Interview Questions
Sample interview questions of the canned, common type are listed below. Answers
are included; but, perhaps "suggestions for tailoring your answers" is
a better way to put it, since personally-tailored answers are impossible to provide.
Practice answering these sample interview questions out loud to yourself, or
ask a friend or relative to help you.
Don't feel that you have to answer right away. Interviewers know that you're
nervous and expect you to think a bit; so, do think carefully before
you answer an interview question.
But, don't hesitate too long or it'll appear that you're stalling. Interviewers
will ask open-ended questions to see where you'll go with them, so try not to
ramble while you're thinking of a real answer; think briefly and then answer.
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free list of sample interview questions for personal use if you wish. The file
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Sample Interview Questions with Answers
| Q. |
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Tell me about yourself. |
| A. |
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This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended, common
interview question and it's likely to be among your first. It's your chance
to introduce your qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep it mostly work
and career related. |
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| Q. |
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Why do you want to leave your current job? (Why
did you leave your last job?) |
| A. |
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Be careful with your answer to this common interview
question. Avoid trashing your other employers and making statements like, "I
need more money." Instead, make general statements such as, "It's
a career move." |
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| Q. |
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What are your strengths? |
| A. |
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Point out your positive attributes related to
the job. Good answers include the terms self-starter, team player, conscientious and hardworking.
Give examples as you answer. |
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| Q. |
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What are your weaknesses? |
| A. |
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Everybody has weaknesses, but don't spend too
much time answering this question and keep it work related. Along with a
minor weakness or two, try to point out a couple of weaknesses that the interviewer
might see as strengths, such as sometimes being a little too meticulous about
the quality of your work. (Don't say, "I work too hard." It's a
predictable, common answer.) For every weakness, offer a strength that compensates
for it. |
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| Q. |
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Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself? |
| A. |
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Answer with positive, work-oriented adjectives,
such as conscientious, hardworking, honest and courteous, plus
a brief description or example of why each fits you well. Avoid mundane adjectives,
such as nice and good. |
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| Q. |
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What do you know about our company? |
| A. |
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To answer this common interview question, research
the company before you interview. |
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| Q. |
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Why do you want to work for us? |
| A. |
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Same as above; research the company before you
interview. Avoid the predictable, such as, "Because it's a great company." If
you answer with something like that, then at least go on to say why. |
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| Q. |
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Why should I hire you? |
| A. |
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Point out your positive attributes related to
the job, and the good job you've done in the past. Include any compliments
you've received from management. |
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| Q. |
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What past accomplishments gave you satisfaction? |
| A. |
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Briefly describe one to three work projects that
made you proud or earned you pats on the back, promotions, raises, and so
on; but focus more on achievement than reward. |
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| Q. |
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What makes you want to work hard? |
| A. |
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Naturally, material rewards such as perks, salary
and benefits come into play. But, again, focus more on achievement than reward
and the satisfaction you derive from it. |
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| Q. |
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What type of work environment do you like best? |
| A. |
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Tailor your answer to the job. For example, if
the job requires you to lock the lab doors and work alone, then indicate
that you enjoy being a team player when needed, but also enjoy working independently.
If you're required to attend regular project planning and status meetings,
then indicate that you're a strong team player and like being part of a team. |
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| Q. |
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Why do you want this job? |
| A. |
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To help you answer this and related common interview
questions, study the job description in advance. (Get the job description
from the job ad or ask the HR department for a copy.) It's okay to ask
questions while you're answering, as long as you know something about
the job in the first place. Say what attracts you to the job. Avoid the obvious
such as,
"I need a job" or "I need the money." |
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| Q. |
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How do you handle pressure and stress? |
| A. |
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Everybody feels pressure and stress to some degree,
except for serial killers! So, don't indicate that you never feel them. Indicating
that you whine to your shrink, kick your dog or slam down a fifth of Jack
Daniels are not good answers either! Exercising, relaxing with a good book,
socializing with friends or turning stress into productive energy, are among
the better answers to this common interview question. |
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| Q. |
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Explain how you overcame a major obstacle. |
| A. |
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Your interviewer is likely looking for a particular
example of your problem-solving skills and the pride you show for having
solved it. (See Behavioral Interviews for
more sample interview questions like this and the one above.) |
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| Q. |
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Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen)
years from now? |
| A. |
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Explain your career-advancement goals that are
in line with the job for which you are interviewing. Jokingly or otherwise,
it's not a good idea to tell your potential new boss that you'll be going
after his or her job! But, it's okay to mention that you'd like to earn a
senior or management position. |
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What qualifies you for this job? |
| A. |
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Sell your skills, experience, education and other
qualifications, especially those that match the job ad well. Avoid simply
regurgitating your resume and cover
letter as an answer to this common interview question; explain why. |
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| Q. |
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Why did you choose your college major? |
| A. |
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The interviewer is likely fishing to see if you
are interested in your field of work or just doing a job to get paid. Explain
why you like it. Besides your personal interests, include some rock-solid
business reasons that show you have vision and business sense. |
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Reprinting it in whole or part in any media without explicit, written permission
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See also Common Interview Question
Samples in the Interview
Center, for examples of ineffective and effective answers to
same. For more sample interview questions and answers from the Web, plus
tips on the different techniques, how to act during interviews, questions
to ask interviewers and much more, start at Interviews.
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