1. How are you?

“I’m great, thank you. How are you?”

2. Why do you want to work here?

“I’ve outgrown my current role and I’m looking for a new challenge. Based on what I’ve seen about this team’s goals, I know I can help you solve [specific problem this team is facing].”

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

“I see myself here, becoming an expert in this area and a valuable part of this team. This role aligns with where I want to go because [connect directly to the responsibilities of this role].”

4. Why are you looking for a new opportunity?

“I’ve learned a lot in my current role, and now I’m ready for a new challenge.”

5. How do you feel about your current manager?

“My manager has been great at providing structure for our team’s goals. I’ve learned a lot about process, and as I’ve grown, I’ve become more proactive in anticipating next steps. I’m excited to bring that proactive energy to a new team.”

6. What are your hobbies?

“Outside of work, I’m [a specific, interesting hobby], which has taught me [transferable skills like patience, curiosity, or problem-solving].”

Example:

“Outside of work, I’m an avid home baker and run a small Instagram page where I document my attempts to master sourdough. It’s taught me patience, process, and troubleshooting when things don’t rise as expected.”

7. What is your job title and what do you do?

“While my title was [official title], I was responsible for [the higher-level work you actually performed], including [key responsibilities and outcomes].”

Example:

“While my title was Marketing Coordinator, I led the Q3 email campaign from concept to execution, including setting strategy, coordinating design and copy, running A/B tests, and presenting a 15% engagement lift to leadership.”

8. Can you explain this gap on your resume?

Answer to give (choose what applies):

  • Layoff:

    “There were company-wide layoffs.”

  • Personal / caregiving / health:

    “I took time off for personal reasons, and I’m now ready to return to work.”

  • Upskilling example (from transcript):

    “I took a planned period away from my career to focus on a family commitment. During that time, I kept my skills sharp by completing a Google Analytics certification and doing some freelance content work. I’m now fully ready and eager to return to a full-time role where I can contribute deeply.”

9. Do you have any questions for us?

Answers to give (ask at least two):

“Why is this position open?” “What does success look like in the first 90 days?” “What would you say is the most immediate challenge for someone in this role during their first month?” “How does this role collaborate with the teams it works most closely with?”

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