The first and last questions of every interview
Interview season is here, and a lot of you have conversations on the calendar for spring internships, summer roles, and full-time offers. As interviewers, we chose from a set list of approved questions. The one part we couldn't predict was the end, when the candidate got to ask theirs. Sometimes it was the best part of the conversation, and sometimes it wasn't.
Two moments in almost every interview are completely predictable. The first question is "tell me about yourself," and the last is "do you have any questions for us?" Both are chances to shape the whole conversation, and most candidates leave both to chance.
Tell me about yourself
This question shows up in almost every interview, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. From the employer side of the table, interviewers want a quick sense of who you are, why you’re in the room, and how clearly you communicate.
It isn’t your life story, and it isn’t a catch-all. It’s a positioning moment. The strongest answers run about 60 to 90 seconds and briefly cover three things.
Present: your background. Say who you are today and what led you here, framed for the role you’re applying to. “I’m a junior studying accounting, and I’m the person my study group asks when the numbers don’t tie out. A part-time bookkeeping job is what got me into the major.”
Proof: your most relevant skills or experience. Pick what matters most for this role. It can come from a class project, a job, a club, or a volunteer role. “Last year I managed the budget for a 40-person student org and turned a messy spreadsheet into something everyone could follow.”
Point: your career direction. Explain why this role, company, or industry makes sense for you. “That’s what pulled me toward audit, and your team’s work with nonprofit clients is why this internship is the one I’m most excited about.”
Present, proof, point. Clear, intentional, and tailored.
Tailoring is the part most candidates skip. If your answer sounds the same in every interview, it isn’t ready. Other common slips are walking through your resume line by line, starting back in high school, and finishing without saying why you want this role. Sounding rehearsed gets in the way too, so practice out loud until it sounds like you talking.
Want more on building this answer? Our post on crafting your elevator pitch goes deeper.
The questions you ask back
At the end of an interview, a good question tells the interviewer you've been listening and you're already picturing yourself doing the job. It's also where you can stand out, because the conversation is no longer following the interviewer's script. Aim for one question in each of three categories. Ask about them: "Can you share a bit about your own career path and what brought you to this company?" Everyone likes talking about themselves, and it builds rapport. Ask about the company: "What are some of the biggest priorities for your team this year?" It shows you've done your research. Ask about the role: "What does success look like in the first 90 days?" It clarifies what they expect from you.
For bonus points, tie your question back to something the interviewer said earlier. If they mentioned you'd work across several teams, try "What's been one of your favorite teams to work on, and what made it great?"
Two things to skip: anything you could answer by reading the website, and pay or perks in a first-round conversation. Save those for later.
For more examples and better phrasing, see why the questions you ask matter.
One more tip. Ask one question you're genuinely curious about and jot down the answer. It gives you something specific to mention in your thank-you note, which is the easy last step most people forget. Send it within 24 hours, and don't forget the recruiter who coordinated everything. Many candidates only thank the interviewer.
Here's what to do after the interview, step by step.
Your turn
Email us at connect@launchpointtalent.com and tell us which interview question makes your stomach drop. We read every response!
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