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There are plenty of questions asked in an interview that can make a normally confident person feel nervous. But if you plan ahead and rehearse some of the most common interview questions and the answers you have for them, you'll sound both confident and prepared.

Have both a copy of your own resume (even if you're interviewing for an entry-level job) and the job description in front of you during the interview or take a look at it before so you can use some of the same wording and tie yourself to the job even more closely.

Why Are You Looking for a Job?

This question can take many forms. Why did you leave your last job and why are you looking with this particular company? You need to be able to answer all those questions succinctly and in a way that makes the company want to hire you.

If you're currently employed, don't say anything bad about the employer, but emphasize your need for new responsibility, creativity or stability. If you're unemployed, emphasize any character-building hobbies like volunteering or practicing art.

The most important thing is to show that you've done some research on the company and give the interviewer a reason why you want to work there. Perhaps the position responsibilities include working with others, and you long for more collaboration with your peers. Or the company has a policy of casual Fridays and you think that makes a more inviting work environment. Keep focused on the job position and the company and align your answers with them.

Tell Me About a Weakness/Challenge

Everyone has a weakness. The trick to answering this question is to follow it up with a way you've worked to overcome your weakness with a specific anecdote related to your experience.

For instance, "I have always had a hard time with delegating tasks, but during last year's spring rush I realized I couldn't handle all the store orders myself and I discovered how rewarding collaboration can be." Or, "Public speaking is intimidating for me but when I had to hold a meeting about our last product, I realized that if I have some notes in front of me, it isn't so bad."

Highlight your strengths--what you've contributed to your previous jobs or academic assignments--while discussing your weaknesses.

How Much Money Do You Make?

When bargaining for a position, sometimes you don't want all the cards on the table immediately. If you'd rather not have your current salary influence the salary discussions at your new job, you might want to tactfully avoid this question.

"I am really interested in your position because of [it's location/the challenges it would provide/a foot in the door in the industry] and I wouldn't want my current salary to be a distraction to the hiring process," can give the impression that you make more than they may be willing to offer. "I currently earn a competitive salary and I'm sure that your company has similar policies," sidesteps the question.

If you follow your answer with an immediate question along the same lines--"Can you tell me about your benefits package?"--the interviewer may forget you didn't even answer the question!