Common job interview questions

Be aware of:
Inappropriate questions
Difficult questions
Q: "So, tell me about yourself"
This question may be used to assess your personality, preparation, communication skills and ability to think
on your feet. Prepare a list of what you do (your current or last job), your strengths (stick to job-focussed
skills), and a summary of your career trajectory, linking your eperience to the job at hand.
Q: "Wy !i! you leave your last job""
!espond positi"ely # $...for better career ad"ancement or promotion opportunities, increased
responsibility, more greater "ariety at work...$
Q: "Wy !o you want to !o tis job # wor$ for tis company""
%emonstrate your knowledge of the company and re-emphasise your suitability for the position.
Q: "Wat !o you tin$ you ave to offer tis company""
This is a chance to sing your own praises # concentrating on the skills you ha"e that are required for the
position.
&.g. $' ha"e strong sales skills, am a good team player and am "ery keen to be in"ol"ed in the new markets
you are de"eloping in the (sian region.$
Q: "Wat !o you tin$ tis position involves""
This question is designed to re"eal if you ha"e thought about the position, done some research, listened to
the inter"iewer, and can summarise all of this information clearly.
Q: "Wat !o you $now about te company""
%emonstrate your interest in the job, and your understanding of the organisation and industry. Talk about
the research you did into the company)s key areas of interest, its si*e, its main customers or current status,
making reference to your source of information.
Q: "Do you ave any questions you woul! li$e to as$""
(lways prepare a question to ask the inter"iewer. (sk about the position, request clarification of general
information about the company, or summarise your understanding and request confirmation. 'f they ha"e
already answered your questions tell them (be specific) so they know that you ha"e thought about the
position in preparing for the inter"iew.
+or eample,
$-hat do you see as being the main focus of this role.$
$(m ' correct in saying that the position in"ol"es mediating between ( and / departments and monitoring
and de"eloping new approaches to....$
$')d like to ask about the organisational structure... are the publications produced on a national basis or
indi"idually by each regional office. 0ow are budgets controlled and allocated.$
Q: "Wat !o you believe are your $ey stren%ts""
Prepare responses that gi"e specific eamples of your strengths at pre"ious positions that will support your
job application.
Q: "Wat !o you believe are your wea$nesses""
1o-one readily admits real weaknesses in an inter"iew situation. 't is general knowledge that this is an
opportunity to turn the question into a positi"e. Think of something that relates to your eperience of work
that is plausible as a weakness but is not really a negati"e point. &g2 $' am "ery particular about detail$, $'
become "ery focussed on the projects ' am in"ol"ed in$
Q: "Wy ave you a! so many jobs""
'f you ha"e had jobs in different industries or se"eral positions in a short period, describe the positi"es #
that you were learning new skills, following different career paths, and tra"elling o"erseas etc. !efer to the
eperience you gained in past jobs that relates to the position under discussion.
Q: "Wat !o you enjoy most about your current # last job""
The trick with this question is to list what you ha"e enjoyed about work that strongly relate to the key
competencies of the position in question, and mention that you are looking forward to epanding your
eperience 3 scope in these areas.
Q: & question requestin% confi!ential information about a previous employer
This may be a testing of your discretion and professionalism. 't is best to reply that you would prefer not to
di"ulge any confidential information (sales figures, for instance), citing the fact that you are sure your
inter"iewer would epect the same discretion from their employees.
Q: "Were !o you see yourself in five years time""
This is an assessment of the etent of your ambition and career planning. 4ou should demonstrate that your
long term goals are appropriate for the position being discussed and your commitment to them.
Q: "Can you %ive me an e'ample of your creativity # mana%erial # or%anisational s$ills""
Think of some eamples that pro"e that you possess the key attributes and competencies requested in the
job ad and description. These are probably the areas on which your inter"iewer will probably focus.
Q: "Do you wor$ well un!er pressure""
(nswer with a )yes), and gi"e a specific eample of a time when you were under pressure and how you rose
to the challenge.
Q: "(ell me about wen sometin% went wron%"
Q: "(ell me about a time wen you ave encountere! conflict in te wor$place"
Q: ")ave you ever a! to !eal wit conflictin% !ea!lines" )ow !i! you !eci!e wic tas$ to
complete""
These are beha"ioural questions designed to elicit information about the required competencies for the
position. 5ite eperiences in your past jobs, and always try to inject a positi"e note into your answer (e.g.
that you learnt from the eperience).
Inappropriate questions
&qual 6pportunity (&6) guidelines limit the questions that can be asked in job inter"iews. /y being aware
of &6 considerations you can recognise possibly discriminatory questions when they are asked. 'f asked a
question that you consider inappropriate or that you suspect may be the basis for discrimination, you are
under no obligation to answer it.
+or eample, an employer may ask whether you ha"e children as part of idle chatter, or they may be
moti"ated by their prejudice that working mothers are not able to commit fully to a full-time position.
(lternati"ely, in asking about your childcare arrangements they may for be trying to assess your le"el of
preparation and professionalism.
'f you are uncomfortable with any question, politely and professionally refuse to answer it or request
clarification on its rele"ance to the position. 7ome suggestions are,
$' don)t think we need to talk about this. ' would rather focus on issues rele"ant to the position and the
requirements of your organisation.$
$' don)t understand how this question is rele"ant to the position or my ability to perform in the role. 5ould
you clarify for me why you think it is important, and ' will try to pro"ide you with the rele"ant
information.$
*Difficult* questions
'f you ha"e had a negati"e eperience with an employer (retrenchment or redundancy, seual harassment,
or clashes with colleagues), prepare to be asked about them in job inter"iews. The best strategy is to be
honest, positi"e, and to a"oid criticising former employers or epressing grudges.
+or eample,
(ermination:
$' was asked to lea"e that company. The grounds my employers ga"e were dissatisfaction with my
performance 3 attitude...
$but ' disagreed with their assessment and belie"e that the termination was based on
personal differences rather than performance issues. 'f you check with my referees from
other positions you will find that ' ha"e not had problems of a similar nature anywhere
else and ' am confident that they will not occur again.$
$8nfortunately, that year ' had some personal commitments that ' had to deal with. ' had
to make a choice to focus on these commitments or on my job, and ' chose to concentrate
on personal commitments. 8nfortunately, this did mean that my work suffered, but ' am
now able to fully commit myself to my work again and am confident that ' will be able to
meet your performance requirements$
Se'ual arassment # personal clases:
$' decided to lea"e because of some personal issues within the workplace which ' would rather not
discuss.$
'f legal proceedings took place, $There ha"e been some legal proceedings regarding my position
there and so for confidentiality reasons ' would prefer not to discuss it.$
Published: 04 April 2005
+ifty Stan!ar! Interview Questions
't is not enough to ha"e solid answers for only the abo"e questions. 4ou need to be
prepared for the full spectrum of questions that may be presented. +or further practice,
make sure you go through the required mock inter"iew (see the 5ompetiti"e 'nter"iew
Prep chapter)2 and for further re"iew, look at some of the following questions,
9. Tell me about yourself.
:. Tell me about your eperience.
;. -hat is your most important accomplishment to date.
<. 0ow would you describe your ideal job.
=. -hy did you choose this career.
>. -hen did you decide on this career.
?. -hat goals do you ha"e in your career.
@. 0ow do you plan to achie"e these goals.
A. 0ow do you personally define success.
9B. %escribe a situation in which you were successful.
99. -hat do you think it takes to be successful in this career.
9:. -hat accomplishments ha"e gi"en you the most satisfaction in your life.
9;. 'f you had to li"e your life o"er again, what one thing would you change.
9<. -ould you rather work with information or with people.
9=. (re you a team player.
9>. -hat moti"ates you.
9?. -hy should ' hire you.
9@. (re you a goal-oriented person.
9A. Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achie"e them.
:B. -hat are your short-term goals.
:9. -hat is your long-range objecti"e.
::. -hat do you see yourself doing fi"e years from now.
:;. -here do you want to become ten years from now.
:<. %o you handle conflict well.
:=. 0a"e you e"er had a conflict with a boss or professor. 0ow did you resol"e it.
:>. -hat major problem ha"e you had to deal with recently.
:?. %o you handle pressure well.
:@. -hat is your greatest strength.
:A. -hat is your greatest weakness.
;B. 'f ' were to ask one of your professors (or a boss) to describe you, what would he
or she say.
;9. -hy did you choose to attend your college.
;:. -hat changes would you make at your college.
;;. 0ow has your education prepared you for your career.
;<. -hat were your fa"orite classes. -hy.
;=. %o you enjoy doing independent research.
;>. -ho were your fa"orite professors. -hy.
;?. -hy is your CP( not higher.
;@. %o you ha"e any plans for further education.
;A. 0ow much training do you think youDll need to become a producti"e employee.
<B. -hat qualities do you feel a successful manager should ha"e.
<9. -hy do you want to work in the EEEEE industry.
<:. -hat do you know about our company.
<;. -hy are you interested in our company.
<<. %o you ha"e any location preferences.
<=. 0ow familiar are you with the community that weDre located in.
<>. (re you willing to relocate. 'n the future.
<?. (re you willing to tra"el. 0ow much.
<@. 's money important to you.
<A. 0ow much money do you need to make to be happy.
=B. -hat kind of salary are you looking for.
Q,-S(I./S
01 (ell me about yourself:
The most often asked question in inter"iews. 4ou need to ha"e a short
statement prepared in your mind. /e careful that it does not sound
rehearsed. Fimit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise.
Talk about things you ha"e done and jobs you ha"e held that relate to
the position you are inter"iewing for. 7tart with the item farthest
back and work up to the present.
21 Wy !i! you leave your last job"
7tay positi"e regardless of the circumstances. 1e"er refer to a major
problem with management and ne"er speak ill of super"isors, co-workers
or the organi*ation. 'f you do, you will be the one looking bad. Geep
smiling and talk about lea"ing for a positi"e reason such as an
opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking
reasons.
31 Wat e'perience !o you ave in tis fiel!"
7peak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for.
'f you do not ha"e specific eperience, get as close as you can.
41 Do you consi!er yourself successful"
4ou should always answer yes and briefly eplain why. ( good
eplanation is that you ha"e set goals, and you ha"e met some and are
on track to achie"e the others.
51 Wat !o co6wor$ers say about you"
/e prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. &ither a specific
statement or a paraphrase will work. Hill 5lark, a co-worker at 7mith
5ompany, always said ' was the hardest workers she had e"er known. 't
is as powerful as Hill ha"ing said it at the inter"iew herself.
71 Wat !o you $now about tis or%ani8ation"
This question is one reason to do some research on the organi*ation
before the inter"iew. +ind out where they ha"e been and where they are
going. -hat are the current issues and who are the major players.
91 Wat ave you !one to improve your $nowle!%e in te last year"
Try to include impro"ement acti"ities that relate to the job. ( wide
"ariety of acti"ities can be mentioned as positi"e self-impro"ement.
0a"e some good ones handy to mention.
:1 &re you applyin% for oter jobs"
/e honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Geep the focus
on this job and what you can do for this organi*ation. (nything else is
a distraction.
;1 Wy !o you want to wor$ for tis or%ani8ation"
This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the
research you ha"e done on the organi*ation. 7incerity is etremely
important here and will easily be sensed. !elate it to your long-term
career goals.
0<1 Do you $now anyone wo wor$s for us"
/e aware of the policy on relati"es working for the organi*ation. This
can affect your answer e"en though they asked about friends not
relati"es. /e careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought
of.
001 Wat $in! of salary !o you nee!"
( loaded question. ( nasty little game that you will probably lose if
you answer first. 7o, do not answer it. 'nstead, say something like,
ThatDs a tough question. 5an you tell me the range for this position.
'n most cases, the inter"iewer, taken off guard, will tell you. 'f not,
say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then gi"e a wide
range.
021 &re you a team player"
4ou are, of course, a team player. /e sure to ha"e eamples ready.
7pecifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather
than for yourself are good e"idence of your team attitude. %o not brag,
just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
031 )ow lon% woul! you e'pect to wor$ for us if ire!"
7pecifics here are not good. 7omething like this should work, 'Dd like
it to be a long time. 6r (s long as we both feel 'Dm doing a good job.
041 )ave you ever a! to fire anyone" )ow !i! you feel about tat"
This is serious. %o not make light of it or in any way seem like you
like to fire people. (t the same time, you will do it when it is the
right thing to do. -hen it comes to the organi*ation "ersus the
indi"idual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the
organi*ation. !emember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in
force.
051 Wat is your pilosopy towar!s wor$"
The inter"iewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here.
%o you ha"e strong feelings that the job gets done. 4es. ThatDs the
type of answer that works best here. 7hort and positi"e, showing a
benefit to the organi*ation.
071 If you a! enou% money to retire ri%t now, woul! you"
(nswer yes if you would. /ut since you need to work, this is the type
of work you prefer. %o not say yes if you do not mean it.
091 )ave you ever been as$e! to leave a position"
'f you ha"e not, say no. 'f you ha"e, be honest, brief and a"oid saying
negati"e things about the people or organi*ation in"ol"ed.
0:1 -'plain ow you woul! be an asset to tis or%ani8ation
4ou should be anious for this question. 't gi"es you a chance to
highlight your best points as they relate to the position being
discussed. Ci"e a little ad"ance thought to this relationship.
0;1 Wy soul! we ire you"
Point out how your assets meet what the organi*ation needs. %o not
mention any other candidates to make a comparison.
2<1 (ell me about a su%%estion you ave ma!e
0a"e a good one ready. /e sure and use a suggestion that was accepted
and was then considered successful. 6ne related to the type of work
applied for is a real plus.
201 Wat irritates you about co6wor$ers"
This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with
anything that irritates you. ( short statement that you seem to get
along with folks is great.
221 Wat is your %reatest stren%t"
1umerous answers are good, just stay positi"e. ( few good eamples,
4our ability to prioriti*e, 4our problem-sol"ing skills, 4our ability
to work under pressure, 4our ability to focus on projects, 4our
professional epertise, 4our leadership skills, 4our positi"e attitude
231 (ell me about your !ream job1
7tay away from a specific job. 4ou cannot win. 'f you say the job you
are contending for is it, you strain credibility. 'f you say another
job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with
this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something
like, ( job where ' lo"e the work, like the people, can contribute and
canDt wait to get to work.
241 Wy !o you tin$ you woul! !o well at tis job"
Ci"e se"eral reasons and include skills, eperience and interest.
251 Wat are you loo$in% for in a job"
7ee answer I :;
271 Wat $in! of person woul! you refuse to wor$ wit"
%o not be tri"ial. 't would take disloyalty to the organi*ation,
"iolence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Jinor objections will
label you as a whiner.
291 Wat is more important to you: te money or te wor$"
Joney is always important, but the work is the most important. There is
no better answer.
2:1 Wat woul! your previous supervisor say your stron%est point is"
There are numerous good possibilities,
Foyalty, &nergy, Positi"e attitude, Feadership, Team player, &pertise,
'nitiati"e, Patience, 0ard work, 5reati"ity, Problem sol"er
2;1 (ell me about a problem you a! wit a supervisor
/iggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of
your boss. 'f you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former
boss, you may well below the inter"iew right there. 7tay positi"e and
de"elop a poor memory about any trouble with a super"isor.
3<1 Wat as !isappointe! you about a job"
%onDt get tri"ial or negati"e. 7afe areas are few but can include,
1ot enough of a challenge. 4ou were laid off in a reduction 5ompany did
not win a contract, which would ha"e gi"en you more responsibility.
301 (ell me about your ability to wor$ un!er pressure1
4ou may say that you thri"e under certain types of pressure. Ci"e an
eample that relates to the type of position applied for.
321 Do your s$ills matc tis job or anoter job more closely"
Probably this one. %o not gi"e fuel to the suspicion that you may want
another job more than this one.
331 Wat motivates you to !o your best on te job"
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good eamples are,
5hallenge, (chie"ement, !ecognition
341 &re you willin% to wor$ overtime" /i%ts" Wee$en!s"
This is up to you. /e totally honest.
351 )ow woul! you $now you were successful on tis job"
7e"eral ways are good measures,
4ou set high standards for yourself and meet them. 4our outcomes are a
success.4our boss tell you that you are successful
371 Woul! you be willin% to relocate if require!"
4ou should be clear on this with your family prior to the inter"iew if
you think there is a chance it may come up. %o not say yes just to get
the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems
later on in your career. /e honest at this point and sa"e yourself
future grief.
391 &re you willin% to put te interests of te or%ani8ation aea! ofyour own"
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. %o not worry about
the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Hust say yes.
3:1 Describe your mana%ement style1
Try to a"oid labels. 7ome of the more common labels, like progressi"e,
salesman or consensus, can ha"e se"eral meanings or descriptions
depending on which management epert you listen to. The situational
style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the
situation, instead of one si*e fits all.
3;1 Wat ave you learne! from mista$es on te job"
0ere you ha"e to come up with something or you strain credibility. Jake
it small, well intentioned mistake with a positi"e lesson learned. (n
eample would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and
thus throwing coordination off.
4<1 Do you ave any blin! spots"
Trick question. 'f you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind
spots. %o not re"eal any personal areas of concern here. Fet them do
their own disco"ery on your bad points. %o not hand it to them.
401 If you were irin% a person for tis job, wat woul! you loo$ for"
/e careful to mention traits that are needed and that you ha"e.
421 Do you tin$ you are overqualifie! for tis position"
!egardless of your qualifications, state that you are "ery well
qualified for the position.
431 )ow !o you propose to compensate for your lac$ of e'perience"
+irst, if you ha"e eperience that the inter"iewer does not know about,
bring that up, Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working
quick learner.
441 Wat qualities !o you loo$ for in a boss"
/e generic and positi"e. 7afe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of
humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. (ll
bosses think they ha"e these traits.
451 (ell me about a time wen you elpe! resolve a !ispute betweenoters1
Pick a specific incident. 5oncentrate on your problem sol"ing technique
and not the dispute you settled.
471 Wat position !o you prefer on a team wor$in% on a project"
/e honest. 'f you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
491 Describe your wor$ etic1
&mphasi*e benefits to the organi*ation. Things like, determination to
get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.
4:1 Wat as been your bi%%est professional !isappointment"
/e sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. 7how
acceptance and no negati"e feelings.
4;1 (ell me about te most fun you ave a! on te job1
Talk about ha"ing fun by accomplishing something for the organi*ation.
5<1 Do you ave any questions for me"
(lways ha"e some questions prepared. Kuestions prepared where you will be an asset to
the organi*ation are good. 0ow soon will ' be able to be producti"e. and -hat type of
projects will ' be able to assist on. are
eamples.