Common Interview Questions

Employment interviews involve a degree of uniformity across their many representations. Here are some common questions you are likely to be asked in an employment interview:

1. 1. 1. Tell me about yourself.
      2. Have you ever done this type of work before?
      3. Out of all the candidates, why should we hire you?
      4. What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?
      5. What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?
      6. Give me an example of a time when you worked under pressure.
      7. Tell me about a time you encountered (X) type of problem at work. How did you solve the problem?
      8. Why did you leave your last job?/ Why do you want to leave your current job?
      9. How has your education and/or experience prepared you for this job?
      10. Why do you want to work here?
      11. What are your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
      12. Do you have any questions?

When you are asked a question in the interview, look for its purpose as well as its literal meaning. “Tell me about yourself” is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and explain what makes you perfect for the position. The employer is looking for someone who can address their needs. 

In the same way, responses about your strengths are not an opening to brag, and your weakness not an invitation to confess. If your weakness is a tendency toward perfectionism, and the job you are applying for involves a detail orientation, you can highlight how your weaknesses may serve you well in the position.

Interviewers may ask behavioral questions to learn how you reacted in past situations as this will give them a good indication of how you will react in similar situations in the future. Here are some common behavioral questions:

1. 1. 1. Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.

      2. Share an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision. What did you do?
      3. Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it? 
      4. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss. How did you resolve it?
      5. Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.

When responding to behavioral questions, use the STAR method. With this method, you answer the question by explaining the Situation, Task, Action and the Result. Figure 10.2 explains the STAR method in detail.

You can also anticipate that the last few minutes will be set aside for you to ask your questions. This is your opportunity to learn more about the problems or challenges that the position will be addressing, allowing you a final opportunity to reinforce a positive message with the audience. Keep your questions simple, your attitude positive, and communicate your interest.

At the same time as you are being interviewed, know that you too are interviewing the prospective employer. If you have done your homework you may already know what the organization is all about, but you may still be unsure whether it is the right fit for you. Listen and learn from what is said as well as what is not said, and you will add to your knowledge base for wise decision-making in the future.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

In addition to revealing your knowledge of the company, questions to the interviewer are also an opportunity for you to figure out if the employer and the company culture are a good fit for you. Think carefully about what matters to you, what would allow you to do your best work, and try to ask questions that will give you insight into those factors.

The following are some questions you can ask the interviewer:

1. 1. 1. What are the primary tasks or responsibilities for a person in this position? What does a day in this job look like? Is travel required? Overtime?
      2. What is the orientation or training process?
      3. What are the goals/priorities for a person in this position? How will success be measured?
      4. What is the company’s assessment and review process?
      5. Does the company support professional development activities?
      6. How does this position fit within the team/department? What is the reporting structure?
      7. How would you describe the company culture or team dynamic?
      8. What is this company’s approach to management?
      9. What are the company’s overall goals and priorities and how do those affect someone in this department/position?

NOTE: This is not typically the best time to ask about salary and benefits. This is your opportunity to learn about the workplace and the position—the environment, how it’s structured, and employee support programs.