INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Tell me about yourself:

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. Limit it to work-related items
unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that
relate to the position you are interviewing for. tart with the item farthest back and work up
to the present.
2. Why ! you lea"e your last #ob$
tay positive regardless of the circumstances. !ever refer to a major problem with
management and never speak ill of supervisors" co-workers or the organi#ation. $f you do"
you will be the one looking bad. %eep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason
such as an opportunity" a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.
%. What e&'er!e()e o you ha"e !( th!s f!el$
peak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. $f you do not have specific
e&perience" get as close as you can.
*. Do you )o(s!er yourself su))essful$
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.
+. What o )o,-or.ers say about you$
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 mith *ompany" always said $ was the
hardest workers she had ever known. $t is as powerful as )ill having said it at the interview
herself.
/. What o you .(o- about th!s or0a(!1at!o($
This question is one reason to do some research on the organi#ation before the interview.
+ind out where they have been and where they are going. ,hat are the current issues and
who are the major players-
2. What ha"e you o(e to !m'ro"e your .(o-le0e !( the last year$
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.
3. Are you a''ly!(0 for other #obs$
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.
4. Why o you -a(t to -or. for th!s or0a(!1at!o($
This may take some thought and certainly" should be based on the research you have done
on the organi#ation. incerity is e&tremely important here and will easily be sensed. /elate
it to your long-term career goals.
15. Do you .(o- a(yo(e -ho -or.s for us$
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. What .!( of salary o you (ee$
' loaded question. ' nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. o" do
not answer it. $nstead" say something like" That0s a tough question. *an you tell me the
range for this position- $n most cases" the interviewer" taken off guard" will tell you. $f not"
say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.
12. Are you a team 'layer$
You are" of course" a team player. Be sure to have e&amples ready. pecifics that show you
often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your
team attitude. 1o not brag" just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.
1%. 6o- lo(0 -oul you e&'e)t to -or. for us !f h!re$
pecifics here are not good. omething like this should work2 $0d like it to be a long time. 3r
's long as we both feel $0m doing a good job.
1*. 6a"e you e"er ha to f!re a(yo(e$ 6o- ! you feel about that$
This is serious. 1o 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
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.
1+. What !s your 'h!loso'hy to-ars -or.$
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. 1o you have strong
feelings that the job gets done- Yes. That0s the type of answer that works best here. hort
and positive" showing a benefit to the organi#ation.
1/. If you ha e(ou0h mo(ey to ret!re r!0ht (o-7 -oul you$
'nswer yes if you would. But since you need to work" this is the type of work you prefer. 1o
not say yes if you do not mean it.
12. 6a"e you e"er bee( as.e to lea"e a 'os!t!o($
$f you have not" say no. $f you have" be honest" brief and avoid saying negative things
about the people or organi#ation involved.
13. E&'la!( ho- you -oul be a( asset to th!s or0a(!1at!o(
You should be an&ious for this question. $t gives you a chance to highlight your best points
as they relate to the position being discussed. 4ive a little advance thought to this
relationship.
14. Why shoul -e h!re you$
5oint out how your assets meet what the organi#ation needs. 1o not mention any other
candidates to make a comparison.
25. Tell me about a su00est!o( you ha"e mae
.ave a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then
considered successful. 3ne related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
21. What !rr!tates you about )o,-or.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.
22. What !s your 0reatest stre(0th$
!umerous answers are good" just stay positive. ' few good e&amples2
Your ability to prioriti#e" Your problem-solving skills" Your ability to work under pressure"
Your ability to focus on projects" Your professional e&pertise" Your leadership skills" Your
positive attitude .
2%. Tell me about your ream #ob.
tay 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 like2 '
job where $ love the work" like the people" can contribute and can0t wait to get to work.
2*. Why o you th!(. you -oul o -ell at th!s #ob$
4ive several reasons and include skills" e&perience and interest.
2+. What are you loo.!(0 for !( a #ob$
ee answer 6 78
2/. What .!( of 'erso( -oul you refuse to -or. -!th$
1o not be trivial. $t would take disloyalty to the organi#ation" violence or lawbreaking to get
you to object. 9inor objections will label you as a whiner.
22. What !s more !m'orta(t to you: the mo(ey or the -or.$
9oney is always important" but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.
23. What -oul your 're"!ous su'er"!sor say your stro(0est 'o!(t !s$
There are numerous good possibilities2
Loyalty" (nergy" 5ositive attitude" Leadership" Team player" (&pertise" $nitiative" 5atience"
.ard work" *reativity" 5roblem solver
24. Tell me about a 'roblem you ha -!th a su'er"!sor
Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. $f you fall for it and
tell about a problem with a former boss" you may well below the interview right there. tay
positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.
%5. What has !sa''o!(te you about a #ob$
1on0t get trivial or negative. afe areas are few but can include2
!ot enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction *ompany did not win a contract"
which would have given you more responsibility.
%1. Tell me about your ab!l!ty to -or. u(er 'ressure.
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. 4ive an e&ample that relates
to the type of position applied for.
%2. Do your s.!lls mat)h th!s #ob or a(other #ob more )losely$
5robably this one. 1o not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more
than this one.
%%. What mot!"ates you to o your best o( the #ob$
This is a personal trait that only you can say" but good e&amples are2
*hallenge" 'chievement" /ecognition
%*. Are you -!ll!(0 to -or. o"ert!me$ N!0hts$ Wee.e(s$
This is up to you. Be totally honest.
%+. 6o- -oul you .(o- you -ere su))essful o( th!s #ob$
everal ways are good measures2
You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss
tell you that you are successful
%/. Woul you be -!ll!(0 to relo)ate !f re8u!re$
You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a
chance it may come up. 1o 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.
%2. Are you -!ll!(0 to 'ut the !(terests of the or0a(!1at!o( ahea of your o-($
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. 1o not worry about the deep ethical and
philosophical implications. )ust say yes.
%3. Des)r!be your ma(a0eme(t style.
Try to avoid labels. ome 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.
%4. What ha"e you lear(e from m!sta.es o( the #ob$
.ere you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. 9ake 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.
*5. Do you ha"e a(y bl!( s'ots$
Trick question. $f you know about blind spots" they are no longer blind spots. 1o not reveal
any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. 1o
not hand it to them.
*1. If you -ere h!r!(0 a 'erso( for th!s #ob7 -hat -oul you loo. for$
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
*2. Do you th!(. you are o"er8ual!f!e for th!s 'os!t!o($
/egardless of your qualifications" state that you are very well qualified for the position.
*%. 6o- o you 'ro'ose to )om'e(sate for your la). of e&'er!e()e$
+irst" if you have e&perience that the interviewer does not know about" bring that up2 Then"
point out :if true; that you are a hard working quick learner.
**. What 8ual!t!es o you loo. for !( a boss$
Be generic and positive. afe qualities are knowledgeable" a sense of humor" fair" loyal to
subordinates and holder of high standards. 'll bosses think they have these traits.
*+. Tell me about a t!me -he( you hel'e resol"e a !s'ute bet-ee( others.
5ick a specific incident. *oncentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute
you settled.
*/. What 'os!t!o( o you 'refer o( a team -or.!(0 o( a 'ro#e)t$
Be honest. $f you are comfortable in different roles" point that out.
*2. Des)r!be your -or. eth!).
(mphasi#e benefits to the organi#ation. Things like" determination to get the job done and
work hard but enjoy your work are good.
*3. What has bee( your b!00est 'rofess!o(al !sa''o!(tme(t$
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. how acceptance and no
negative feelings.
*4. Tell me about the most fu( you ha"e ha o( the #ob.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organi#ation.
+5. Do you ha"e a(y 8uest!o(s for me$
'lways have some questions prepared. <uestions prepared where you will be an asset to
the organi#ation are good. .ow soon will $ be able to be productive- and ,hat type of
projects will $ be able to assist on- are e&amples.