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 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 workrelated items unless instructed
otherwise. Talk about things you have done and !obs 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 did you leave your last ob!
"tay positive regardless of the circumstances. #ever refer to a ma!or 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#$erien%e do you have in this field!
"peak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. &f you do not have specific
e(perience$ get as close as you can.
&. 'o you %onsider 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.
5. What do %o(wor)ers say about you!
Be prepared with a quote or two from coworkers. *ither a specific statement or a paraphrase
will work. +ill ,lark$ a coworker 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 do you )now about this or+ani,ation!
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
ma!or players/
-. What have you done to im$rove your )nowled+e in the last year!
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the !ob. ) wide variety of activities can be
mentioned as positive selfimprovement. 0ave some good ones handy to mention.
.. Are you a$$lyin+ for other obs!
Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. 'eep the focus on this !ob and what you can
do for this organi%ation. )nything else is a distraction.
/. Why do you want to wor) for this or+ani,ation!
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. Relate it to your
longterm career goals.
10. 'o you )now anyone who wor)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 )ind of salary do you need!
) loaded question. ) nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. "o$ do not
answer it. &nstead$ say something like$ That1s 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 !ob. 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.
2o not brag$ !ust say it in a matteroffact tone. This is a key point.
1". 0ow lon+ would you e#$e%t to wor) for us if hired!
"pecifics here are not good. "omething like this should work3 &1d like it to be a long time. 4r )s
long as we both feel &1m doing a good !ob.
1&. 0ave you ever had to fire anyone! 0ow did you feel about that!
This is serious. 2o 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.
Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.
15. What is your $hiloso$hy towards wor)!
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. 2o you have strong
feelings that the !ob gets done/ Yes. That1s the type of answer that works best here. "hort and
positive$ showing a benefit to the organi%ation.
1*. If you had enou+h money to retire ri+ht now1 would you!
)nswer yes if you would. But since you need to work$ this is the type of work you prefer. 2o not
say yes if you do not mean it.
1-. 0ave you ever been as)ed to leave a $osition!
&f you have not$ say no. &f you have$ be honest$ brief and avoid saying negative things about the
people or organi%ation involved.
1.. 2#$lain how you would be an asset to this or+ani,ation.
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. 5ive a little advance thought to this relationship.
1/. Why should we hire you!
6oint out how your assets meet what the organi%ation needs. 2o not mention any other
candidates to make a comparison.
20. Tell me about a su++estion you have made.
0ave a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered
successful. 4ne related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
21. What irritates you about %o(wor)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 is your +reatest stren+th!
#umerous answers are good$ !ust stay positive. ) few good e(amples3 Your ability to prioriti%e$
Your problemsolving skills$ Your ability to work under pressure$ Your ability to focus on
pro!ects$ Your professional e(pertise$ Your leadership skills$ Your positive attitude
2". Tell me about your dream ob.
"tay away from a specific !ob. You cannot win. &f you say the !ob you are contending for is it$
you strain credibility. &f you say another !ob 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 like3 ) !ob
where & love the work$ like the people$ can contribute and can1t wait to get to work.
2&. Why do you thin) you would do well at this ob!
5ive several reasons and include skills$ e(perience and interest.
25. What are you loo)in+ for in a ob!
"ee answer 7 89
2*. What )ind of $erson would you refuse to wor) with!
2o not be trivial. &t would take disloyalty to the organi%ation$ violence or lawbreaking to get you
to ob!ect. :inor ob!ections will label you as a whiner.
2-. What is more im$ortant to you: the money or the wor)!
:oney is always important$ but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.
2.. What would your $revious su$ervisor say your stron+est $oint is!
There are numerous good possibilities3
Loyalty$ *nergy$ 6ositive attitude$ Leadership$ Team player$ *(pertise$ &nitiative$ 6atience$ 0ard
work$ ,reativity$ 6roblem solver
2/. Tell me about a $roblem you had with a su$ervisor.
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.
"0. What has disa$$ointed you about a ob!
2on1t get trivial or negative. "afe areas are few but can include3
#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 ability to wor) under $ressure.
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. 5ive an e(ample that relates to the
type of position applied for.
"2. 'o your s)ills mat%h this ob or another ob more %losely!
6robably this one. 2o not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another !ob more than this
one.
"". What motivates you to do your best on the ob!
This is a personal trait that only you can say$ but good e(amples are3 ,hallenge$ )chievement$
Recognition
"&. Are you willin+ to wor) overtime! 3i+hts! Wee)ends!
This is up to you. Be totally honest.
"5. 0ow would you )now you were su%%essful on this ob!
"everal ways are good measures3
You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell
you that you are successful
"*. Would you be willin+ to relo%ate if re4uired!
You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance
it may come up. 2o not say yes !ust to get the !ob 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 uture grief.
"-. Are you willin+ to $ut the interests of the or+ani,ation ahead of your own!
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. 2o not worry about the deep ethical and
philosophical implications. +ust say yes.
".. 'es%ribe your mana+ement style.
Try to avoid labels. "ome of the more common labels$ 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.
"/. What have you learned from mista)es on the ob!
0ere you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. :ake it small$ well
intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. )n e(ample would be working too far ahead
of colleagues on a pro!ect and thus throwing coordination off.
&0. 'o you have any blind s$ots!
Trick question. &f you know about blind spots$ they are no longer blind spots. 2o not reveal any
personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. 2o not hand
it to them.
&1. If you were hirin+ a $erson for this ob1 what would you loo) for!
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
&2. 'o you thin) you are over4ualified for this $osition!
Regardless of your qualifications$ state that you are very well qualified for the position.
&". 0ow do you $ro$ose to %om$ensate for your la%) of e#$erien%e!
-irst$ if you have e(perience that the interviewer does not know about$ bring that up3 Then$ point
out ;if true< that you are a hard working quick learner.
&&. What 4ualities do you loo) for in 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.
&5. Tell me about a time when you hel$ed resolve a dis$ute between others.
6ick a specific incident. ,oncentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you
settled.
&*. What $osition do you $refer on a team wor)in+ on a $roe%t!
Be honest. &f you are comfortable in different roles$ point that out.
&-. 'es%ribe your wor) ethi%.
*mphasi%e benefits to the organi%ation. Things like$ determination to get the !ob done and work
hard but en!oy your work are good.
&.. What has been your bi++est $rofessional disa$$ointment!
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. "how acceptance and no
negative feelings.
&/. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the ob.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organi%ation.
50. 'o you have any 4uestions for me!
)lways have some questions prepared. =uestions prepared where you will be an asset to the
organi%ation are good. 0ow soon will & be able to be productive/ and .hat type of pro!ects will &
be able to assist on/ are e(amples.