Sample Interview Questions

Sample Interview Questions

Marie G. McIntyre, Ph.D.

May be reproduced for non-commercial use with copyright and attribution to www.yourofficecoach.com.

Commercial use requires permission: email mmcintyre@yourofficecoach.com .

Here are some questions that might be asked in a job interview. If you are a hiring manager, consider whether some of these could be useful in your situation. If you are a job seeker, try answering some of these questions for interview practice.

Ability

• Describe your qualifications for this job.

• Describe two or three things that you learned from your last (or present) job.

• What have you learned in school that would help you in this job? (new grads only)

• Give me some examples of the kind of decisions you made in your last job.

• What is the biggest mistake you've made during your career?

• Describe some difficult problems that you have had to deal with.

• In your last (or present) job, what did you spend most of your time on?

• What are your special abilities? How have they helped you succeed in the past?

• What about yourself would you like to improve? Give an example of how these

characteristics have caused you problems in the past.

• What have you done that you're particularly proud of?

Motivation

• Why did you choose this field of work?

• What jobs have you enjoyed most? Least? Why?

• What did you like about your last job? Not like? Why?

• What motivates you? Give me an example from your previous work experience.

• Why are you considering a job change at this time?

• What would it take to keep you in your present job?

• Describe some of your accomplishments and talk about the reasons for your success.

• What are some things that you would like to accomplish in your career?

• What would cause you to get tired of a job?

• What have you found most frustrating about your previous jobs?

“Fit” with Employer

• What is it about our organization that interests you? Why do you think you would like this

position?

• Think of some people you have worked well with. What made those relationships successful?

• Think of someone you found it hard to work with. What made that relationship difficult?

• If you could have made one suggestion to management in your last job, what would it be?

• What kinds of things have bothered you most at work?

• Describe your last three managers. What kind of manager do you prefer? Why?

• What were your last manager's strengths? Weaknesses?

• Describe the best boss you have had. The worst boss.

• Why have you decided to leave jobs in the past?

• Describe your ideal working environment.

You may also be interested in these topics . . .

How to Develop Interview Questions

Fighting the "Job Search Blues"

Ten Ways to Screw Up a Phone Interview

How to Hire Better People

Do's & Don'ts for Job Interviews

Job-Hunting When You Have a Job

Learn More About Our Career Services!

Phone Coaching
Work Style Assessments
Job Search Assistance
Resume Review

Check out the Career Services section for more information.

May be reproduced for non-commercial use with copyright and attribution to www.yourofficecoach.com.

Commercial use requires permission: email mmcintyre@yourofficecoach.com

The advice and information provided through yourofficecoach.com and the Your Office Coach column are intended to be generally useful in the situations presented. Because we do not have a detailed understanding of any individual situation, each person must assess the suggestions offered in light of their specific circumstances. Readers should keep in mind that the advice provided herein represents an opinion based on very limited information. In no event shall the experts or other participants on the site be held liable for consequences resulting from actions taken based on information provided through the site. All questions submitted become the property of Your Office Coach.