Most Common Interview Questions for Freshers in 2025 (and How to Answer Them)

Are you a fresher gearing up for your first job interview? The thought of facing tough questions from potential employers can be daunting. But fear not! With the right preparation, you can confidently tackle even the trickiest interview questions and leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager. 

In India, job interviews typically involve technical, behavioural, and situational questions. Interviews are not just about showcasing your skills—they are an opportunity to demonstrate your personality, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Interestingly, research shows that 33% of interviewers decide whether or not to hire you within the first 90 seconds of an interview!

Therefore, in this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the most common interview questions for freshers and provide actionable tips to help you prepare effectively for your big day.

Purpose Behind Common Interview Questions

Before we dive into the questions, it’s important to understand why interviewers ask these common questions. For freshers, these questions serve multiple purposes:

• Evaluating Communication Skills - Employers often ask open-ended questions to gauge how clearly and confidently you express your thoughts. 
• Assessing Cultural Fit - Asking questions helps determine whether you resonate with the company's ethos. Understanding this alignment is crucial, as it influences job satisfaction and performance.
• Measuring Problem-Solving Abilities - Employers ask questions to evaluate your analytical thinking and resourcefulness. Demonstrating such skills indicates readiness to handle workplace complexities.
• Determining Adaptability and Flexibility - Questions about handling stress or unexpected tasks assess your ability to thrive amidst change. Employers value candidates who can maintain performance under pressure.
• Identifying Growth Potential - Employers are interested in your long-term aspirations. Questions help them understand your career trajectory and ambition.
• Understanding Motivational Drivers - Questions also help employers look for alignment between your interests and the role to ensure engagement and retention.

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Now, let's delve into the seven most common interview questions for freshers and explore strategies to answer them proficiently.

7 Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Preparing for common interview questions is crucial, especially for freshers. Here are seven frequently asked questions, along with sample answers to help you make an impression:

1. Tell me something about yourself.

This question is usually the icebreaker and sets the tone for the interview. It’s your opportunity to highlight and align your achievements with the role you’re applying for. It’s best to keep your response concise yet impactful. Also, briefly discuss your educational background, any internships, and career aspirations.

Sample Answer

"Hi, my name is Kritika Singh. I recently graduated from Delhi University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. While at the university, I completed an internship at Infosys, where I worked on automating manual processes using Python, saving my team 10 hours a week. My final-year project involved developing a chatbot that assists students in selecting courses, which sparked my interest in user-centric solutions. 

Beyond academics, I have a strong interest in teamwork and leadership, as seen in my role as the captain of my college basketball team, where I led us to a state-level championship. I’m also passionate about problem-solving and excited to bring this enthusiasm to a dynamic team like yours."

2. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

This question tests your self-awareness and willingness to grow. Be honest yet strategic in your response. For strengths, focus on qualities that align with the job. For weaknesses, pick something minor and explain how you’re working to improve it.

Sample Answer for Strengths 

"My ability to adapt to new challenges quickly is one of my biggest strengths. During my internship at Infosys, I was assigned a project involving a programming language I wasn’t familiar with. I took the initiative to learn it over weekends and successfully delivered a key module within the deadline. Additionally, I am highly detail-oriented, ensuring the quality of work is never compromised."

Sample Answer for Weaknesses 

"I tend to take on multiple tasks simultaneously, thinking I can manage them all. This sometimes leads to delays. To address this, I have started using tools like Asana to prioritise tasks and ensure I focus on one thing at a time. This has significantly improved my productivity over the past few months."

3. Why do you want to work here?

To answer this question, demonstrate your knowledge about the company. For this, research the company and explain how specific aspects, such as their values, recent projects, or growth opportunities, resonate with you and align with your career goals.

Sample Answer 

"I’m particularly inspired by your recent campaign to reduce carbon footprints in logistics—a challenge I am passionate about. As someone who values impactful work, I believe joining your team would allow me to contribute to meaningful projects while advancing my skills. Additionally, your emphasis on employee development through training programs aligns with my desire to grow within an organisation."

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers use this question to evaluate your career aspirations and whether they align with the company’s growth. They also want to gauge how long you plan to stay with the company. Smartly frame your answer to showcase your ambitions and long-term goals. 

Sample Answer 

"In five years, I see myself taking on more responsibility in this company, ideally in a leadership role where I can manage projects and mentor newer team members. I aim to deepen my expertise in emerging technologies like AI and machine learning and contribute to cutting-edge projects. I’m committed to aligning my growth with the company’s vision and being a part of its long-term success."

5. Why should we hire you?

This is the most common interview question that 100% of interviewers ask. It is their way of assessing how well you will gel with the team. To answer this, highlight your unique qualities and how they align with the role. Instead of focusing on yourself, emphasise how your skills, enthusiasm, and ability to learn will contribute to the company’s success.

Sample Answer 

"I believe my skills, experience, and enthusiasm make me a strong fit for this role. During my internship at TCS, I designed a data visualisation dashboard that reduced reporting time by 20%. I am a quick learner and thrive in collaborative environments. My ability to bring innovative solutions to the table and my eagerness to learn will allow me to contribute meaningfully to your team from day one."

6. Would you be comfortable working overtime?

This question gauges your flexibility and work ethic. Employers want to assess your commitment and the lengths you’re willing to go to for the job. Be honest, but answer it diplomatically. If you’re open to it, communicate it clearly and show you're willing to contribute during peak periods while ensuring work-life balance.

Sample Answer 

"I understand that certain projects or deadlines may require extra hours, and I am willing to contribute when necessary to ensure my team meets its goals. However, I also value work-life balance and believe consistent productivity stems from a healthy approach to work. I am confident in my ability to manage time efficiently to meet expectations."

7. What are your salary expectations?

Discussing salary in the interview can be tricky for a fresher. The average starting salary for IT freshers in 2025 is estimated to range between ₹2-4 LPA. However, to answer this question clearly, research how much freshers in similar roles make in other companies. Considering your education, skills, and certifications, quote a fair range that will support your needs. 

Sample Answer 

"Based on my research and industry standards for entry-level positions in this field, I expect a salary in the range of ₹4–5 LPA. However, I am open to discussing this further based on the role’s overall benefits, growth opportunities, and responsibilities. My priority is to contribute to the company while developing professionally."

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Now that you’ve prepared detailed responses to some of the most common interview questions for freshers, let’s move on to behavioural and situational questions. 

Behavioural and Situational Interview Questions

As per LinkedIn studies, 75% of talent professionals admitted using behavioural questions in interviews to assess a candidate’s soft skills. Below are common behavioural and situational interview questions for freshers that can significantly enhance your interview performance:

1. How do you handle working under pressure?

By posing this question, recruiters want to judge your temperament and assess your ability to perform in high-stress situations, which are common in professional settings. Be honest with your answer, make eye contact while you talk, and incorporate an example of how you handled a stressful situation in the past. 

Sample Answer 

"During my final year at university, I juggled multiple projects with tight deadlines. To manage the pressure, I prioritised tasks based on urgency and complexity, created a detailed schedule, and took short breaks to maintain focus. This approach helped me complete all assignments on time with commendable grades."

2. Describe a time when you resolved a conflict.

Interviewers ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills because they indicate your ability to work collaboratively and maintain harmony in a team. To answer this question, properly explain the conflict and the steps you took to resolve it. Don’t forget to share the results and highlight your takeaways from the experience.

Sample Answer 

"In a group project, two team members had differing opinions on the project’s direction, leading to conflicts. I facilitated a meeting where each person could express their views. By finding common ground and integrating both perspectives, we developed a cohesive plan that satisfied everyone and resulted in a successful project."

3. How do you handle feedback?

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to it because they are looking for candidates open to learning and willing to improve based on constructive criticism. Always answer this question positively and provide examples of how well you handled feedback in the past.

Sample Answer 

"During my internship at a marketing firm, my supervisor provided feedback on my initial campaign proposal, highlighting areas for improvement. I took it positively, researched best practices, and revised the proposal accordingly. The final campaign was well-received, and I learned valuable skills. Feedback has always been a tool for me to grow, and I encourage it."

4. Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and overcame it.

Recruiters are always keen to understand your problem-solving skills and perseverance; hence, they ask this question. This is your chance to put your best foot forward and show how easily you can analyse problems and devise innovative solutions.

Sample Answer 

"While organising a college fest, we faced a last-minute sponsorship withdrawal, jeopardising the event’s budget. I quickly led the team to identify potential local sponsors, prepared compelling pitches, and secured new sponsorships within a week, ensuring the fest proceeded as planned.”

5. Describe yourself in one word.

This question tests your self-awareness and ability to summarise your personality succinctly. That’s why this is probably the easiest interview question for freshers. To answer this question, pick a word that makes you a good fit for the role. Always keep a supporting story handy to back up your claim. 

Sample Answer 

"Adaptable. During the pandemic, I shifted to online learning and used the opportunity to complete certifications in digital marketing. This helped me stay ahead and secure an internship where I applied these skills effectively."

Bonus Question: Do you have any questions for me?

This will probably be your interviewer’s last question and your last chance to show interest in the role. Therefore, always prepare for this question and ask as many relevant questions as possible. Refrain from answering with, ‘No, I think everything is covered’ since this shows a lack of preparedness and enthusiasm. 

Here are some possible questions you can ask:

• What are your expectations from me in the first year?
• How would you describe the office environment?
• Are there any employee training programs currently in place?

However, there are some questions that you must resist asking as they may come across as unprofessional:

• What are the salary and other benefits for this role?
• How soon can I take a vacation or a leave?
• How often do you have parties or social events?
• Can I work from home a few days a week?

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And there you have it, folks—some of the most common interview questions for freshers. As we wrap up the questions, it’s time to explore some strategies to help you stand out as a confident and prepared candidate.

Preparation Tips to Ace the Interview

Preparing for an interview as a fresher can be daunting, but you can enhance your confidence and performance with targeted strategies. Here are some important tips for you:

• Research Your Way - Thoroughly research the company by exploring its website, social media, and recent news. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps you tailor your responses.
• Dress to Impress - First impressions matter. Choose attire that aligns with the company’s culture. Opt for formal attire for corporate roles and business casual for creative positions.
• Showcase Your Confidence - Maintain confident body language during the interview by sitting upright, maintaining eye contact, and offering a firm handshake. 
• Practice, Practice, and Practice - Rehearse your answers to common interview questions with friends or mentors beforehand. Use platforms like Topmate to conduct mock interviews with experts.
• Let STAR Guide You - To answer behavioural questions with ease, structure your responses to highlight Situation (describe the context), Task (explain your role), Action (outline steps taken) and Result (share the outcome).
• When in Doubt, Ask - Politely request clarification if you’re unsure about a question. It’s better than guessing or answering wrong and also shows your attentiveness.
• Honesty and Integrity for the Win - Always be polite yet confident in your answers, as authenticity builds trust. If you lack experience in an area, express your eagerness to learn and adapt.

Conclusion

Interviews are more than just a question-and-answer session—they’re an opportunity to present your best self. By equipping yourself with the answers to the most common interview questions for freshers, you can easily navigate the interview process. This will ultimately prove to the interviewer that you’ve put in the effort to understand the role and its expectations.

Need expert guidance to refine your interview skills? Topmate connects you with industry professionals who provide personalized feedback, mock interview sessions, and career advice tailored to your job goals. Whether it's improving your self-introduction, handling tricky questions, or optimizing your resume—Topmate has you covered.

Book your free mock interview session today and take your career to the next level!