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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
| Tell
me about a time when you went beyond the call of duty.
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| Tell
me about accomplishments of which you are the most proud.
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| What
challenging experiences have you had?
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| What
do you consider to be your most important accomplishment and
why?
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| What
is the most difficult task you have undertaken?
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| What
is the most stimulating thing you are looking for in a job?
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| What
were your most memorable accomplishments with your last
employer?
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| What
was your greatest disappointment?
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Motivations
| How
important is recognition to you?
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| How
important is responsibility to you?
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| What
makes you put forth your greatest effort?
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| What
motivates you in accomplishing difficult tasks?
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| What
has your last employer done that motivated you to work
harder?
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| What
challenges are you looking for in a job?
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| What
motivates you to be successful in your job?
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| How
important are promotions and advancement to you?
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Sense
of Self
| Describe
situations in which you are most successful.
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| How
do you define 'success?'
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| How
would you describe your standards of performance?
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| What
are some of the reasons for your success?
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| What
does 'failure' mean to you?
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| Tell
me about your recent successes.
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| Why
are you better than your co-workers?
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Weaknesses
| How
could you have improved your progress?
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| What
weaknesses have you overcome when accomplishing difficult
tasks?
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Behavior
| Describe
a conflict with an employee and how you handled it.
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| Describe
a (recent) situation in which you had to quickly establish
your credibility and gain the confidence of others. What did
you do ?
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| Describe
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 ?
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| Describe
a (recent) situation on your last job that you did not
handle as well as you might have.
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| Describe
a time when you simplified or clarified a situation by
putting your finger on the key issue.
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| Describe
how you work under pressure.
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| Describe
how you would handle rude, difficult or impatient people.
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| Finish
this sentence: Successful managers are the ones who....
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| Given
a situation when you disagree with your supervisor, how
would you deal with it?
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| What
role do you take in a group situation? Give examples.
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| Your
supervisor tells you to do something in a way you know is
ineffective. What would you do?
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Experience/Responsibilities
| Describe
your current job for me.
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| Describe
your typical workday.
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| What
experience do you hope to gain from this position?
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| What
experiences have taught you the most?
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| What
experiences led you to choose your career path?
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| What
have you learned from your mistakes?
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| What
kind of projects using leadership skills have you done?
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| Which
of your jobs presented the best (learning) experience?
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Organization
| How
do you determine your priorities?
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| How
do you fix unexpected problems?
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| How
do you organize your workload?
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| How
do you plan to achieve your career goals?
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| How
do you plan to correct your weaknesses?
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| How
do you usually plan your day?
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| How
important are details?
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| Tell
me about a time when you organized a project where your
directions were vague?
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Analytical
Thinking
| Describe
a time you had to make a quick decision.
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| Describe
how you solve difficult problems.
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| Describe
your problem solving skills.
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| How
do you identify potential problems before they occur?
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| How
do you make important decisions?
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| What
kind of decisions are difficult for you?
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| What
do you do when you're stuck on a problem?
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| What
happens when two priorities compete for your time?
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| What
types of decisions are easiest for you to make and which
ones do you find most difficult?
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Progression
| How
did you move up within the company?
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| How
do you feel about your career progress?
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| How
has your job prepared you to take on greater responsibility?
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| In
what ways has your job changed since you began it?
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| What
do you think determines a person's progress in a good
company?
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| What
kind of responsibilities would you like to see added to
those you have in your next job?
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| Which
do you consider more valuable, a high salary or job
recognition and advancement?
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Goals
| How
did you choose your last employer?
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| How
did you decide on this profession?
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| How
did you reach goals you have set so far?
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| How
have your career goals changed over time?
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| How
often do you set goals for yourself?
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| If
you could start your career over, what would you do
differently?
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| Tell
me about your most important long-term goals.
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| What
are your long range career goals?
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| What
are your personal five-year goals?
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| What
goals have you set for yourself? Why did you choose these?
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| What
goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you
established for yourself for the next 10 years?
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Flexibility/Adaptability
| How
do you deal with surprises?
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| How
do you cope with change?
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| How
would you change your current working conditions?
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| How
would you handle a decision for which no procedure existed?
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| What
changes would you make in your current job?
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| What
is the most difficult change you've encountered in your
career?
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| Would
you prefer a large or a small company? Why?
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| What
job responsibilities would you like to avoid on a new job?
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| What
do you do when starting a new job?
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Benefit
to Company
| How
could you contribute to our company?
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| How
would we benefit if we hired you?
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| What
did you do particularly well in your last job?
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| What
did you spend most of your time doing in your last job?
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| What
skills do you bring to us and how can you put them to work?
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| Why
would you be an asset to our company?
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Handling
Stress/Pressure
| How
do you cope with stress on the job?
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| How
well do you work under pressure?
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| How
would you clarify an unclear assignment?
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| In
what ways do you deal with criticism?
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| Think
of a particularly hectic day. How did you handle it?
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| What
do you find frustrating?
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| What
part of your workload do you find most challenging?
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| What
was the most frustrating thing about your last job?
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Qualifications
| Describe
one reason I should hire you over a more qualified
candidate?
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| If
you were hiring a person for this position, what qualities
would you look for in an applicant?
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| Tell
me your (specific) qualifications that make you the best
candidate for this job.
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| What
are the skills you need to work on most?
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| What
are your specific strengths and weaknesses?
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| What
characteristics do you think a person must have to be
successful in your field?
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| What
skills do you think this position requires?
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| What
types of positions are you best qualified for?
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| Why
do you believe you are qualified for the position?
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| You've
had little experience in this field. How do you intend to
learn?
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Self-Knowledge/Awareness
| How
did you like your last employer?
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| How
do you handle compliments?
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| How
would you describe yourself as an individual?
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| How
do you handle conflicts?
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| What
are some of your weaknesses, things you're still working on?
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| What
in your life has given you the most satisfaction?
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| What
is your energy level?
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| What
do you consider to be your greatest asset?
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| Describe
your personality.
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| What
criticism of you has helped you the most? Who was it from?
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| What
is your best personality trait?
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| What
are the aspects that you would like to further improve on
yourself?
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Compensation
| What
level of remuneration are you seeking?
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| What
are your current salary requirements?
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| What
do you think would make a fair compensation package for this
position?
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| What
kind of money do you need to make?
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| What
type of salary are you worth, and why do you think so?
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| Why
do you think you deserve your current salary?
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| What
was your salary history (on your last job)? |
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