50 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Review these typical interview questions and think about how you

would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it. 1. Tell me about yoursel ! The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. "#m#t #t to $or%&relate' #tems u(less #(stru)te' ot*er$#se. Tal% about t*#(+s you *a,e 'o(e a(' -obs you *a,e *el' t*at relate to t*e .os#t#o( you are #(ter,#e$#(+ or. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present. /. W*y '#' you lea,e your last -ob0 Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors co!workers or the organi"ation. #f you do you will be the one looking bad. $eep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity a chance to do something special or other forward!looking reasons. 1. W*at e2.er#e()e 'o you *a,e #( t*#s #el'0 Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. #f you do not have specific e%perience get as close as you can. 3. Do you )o(s#'er yoursel su))ess ul0 You should always answer yes and briefly e%plain why. & good e%planation is that you have set goals and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others. 5. W*at 'o )o&$or%ers say about you0 Be prepared with a quote or two from co!workers. 'ither a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. (ill )lark a co!worker at Smith )ompany always said # was the hardest workers she had ever known. #t is as powerful as (ill having said it at the interview herself. 4. W*at 'o you %(o$ about t*#s or+a(#5at#o(0 This question is one reason to do some research on the organi"ation before the interview.
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*ind out where they have been and where they are going. +hat are the current issues and who are the major players, 6. W*at *a,e you 'o(e to #m.ro,e your %(o$le'+e #( t*e last year0 Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. & wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self!improvement. -ave some good ones handy to mention. 7. Are you a..ly#(+ or ot*er -obs0 Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. $eep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organi"ation. &nything else is a distraction. 8. W*y 'o you $a(t to $or% or t*#s or+a(#5at#o(0 This may take some thought and certainly should be based on the research you have done on the organi"ation. Sincerity is e%tremely important here and will easily be sensed. .elate it to your long!term career goals. 10. Do you %(o$ a(yo(e $*o $or%s or us0 Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organi"ation. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of. 11. W*at %#(' o salary 'o you (ee'0 & loaded question. & nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So do not answer it. #nstead say something like That/s a tough question. )an you tell me the range for this position, #n most cases the interviewer taken off guard will tell you. #f not say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range. 1/. Are you a team .layer0 You are of course a team player. Be sure to have e%amples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. 0o not brag just say it in a matter!of!fact tone. This is a key point. 11. 9o$ lo(+ $oul' you e2.e)t to $or% or us # *#re'0 Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work1 #/d like it to be a long time. 2r &s long as we both feel #/m doing a good job. 13. 9a,e you e,er *a' to #re a(yo(e0 9o$ '#' you eel about t*at0 This is serious. 0o not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. &t the
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same time you will do it when it is the right thing to do. +hen it comes to the organi"ation versus the individual who has created a harmful situation you will protect the organi"ation. .emember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force. 15. W*at #s your .*#loso.*y to$ar's $or%0 The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. 0o you have strong feelings that the job gets done, Yes. That/s the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive showing a benefit to the organi"ation. 14. I you *a' e(ou+* mo(ey to ret#re r#+*t (o$: $oul' you0 &nswer yes if you would. But since you need to work this is the type of work you prefer. 0o not say yes if you do not mean it. 16. 9a,e you e,er bee( as%e' to lea,e a .os#t#o(0 #f you have not say no. #f you have be honest brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organi"ation involved. 17. E2.la#( *o$ you $oul' be a( asset to t*#s or+a(#5at#o( You should be an%ious for this question. #t gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. 3ive a little advance thought to this relationship. 18. W*y s*oul' $e *#re you0 4oint out how your assets meet what the organi"ation needs. 0o not mention any other candidates to make a comparison. /0. Tell me about a su++est#o( you *a,e ma'e -ave a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. 2ne related to the type of work applied for is a real plus. /1. W*at #rr#tates you about )o&$or%ers0 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. //. W*at #s your +reatest stre(+t*0 Numerous answers are good just stay positive. & few good e%amples1 Your ability to prioriti"e Your problem!solving skills Your ability to work under pressure
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Your ability to focus on projects Your professional e%pertise Your leadership skills Your positive attitude . /1. Tell me about your 'ream -ob. Stay away from a specific job. You 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 like1 & job where # love the work like the people can contribute and can/t wait to get to work. /3. W*y 'o you t*#(% you $oul' 'o $ell at t*#s -ob0 3ive several reasons and include skills e%perience and interest. /5. W*at are you loo%#(+ or #( a -ob0 See answer 5 67 /4. W*at %#(' o .erso( $oul' you re use to $or% $#t*0 0o not be trivial. #t would take disloyalty to the organi"ation violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. 8inor objections will label you as a whiner. /6. W*at #s more #m.orta(t to you! t*e mo(ey or t*e $or%0 8oney is always important but the work is the most important. There is no better answer. /7. W*at $oul' your .re,#ous su.er,#sor say your stro(+est .o#(t #s0 There are numerous good possibilities1 9oyalty 'nergy 4ositive attitude 9eadership Team player '%pertise #nitiative 4atience -ard work )reativity 4roblem solver /8. Tell me about a .roblem you *a' $#t* a su.er,#sor Biggest 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 interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor. 10. W*at *as '#sa..o#(te' you about a -ob0 0on/t get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include1 Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction )ompany did not win a contract which would have given you more responsibility. 11. Tell me about your ab#l#ty to $or% u('er .ressure. You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. 3ive an e%ample that relates
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to the type of position applied for. 1/. Do your s%#lls mat)* t*#s -ob or a(ot*er -ob more )losely0 4robably this one. 0o not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one. 11. W*at mot#,ates you to 'o your best o( t*e -ob0 This is a personal trait that only you can say but good e%amples are1 )hallenge &chievement .ecognition 13. Are you $#ll#(+ to $or% o,ert#me0 N#+*ts0 Wee%e('s0 This is up to you. Be totally honest. 15. 9o$ $oul' you %(o$ you $ere su))ess ul o( t*#s -ob0 Several ways are good measures1 You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tell you that you are successful 14. Woul' you be $#ll#(+ to relo)ate # re;u#re'0 You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. 0o 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. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief. 16. Are you $#ll#(+ to .ut t*e #(terests o t*e or+a(#5at#o( a*ea' o your o$(0 This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. 0o not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. (ust say yes. 17. Des)r#be your ma(a+eme(t style. Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels like progressive salesman or consensus can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management e%pert 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. 18. W*at *a,e you lear(e' rom m#sta%es o( t*e -ob0 -ere you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. 8ake it small well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. &n e%ample would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
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30. Do you *a,e a(y bl#(' s.ots0 Trick question. #f you know about blind spots they are no longer blind spots. 0o not reveal any personal areas of concern here. 9et them do their own discovery on your bad points. 0o not hand it to them. 31. I you $ere *#r#(+ a .erso( or t*#s -ob: $*at $oul' you loo% or0 Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have. 3/. Do you t*#(% you are o,er;ual# #e' or t*#s .os#t#o(0 .egardless of your qualifications state that you are very well qualified for the position. 31. 9o$ 'o you .ro.ose to )om.e(sate or your la)% o e2.er#e()e0 *irst if you have e%perience that the interviewer does not know about bring that up1 Then point out :if true; that you are a hard working quick learner. 33. W*at ;ual#t#es 'o you loo% or #( a boss0 Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable a sense of humor fair loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. &ll bosses think they have these traits. 35. Tell me about a t#me $*e( you *el.e' resol,e a '#s.ute bet$ee( ot*ers. 4ick a specific incident. )oncentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled. 34. W*at .os#t#o( 'o you .re er o( a team $or%#(+ o( a .ro-e)t0 Be honest. #f you are comfortable in different roles point that out. 36. Des)r#be your $or% et*#). 'mphasi"e benefits to the organi"ation. Things like determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good. 37. W*at *as bee( your b#++est .ro ess#o(al '#sa..o#(tme(t0 Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings. 38. Tell me about t*e most u( you *a,e *a' o( t*e -ob. Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organi"ation. 50. Do you *a,e a(y ;uest#o(s or me0 &lways have some questions prepared. <uestions prepared
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where you will be an asset to the organi"ation are good. :e.g. -ow soon will # be able to be productive,= +hat type of projects will # be able to assist on,;