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60 Interview Questions With Recommended Answers: (Recommended Answers are below) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36.
Tell me about yourself. What has been your most important contribution within your current job? What have you done that significantly contributed to a project or design? How do you stay current in your industry? Tell me something about yourself that I didn’t learn from reading your resume. Why did you leave your last job or why are you interested in leaving your current job? What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren’t likely to offer? What would you like to accomplish that you weren’t able to accomplish in your current or last position? What skills do you think are most critical to this job? Share an example of your determination? Give an example of how you saw a project through, despite obstacles. What experience do you have in this field? Do you consider yourself successful? What is your philosophy towards work? What do you know about this organization? What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year? Are you applying for other jobs? Why do you want to work for this organization? Do you know anyone who works for us? Are you a team player? What do Co-Workers say about you? How long would you expect to work for us, if hired? If the company gave you $5000 to spend anyway you wanted during your first year of employment, what would you spend it on? Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that? Would you retire right now if you had enough money? Have you ever been asked to leave a position? Where would you like your career to be in 2-3 years? Why should we hire you? If you were an animal, which one would you want to be? What irritates you about co-workers? What is your greatest strength? What are your weaknesses? Tell me about your dream job. Why do you think you would do well at this job? What kind of person would you refuse to work with? What are your top three values?
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What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is? Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor. What has disappointed you about a job? Tell me about your ability to work under pressure. What motivates you to do your best on the job? Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends? How would you know you were successful on this job? Would you be willing to relocate if required? Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own? Describe your management style. What have you learned from mistakes on the job? Do you have any blind spots? If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for? Do you think you are overqualified for this position? How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience? What qualities do you look for in a boss? Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project? Describe your work ethic. What has been your biggest professional disappointment? Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job. Describe a time when you tackled a tough or unpopular assignment? All new jobs come with difficulties, if you encounter any in this position what do you think they may be? Do you have any questions for me?
Recommended answers are below Now Let's Talk Strategy: 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 jobs you have held that relate to the position for which you are interviewing. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present. 2.
What has been your most important contribution within your current or past job positions? Certainly, you have multiple answers for this question. Focus on contributions where you conceived, led or drove an end result that the company benefited as a result of your creativity, skills or leadership. If you can’t think of an answer, you might begin some heartfelt questions to determine if you truly are a high caliber candidate. If you are unable to answer this question, why should a company hire you?
3.
What have you done that significantly contributed to a project or design?
Focus on the actions you took to complete design or project. Action verbs are key: (i.e. Completed the architecture of a system level wireless product, Designed the small packaging mechanical enclosure of a transceiver, and Led the scheduling of a multi divisional program from prototype to full production.) 4.
How do you stay current in your industry? Be honest with yourself. Have you attended any new tradeshows this year? Are you a member of IEEE or other Engineering Organizations and do you attend regularly? Do you pick up new user manuals for Java, etc and dabble with new tools at home? Share examples and have copies of any recent publications within your industry, revealing your current knowledge your industry.
5.
Tell me something about yourself that I didn’t learn from reading your resume. Focus on a contribution, which reveals the core values you offer on the job, but revealed off the job. Stay away from topics related to family, religion or marital status. (i.e. President of Homeowners Association, Charter member of Toastmasters Club)
6.
Why did you leave your last job or why are you interested in leaving your current job? Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers, or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special, or other forwardlooking reasons.
7.
What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren’t likely to offer? This is the time to reveal your knowledge of the industry and the company’s accomplishments in that industry, which you have researched before walking in the door to the interview. Explain that this understanding will enable you to creatively solve problems and obtain effective results.
8.
What would you like to accomplish that you weren’t able to accomplish in your current or last position? Be honest and describe a detail that potentially was not accomplished as a result of company funding or scheduling. (i.e. I wanted to accomplish a new design in biometrics, but the company eliminated funding for new research)
9.
What skills do you think are most critical to this job? Maintain a focus on results oriented language and contribution to the organization as well as perseverance.
10.
Share an example of your determination? Reveal an example of driving a project from conception to prototype to production. End result accomplishment occurred despite obstacle.
11.
Give an example of how you saw a project through, despite obstacles. Same as question 10.
12.
What experience do you have in this field? Speak about specifics that relate to the position for which you are applying. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.
13.
Do you consider yourself successful? You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
14.
What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That is the type of answer that works best here. Be short and positive. 15.
What do you know about this organization? With extensive information on every subject just a click away, there’s no excuse for showing up at an interview unprepared. At the very least, use your favorite search engine to look for recent articles about the company and its principals. If you can’t find anything about them, call the secretary and press her for information. Still getting nowhere? Make sure you learn everything you can about the company’s industry, like who the major players are and what it takes to make it. You’ll be able to ask intelligent questions, and your interest will work in your favor.
16.
What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year? Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.
17.
Are you applying for other jobs? Be honest, but do not spend a lot of time in this area.
18.
Why do you want to work for this organization? Casual environment, salary, or great benefits are not your best answers for this question. But you should have a great reason for wanting to work at that particular company—and as before, show the interviewer what you can do for the company, not vice versa. “You’re the fastest-growing semiconductor company in the country. I can help you solve some of the space issues you’re confronting as device sizes shrink. Your quick time-to-market means breakthrough designs can be implemented—and increasing company revenues—in a matter of months.” This may take some thought, and certainly should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Relate it to your career goals.
19.
Do you know anyone who works for us? Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. 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.
20.
Are you a team player? You are a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rater than for yourself are good.
21.
What do co-workers say about you? Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. For example, "Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest worker she had ever known."
22.
How long would you expect to work for us, if hired? Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: "I'd like it to be a long time." or "As long as you feel I'm doing a good job."
23.
If the company gave you $5000 to spend anyway you wanted during your first year of employment, what would you spend it on? After first considering the company cultural needs, I would determine if more lab equipment was required or if moral needed to be lifted with a company party, it would depend on the company needs.
24.
Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is Serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force. 25.
Would you retire right now if you had enough money? Answer yes, if you would, but since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
26.
Have you ever been asked to leave a position? If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest brief, and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.
27.
28.
Where would you like your career to be in 2-3 years? Look for answers that demonstrate goal setting, and career planning. word your goals to fit within the company’s long term goal set.
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Why should we hire you? Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
29.
If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be? Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you could think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?
30.
What irritates you about co-workers? Trap. Think "real hard," but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.
31.
What is your greatest strength? Write down four or five strengths and one or two weaknesses. Include a short, oneparagraph example of some accomplishment you’ve achieved using each strength. With the weaknesses, write up a specific situation where you’ve turned that weakness into strength, or have overcome the weakness. As you'll see in the "Universal Answer" below, these examples are critical. A. Learn the "universal answer." I've discovered that answers should be about two minutes long. Much more than three minutes and candidates are perceived as boring and insensitive. Less than a minute and they're branded as dull and lacking interest. Use the acronym SAFW to form answers: S: make an opening Statement A: Amplify that statement F: provide a Few examples W: Wrap it up
The examples part is the most important. This is the demonstrated proof behind the opening statement. Interviewers will use these examples to form their judgments about candidate competency. Most candidates talk in generalities. This is not as convincing as a specific example. For instance, a marketing manager might want to describe in detail how she launched a new product in answer to a question about advertising and promotions. The answer will be more meaningful if the candidate shows how one or two of her strengths, like creativity and perseverance, were required to achieve the results describe in the example. A number of examples of positive strengths are listed below: You can formulate an example detailing your strength. Just stay positive. • • • • • • • 32.
Your problem-solving skills. Your ability to work under pressure. Your ability to focus on projects. Your professional expertise. Your leadership skills. Your ability to prioritize. Your positive attitude.
What are your weaknesses? This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."
33.
Tell me about your dream job. Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position, if hired. The best bet is to stay generic and say something like "A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute, and can't wait to get to work."
34.
Why do you think you would do well at this job? Give several reasons, and include skills, experience, and interest.
35.
What kind of person would you refuse to work with? Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence, or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
36. What are your top three values? Be Honest about your values without opening EEOC Pandora’s box. Avoid opening dialogue and or questions about family, religion or other protected classes. 37.
What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is? There are a number of good possibilities: • • • • • • • •
Loyalty Energy Positive attitude Diagnostics Team player Technical expertise Systems knowledge Initiative
• • 38.
Patience Hard Work
Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor. Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well blow the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a superior.
39.
What has disappointed you about a job? Safe areas are few, but can include: • • •
Not enough of a challenge You were laid off in a reduction. Company did not win a contract that would have given you more responsibility.
Do not get trivial or negative. 40.
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure. You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position for which you are applying.
41.
What motivates you to do your best on the job? This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: • • •
42.
A challenge. Achievement. Recognition
Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends? This is up to you. Be very honest.
43.
How would you know you were successful on this job? Several ways are good measures: • • •
44.
You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tells you that you are successful.
Would you be willing to relocate if required? You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up.
45.
Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own? This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.
46.
Describe your management style. Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like "progressive," "salesman," or "consensus." Depending on the management expert, these labels can have several meanings or descriptions. The "situational" style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of "one size fits all."
47.
What have you learned from mistakes on the job? Here you have to come up with something, or you stain credibility. Make it a small, wellintentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
48.
Do you have any blind spots? Trick question, If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots.
49.
If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for? Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.
50.
Do you think you are overqualified for this position? Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.
51.
How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience on our systems? First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about bring that up. Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard, working quick learner.
52.
What qualities do you look for in a boss? Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.
53.
Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others. Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.
54.
What position do you prefer on a team working on a project? Be honest, and if you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.
55.
Describe your work ethic. Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like "determination to get the job done" and "work hard but enjoy your work" are good.
56.
What has been your biggest professional disappointment? Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.
57.
Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job. Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.
58.
Describe a time when you tackled a tough or unpopular assignment?
59. All new jobs come with difficulties, if you encounter any in this position what do you think they may be? Remembering that you are trying to weed out marginal candidates quickly, this is another question that reveals a candidate's area of weakness and / or a candidate's selfdoubt about being able to accomplish the goals of this position or even have the skills to succeed in the position. 60.
Do you have any questions for me? The following questions provide samples of what an interviewee might use during an interview. Remember that questions may be used to show interest, change the subject, or gather information.
Sample Questions to Ask an Interviewer The following questions provide samples of what an interviewee might use during an interview. Remember that questions may be used to show interest, change the subject, or gather information. •
What are this organization's short and long term goals?
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How would you describe the ideal person for this position?
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Why is this position available?
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Could you describe the opportunity in detail?
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What areas would I be expected to make the fastest contribution(s) towards?
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Within this job, what factors separate a good performer from an outstanding performer?
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What is the biggest challenge I would face on this job?
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How will my successes be measured? (Do you have a performance review process?)
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Who would be my immediate supervisor?
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With whom would I be working, and what do they do? (What is the organization chart?)
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What is the career path for this position?
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Is there technical training on the job?
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Are there opportunities to cross-train?
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Is this position expected to be permanent, long term?
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What would be a typical day for a person in this job?
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What has the turnover been in the area that I would be working?
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Why is this position available?
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What are this organization's short and long term goals?
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Six months from now, how will my successes be measured? How about in a year?
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What are the most important skills needed for this job?
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Is overtime available or expected?
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What projects could be I involved with?
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Are there opportunities to cross-train?
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Is this a position that could be worked on flextime?
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What kind of self improvement is expected?
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Is there a mentoring program?
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What would be a typical day for a person in this job?
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What has the turnover been in the area that I would be working?
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What is the next step in the hiring process for this position?