9 commonly asked virtual interview questions and how to answer them

“What questions are asked in a video interview?” and “What to wear for a virtual interview?” are common queries among job seekers navigating the digital hiring landscape. Video interviews often encompass a variety of standard questions aimed at probing candidates’ qualifications, experiences, and fit for the role. 

From the ubiquitous “Tell me about yourself” to questions about strengths, weaknesses, and problem-solving abilities, candidates must adeptly navigate these questions to convey their overall qualifications, fit, and enthusiasm for the position. 

1. Tell me about yourself.

💡 Why it’s important

This question lets the hiring manager or recruiter get an overview of your background, experience, and personality, giving them insight into how you might fit within the company culture and the role. Keep areas that overlap with your resume brief. Confirming this information is OK, but the interviewer has these details. Focus more on the important details you can share that don’t fit on your resume but make you an excellent candidate.

🔉How to answer this question

• Provide your current role or recent graduation status and degree, if applicable, in [your field of study]
• Include [X] years of experience in [relevant industry or job function]
• What have you developed a strong skill set in? [mention specific skills or areas of expertise]
• What are you passionate about? [mention hobbies or interests relevant to the role or showcase your personality]
  

“I’m a [your current role or recent graduate] with a degree in [your field of study]. I’ve spent the last [X] years in [relevant industry or job function], where I’ve developed a strong skill set in [mention specific skills or areas of expertise]. Outside of work, I’m passionate about [mention hobbies or interests relevant to the role or showcase your personality].”

2. What interests you about this position?

💡 Why it’s important

This question helps the hiring manager gauge your enthusiasm and alignment with the role and company, ensuring you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity. Being candid and sharing where your values align with the company is important. What excites you about the brand, its mission, and the impact you can have on the company? Here is where you express those details.

🔉How to answer this question 

• Take this opportunity to leverage expertise in [mention relevant skills or experiences]
• Share what you’re excited about [mention specific aspects of the role or company]
• What do you admire? [company’s values or achievements]
• Add how you’re eager to contribute to its continued success

“I’m particularly drawn to this position because it allows me to leverage my expertise in [mention relevant skills or experiences] while also offering the opportunity to [mention specific aspects of the role or company that excite you]. I admire [company’s values or achievements], and I’m eager to contribute to its continued success.”

3. What are your strengths?

💡 Why it’s important

This question gives the hiring manager insight into what you bring to the table and how you perceive your abilities, helping them assess how well you align with the requirements of the role. This should not be a recap of your skills and accomplishments on your resume. Expand on soft skills and be specific about how you apply those skills in the workplace.

🔉How to answer this question

• Share a strong ability to [mention a specific skill or trait], honed through experience in [relevant field or job]
• Build on how skills developed: e.g. Highly [mention another relevant strength], enabling [explain how it benefits the role or team]
• Include soft skills: Proficient in [mention overarching strengths, such as problem-solving or communication]

“One of my greatest strengths is my ability to [mention a specific skill or trait], which I’ve honed through my experience in [relevant field or job]. I’m also highly [mention another relevant strength], which allows me to [explain how it benefits the role or team]. I believe my strengths lie in [mention overarching strengths, such as problem-solving or communication].”

4. How do you see yourself applying your strengths in this role?

💡 Why it’s important

This question allows the hiring manager to understand how you envision yourself contributing to the specific responsibilities and objectives of the role. It demonstrates your understanding of the role’s requirements and your ability to apply your strengths to meet those needs. 

🔉How to answer this question

• Share how you apply strengths in [mention specific skills or qualities] to [mention a key responsibility or objective of the role]
• Be specific: e.g. Strong [mention a skill] enabling [describe how you’ll excel in a specific task or project]
• Mention how you’ll contribute [mention a desired outcome or benefit for the company]
• Close with impact: e.g. Eager to leverage strengths to make a meaningful impact in this role

“In this role, I see myself applying my strengths in [mention specific skills or qualities] to [mention a key responsibility or objective of the role]. For example, my strong [mention a skill] will enable me to [describe how you’ll excel in a specific task or project], ultimately contributing to [mention a desired outcome or benefit for the company]. I’m eager to leverage my strengths to make a meaningful impact in this role.”

5. What are your weaknesses?

💡 Why it’s important

This question assesses your self-awareness, honesty, and ability to acknowledge areas for improvement, helping the hiring manager determine if you’re open to feedback and willing to grow. 

🔉How to answer this question

• “Actively addressing/former struggle” [mention a specific weakness]
• Share the steps taken [explain the steps you’ve taken to address it]
• Implemented actions or strategies in the process [list specific actions or strategies]
• Transformed weakness into a strength by [mention how you’ve improved or mitigated the weakness]

“I used to struggle with [mention a specific weakness], but I’ve been actively working on it by [explain the steps you’ve taken to address it]. For example, I’ve [mention specific actions or strategies]. I’ve turned it into one of my strengths by [mention how you’ve improved or mitigated the weakness].”

6. Can you describe a challenge you’ve overcome in a previous role?

💡 Why it’s important

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to handle adversity, giving the hiring manager insight into how you approach and overcome obstacles. It’s important to focus on just the challenges you faced, the solutions you came to, how you applied those strategies, and what you learned. Stay focused and honest, even if your example is drawn from a team project.

🔉How to answer this question

• Faced: [describe the challenge or situation] in a previous role
• Challenging due to: [explain why it was challenging]
• Overcame by: [describe the actions you took]
• Achieved: [mention the positive outcome or resolution]
• Learned: [mention any lessons learned or skills gained] from the experience

“In my previous role, we faced [describe the challenge or situation], which was particularly difficult because [explain why it was challenging]. To overcome it, I [describe the actions you took], and as a result, we were able to [mention the positive outcome or resolution]. This experience taught me [mention any lessons learned or skills gained].”

7. What do you know about our company?

💡 Why it’s important

This question assesses your level of interest in the company and your ability to research and understand its mission, values, products/services, and culture. It shows the hiring manager whether you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity and have done your homework.

🔉How to answer this question

• Share extensive research on the company/impressed by [mention specific aspects such as company culture, recent achievements, or innovative projects]
• Show alignment: e.g. Admire [mention specific values or initiatives] align with my [professional values]
• Express what you’re excited about contributing [mention a specific aspect or goal of the company]

“I’ve done extensive research on your company, and I’m impressed by [mention specific aspects such as company culture, recent achievements, or innovative projects]. I admire how your company [mention specific values or initiatives] align with my own professional values, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to [mention a specific aspect or goal of the company].”

8. What is your ideal work environment?

💡 Why it’s important 

This question helps the hiring manager understand if you’ll thrive in the company’s culture and work environment. It ensures alignment between your preferences and the company’s atmosphere, which is crucial for long-term job satisfaction and performance.

🔉How to answer this question

Sample preferences

• [Communication] An ideal work environment fosters collaboration, open communication, and innovation
• [Culture] I thrive in a setting where ideas are encouraged and teamwork is valued
• [Acknowledgment] Appreciate having autonomy in work while receiving support and feedback
• [Values] Research indicates your company embodies these values, making it an ideal fit

“My ideal work environment fosters collaboration, open communication, and innovation. I thrive in a setting where ideas are encouraged, and teamwork is valued. I also appreciate having autonomy in my work while still receiving support and feedback from colleagues and supervisors. Based on my research, your company embodies these values, which makes it an ideal fit for me.”

9. Describe your work ethic.

💡 Why it’s important

This question helps the hiring manager assess your reliability, diligence, and commitment to quality work. It gives insight into how you approach tasks, handle challenges, and interact with colleagues, which are essential aspects of your professional demeanor.

🔉How to answer this question

Sample qualities

• Strong work ethic characterized by [mention specific qualities such as reliability, diligence, or attention to detail]
• Pride in work and strive for excellence
• Proactive in seeking solutions to challenges and aim to meet or exceed expectations
• Value collaboration and communication, believing teamwork and mutual support enhance a strong work ethic

“I have a strong work ethic characterized by [mention specific qualities such as reliability, diligence, or attention to detail]. I take pride in my work and strive for excellence in everything I do. I’m proactive in seeking solutions to challenges and always aim to meet or exceed expectations. Additionally, I value collaboration and communication, believing that teamwork and mutual support enhance a strong work ethic.”

These questions provide a solid foundation for understanding your qualifications, motivations, and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for a hiring manager or recruiter to evaluate during a video interview.

11 extra tips for answering any digital interview questions

Remember to prioritize self-care when preparing for an interview. Getting enough rest is crucial for mental clarity and focus during the interview. In addition to practicing questions and testing equipment, take time to relax, eat healthily, and engage in activities that help alleviate stress. A well-rested and balanced mind will contribute to your confidence and performance during the interview.

Here are a few additional video interview tips for candidates to consider when gearing up to answer one-way video interview questions:

1. Research Common Video Interview Questions

Familiarize yourself with variations of common video interview questions and prepare thoughtful responses tailored to each question. This will help prevent you from being thrown off by creative ways recruiters may ask basic questions. 

2. Practice Pre-Recorded Video Interview Questions and Answers

Use your mobile device or a recording application with playback features on your computer to practice sample video interview questions and answers. 

3. Stay Authentic and Natural

Be yourself during the video interview. Authenticity resonates with employers, so let your personality shine through while remaining professional throughout your one-way video interview questions and answers.

4. Be Honest and Transparent

Always be honest in your responses to interview questions. Integrity is valued by employers, and honesty builds trust during the hiring process. It benefits you to be honest as well because if you land a job based on dishonest answers, you may find yourself in a job you are unhappy with in the long run.

5. Relax and Stay Calm

Try to relax and stay calm during the video interview. Take deep breaths, maintain good posture, and remember that it’s okay to pause briefly before responding to questions. If you’re invited to submit a one-way video interview, set aside time to prepare for the interview well before the deadline. This will relieve a lot of stress in the interview.

6. Prepare for One-Way Interview Questions

If the initial interview format is one-way, where you record your answers, practice speaking clearly and confidently. Use concise language to convey your points effectively. This format requires you to provide detailed information in a certain time frame without immediate follow-up questions, so your delivery should be as direct as possible.

7. Understand How Pre-Recorded Video Interview Questions Work

If the interview involves pre-recorded video questions, review the instructions carefully and tailor your responses to each question format. Some questions may have different Think Time (the time you can think about a question before responding), number of takes (the number of times you can re-record your response before submitting), or time to record (the length of time you have to submit your response). 

8. Address Wedge Interview Questions

Be prepared for wedge interview questions to gauge your problem-solving skills or your reactions in challenging situations. Approach wedge video interview questions methodically and use examples to illustrate your capabilities.

9. Research On-Demand Video Interview Questions

Research on-demand video interview questions commonly used in your industry or field. Anticipate these on-demand interview questions and prepare relevant examples to showcase your skills and experiences.

10. Review Industry/Role-Specific Online Interview Questions and Answers

Take advantage of resources offering online interview questions and answers. Maintain focus on video screening interview questions relevant to the role and industry. Tailor your responses to demonstrate your qualifications and suitability for the position.

11. Root Responses in Real Experiences

When answering interview questions, use real-life experiences. Share specific examples from past roles to show your skills, achievements, and problem-solving abilities. This provides solid proof of your qualifications and creates a compelling story about your fit for the job. Concrete examples make your answers more relatable and memorable, showcasing your skills in a practical and authentic way.

FAQs

Are video interview questions much different than those asked during in-person interviews?

Video interview questions are generally similar to those asked during in-person interviews, focusing on qualifications, experiences, and fit. However, video interviews may include more behavioral and situational questions to gauge candidates’ adaptability and communication skills in a remote setting. Overall, the content remains largely consistent across both formats.

How many questions are usually asked in a video interview?

The number of questions in a one-way video interview varies but typically ranges from 5 to 10 questions. These questions cover various aspects such as qualifications, experiences, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit, allowing employers to assess candidates’ suitability for the role efficiently within a remote setting.

What is the difference between close-ended and open-ended questions for video interviews?

Close-ended questions in video interviews typically elicit brief, specific responses, often requiring a simple “yes” or “no” or a short factual answer. In contrast, open-ended questions prompt candidates to provide detailed, narrative responses, allowing for more in-depth exploration of their experiences, skills, and thought processes.

As a candidate, what questions should you ask your employer before a pre-recorded interview?

Before submitting a one-way video interview, candidates should ask about the deadline for submission, any technical requirements for the video platform, guidelines for response length or format, whether there’s an opportunity for follow-up questions, and how the recorded interview will be evaluated or used in the hiring process.