5. Interview Questions


One of the purposes every interviewer has in mind is to evaluate an applicant’s attitudes, personalities, and behaviour. The following are questions frequently asked during job interviews. There are no standard answers for any of these questions. Your answers must be worked out carefully and intelligently.

Sample Questions
  • Tell me about yourself. (Describe how you are qualified using examples from your education, work or volunteer experience, or personal life)
  • What kind of person are you? (Be positive and try to show that you have the qualities required in the job you are applying for.)
  • Why do you want to work here? (Your reply should show your particular interest in one of the areas the company values highly. The examples are unique product or service, employee diversity, environmental awareness, etc...)
  • How do you feel you can help our company/organization? (Your answer should indicate that you did some research of the company)
  • If you were choosing someone for this job, what kind of person would you select?
  • If you could have your choice of any job, what would you do?
  • Why do you want to get into the ………… field? (In your answer, show that you know what the work consists of and that you have the necessary skills to do the job)
  • If you feel you have any weakness with regard to this job, what would it be?
  • What are some of your weaknesses?
  • What do you expect in this job that you were not getting in your past jobs?
  • How do you feel about working extra hours?
  • What are your future plans? (Your answer should show that you have seriously thought about your career and have an idea of where you are going)
  • How would you handle this problem? (After interviewer describes specific problem)
  • Are you considering other positions at this time? How does this one compare with them?
  • Why did you leave your last job? (Never say about negative experiences.)
  • How long have you been out of work?
  • What have you been doing since your last job?
  • What did you like working at ………… company? Why?
  • What are your short/long range goals? How do you expect to meet them?
  • What does success mean to you? How do you judge it?
  • What are the other things that motivate you?
  • Tell me about your greatest achievement/disappointment in life.
  • Describe two or three things you done very well. (Everyone has accomplishments. Try to describe accomplishments that show you have the qualities that make for a successful worker)
  • Do you plan to get further education or degrees?
  • What have you done to improve yourself during the past year?
  • What do like to do in your spare time? (Try to show that you are active, have a variety of interests, and enjoy your free time.)
  • If you could re-live the last 15 years, what changes would you make?
  • Do you prefer working along or as part of a team?
  • What did you like best/least in your last job?
  • What are some of the more difficult problems you encountered in your past jobs? How did you solve them?
  • What is your leadership style?
  • Are you geographically mobile, either now or in the future?
  • What your coworkers say about you?
  • What kinds of people do you find difficult to work with?
  • How do you get along with fellow workers? (Try to show that you are a friendly and co-operative person.)
  • Can you work well under stress? (Your answer should indicate your ability to work under stress)
  • Tell me about the last incident when someone irritated you. How did you handle it?
  • Why should I hire you? (Convince the employer that you have the skills and personal traits to do the job)
  • What is the minimum salary you would accept? (Review the classifieds ads and check with placement agencies to get an idea of what the going rate is. Suggesting a range usually works best. When discussing salary, keep in mind the “hidden” incentives (i.e. company car, expense account, benefits, commissions, bonuses, stock options, etc…)
  • Are there any questions you would like to ask about the position/company?