55 most frequently asked interview

questions
By admin | August 18, 2005

Dan Johnston from PPR Career shared the following list of frequently asked questions on a job
interview, as well as advice on what to be prepared for.

1. Tell me about yourself. Use Answer in about two minutes. Avoid details, don’t
“Picture Frame Approach” ramble. Touch on these four areas:

 How many years, doing what function

 Education – credentials
 Major responsibility and accomplishments
 Personal summary of work style (plus career goals
if applicable)

Prepare in advance using this formula:

1. “My name is…”

2. “I’ve worked for X years as a [title]“
3. “Currently, I’m a [title] at [company]“
4. “Before that, I was a [title] at [company]“
5. “I love the challenge of my work, especially the
major strengths it allows me to offer, including [A,
B, and C]“.
6. Second, help the interviewer by focusing the
question with a question of your own: “What about
me would be most relevant to you and what this
company needs?”

2. Did you bring your resume? Yes. Be prepared with two or three extra copies. Do not
offer them unless you’re asked for one.

3. What do you know about Research the target company before the interview. Basic
our organization? research is the only way to prepare for this question. Do
your homework, and you’ll score big on this
question. Talk about products, services, history and people,
especially any friends that work there. “But I would love to
know more, particularly from your point of view. Do we
have time to cover that now?

4. What experience do you Pre-interview research and PPR Career will help you
 have? here. Try to cite experience relevant to the companyÃ
¢â‚¬â„¢s concerns. Also, try answering this questions with
a question: “Are you looking for overall experience or
experience in some specific area of special interest to you?”
Let the interviewer’s response guide your answer.

5. According to your definition Be prepared to define success, and then respond

of success, how successful (consistent record of responsibility)
have you been so far?

(Is this person mature and self aware?)

6. In your current or last Give one or two accomplishment statements

position, what were your
most significant
accomplishments? In your
career so far?

7. Had you thought of leaving Refer to positive aspects of the job, advancement
your present position opportunities, and what you learned.
before? If yes, what do you
think held you there?

8. Would you describe a few Give only one, and tell how you have corrected or plan to
situations in which your correct your work.
work was criticized?

9. If I spoke with your Be consistent with what you think the boss would say.
previous boss, what would Position the weakness in a positive way (refer to #12)
he or she say are your
greatest strengths and
weaknesses?

10. How would you describe Keep your answer short and relevant to the job and the
your personality? organization’s culture.

11. What are your strong Present three. Relate them to that particular company and
points? job opening.

12. What are your weak points? Don’t say you have one, but give one that is really
a “positive in disguise.” I am sometimes impatient and do
to much work myself when we are working against tight
 deadlines.” Or “I compliment and praise my staff, but feel I
can improve.”  

13. How did you do in school? Emphasize your best and favorite subjects. If grades were
average, talk about leadership or jobs you took to finance
(Is the person motivated? What are your education. Talk about extra-curricular activities
his/her values, attitudes? Is there a fit?) (clubs, sports, volunteer work)

14. In your current or last Refer to your satisfiers for likes. Be careful with dislikes,
position, what features did give only one (if any) and make it brief. Refuse to answer
you like most? Least? negatively. Respond that you “like everything about my
current position and have acquired and developed a great
many skills, but I’m now ready for a new set of
challenges and greater responsibilities.”

15. What do you look for in a Flip this one over. Despite the question, the employer isnÃ
job? ¢â‚¬â„¢t really interested in what you are looking for. HeÃ
¢â‚¬â„¢s interested in what he is looking for. Address his
interests, rather than yours. Use words like “contribute,”
“enhance,” “improve,” and “team environment.” Fit your
answer to their needs Relate your preferences and
satisfiers/dissatisfiers to the job opening.

16. How long would it take you “Not long, because of my experience, transferable skills and
to make a meaningful ability to learn.”
contribution to our firm?

17. How long would you stay “As long as I feel that I’m contributing, and that
with us? my contribution is recognized. I’m looking to
make a long term commitment.”

18. If you have never If you want to supervise, say so, and be enthusiastic.
supervised, how do you feel
about assuming those
responsibilities?

19. Why do you want to become “To grow and develop professionally, to help others
a supervisor? develop, to build a team and to share what I have learned.”

20. What do you see as the most “Getting things planned and done through others and
difficult task in being a dealing with different personalities.” Show how you have
supervisor? done this in the past.

21. You’ve been with Let’s assume the interviewer has a point here. That
your current employer quite doesn’t mean you have to agree with the negative
 a while. Why havenà terms of the question. Answer: “What I like about my
¢â‚¬â„¢t you advanced with present position is that it’s both stable and
him? challenging. But it’s true that I’ve grown
about as much as I can in my current position. (This
response also turns the issue of salary on its head,
transforming it from What more can I get? to What more
can I offer?)

22. Why are you leaving your Never answer with negative reasons, even if they are true.
present position? However, some companies have financial problems which
may preclude you from staying with them. Frame your
answer positively by answering why you want to move to
the target company instead of why you left or want to leave
your most recent job. For example, instead of answering, “I
don’t get enough challenges at [company],”
respond, “I am eager to take on more challenges, and I
believe I will find them at [hiring company]. ”I’m
not unhappy (at my present employer). However, this
opportunity seems to be particularly interesting and I am
interested in pursuing it further. Never personalize or be
negative. Keep it short, give a “group” answer (e.g. our
office is closing, the whole organization is being reduced in
size). Stick to one response; don’t change answers
during the interview. When applicable; best response is: I
was not on the market when PPR Career contacted me
and explained what you are doing, it peaked my interest.

23. Describe what would be an Team work is the key.

ideal working environment?

24. How would you evaluate Be positive. Refer to the valuable experience you have
your present firm? gained. Don’t mention negatives.

25. Do you prefer working with Be aware of what the job requires and position your
figures, or with words? answer in that context. In many cases it would be both.

26. What kinds of people do you Use this question as a chance to show that you are a team
find difficult to work with? player: “The only people I have trouble with are those who
aren’t team players, who just don’t
perform, who complain constantly, and who fail to respond
to any efforts to motivate them.” The interviewer is
expecting a response focused on personality and personal
dislikes. Surprise her by delivering an answer that reflects
company values.
 27. How would your co-workers Refer to your strengths and skills.
describe you?

28. What do you think of your If you like him or her, say so and tell why. If you donÃ
boss? ¢â‚¬â„¢t like him or her, find something positive to say.

29. Why do you want to work in Explain how this size or type of company works well for
a company of this size. Or you, using examples from the past if possible.
this type?

30. If you had your choice of Refer to job preferences. Say that this job and this company
jobs and companies, where are very close to what best suits you.
would you go?

31. Why do you want to work You feel you can help achieve the companies objectives,
for us? especially in the short run. You like what you’ve
learned about the company, its policies, goals and
management: “I’ve researched the company and
people tell me it’s a good place to work.”

32. What was the last book you Think this through. Your answer should be compatible with
read? Movie you saw? accepted norms.
Sporting event you
attended?

33. What are you doing, or what Talk about formal courses and training programs.
have you done to reach your
career objectives?

34. What was wrong with your Again, choose your words carefully. Don’t be
last company? negative. Say that no company is perfect, it had both
strengths and weaknesses.

35. What kind of hours are you “As many hours as it takes to get the job done.”
used to working?

(DOES THE PERSON MATCH JOB

AND CRITERIA?)

  

36. What would you do for us? Relate past success in accomplishing the objectives which
are similar to those of the prospective employer. 
37. What has your experience Give examples from accomplishments.
been in supervising people?

38. Are you a good supervisor? Draw from your successes. Yes, my people like and respect
me personally and professionally. They often comment on
how much they learn and develop under my supervision.

39. Did you ever fire anyone? If If you haven’t, say so, but add that you could do it,
so, what were the reasons if necessary.
and how did you handle it?

40. How have you helped your Refer to accomplishments.

company?

41. What is the most money you Refer to accomplishments. If you haven’t had
ever accounted for? Largest budget responsibility, say so, but refer to an
budget responsibility? accomplishment that demonstrates the same skill.

42. What’s the most Remember, you’re talking to a prospective

difficult situation you ever employer, not your best friend. Don’t dredge up a
faced on the job? catastrophe that resulted in a personal or corporate failure.
Be ready for this question by thinking of a story that has a
happy ending – happy for you and your company.
Never digress into personal or family difficulties, and donÃ
¢â‚¬â„¢t talk about problems you’ve had with
supervisors or peers. You might discuss a difficult situation
with a subordinate, provided that the issues were resolved
inventively and to everyone’s satisfaction.

43. Describe some situations in Refer to accomplishments. Everyone has had a few of these
which you have worked pressure situations in a career. Behavior-related questions
under pressure or met aim at assessing a candidate’s character, attitude,
deadlines? and personality traits by asking for an account of how the
candidate handled certain challenging situations. Plan for
such questions by making a list of the desirable traits
relevant to the needs of the industry or prospective
employer and by preparing some job-related stories about
your experience that demonstrate a range of those traits
and habits of conduct. Before answering the questions,
listen carefully and ask any clarifying questions you think
necessary. Tell your story and conclude by explaining what
you intended your story to illustrate. Finally, ask for
feedback: “Does this tell you what you need to know?”

44. How do you handle Rejection is part of business. People don’t always
 rejection? buy what you sell. The tick here is to separate rejection of
your product from rejection of yourself: “I see rejection as
an opportunity. I learn from it. When a customer takes a
pass, I ask him what we could do to the product, price or
service to make it possible for him to say yes. DonÃ
¢â‚¬â„¢t get me wrong: You’ve got to makes sales.
But rejection is valuable, too. It’s a good teacher.”

45. In your present position, Refer to accomplishments

what problems have you
identified that had
previously been
overlooked?

46. Give an example of your Refer to accomplishments.

creativity.

47. Give examples of your Draw examples from accomplishments. 

leadership abilities.

48. What are your career goals? Talk first about doing the job for which you are applying.
Your career goals should mesh with the hiring company
goals.

49. What position do you expect Just say you wish to exceed objectives so well that you will
to have in two years? be on a promotable track.

50. What are your objectives? Refer back to question #48 on goals.

(How does the person handle stress?

What is their confidence level?)

51. Why should we hire you? This may sound suspicious, negative, or just plain harsh.
Actually, it’s a call for help. The employer wants
you to help him/her hire you. Keep your response brief.
Recap any job requirements the interviewer may have
mentioned earlier in the interview, then, point by point,
match your skills, abilities and qualifications to those
items. Relate a past experience which represents success in
achieving objectives which may be similar to those of the
prospective employer.

52. You may be over-qualified “A strong company needs a strong person.” An employer
or too experienced for the will get faster return on investment because you have more
 position we have to offer. experience than required.

53. Why haven’t you “Finding the right job takes time. I’m not looking
found a new position before for just any job.”
now?

54. If you could start again, No need to be self-revealing. “Hindsight is 20/20; everyone
what would you do would make some changes, but I’ve learned and
differently? grown from all my decisions.”

55. How much do you expect if Be careful. If you don’t know the market value,
we offer this position to return the question by saying that you would expect a fair
you? salary based on the job responsibilities, your experience
and skills and the market value of the job. Express your
interest in the job because it fits your career goals Ã
¢â‚¬â€œ Receptive to a reasonable and competitive offer Ã
¢â‚¬â€œ don’t talk $’s. It’s
always best to put off discussing salary and let PPR
Career handle that. ANSWER: I’m open to a
competitive offer. I’d prefer to discuss the
opportunity and allow my recruiter to handle any salary
questions.