General Interview Questions and Answers for 2025

A must-know for anyone heading into a General interview, this question is frequently asked in General interview questions.  

Here the interviewer wants to know how well you work as a team. Because the success of the organization depends on the team players and how effectively they follow the schedule and directions. Here is an example of how you can answer the questions -

"During my tenure in the last company, there was a new project going on in the historical development of language. We were assigned different languages, and there was a set deadline. The language was new to me and others, but working on it was so amazing. We learned and collaborated with each to ensure the work was done before the deadline. Our project manager was great and helped us in every way possible. With the team effort, the project was ready before the deadline, and we all cherished this achievement."

Challenges are in every part of life. Here the interviewer wants to know how well you handle challenges and your reaction in difficult times. In an organization, there are always stages where you might feel the challenge in work. So, rather than crying about the tough situation in life, focus on the positive side of the story. Tell them what you have learned in the situation. Give them a detailed picture of the problem faced and what you did to overcome those. You can tell any stories - from your past work experience or any part of your life.

You can answer the question by - 

"Once, my supervisor went out of town and asked me to complete a PowerPoint presentation to share it with a new sponsor. He left me with some briefings and notes. It was not new to me. But I was a bit nervous because the sponsorship depends on the presentation. I was wondering if I did something wrong. But fortunately, my presentation was accepted by the sponsors, and that was a life-changing moment of my life, where I learned that I can do anything with some hard work and smart vision."

Here the interviewer wants to know how you have used your skill sets, as you have said. They need a real-life example of what choices you can make during a tough situation. Hence, their motive is to see you can make clear choices practically, not only theoretically. Tell them what the situation was and how you managed to make the right decision. 

Here's how you can curate your answer -

"During a semester in my college, I was working on a project of web development and data security simultaneously. Each project had the requirement to learn new things, and the deadline was tight. I had to decide which I should focus on more so that both projects would be completed on time. I prioritize the one which has fewer things to cover and can be completed within a day or two. Next, the huge one, which required extensive research, took time, and fortunately, I was able to submit my project at the given time."

Whenever you are in an interview, these behavioral questions are often asked to see where you stand if you are being given a leadership opportunity. This doesn't mean you have to be a manager or a team leader to show off your leadership skills. The best way to answer the question is to define leadership. Then, choose a story to share - it can be a very small one and also can be something extraordinary.

The example of the answer is as follows:

"Leadership means making sound decisions keeping other people's consent in mind. Also, it is to accept your mistake and rectify it wherever needed. In my last role, I was responsible for a presentation to a potential client that involved extensive research. I had four people with me. So, I quickly assigned the work equally among us. But the project was stuck; as discussed with the team, they said they were having issues in sharing their inputs. So, I decided to brief them accordingly. With a session of 2 hours, everyone was back at work and delivered an extraordinary outcome."

It's no surprise that this one pops up often in General job interview questions.  

This is, again, the most common behavioral interview question. The interviewer wants to know what solution you came up with and how you rectified the mistake. In other words, we want to know if you can get up and get back to work or if you are a quitter. No company wants a quitter. Having a strong vision and a can-do attitude is what a company looks for. Here is the best way you can answer the question and make a good impression.

"When I started to work, I found myself procrastinating, and due to this, my work fell behind. This affected my work, and there was a time when I used to miss the meeting for fear of speaking. That was my lack of confidence. One day, my manager talked to me, and we sorted this out - my manager asked me to sit with other team members and see how they work, what they do, how they ask questions, etc. Upon following this routine, I am at a very good place - asking questions proactively, expressing my thoughts, and I have also involved myself in Softskill course training at my organization - which helped me a lot." 

The interview asks this question to see if you love what you are doing. This is because if someone does not like their job, they don't usually take their career seriously, and the interviewer doubts if they can contribute something to the company. Here are a few points you can say while answering the question -

"I worked as an entry-level digital marketer at a startup agency, and it was great. I was learning more about marketing but also learning to manage projects alongside. The management was very transparent, always appreciating if someone wanted to move ahead in their career. It was a collaborative environment, and everyone worked on almost every project - basically, everyone was given equal opportunities to showcase their talent. These factors make me happy to apply for new positions.

A common question in General questions to ask in an interview, don't miss this one.  

Most people don't think about this in advance. But having a goal makes a good impression. You can find your answer by determining your career objectives. Some of the long and short-term goals a person can have are -

• Be a team leader
• Gain promotion  
• Have your own company someday, and many more.  

The best way to answer the question is:

"My short-term goal is to get a job in your company, learn the role and know the responsibilities and my team, and become productive in the organization. My long-term goal is to gain management experience, and I hope to become a leader or manager in this organization. Also, my secondary long-term goal is to buy a house."

The interviewer wants to know your strengths and skills. You need to learn how to demonstrate your skills and achievements through some great examples. You must consider the following factor while selecting accomplishments: 

• Select an accomplishment that relates to the job 
• Always choose an accomplishment  
• Keep your conversation professional rather than personal. 

Here's how you can curate your answer - 

"As a content writer, I was in charge of writing several articles on diverse niches. My forte was financing, and I loved writing finance and insurance blogs. But, one day, my manager came up to me and asked me to write about cannabis - it's a high-end client, and I was nervous about writing something so new. But, still, I said yes to the project. I researched and wrote the articles, and those were amazing. My manager appreciated my work, and from then onward, I was given many new projects - which I can count as an upgrade and accomplishment."

One of the most frequently posed General job interview questions, be ready for it.  

The interviewer asks this question to know your strength and how well-suited you are to the company. When the interviewers ask this question, you must answer this with confidence. A company looks for a candidate with high spirits and some career goals - they do not want anybody who can show up to work, do their job, and go back home. They want to know what you think of your future and how serious you are about it. You can answer this in a story format - as the interviewer loves when a story comes up, as they also look for communication skills in candidates.

The best way to answer the question is:

"I have been working in this industry for two years and have a certification course in digital marketing. So, I can write and do the marketing - whenever needed, as there might be a time when the writer is unavailable, and someone has to write the article. So, I can be the solution to this problem. Plus, I am a digital marketer, which would make my writing more effective as I know how to rank an article, which increases traffic to the client's website. Thus boosting sales." 

This question can be easily answered if you have gone through the job description. Many companies mention the ongoing project, and this is the question where you can make an impression by letting them know you have read the job description and have also checked the website. 

There can be numerous projects that a company may have - it can be educational campaigns, environment campaigns, etc., which can take place anywhere - on the premises or social media. As most of the campaign takes place online, here you have the advantage of showing them how you will be fit for the campaigns. You can showcase your digital marketing and funnel marketing knowledge along with your social media knowledge to prove that you are the one they are looking for. 

First, John takes the flashlight and crosses the bridge with Paul, which takes 2 minutes.  

• John then returns with the flashlight, which takes 1 more minute (3 minutes have already passed). 
• John gives the flashlight to George. Both George and Ringo cross the bridge together, which takes 1 minute (13 minutes have passed so far). 
• George then gives the flashlight to Paul, who comes back for John taking two more minutes (15 minutes) 
• Now, John and Paul cross the bridge again, taking 2 minutes. Hence, they reach the concert in 17 minutes.  

Turn on the first switch and wait for five minutes. Switch it off and switch on the other one. Do the same thing. Leave the third light turned off. Now enter the room, and notice - the warm bulb is the first one, the bulb which is still lit is the second one, and the one which you left turned off is the third one.

This question is based on crucial information. All you need to know is - how many people are using Instagram at a given time period, depending on the number of people living in San Francisco. This question is asked to ensure you answer the open-ended question. You have to make use of your educated guesses here to ace the interview. Nobody wants a perfect answer to the question.

This is a frequently asked question in General topics for interview.  

This question is usually asked to check mathematical and logical reasoning. Here's how to answer the question:

"We all know the three-gallon bucket is small, and the five-gallon is big. Here we can assume that the final four gallons will end up in a five-gallon bucket. The first step is -

Fill the three-gallon bucket and pour all the liquid into the five-gallon bucket. Now because 5-3=2, we know two more gallons can fit in the five-gallon bucket. So, we will fill in the tree gallon bucket again and pour it into the five-gallon bucket until it is full. 

Now 3-2=1, so there's one gallon in a three-gallon bucket. We throw the water and fill it in with one gallon. Then, we fill in the three bucket gallons again and pour them into the five-gallon water. Here, we have four gallons of water."

This is, again, an open-ended question and requires logical reasoning. You can determine the total area of the park (an assumption can be made). Then assume the distance between the trees. This way, you can calculate the total number of trees in the park.

These questions are to check the active listening part. The interviewer wants to determine if you are active enough and how to creatively answer the questions. The benefits of wearing a seatbelt while driving are - 

• Avoiding minor accidents 
• Avoid a false sense of security 
• Avoiding fines 
• Avoid being thrown out of the car when it comes to a sudden halt.

Expect to come across this popular question in General interview questions.  

This question is just to check the presence of mind and how you would explain some work to a newbie. You could answer the question by saying: 

"Once the person woke up from the coma, I would ask him if he remembered anything from the last movie he watched where people used crystal balls with smoke in it to determine what was happening around them. I would tell him the internet is just like the crystal ball of the modern era. All you need to do is type or speak what you want you are looking for, and you will have the results in front of you. In addition to this, I will also tell him the advantages of the internet and how the world has evolved with its help of it." 

This question is usually asked to check the candidate's intellectual ability. The answer to the question is very simple. Here's how ill you get the right answer - 

"In this, there will be three scenarios: 

• If the first pair of socks are red, and the next one you draw is red, then you have a match. If not, you'll have to draw again.  
• If the second socks are yellow, then the third socks drawn are red or yellow, you have a match. If not, draw again. 
• If the third sock is green, then the next socks you draw would be a perfect pair for all the socks.  

These questions are asked to people to check their values and aspirations. A fantasy or imaginary ideal person is easy to make up. But the aspiration and values you get from a real person are notable. These qualities can be anything - decision-making skills, thinking smartly, and mathematical skills. It can also be something like dancing, writing poems and prose, etc. There are so many notable people that you can talk about.

A must-know for anyone heading into a General interview, this question is frequently asked in General interview questions.

This question is quite clear. Hence, you will not have any difficulty picking the right one. This question will be easier to answer if you are aware of the fact that the management looks for people and appreciates them who are good and on time rather than a perfectionist who does not want to be on time.

A common question in General job interview questions, don't miss this one.  

This is a commonly asked situational interview question to assess your problem-solving skills. The interviewer will gain an understanding of how you consider yourself about others in a professional context from your responses. By responding to situational questions, you will get the chance to demonstrate to the interviewer the personal qualities that make you the ideal applicant for the position.

Here's the best way to answer the question -

"At my previous job, I was asked to check and audit the work of a former employee, which needed to be rewritten, and the articles were supposed to go live within a day or two. We were sure that it wouldn't take much time. But errors were too much, which was overlooked by one of the editors - I may forget to check those out. I came up to him and asked him to make the changes, and the article was good to go."

Do not boast about yourself; do not let others down to make yourself look great.

This helps the interviewer to determine your communication skills in action. For every job, it is very important to understand what the client is trying to say, and the interviewer wants to hire those who can comprehend what a client is saying. You can share a personal experience and how well the outcome was. Here's what you can say about the situation -

"A client was not happy with the project's delivery to him and was looking for something more. Also, he wanted the project before the deadline. However, we all completed the project before the time and delivered the same. However, the client shared a huge email with feedback on how bad the project was - though all the requirements the client wanted were there. But he wanted something more. But was not able to make us understand. Then, my manager and I had a session with them, asking what he wanted. We put several options in front of him, so it might be easier for him to choose the kind of changes he is looking for. Though he was being difficult, with a little effort, we understood what he wanted, and the project we delivered was exactly what he was looking for."

One of the most frequently posed General topics for interview, be ready for it.  

Every organization has some pressure at a given point in time. Hence, the interviewer wants to make sure you are capable enough to handle the workload without quitting. Fabricating a story is not the solution over here. If you are fresher with no work experience, you can take an example of your college project.

Here's what you can say:

"Once several team members were absent, some were sick - the project delivery dates were closing in. The graphics team was also behind schedule. We had only 5-6 members left to complete the project, and as the team leader, I had to stay back at the office for a few more hours and complete the reviewing part. This went on for days. Also, I had other priorities to complete. But with enough hard work and planning, we have achieved all month's targets."

A staple in General job interview questions, be prepared to answer this one.  

Here the interviewer wants to check your interpersonal skills. This is because the interviewer wants to know if you can effectively collaborate with your coworkers in the workplace. Interpersonal skills help find creative solutions and resolve conflicts. In addition to this, it also helps you maintain workplace relationships with your colleagues and team members.

Do not say anything negative about your colleagues or pull them down. Simply showcase your interpersonal skills and how you can improve any such situations. You can curate your answer by saying -

"If any of my coworkers are not sharing the deliverables on time, I will contact the person by asking how the project is coming along and if he is facing any issues in finding any information. If yes, I would go ahead and help them out. If not, then I would ask him to drive the project on time by letting him know the importance of the deadline and what impact this could have on the entire work."

Disagreement with your boss can sometimes mean you have to get into a big fight. It can be over anything. If you do not have prior experience, you can talk about any disagreement with your former classmate. Remember to focus on the positive aspects - what have you learned, how have you improved yourself, and what changes has this disagreement brought? You can say the answer -

"I won't say disagreement, but there was a situation where I asked my boss to consider the changes that were recently made to the work process. There were 5 members in our group, and we all used to pick random work and work every day. However, one day the manager asked us to work on only one topic continuously, which in my opinion, would have made the entire workflow monotonous. I conveyed the same thing to the manager, and after a few days, he considered the same."

Your expectations are perhaps the most frequent interview question when talking about pay. Although the question is fairly simple, it might be challenging to respond properly. This question is mostly used by interviewers to determine if they can afford you. Additionally, it reveals to them how highly you regard both your job and yourself. Also, it's inappropriate to answer them directly. It seems rude and incompetent. The best way to answer this is -

"What I believe is this is a huge upgrade in my career. So, it is better if we discuss my job role and what responsibilities I would be handling. According to that, we can discuss what salary will be best for both of us. Aso, I need to what your expectations are from me." 

The interviewer wants to know about the salary from the previous role because of the following reasons - 

• They want to evaluate your market value 
• They want to ensure they are offering a fair value 
• Also, they want to ensure the amount aligns with your expectations. 

Not all interviewers ask you about your salary history. But, if you feel uncomfortable talking about your salary, you might have the leverage to skip the question by saying -

"I would prefer to learn more about the job and the responsibilities, then we can discuss my last salary."

Always remember to provide them with an exact number when you are talking about your last salary. You can also say that range - from where you started and where you are now.  

This gives an idea to the interviewer about the accomplishments and what you did to achieve those. You can share the number of goals you achieved, the work done, and many more. You can also share your background if your achievements involve problem-solving. You can answer the question by -

"Our department was struggling with an unplanned absence, which affected the overall performance for the month. My team and I analyzed the absent trend and who was the person missing work the most. Through our findings, we came across several names who were into the habit of skipping work repeatedly. Seeing this, we planned on announcing a remuneration for those who are regular to work, and for those who are ascent from work, we would deduct some amount. Upon implementing this, the productivity improved, and we picked the same pace." 

Here the interviewer wants to know what drives you and what you are looking for in your future job. You can think of several good things, along with emphasizing how you are a good fit for the job. Also, keep your response professional. Here are some don'ts while answering this question - 

• Do not share something that can bring you into a negative color 
• Do not share anything personal 
• Do not exaggerate the achievements - keep it to the minimum.  
• Do not share irrelevant information.

Here's how you can answer the question -

"I like the opportunity my last company provided me in terms of growth and expanding my knowledge. I have been into many things - leading a small team, managing projects, etc. I also like the in-house training scheme that helps employees grow and get promoted to a senior level." 

This question is a regular feature in General knowledge questions for interviews, be ready to tackle it.  

Even if you were not in a managerial position, the interviewer might ask you to evaluate if you have any leadership qualities. Share an honest answer, even if you have little experience in managing a team. Here's how you can answer the question efficiently -

"In the previous organization, there was a newly launched project. It was a micro niche, and I already had a good knowledge of project management, so I asked my manager if I could get the opportunity to lead the project. Upon evaluating my skills and knowledge, they agreed, and the result was great - the projects were delivered on time, the quality was great, and even the client appreciated such efforts." 

Here the interviewer is curious about two things - your experience and your familiarity with the position you have applied for. Incorporate your skills and background with the job description, and efficiently answer them. Here's how you can do it -

"I have been working in this role for almost 2 years now, and when I started as a content writer, I used to write pitch decks for small companies, which was great knowledge about the startups and how they make their financial models. Then I switched to writing SEO content as I was doing a digital marketing course alongside, and I wanted to learn while I earned it. Since then, I have handled my clients and even worked with some agencies. I have read in the job description that you are looking for a finance writer, so let you know I have been working as a finance writer since the beginning, and my background satisfied a lot of criteria on the job description." 

Even if you have not led the team, the interviewer will still want to know about your management skills. This is because every organization needs a team leader. If you are fit for the job, they will appoint you as a team lead. To answer this question, first, think about your managers and how they manage a team. Pick some great traits, combine them, and put them in an answer like the one below:

"A good manager must be motivational and encouraging. I love to push myself toward a new goal and try to accomplish it, and I prefer doing the same with my team. I like putting on new challenges every day and helping them out if they get stuck in between. I once asked a writer to write a long-form article that they did not know of, and I helped them along the way. This way, my team became the strongest research writer team."