of standard interview questions and potential answers for the entry-level jobs you’re after will enable you to be well-prepared and feel more confident throughout the interview instead of the tongue-stuck-in-your-throat feeling when you are asked a pivotal question.

3 Common Interview Questions (And Answers) For Entry-Level Jobs

While the specific questions the hiring manager asks you will vary from role to role and from industry to industry, some questions are the foundation of every entry-level job interview, and you can expect to hear them in some form, even if not verbatim.

Therefore, you should not only prepare for the exact questions listed below, but also consider other possible approaches the hiring manager may take to essentially ask you the same thing so that you’re not thrown or confused in the interview.

These three are just some of the common interview questions hiring managers ask entry-level recruits (due to length constraints for this article):

1. Tell Me About Yourself

Undoubtedly, one of the most recognizable yet dreaded interview questions, “Tell me about yourself,” can trip you up if you’re not careful. Jobseekers usually fall into the trap of either saying too much (which ends up being irrelevant) or not sharing the most essential points that highlight how they match the person specification for the role.

Answer by sharing your key skills based on the competencies listed in the job description, and list any hands-on experience you gained where you have been able to exercise your skills, such as projects in college, volunteering, or even a side hustle you undertook while studying. Ensure you demonstrate your passion—this needs to come through loud and clear.

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Sample Answer: In summer, I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in business administration and management. Throughout my studies, my favorite part of the program was the hands-on experience I gained, such as when I provided consulting services to a major construction and development client. I also did an internship at [name of company] in which I discovered that I wanted to work as a [name of job] upon graduation, so here I am pursuing my dream now. In that internship I [name an achievement]. I developed a strong foundation in (list skills and knowledge areas relevant to the role and the industry the company works in), and I am now especially interested in this role as it will give me the opportunity to practice my skills in a professional setting, while positively contributing to your company’s goals of [name a goal].

2. Why Do You Want To Work Here?

Employers use this question to assess your motivations for the role and to see if it would be worth investing in you as their recruit. This is especially critical as many employers this year are reluctant to hire fresh Gen Z graduates—with 60% stating they have had to fire Gen Z recruits this year and one in seven extremely reluctant to hire any more graduates in the upcoming year.

“Why do you want to work here?” should be approached by researching every possible source you can access to learn about the company, its long-term goals and strategy, culture, and people. You should also include their career development initiatives or benefits in your answer, demonstrating that you have a strong vision for your career future and are serious about the role.

Sample Answer: I had a look at your website and noticed you are involved in [name a specific initiative] and that very much aligns with my values, especially as I was [connect this with something you have already achieved, such as through volunteering]. I think that’s very impressive, and I am very passionate about pursuing my career development and progression with you, as I see from your careers page and from some conversations I have had with your team members that you clearly value growth and support long-term career ambitions.

3. Tell Me About A Time You Worked As Part Of A Team

When applying for an entry-level job, employers will look to see that you have interpersonal skills and can blend in well with their company culture. This includes knowing how to work under pressure, take responsibility and initiative for your team, speak and interact in an ethical and non-discriminatory way, and step in to help whenever possible. It also involves assuming leadership and ensuring everyone works together in harmony while being the positive voice of reason.

You can provide examples from college, sports, other extracurricular activities, or prior entry-level jobs, apprenticeships, or internships you took part in.

Sample Answer: Last year I was in a group project for [name of class or internship], in which five of use were assigned to work on crafting the strategy for a marketing campaign for [name of client]. It was left with us to divide responsibilities, so I took initiative to assume the role of project manager, coordinating all team members on the project and ensuring everyone was motivated and had sufficient resources to meet the deadline. By the end, the project was completed within time and the campaign was presented to the client, who was very pleased with our creativity. I received top marks at college for my collaboration and management skills in syncing the other team members on the project.

The overall theme here is that, when preparing for entry-level job interviews, ensure that your answers provide tangible examples from previous experiences (all experiences you gained both in and out of college matter have value as relates to landing your first job—employers do not expect you to have a wealth of knowledge and experience that middle-career professionals would have), and highlight your passion for the role and industry, as well as how your skill set and career goals align with the company’s goals and vision for the future.

As an entry-level job seeker, you still have a lot to offer. Plan your interview answers and strategy accordingly so that employers can see just what a mistake they could make if they do not hire you.