The new year is quickly approaching, and fresh job interview questions are bound to follow.
With millions of people job searching—including those who have been laid off, are switching careers, or have recently graduated—it’s never too early to start preparing for interviews. Common interview questions like ‘why should we hire you’ will remain popular, but you may find interviewers asking questions about hybrid work, artificial intelligence (AI), and other workplace trends.
While you can never be certain what the interviewer will ask, you can prepare for the types of questions employers need answers to in 2024, which increases the chance that you will get the job you want.
What are the most anticipated 10 interview questions to expect in 2024?
1. Tell me about yourself.
This question is almost certain to come up in 2024 and beyond. “Tell me about yourself is the interview question that isn’t going anywhere,” says resume writer and career coach Ashley Cash. “Job seekers should spend some time coming up with a succinct, compelling answer.”
Stick to the most relevant parts of your work history and share how your prior experiences have led you to interview for the role. According to Cash, your response to this question can mirror your answer to “what makes you a unique candidate.” Employers use both questions to determine how you can solve a problem, meet a need, or fill a gap within the company.
Read more about answering “Tell me about yourself in an interview” here.
2. Why is there a gap in your employment?
Employment gaps have become more common for many reasons, including extended leisure travel, caregiving responsibilities, continuing education, and layoffs, which impacted more than 250,000 workers in 2023 according to Layoffs.fyi, which tracks company downsizing.
If you’ve had a hiatus from work, prepare to address it during your interview. “Whether your gap is due to personal or professional reasons, I recommend having a short and sweet answer.”
Be honest but keep it brief. “You can say something like, ‘I was part of a workforce reduction like so many others. During my transition period, I’ve been keeping my skills sharp and being intentional about the next role I accept.’”
Cash suggests mentioning relevant industry certifications, courses, or community projects to show that you have remained active in your field and can hit the ground running despite the gap.
Read more: Thinking of Pressing Pause? Here’s How 4 Career Breaks Shaped Women’s Trajectories
3. Why did you leave your last job?
According to the 2023 Momentive poll, many women are leaving their jobs because they need more money or work-life balance. Similarly, Deloitte’s Women @ Work 2023 report shows that women are increasingly leaving jobs that lack flexible work hours.
Regardless of why you left your last job, employers will want to know why you are making a move. Prepare to answer this question truthfully and positively; leave out any complaints about your previous employer. “Keep it cute and don’t bring up grievances or feelings about your last company,” Cash says. “Those feelings are valid but an interview isn’t the time to discuss them.” Instead, share that you desire a new challenge, career advancement, or a culture that is more aligned with your values.
4. Are you interviewing with other companies?
Although it may feel like there aren’t many jobs to apply for, the 2024 Salary Guide from Robert Half indicates there are still more job opportunities than there are candidates to fill them. As a result, employers may ask whether you are interviewing with other companies so they can size up the competition. You do not have to disclose this information, but you should reiterate your interest in the role you’re interviewing for.
Here’s an example of what to say when asked whether you’re interviewing with other companies:
“I do have other interviews lined up. Based on what I’ve learned so far, this role appears to be the strongest fit for me in terms of culture, responsibilities, and growth opportunities. I’m excited to be exploring this role as one of my top options.”
5. What are your salary expectations?
As people increasingly discuss pay within their social circles, the conversation around salary may become more open in interviews, which Cash says is a good thing. “I love seeing more transparency around salaries. That’s one way we can start closing the wage gap.”
As you research the salary range that best fits your lifestyle, experience, and market, you should adjust your expectations accordingly. The 2024 Salary Guide shows that about 51 percent of employers are planning to offer higher starting salaries to attract new candidates and 40 percent plan to offer hiring bonuses—one-time payments used as an incentive to join the company—which could give you more leverage in getting the salary you want.
6. What projects do you want to work on?
Moving forward, you can expect employers to ask about the types of projects you want to complete, where you see yourself fitting into the company, and what you want your role to look like. Employers ask these questions for several reasons, such as:
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Gauging how much you know about the role
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Trying to understand how you can contribute
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Gaining insight into how you can benefit a new team or department
As a candidate, you are not expected to understand company projects in detail, but you should be able to cite at least one project that aligns with the company’s needs.
7. How do you handle ambiguity?
Employers know that change will be a cornerstone of the 2024 job market, so they want to know how you complete tasks, even with limited information or experience. Are you a team member who struggles to deal with change or can you pivot as new challenges arise? Be ready to provide at least one example of a time when you handled an unforeseen circumstance on the job and how it turned out. Adaptability is an essential soft skill.
8. Are you comfortable with hybrid work?
The debate about remote versus in-person work is far from over. Resume Builder reports that 90 percent of companies will require employees to return to the office by the end of 2024. Many companies will offer a hybrid option, so your interviewer may ask whether you are comfortable working in both settings.
You might be tempted to say whatever you think will get you the job, but many employers will hold firm on their return-to-office requirements. The chances of you agreeing to one arrangement during the interview and then changing it later could cause some tension with your employer. Consider all of your flexibility needs carefully, then prepare your response accordingly.
9. How have you used artificial intelligence (AI)?
You do not have to work in tech to get questions about AI during your interview. As AI continues to evolve, employers will start asking about how comfortable you are using it. You are probably already using this technology by:
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Drafting work or school content using ChatGPT
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Checking the weather using a virtual assistant like Alexa, Siri, or Bard
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Unlocking your phone or archiving images using facial recognition
In time, AI will be used for an even wider range of functions, such as improving public services, advancing healthcare, and enhancing education. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve used AI and how you think it could be useful in your specific role or industry.
10. What motivates you?
By asking what motivates you, employers can better understand what you would need to perform optimally as a member of their team.
Share something that speaks to what truly drives you and provide an example:
“Giving people the experiences that I would want as a customer is what motivates me. I believe in treating people the way I would want to be treated, so whether my customer is an internal colleague or external client, I consistently provide them with the level of service I would want if I were in their shoes. I like knowing that I am giving the type of kindness and consideration I would want to receive.”
This type of response could work well in an interview for any industry that involves customer interaction, including technical support, hospitality, social media, HR, and product management.
More on 2024: Job market trends and one thing that never goes out style
Understanding job market trends can help you anticipate potential interview questions. One trend that Cash is excited about for 2024 is an increased demand for leadership development: “I’m eager to see employers implement it in their perks packages, especially for those early and mid-level roles.” She also predicts that remote work will become less taboo. “I hope remote and flexible work becomes the norm and not this hot, polarizing topic. We’re humans first and adults second, we know where and how we want to work!”
Cash also hopes that in 2024, more job seekers will use interviews to evaluate the employer. “Don’t forget to interview the company that you’re considering joining. You have a say in the roles you accept so if your gut is telling you something isn’t right, believe it!” Always come to the interview with your own questions and note any red flags in the interview process, such as inflexible scheduling, rude commentary, or inappropriate questions.
Cash’s insights are especially useful for interview questions you may get in the new year, but one piece of the career coach’s advice is timeless: “Be yourself,” Cash advises. “I promise you’re good enough. They wouldn’t be talking to you if you weren’t, right? People are attracted to authenticity.”
No one can interview exactly like you, so use your distinctive approach to your advantage. The worst-case scenario is that you won’t get the job and must keep looking. But the best case scenario is that you secure a great job offer and set a precedent from day one that you are comfortable and capable exactly as you are.
