Most interview prep articles are too long to actually do. This is not that. Eight questions. Practice each one out loud, three times, before your next interview. That is the whole assignment.
1. Tell me about yourself
Not your life story. Two minutes max. Structure: where you are now, one or two highlights from how you got there, and why you are sitting in this interview today. That last beat is the one most people skip.
2. Why this company?
Read their About page, their last earnings call (if public), or their latest product launch the night before. Reference one specific thing. "I read that you just launched X" beats "I love your culture" by a mile.
3. Why this role?
Tie it to a real thread in your career, not flattery. "I have been moving toward customer-facing work for the last two years, and this role is the next step" lands. "It is a great opportunity" does not.
4. Walk me through a project you led
Use the SAR structure: Situation, Action, Result. Most people overload on Action and skip Result. Lead with the result, then explain how you got there. Two minutes.
5. Tell me about a time you failed
Pick a real failure, not a humblebrag. "I missed a deadline because I underestimated scope" is real. "I worked too hard" is not. End with what you changed afterward.
6. What is your greatest weakness?
Pick something real, but pick something you have actively worked on. "I used to commit to too many projects, so now I cap myself at three priorities per week and use a written list to defend it." That answer tells them you have a real weakness and a system for handling it.
7. Where do you see yourself in five years?
You do not need to predict the future. The answer they want is: continuing to grow in this direction, with the kind of work you want more of. Mention the function, not a specific job title.
8. Do you have any questions for us?
You must have questions. Not having any is a bigger red flag than asking a bad one. Three solid ones to keep ready: "What does success in this role look like in six months?" "What is the biggest challenge the team is working through right now?" "How do you give feedback day to day?"
One thing to do the day of
Read the job listing one more time, an hour before. Pick three bullets from the requirements and make sure you have a specific story ready for each. Most interview answers come from prep on the wrong questions.