50 Common Interview

Questions and Answers

When you’ve got a job interview coming up, good preparation is essential. By
planning and practicing your answers, you can boost your confidence and increase
your chances of getting the outcome you want.

Interviewers want to hear about your career history, your attributes and skills, and
how your competencies match those specific to the job. They also want to know
whether you’re a good fit for their team. The more accurately you can predict their
COVER TBC
questions, the better you can prepare the most persuasive answers.

But how do you know in advance what you’ll be asked?

The good news is that interviews tend to follow a common pattern. And most of
them use very similar questions. By understanding why interviewers follow some
classic lines of inquiry, you can prepare the best possible responses, and have
plenty of great examples ready to use.

We’ve created this resource to help you to get ready for your next interview. It lists
the 50 most-asked interview questions, along with advice about preparing great
answers for all of them. You can read them all, or click on a particular question from
the list on the following pages to jump straight to it.

Some of the questions that you’re asked in your interview may be phrased
differently to the ones we’ve provided. And you should always be ready to be asked
about specific aspects of the role. But, if you invest time in crafting strong answers
to all of the questions here, you’ll be ready to perform confidently and convincingly
in every interview that you face.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 1 of 25

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers

Opening Questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why do you want to work for this company?
3. What interests you about this particular job?
4. How did you hear about the position?
5. What do you know about our organization?

Career History Questions

6. How has your career so far prepared you for this position?
7. Why do you want to change roles?
8. What is your greatest professional achievement?
9. Tell me about your worst boss.
10. Describe a conflict you faced at work – and how you dealt with it.
11. How good are you in a crisis?
12. When have you demonstrated leadership skills?
13. Describe a time when you showed initiative.
14. When have you been innovative at work?

Skills/Attributes Questions
15. Why should we hire you?
16. What are your greatest strengths?
17. What makes you unique?

Role-Specific Questions
18. What are you hoping for from this role?
19. What would your first 30/60/90 days here look like?
20. What could you help us to do differently or better?
21. What would your salary requirements be?

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 2 of 25

Self-Analysis Questions
22. When have you failed?
23. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
24. What do you do if you disagree with someone’s decision?
25. Describe a time when you faced an ethical dilemma.
26. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
27. What sort of criticism do you most often receive?

Work-Style Questions
28. What sorts of things annoy you at work?
29. How do you tackle difficulties when they arise?
30. What type of work environment do you prefer?
31. What’s your management style?
32. If I asked your boss or co-workers about you, what would they say?
33. How do you deal with pressure?
34. How do you prioritize your work?
35. How do you like to be managed?

Goal-Based Questions
36. Where do you see yourself in five years?
37. What’s your dream job?
38. What motivates you?

Personal Questions
39. What do you like to do outside of work?
40. How do you achieve a good work-life balance?
41. Are you willing to relocate?

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Quirky Questions
42. How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine? / How many pennies
would be as high as the Empire State building? / How many lightbulbs are on
right now in China?
43. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
44. If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower?
45. Which five people would you invite to your dream dinner party?
46. Sell me this pen.

Closing Questions
47. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
48. What other companies are you interviewing with?
49. When could you start?
50. Do you have any questions for us?

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 4 of 25

Preparing Your Answers

Opening Questions
These questions give you plenty of scope to make a positive first impression. Strong answers
here will help to set the tone and direction of the interview as a whole.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Give a clear, concise and compelling outline of who you are and what you’ve achieved. Let
your interviewer see something of your personality and interests, and explain to them why
you believe that you’re the person they’re looking for. However, avoid getting bogged down
in too much personal detail at this stage. Instead, focus on the key skills and experience that
you have that are relevant to this job.

A good tactic is to discuss your present, your past, and your future. Start by summarizing your
current position. Then, fill in details of skills that you’ve gained from previous roles. Finally,
explain how this new job represents your ideal next step.

If possible, include one or two specific, measurable achievements, such as improvements that
you’ve delivered or performance targets that you’ve exceeded. Use this question as an
opportunity to demonstrate how you are ideally suited to this role. And show your confidence
and enthusiasm from the start.

2. Why do you want to work for this company?

Demonstrate your knowledge of the company: it’s history, where it’s going in the future,
and what its priorities are right now. And make clear that your own career goals point the
same way.

Explain how your key strengths will help the company to move forward – and how working
there will allow you to excel. Be as specific as you can about why this company, above any
other, is the best place for you to have an impact, and why you’re so excited to apply.

3. What interests you about this particular job?

Show that you know exactly what this job entails, why you’d enjoy it, and how well-equipped
you are to take it on. As with the previous answer, link the role to your career ambitions and
goals, outlining why it suits you so well at this stage in your career.

Make it clear that you’re aware of the challenges involved, and that you’re excited about
facing them. And be sure to focus on what you have to offer, as well as how you’re hoping to
benefit in return.

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4. How did you hear about the position?

No matter how you did hear about it, emphasize what it was about the role that interested
and excited you. This is also an opportunity to highlight your professional connections, and to
explain any existing links with the company that fueled your desire to apply.

Overall, show that you’re well-informed about your industry, organized in your approach to
career development, and eager to seize good opportunities when they arise.

5. What do you know about our organization?

Show that you have a clear picture of the past, present and future of the company. It’s
important to know key facts, such as how long it’s been in business, where it operates, and
how well it’s doing financially. Say something about the market it operates in, including any
current challenges or trends.

But also talk about the company’s values, and how these inform its targets and goals. And
mention something that you’d like to learn more about – if you were to secure the job.

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Career History Questions
Interviewers need to assess the quality and relevance of your experience and skills. These
questions give you a chance to show how suitable you are for the job.

6. How has your career so far prepared you for this position?
To prepare for this question, identify the most important skills and experience that you’ll need
to be successful in this role. Then, choose an achievement or lesson that you’ve learned in
your career so far that relates to each of these Success factors. Three or four examples will be
enough to make your case persuasive – as long as you include specific details, and mention
measurable results.

7. Why do you want to change roles?

Depending on your reasons, this can be a tough question to answer. It’s important to keep
your response as confident and forward-looking as possible, so that you actually come across
as more attractive to a new employer, not less.

Don’t use this question to admit to failings, or to complain about your existing role – even if
you dislike your current boss or department. Instead, explain what you’ve learned, and why
you decided it was time to move on. Phrase your answer positively. For example, you could
say that you’re looking for a new challenge or want to learn a new skill.

If you were let go from your previous job, be honest about it! Even setbacks like this can be
phrased positively – as opportunities to refocus your goals, to learn from your experiences, to
be resilient, and to forge ahead.

8. What is your greatest professional achievement?

The best example that you can give here will be something that relates to the job you’re
applying for. Think of an achievement that you’re genuinely proud of. That way, you’ll show
your passion for the job, your high professional standards, and a clear understanding of what
real achievement means in your field.

Prepare a few examples, so that you can choose one that showcases something that you
haven’t had a chance to address already. And explain them using the STAR method. This
should cover:

• The Situation that you were in.

• The Task that you had to accomplish.
• The Actions that you took.
• Your successful Results.

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9. Tell me about your worst boss.

This is a tricky question. So answer it with a mix of honesty, diplomacy and positivity. Pick a
real example (make sure it’s not about someone working in the company you want to join), but
be discreet about the person’s identity.

Focus on one aspect of their behavior, and explain exactly why this made it difficult for you to
do your job well. Talk about how you dealt with it, what you learned in the process, and how
it’s influenced your own approach to leadership since.

10. Describe a conflict that you faced at work – and how you dealt with it.
Again, be honest in acknowledging that conflicts do occur, but demonstrate how you are able
to handle them reasonably and professionally. Pick an example when you were able to
recognize a problem and explain how you found an effective way to deal with it. Perhaps you
were able to defuse some tension in a heated team meeting or encouraged people to see
others’ perspectives.

Remember, conflict can be valuable in some circumstances – for example, during a

brainstorming session. But show that you understand when conflict becomes toxic, that you
know how to anticipate it, and that you can head it off before it causes damage.

11. How good are you in a crisis?

This question allows you to define what a crisis is in your role or industry, and to outline the
skills that you’ve developed to handle one if it occurs. Use a couple of carefully chosen
examples to demonstrate key strengths, such as clearheadedness, initiative, problem solving,
and common sense.

This is also a chance to show that you have the confidence and the interpersonal skills
needed to lead others through difficult times.

12. When have you demonstrated leadership skills?

Start by explaining what good leadership means to you, and back up your points with
examples. Leadership plays a part in almost every role, to some extent, so you should be able
to demonstrate leadership credentials whatever stage you’re at in your career.

The STAR method (see question 8, above) is a good way to structure a clear and memorable
answer. Talk about a time when you had a specific leadership challenge to overcome, and
how you used skills such as strategic thinking, empathy, decisiveness, and clear
communication to do so.

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13. Describe a time when you showed initiative.
Initiative covers a number of key professional skills, including confidence, being a self-starter,
spotting problems and opportunities, and coming up with creative ideas. For this answer, tell a
story about a time when you not only showed initiative, but also achieved something
measurable as a result.

14. When have you been innovative at work?

Again, innovation is a concept that encompasses many important attributes – the confidence
to think and act differently, the creativity to find new solutions, and the flexibility to cope as
things change.

Think of a time when you spotted a need to be innovative. What did you do? What was the
positive impact of your new approach for your team and your organization?

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Skills/Attributes Questions
These competency questions give you a chance to demonstrate to your interviewers that,
whatever your career path so far, you’ve got all the abilities and characteristics that they’re
looking for.

15. Why should we hire you?

There are three points that you need to cover here:

First, show that you can do the job well. Use some punchy pieces of evidence that reflect your
experience, attributes and skills. Then, demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the
new role, to show that you’ll be a good fit.

Finally, pull out the most impressive relevant achievement from your career so far, to set your-
self apart from rival candidates.

16. What are your greatest strengths?

Focus on a few of your most impressive strengths – especially the ones that relate closely
to this job. It’s a good idea to pick strengths that you know the company needs – for a spe-
cific project, perhaps, or to solve a particular problem – even if they’re not the ones you use
most often.

As always, choose a clear example of each one in practice, showing the impact that it’s had at
work. And seize the opportunity to talk up any strengths that haven’t figured in your answers
so far.
17. What makes you unique?
Think about why people choose to come to you for help or advice on certain things, rather
than anyone else. This a great way of framing your unique abilities, without appearing
boastful. Talk about your accomplishments, too – for example, when you were the first to do
something, or when you achieved more than anyone else.

And, since everyone’s career trajectory is unique, show why your particular mix of skills and
experiences makes you the candidate best suited to this role.

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Role-Specific Questions
In these questions, the interviewer explores your competencies further, to find out how
well-informed you are about the job, and how well-prepared you are to take it on.

18. What are you hoping for from this role?

Use your answer to show that you have a detailed understanding of the role, and ambitious
expectations for what you can achieve in it. Demonstrate your enthusiasm, and talk about the
ways in which you’d benefit – for example, by being challenged more, by learning new skills,
or by enriching your experience in the industry.

Focus most on what you want to contribute to the role, and how you’d go about achieving a
positive impact. Show the interviewer that you’re realistic, but also optimistic – and ready to
deal with whatever the role throws your way.

19. What would your first 30/60/90 days here look like?
This is another test of how well you understand the role, the organization, and the industry as
a whole. As with the previous answer, balance ambition with realism. Show that you’re eager
to make an impact early on by suggesting some of the things that you already know you’d like
to try if you got the job.

But also talk about the need to assess, strategize and plan; the time it takes to learn about
a business from the inside; and the importance of building trust within your team and taking
others forward with you.

If possible, suggest at least one specific early project the business could try. If it’s plausible,
it will show that you’re committed to making things happen, and that you are able to develop
well-considered plans – even if it doesn’t quite match the company’s current ideas.

20. What could you help us to do differently or better?

This is where detailed research will really pay off. For example, if you know an area where the
company may be underperforming, or where it wants to improve and grow, highlight how your
skills and experience could help.

Frame your answer positively. Talk about “additional” opportunities that the organization could
take advantage of or ways of working that are even more efficient. Ask whether the
organization has considered these approaches, too. This demonstrates that you understand
that things are rarely as simple as they seem, and that you’re eager to create
well-informed plans.

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21. What would your salary requirements be?
Research is vital here. Go to the interview with a clear understanding of the usual salary for
that particular role – and, if possible, in that company. Show that you understand how the
benefits extend beyond a salary, and that you’re interested in knowing more about the full
package on offer.

If it feels right to give a specific figure, start at the higher end of the typical range. This shows
that you value your abilities highly, while also leaving room for negotiation if necessary!

Note
Be wary of answering questions about your current salary, as such questions
are now illegal in many places.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 12 of 25

Self-Analysis Questions
How good are you at reflecting on your personality and your performance – so that you keep
on learning, growing, and improving at work?

22. When have you failed?

This is another question where you can define the terms to your advantage. What exactly
does failure mean to you? It’s a great chance to show your values and expectations, and to
demonstrate key attributes such as empathy, realism and self-awareness.

But choose your examples carefully. Don’t reveal anything that would put the interviewer off
hiring you. And always focus on what you learned by failing, and the positive changes you
made as a result, rather than on the failure itself.

23. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.

Resist the urge to say “I haven’t” – but steer clear of mentioning any serious missteps.
Instead, give an example of a mistake that you were successfully able to fix. This shows that
you’re open and honest about errors that you make, and that you’re able to correct and learn
from them.

You can also use your answer to talk about the value that you place on attention to detail,
honest feedback, self-reflection, and resilience.

24. What do you do if you disagree with someone’s decision?

It’s best to use examples of times when you dealt with disagreements and managed to
resolve them. Focus on your ability to stand your ground, to communicate persuasively, and to
debate matters respectfully.

But, demonstrate that you’re able to change your perspective in the face of compelling
evidence or changed circumstances. Paint a picture of someone who’s capable under
pressure and able to drive effective decision-making that’s always in the best interests of
the business.

25. Describe a time when you faced an ethical dilemma.

Choose an example which shows that you understand how a significant ethical dilemma in
your industry might emerge. If possible, pick one that relates to a value that’s particularly
important to this company to emphasize that your own ethical standards are in line with theirs.

Outline the competing factors that made this a real dilemma. Then explain how you reached
a decision that you could be proud of, however difficult that was. Don’t forget to say what
happened as a result – and what you learned in the process.

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26. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?
Don’t be tempted to go for a cliché such as “perfectionism,” or to claim that you don’t have
any weaknesses. But don’t highlight anything that might worry the interviewer, either. Instead,
choose something that you’ve found challenging in the past, but have successfully addressed.
Use specific examples to show how you identified the weakness, what you did to improve,
and the positive impact this has had on your work since.

27. What sort of criticism do you most often receive?

It’s important to show that you’re open to criticism, and that you can respond to it positively.
But, as with the previous question, don’t bring up anything that might reflect badly on you.

One approach is to choose one of your strengths, and describe a time when you took it
too far, and had to dial it back. For example, maybe your enthusiasm led to you becoming
overcommitted. Or perhaps your passion for collaboration held you back from taking control
of a project.

Use your answer to demonstrate humility, self-awareness, and a track record of continuous
self-improvement.

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Work-Style Questions
What are you like to work with? How do you approach your job, and what does that
approach say about your standards and values?

28. What sorts of things annoy you at work?

Instead of just listing your “pet peeves,” pick a few examples of things that get in the way of
you doing your best work. In each case, explain exactly why they’re problematic, and outline
the steps that you’ve taken to remedy them.

However frustrating these issues were at the time, talk about them in a calm and
confident way. Allow the interviewer to see your human side, but maintain control of your
emotions, and focus on your ability to turn negatives into positives!

29. How do you tackle difficulties when they arise?

This is another question where the STAR approach can be very effective (see question 8).
Chose two or three strengths that you’d like to demonstrate – for example, initiative, strategic
thinking, or interpersonal skills – and talk about how you’ve used them to overcome a
difficulty that you’ve faced during your career.

In each case, describe:

• The Situation surrounding the difficulty.

• The Task that you were attempting to accomplish.
• The Actions that you took using the strength that you want to highlight.
• The positive Results that you achieved.

30. What type of work environment do you prefer?

You can use this question to highlight your key attitudes and priorities at work. Think about
the things that make it easier for you to have maximum impact in your role, and explain why.

Perhaps an open-plan environment helps you to be creative and collaborative, or a quieter

space allows you to focus on detailed documents. Use the research that you’ve done on the
company to check that the environment you describe matches the one you’d actually
experience if you got the job. And remember to talk about the cultural and emotional
environment of a company, as well as the physical one.
31. What’s your management style?
This is a chance for you to clearly define what good management means to you. Build your
answer around a few relevant strengths, and back up each one with an example of your
management skills in practice. In each case, be sure to include the impact that your approach
had – did it improve someone’s performance, for example, or helped to get a project back
on track?

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Make it clear that you’re confident about your management style, but that you’re also flexible
– and always keen to take on new challenges that will help you to improve.

32. If I asked your boss or co-workers about you, what would they say?

If possible, quote from – or paraphrase – positive comments that have been made about you
in feedback sessions or performance reviews. Another good approach is to say how you
know what your colleagues would say about you – for example, from the way they come to
you with sensitive issues or the the tasks that they give you.

Remember that the company will likely need real references from your previous employers, so
don’t say anything here that could be contradicted. But do take this opportunity to discuss any
strengths that you haven’t been able to showcase in the interview so far.

33. How do you deal with pressure?

Whatever your approach to pressurized situations actually is, take care about how you
describe it in your interview. It’s important to emphasize the positives in your approach – the
way that staying calm helps you to concentrate, for example, or how delegating tasks allows
you to keep your team working together effectively.

You also need to show an understanding of pressure itself. After all, a reasonable amount can
push you to achieve goals. So explain the strategies that you’ve used to motivate yourself and
others during challenging times.

Use examples that demonstrate some different types of pressure – both in and out of work –
and the specific ways in which you’ve dealt with them successfully.

34. How do you prioritize your work?

Before you talk about any particular tools or techniques that you’ve used to do this, outline
your overall approach to managing your workload. Use examples – ideally with some metrics
– of times when you’ve met tight deadlines, coped with unexpected tasks, or responded to
sudden priority changes.

It’s important to show that you know the difference between important and urgent; that
your approach is both organized and flexible; and that you’re able to maintain a healthy
work-life balance.

And explain how you prioritize – perhaps you use To-Do Lists, spreadsheets, or
project management apps – and keep emphasizing the positive impact of your approach.

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35. How do you like to be managed?
Use your research into the company to show how you’d thrive in their management culture.
Pick some of the strengths that you’d demonstrate if you got the job, and suggest ways that
their managers could support you to do that.

Steer clear of discussing any detailed requirements. Instead, focus on the higher-level
approaches that would allow you to shine – such as being given new responsibilities, or
having a line manager who can both support and challenge you.

And, since people management is a two-way street, mention some of the ways in which
you’ve helped it to work successfully in the past.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 17 of 25

Goal-Based Questions
These questions explore what drives you, how you measure success, and where you hope
your career will go from here.

36. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Make it clear that this isn’t the first time you’ve considered this question! Have an answer
ready that’s positive and ambitious, but also realistic in terms of where this job could actually
take you.

One approach is to think about the skills and experience that you’d like to gain. Then,
describe what those improvements might mean for you in five years’ time. This emphasizes
your commitment to the new role, and demonstrates how you’d make the most of it – for the
organization as well as yourself.

It’s great to mention longer-term aspirations – but don’t say anything that suggests you’re not
committed to the job at hand first.

37. What’s your dream job?

This is a chance to describe some exciting long-term plans, while also positioning yourself
perfectly for the role on offer. Your “dream” job should be an ambitious one, but you don’t
have to be too specific. Instead, focus on what your perfect job would let you achieve –
especially the strengths that you’d be able to use, the responsibilities you’d have, and the sort
of impact you’d hope to make.

Use your answer to emphasize your interests, values, and the high expectations you have of
yourself. Try to show that the job you’re applying for would move you toward your ideal role –
and maybe even become your dream job in time!

38. What motivates you?

This is a great opportunity to tell a powerful story, so that your interviewer can visualize you
working with energy and enthusiasm, and having a real impact.

Choose an example that’s relevant to the role that you’re applying for. Explain exactly where
your motivation came from, how it felt, and what you achieved as a result.

There are many strengths that you can highlight here, including your keenness to meet
deadlines and targets; your love of learning new things; your pride in developing other
people’s skills; and your delight in making a difference through your work.

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Personal Questions
Questions about your personal life can be the trickiest ones to answer. However, it is possible
to control what you reveal, while also presenting a picture of yourself that’s honest,
reassuring and impressive.

Note
Questions about your family status, gender, nationality, religion, or age are
almost always illegal. You can politely decline to answer them – and follow up
later with a concern or complaint, if appropriate. However, personal questions
are sometimes asked indirectly, or simply in an attempt to put you at your ease
– and it’s up to you whether you want to answer them or not.

One useful tactic is to avoid giving specific details, but to ask instead if the
interviewer has a particular concern – so that you can address it. If a question
appears to raise doubts about your age, for example, you could respond with
evidence of your energy, fitness, and commitment to the job.

And a good approach to any queries about your future – about getting married,
for example, or having children – is to say that you haven’t made any decisions
yet, but, for the foreseeable future, you are concentrating on being as
successful as you can in your career.

39. What do you like to do outside of work?

This is a chance to show that you’re a well-rounded person, with a good mix of interests and
the ability to achieve an effective work-life balance. Make it clear that your out-of-hours
interests don’t take up too much of your time and energy. If possible, highlight ways in which
they actually make you better at your job – how they keep you healthy and sharp,
for example, or allow you to use useful new skills.

Pick examples that reveal positive things about your personality, and spell out the benefits –
the way that traveling has given you extra confidence when meeting new people, for
example. Take this opportunity to flag up some key personal achievements, to show your
overall commitment to self-improvement and to reveal the interesting new perspectives you
can bring to the job.

40. How do you achieve a good work-life balance?

Start by defining what a good work-life balance means to you. Emphasize its benefits, both to
you and your organization, and then give examples of how you’ve achieved it.

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For most people, work-life balance is a “work in progress,” and you’ll show honesty if you
reflect that in your answer. Most importantly, explain the positive impact that has been
achieved when you’ve managed to get the balance right. Perhaps you stayed on top of a long
and challenging project by protecting your weekends. Or maybe working flexibly allowed you
to take calls from colleagues in different time zones.

Finally, use what you know about the company’s attitudes and values to show how well your
approach will fit in.

41. Are you willing to relocate?

If you’re not, say so now – and have a specific, valid reason. But also explain all the ways in
which you could be flexible, including any scope for relocating in the future.

Even if you are willing to relocate, be wary of making any commitments at this stage – or of
looking desperate for “any job, anywhere”! Emphasize that you’re focused on finding the best
role for you, and that you are open to opportunities that will help you to find it.

Show the interviewer that you’re open-minded and ambitious, but also that you take all
major life decisions seriously – because you’re committed to making them work for every-
one involved.

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Quirky Questions
Some interviewers throw in “curve ball” questions, to test whether you can think on your feet.
Strong answers here will show off even more of the attitudes and abilities that they’re
looking for!

42. How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?
How many pennies would be as high as the Empire State building?
How many lightbulbs are on right now in China?
Calculation questions like these may only seem relevant to roles like budget manager or
quantity surveyor. In fact, they’re used in a wide range of interviews. You can use them to
show that you enjoy a challenge, that you can deal with uncertainty, and that you’re ready
for anything.

These questions are also a great way to show strong thinking skills, and the ability to
communicate clearly.

First, clarify the problem (“Do you mean room lights, or even light bulbs in vehicles and ma-
chines?”). Then break it down into steps, explaining each one as you go.

Highlight any assumptions that you’re making (“… assuming that the tower of pennies would
stay upright in the wind… ”) – and use words like “so” and “because” to explain your logic.

Be alert to any obvious “traps” (for example, “Is it currently day or night in China?”). And, when
you reach your final answer, say how accurate you think it might be – and also what you could
do to improve it.

43. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?
This is a fun question designed to draw out your personality – so smile! And make sure that
you use it to your advantage. Pick one of your strengths – one that’s particularly important for
the job – and think of an animal that exemplifies it.

Perhaps you’d be a meerkat, because you’re great at working in teams; or a camel, because
of your reputation for stamina during long projects. Mention a few possibilities, to showcase
your range of valuable attributes.

44. If you were a superhero, what would be your superpower?

Again, start with characteristics that you want to highlight, particularly if you haven’t already
had a chance to mention them. Then, exaggerate them, to create superpowers that you can
talk about convincingly. You might even be able to link them to famous superheroes.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 21 of 25

Perhaps you’d choose Spider-Man’s agility, because you can navigate all the extra
responsibilities that you feel ready to take on. Or maybe you need Black Widow’s
extraordinary tactical insight to launch a new product in a crowded market.

Other qualities that lend themselves well to this question include observation, resilience, per-
suasion, and speed. And your answer will have even more impact if you connect it to a real
problem that the company’s grappling with.

45. Which five people would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Choose guests that embody the personal values that you want to showcase, and ones that
reflect a wide range of interests.

Vary the way you explain your reasons. You might invite some guests so that you can learn
more about an area that fascinates you. Others might be there because you’ve felt an affinity
with them. Maybe you even choose people whose views you want to challenge!

46. Sell me this pen.

If selling is your specialty, this is a great chance to prove it. However odd it seems, do all the
things you’d usually do – in a way that makes it very clear what you’re trying to achieve.

Even if you’ve never sold anything in your life, this is a chance to show how well you can
communicate, form connections with people, persuade them about your ideas, and perform
confidently when you’re out of your comfort zone.

So be confident. Showcase the product and establish a clear need for it. Find a Unique
Selling Point (USP) – but also emphasize how owning the pen will make the person feel, and
all the wider benefits it will bring to them. Use positive body language – good eye contact and
a warm, confident demeanor. Listen to your customer and address any questions. And, at the
end, don’t forget to close the deal!

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 22 of 25

Closing Questions
These questions give interviewers a final chance to assess your “fit” for the job, the team,
and the organization. They also allow you to ask some questions, and to give the best
possible impression as you leave.

47. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

If there really is something relevant that hasn’t come up in the interview, say it now. But don’t
dilute your message by bringing up any weaker points at this stage. It’s fine to say that you
feel you’ve covered everything, and that you hope you’ve shown why you’d be a good fit.
This allows you to give a short summary of the factors that qualify you for the job, and to
emphasize your eagerness to secure it.

48. What other companies are you interviewing with?

It’s good to show that you’re attracting interest from other places. It underlines your credibility
and value, and it can only help in any future salary discussions! But make it clear that this is
the role that excites you most.

Even if you haven’t had a good response from other applications, you can still talk about the
types of companies that you’re applying to. This shows your confidence in your own abilities,
and how seriously you take your career progress. But always end by stressing why this job is
your number one target.

49. When could you start?

You might be tempted to say “Immediately!” But don’t, as you may come across as desperate.
It could also be viewed as unprofessional, since you’d likely have to make arrangements with
your current employer, and possibly work through a notice period.

Flag up any specific timing issues that you know about now, to avoid backtracking or causing
unnecessary problems later. You can still express your eagerness to be as flexible as possible,
and your determination to start quickly – just as soon as all the necessary arrangements have
been made.

50. Do you have any questions for us?

Don’t ask about any basic details that you should know already, or that you could easily find
elsewhere. Also resist the urge to ask anything that’s challenging or uncomfortable to answer.
And avoid going into anything too specific at this stage. After all, you haven’t got the job yet!
So this isn’t the right time to be discussing detailed points about working hours, benefits
or responsibilities.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 23 of 25

It’s much better to use this opportunity to ask questions that emphasize your best qualities,
and that underline your seriousness about the role.

A question such as, “How ambitious is this company?” should be appealing for the interviewer
to answer, and it will demonstrate your own ambitious nature.

If your research about the company has revealed new, imminent plans, a question about this
will demonstrate your diligence, and show them how your values align with theirs. For
example, you might have heard that the company is planning to extend its work in the
community – so you could ask what shape that will likely take. Or maybe there’s a new
product launch coming up, which you could show your interest and enthusiasm about.

It’s a good idea to ask a question about the specific job that you’re applying for – such as,
“What are the major challenges of the role?” or “How will you measure the post-holder’s
success?” You’ll come across as professional and strategic, with a strong sense of your own
value, and a commitment to succeed.

Finally, include a question about day-to-day life in the organization. You could simply ask,
“What’s it like to work here?” This is always important to know, and it gives your interviewer
plenty to talk about.

Alternatively, use the research you’ve done on the company to ask about something that you
know matches your own interests or preferences. If you’ve heard that there’s a staff softball
team, for example, you could enquire whether there are opportunities for you to take part.
The more your interviewer can picture you fitting in, succeeding, and making valuable
contributions to the organization, the more eager they’ll be to offer you the job.

Note
For more interview advice, see our articles Interview Skills and
How to Answer Interview Questions.

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 24 of 25

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50 Common Interview Questions and Answers Page 25 of 25

THE INTERVIEW GUYS PRESENT

200+
INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
PRACTICE CHEAT SHEET

Use This PDF To Practice Your Mock

Interviews With Friends & Family!

COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Tell me about yourself

2. Why should we hire you?
3. What's your greatest weakness?
4. What are your career goals?
5. What's your greatest strength?
6. What's your greatest accomplishment?
7. How do you handle conflict?
8. How do you handle stress?
9. What are you most proud of?
10. What are you passionate about?
11. What makes you unique?
12. How would you describe yourself?
13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
14. Why do you want to work for us?
15. Why did you leave your last job?
16. What motivates you?
17. How do you work under pressure?
18 How do you handle conflict?
19. What is your salary range expectation?
20. Do you have any questions for us?

QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON YOU

21. How do you define success?

22. Do you prefer to work alone or in groups?
23. What's the most recent book you've read?
24. If you could describe yourself in two words
what would they be?
25. What most turns you off in a job?
26. If you were a billionaire, what would you do with
your time?
27. What are you prepared to do with an employee
who refuses to be a team player?
28. If you were given the opportunity, would you take
my job from me?
29. What is your ideal job?
30. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being a hard worker and
10 being smart, where would you rate yourself?
31. How would you describe your personality?
32. How do you describe you analytical skill? Good,
average or bad.
33. What would your best friend say about you?

TheInterviewGuys.com
QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON YOU (CONT)

34. What is your philosophy of selling?

35. What is the thing that frustrates you the most
about work in general? Give examples.
36. Are you good at mutlitasking?
37. Are you self motivated/a self starter?
38. What's an animal you most admire/relate to?
39. What do you want to accomplish?
40. What do you do for fun?
41. Who’s your mentor?
42. What are your hobbies?
43. What is your favorite website?
44. What makes you uncomfortable?
45. On a scale of 1-10, how aggressive are you?
46. If you could have a superpower, what would it
be?
47. Can you easily build rapport?
48. How do you think other people think of you?
49. What do you see yourself in 10 years, and how
did you get there?
50. Do you prefer Quality or Quantity?
51. Which is better to work on, improving one's
strengths or one's weaknesses?
52. Who is your biggest inspiration?
53. Do you like constant change?
54. How do you communicate when you are
unsatisfied?
55. What video games do you play?
56. What core value of the organization most
resonates with you?
57. Do you find it difficult to talk to and meet new
people?
58. What does integrity mean to you?
59. How will you achieve a work/life balance?
60. What is the most competitive thing you did last
week that wasn't related to work?
61. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
62. Would you say you are a person who loves to
win or hates to lose?
63. What is your biggest regret?
64. Describe your personality
65. What is your management style?
66. Who is your hero?

QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON THE JOB

67. Are you willing to relocate for this job?

68. Will you travel for this job?
69. What interests you about this job?
70. If you were hired, how soon can you start?
71. Are you willing to travel?
72. Are you overqualified for this role?
73. Would you be willing to work nights and
weekends?
74. What do you know about our company?
75. What do you know about our industry?
76. If you were asked to, would you break Union
rules if directed to do so by Management?
77. What's the biggest problem you see with our
company?
78. Is it okay to miss a deadline? If so, when?
79. How do you feel about working long hours?

TheInterviewGuys.com
QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON THE JOB (CONT)

80. Would you get bored in a year and leave us?

81. How would you deal with ambiguity in the
workplace?
82. Why is diversity important in the workplace?
83. What do you think about overtime work?
84. Name as many of the services that [Company
you're interviewing with] provides as possible and
detail them
85. How long do you expect to stay with this
company?
86. How would you deal with a rude employee?
87. What would you look to accomplish in the first
30 days/60 days/90 days on the job?
88. What is the name of our CEO?
89. How would you fire someone?
90. How are you at handling objection?
91. What do you consider the most important
qualities for this job?
92. Can you from day one, be on your own, no
processes, just be told what needs to be done, and
do it?
93. Describe your best day at work.
94. What you would do if the head partner gave you
an assignment to do ASAP and another partner
gave you another assignment to do ASAP?
95. Why should I hire you over these other
candidates? (In a group interview)
96. Some people only work in [This industry] just to
have a job until something better comes along.
97. How do we know if we hire you that you will
stay?
98. If you saw your boss stealing would you turn
him in?
99. Would you be willing to start out part-time?
100. How do you see yourself fitting into the
organization?
101. What would you do if you heard a coworker
talk bad about about a customer?
102. Sell me this [object]
103. What would you consider your one greatest
attribute as it applies to this position?
104. What makes you a bad candidate for this
position?

QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON YOUR

PAST JOB EXPERIENCE

105. What did you like least about your last

position?
106. Can you explain these gaps in your resume?
107. Can you walk us through your resume?
108. Why are you changing careers?
109. What did you hate about your last job?
110. Why is your resume so diverse?
111. What was the hardest thing you ever had to do
in your prior work experience?
112. Tell me about your experience at [XYZ]
company
113. Tell me about your background and how that
impacted your ability as an employee?
114. What do you think your former boss?
115. Name something you regret doing at your
previous job and would do differently here.

TheInterviewGuys.com
QUESTIONS FOCUSED ON YOUR
PAST JOB EXPERIENCE (CONT)

116. Why were you let go from your last position?

117. Why are you looking for a new job?
118. Were there any unethical situations at past
jobs and how did you handle this?
119. Have you ever been late for work? How do you
make sure you always get to work on time?
120. Pretend I didn't read your resume, and we just
met on the street and go from there...

BEHAVIORAL & SITUATIONAL

121. Describe a situation where you disagreed with

a supervisor.
122. Tell me about a time you had a conflict at
work.
123. Tell me about a situation where you had to
solve a difficult problem.
124. Describe a project or idea (not necessarily your
own) that was implemented primarily because of
your efforts.
125. Do you feel you work well under pressure? If
so, describe a time when you have done so...
126. Give me an example of a time when you
motivated others.
127. Tell me about a time where you had to
delegate tasks during a project
128. Give me an example of when you showed
initiative and took the lead.
129. Tell me about a time when you missed an
obvious solution to a problem.
130. Tell me about your proudest professional
accomplishment.
131. Describe a time when your work was criticized
132. How would you feel about reporting to a
person younger than you?
133. Describe a time you went above and beyond at
work.
134. Tell me about the last mistake you made.
135. Describe a time when you had to give a person
difficult feedback.
136. How would you deal with an angry or irate
customer?
137. Describe a time you chose to not help a
teammate.
138. Describe a time where you failed, then came
back to succeed
139. How would you handle a situation where you
have a client who interrupt your existing
interaction with a client?
140. Suppose you are working on a project with an
original scope of a few months and you are told
that you instead now have a few days -- how would
you handle it?
141. How would you communicate to team
members that a deadline was approaching and
they had to have their materials ready in time?
142. If your supervisor gives you a direct order that
you know is against company policy how do you
handle the situation?

TheInterviewGuys.com
BEHAVIORAL & SITUATIONAL (CONT)

143. Tell me a time when you had to make a quick

decision without knowing all the facts.
144. Tell me a time when you had to work on a project
and had someone on your team who would not
cooperate. What did you do?
145. Tell me about a time you failed and what you
learned.
146. Tell me about a time when you had to work with
someone with whom you did not get along. How did
you handle that situation.
147. How would you go about solving a problem,
describe the process.
148. Tell me about a time when you went above or
beyond?
149. Describe a time you disobeyed a rule
150. Describe a time when you didn't complete a task
on time or to expectations.
151. Tell me about a situation where you had to adapt
quick
152. Please explain the last time you realized you
made a mistake, how did you handle it?
153. Tell me about a time when you had to work in a
culturally diverse environment.
154. Tell me something you would change if you could
go back and do it over.
155. Tell me about a time you provided excellent
customer service
156. Tell us about a time you've faced a moral decision
157. Tell me about a time that a situation at work was
solved because of team work?
158. If your boss was late giving you information to
complete a project for a boss 2 levels up, how would
you handle it?
159. Tell me a time when someone made a decision
that you did not agree with and what did you do
about it?
160. Tell me about a time that you jumped to an
incorrect conclusion.
161. Describe a time when someone pushed your
buttons continuously- and how did you handle it?
162. Tell me about a time when you struggled with
meeting your goals and what did you do
163. How would you handle a situation where another
employee was complaining about the job?
164. Talk about a time when you provided a creative
solution to a problem
165. Tell me about a time when you had to work long
hours to finish a project. How did you handle it?
166. Give an example of when someone on your team
was not pulling their own weight. How did you deal
with the situation?
167. Tell me about a time you were a leader and were
unsuccessful.
168. Describe a time where you held a co-worker
accountable for their actions.
169. Describe a situation where you didn't particularly
care for someone, but had to interact with them in a
difficult situation.
170. Tell me about a time you managed a team and
things didn't work out as planned.

TheInterviewGuys.com
QUESTIONS ABOUT LEADERSHIP

171. Can you tell me about a time when you

demonstrated leadership capabilities on the job?
172. Which supporting skills do you think are most
important when it comes to leadership?
173. When there is a disagreement on your team, how
do you handle it?
174. Tell me about the hardest decision you’ve ever
made as a leader. How did you decide which course of
action was best?
175. What steps do you take to make sure that
projects are completed on time, on budget, and to the
proper standard?
176. How would you describe your leadership style?
How would your colleagues describe it?
177. Can you tell me about a time where you faced a
leadership challenge? What did you do to overcome it?
178. If a team member is under performing, what
steps do you take to improve their performance?
179. Have you ever taken on a leadership role
voluntarily? If so, can you tell me about it?
180. Tell me about your approach to delegation.
181. Can you describe a time when you lead by
example?
182. Have you ever served in a coach or mentor role?
How were you able to help the other person achieve
success?
183. How do you monitor a team’s performance?
184. If a team is struggling to stay motivated, what
steps would you take to boost engagement?
185. When a member of your team presents you with
an idea, how do you respond?
186. Which of your past managers was your favorite
leader, and why?
187. Are there any leaders that inspire you?
188. How do you respond to constructive criticism?
189. What approach do you use when you need to
deliver constructive criticism?
190. What steps do you take to measure your personal
performance at work?
191. During your first days in the job, are there any
changes that you try to implement immediately?
192. When starting with a new team, how do you
evaluate the current state of their capabilities?
193. What do you think is most important in creating a
positive culture?
194. How do you determine who gets access to
professional development or training?
195. If your project became unexpectedly
shorthanded, what would you do to ensure it stayed
on target?
196. Tell us about a time you had to lead a meeting.
197. Describe how you motivate others
198. Are you a leader or a follower?
199. What are three qualities of leadership?
200. Describe your philosophy of leadership in a few
sentences.

TheInterviewGuys.com
 BRAIN TEASERS

201. If you had to figure out the total number of red

cars in the city of Boston, how would you go about
doing that?
202. Why is a manhole round?
203. Mary's mother has four children. The names of
three of the children are April, May, and June. What is
the fourth child's name?
204. How would you get an elephant into a
refrigerator?
205. If you had to get rid of one of the States in the
U.S. which one would it be and why?
206. Suppose you had eight identical balls. One of
them is slightly heavier and you are given a balance
scale . What's the fewest number of times you have to
use the scale to find the heavier ball?
207. You have 25 horses, what is the minimum
number of races you can find the top 3. In one race
you can race 5 horses, and you don't have a timer.
208. How many bottles of shampoo are produced in
the world a year?
209. How many baseballs can you fit on a 747?
210. four people need to cross a bridge at night, there
is only one flash light and only one person can walk on
the bridge at a time. How do would you get them all
across the bridge?
211. How does a toilet work?

Now that you have gone through all these questions, do

you want to learn our formula for giving perfect
answers to interview questions?
If so, download our special report!

Click Here to Get Our Special Report!

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