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Interview Question Guide

 

 

We have compiled a comprehensive list of interview questions that you are likely to be asked at any interview - obviously not all at one interview! We suggest the best way to utilise this helpful tool, is to imagine yourself in an interview situation and then to ask yourself a number of the relevant interview questions so that you be prepared for the type of answers you will be giving.

 

 

Specialist Areas of Questions

 

For a range of sales interview questions go to Sales Questions

 

For a range of  management interview questions go to Management Questions

 

 

General Areas of Questioning

 

          

  Achievement

bulletTell me about a time when you went beyond the call of duty.

bulletTell me about accomplishments of which you are the most proud.

bulletWhat challenging experiences have you had?

bulletWhat do you consider to be your most important accomplishment and why?

bulletWhat is the most difficult task you have undertaken?

bulletWhat is the most stimulating thing you are looking for in a job?

bulletWhat were your most memorable accomplishments with your last employer?

bulletWhat was your greatest disappointment?

Motivations

bulletHow important is recognition to you?

bulletHow important is responsibility to you?

bulletWhat makes you put forth your greatest effort?

bulletWhat motivates you in accomplishing difficult tasks?

bulletWhat has your last employer done that motivated you to work harder?

bulletWhat challenges are you looking for in a job?

bulletWhat motivates you to be successful in your job?

bulletHow important are promotions and advancement to you?

Sense of Self

bulletDescribe situations in which you are most successful.

bulletHow do you define 'success?'

bulletHow would you describe your standards of performance?

bulletWhat are some of the reasons for your success?

bulletWhat does 'failure' mean to you?

bulletTell me about your recent successes.

bulletWhy are you better than your co-workers?

Weaknesses

bulletHow could you have improved your progress?

bulletWhat weaknesses have you overcome when accomplishing difficult tasks?

Behavior

bulletDescribe a conflict with an employee and how you handled it.

bulletDescribe a (recent) situation in which you had to quickly establish your credibility and gain the confidence of others. What did you do ?

bulletDescribe a (recent) situation when you didn't know who you needed to speak with in an organization to get something done. What did you do ?

bulletDescribe a (recent) situation on your last job that you did not handle as well as you might have.

bulletDescribe a time when you simplified or clarified a situation by putting your finger on the key issue.

bulletDescribe how you work under pressure.

bulletDescribe how you would handle rude, difficult or impatient people.

bulletFinish this sentence: Successful managers are the ones who....

bulletGiven a situation when you disagree with your supervisor, how would you deal with it?

bulletWhat role do you take in a group situation? Give examples.

bulletYour supervisor tells you to do something in a way you know is ineffective. What would you do?

Experience/Responsibilities

bulletDescribe your current job for me.

bulletDescribe your typical workday.

bulletWhat experience do you hope to gain from this position?

bulletWhat experiences have taught you the most?

bulletWhat experiences led you to choose your career path?

bulletWhat have you learned from your mistakes?

bulletWhat kind of projects using leadership skills have you done?

bulletWhich of your jobs presented the best (learning) experience?

Organization

bulletHow do you determine your priorities?

bulletHow do you fix unexpected problems?

bulletHow do you organize your workload?

bulletHow do you plan to achieve your career goals?

bulletHow do you plan to correct your weaknesses?

bulletHow do you usually plan your day?

bulletHow important are details?

bulletTell me about a time when you organized a project where your directions were vague?

Analytical Thinking

bulletDescribe a time you had to make a quick decision.

bulletDescribe how you solve difficult problems.

bulletDescribe your problem solving skills.

bulletHow do you identify potential problems before they occur?

bulletHow do you make important decisions?

bulletWhat kind of decisions are difficult for you?

bulletWhat do you do when you're stuck on a problem?

bulletWhat happens when two priorities compete for your time?

bulletWhat types of decisions are easiest for you to make and which ones do you find most difficult?

Progression

bulletHow did you move up within the company?

bulletHow do you feel about your career progress?

bulletHow has your job prepared you to take on greater responsibility?

bulletIn what ways has your job changed since you began it?

bulletWhat do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?

bulletWhat kind of responsibilities would you like to see added to those you have in your next job?

bulletWhich do you consider more valuable, a high salary or job recognition and advancement?

Goals

bulletHow did you choose your last employer?

bulletHow did you decide on this profession?

bulletHow did you reach goals you have set so far?

bulletHow have your career goals changed over time?

bulletHow often do you set goals for yourself?

bulletIf you could start your career over, what would you do differently?

bulletTell me about your most important long-term goals.

bulletWhat are your long range career goals?

bulletWhat are your personal five-year goals?

bulletWhat goals have you set for yourself? Why did you choose these?

bulletWhat goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next 10 years?

Flexibility/Adaptability

 

bulletHow do you deal with surprises?

bulletHow do you cope with change?

bulletHow would you change your current working conditions?

bulletHow would you handle a decision for which no procedure existed?

bulletWhat changes would you make in your current job?

bulletWhat is the most difficult change you've encountered in your career?

bulletWould you prefer a large or a small company? Why?

bulletWhat job responsibilities would you like to avoid on a new job?

bulletWhat do you do when starting a new job?

Benefit to Company

bulletHow could you contribute to our company?

bulletHow would we benefit if we hired you?

bulletWhat did you do particularly well in your last job?

bulletWhat did you spend most of your time doing in your last job?

bulletWhat skills do you bring to us and how can you put them to work?

bulletWhy would you be an asset to our company?

Handling Stress/Pressure

bulletHow do you cope with stress on the job?

bulletHow well do you work under pressure?

bulletHow would you clarify an unclear assignment?

bulletIn what ways do you deal with criticism?

bulletThink of a particularly hectic day. How did you handle it?

bulletWhat do you find frustrating?

bulletWhat part of your workload do you find most challenging?

bulletWhat was the most frustrating thing about your last job?

Qualifications

bulletDescribe one reason I should hire you over a more qualified candidate?

bulletIf you were hiring a person for this position, what qualities would you look for in an applicant?

bulletTell me your (specific) qualifications that make you the best candidate for this job.

bulletWhat are the skills you need to work on most?

bulletWhat are your specific strengths and weaknesses?

bulletWhat characteristics do you think a person must have to be successful in your field?

bulletWhat skills do you think this position requires?

bulletWhat types of positions are you best qualified for?

bulletWhy do you believe you are qualified for the position?

bulletYou've had little experience in this field. How do you intend to learn?

Self-Knowledge/Awareness

bulletHow did you like your last employer?

bulletHow do you handle compliments?

bulletHow would you describe yourself as an individual?

bulletHow do you handle conflicts?

bulletWhat are some of your weaknesses, things you're still working on?

bulletWhat in your life has given you the most satisfaction?

bulletWhat is your energy level?

bulletWhat do you consider to be your greatest asset?

bulletDescribe your personality.

bulletWhat criticism of you has helped you the most? Who was it from?

bulletWhat is your best personality trait?

bulletWhat are the aspects that you would like to further improve on yourself?

Compensation

bulletWhat level of remuneration are you seeking?

bulletWhat are your current salary requirements?

bulletWhat do you think would make a fair compensation package for this position?

bulletWhat kind of money do you need to make?

bulletWhat type of salary are you worth, and why do you think so?

bulletWhy do you think you deserve your current salary?

bulletWhat was your salary history (on your last job)?

 

 

 

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