HR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. If offered to you, how long do you plan to tay !n th! role"

#nwer $I approach every new job with a long-term view. I would like to think that I can make a positive
contribution to XYZ Corp for the foreseeable future.
%. What &!nd of alary are you ee&!ng"
#nwer1 $ I would epect a salary which reflects the eperience and !ualifications that I bring to the
role. "hat range do you have in mind#
#nwer% $ I$ve got a strong background in this industry and my skills are a perfect match for this role. I
would epect my compensation to be at the upper end of the position$s salary band. Can you tell me
what that salary band is#
#nwer' $ %ased on the information I have about the position& a salary in the range '(&)))-*'&)))
would reflect the eperience and epertise that I would bring to the role.
'. What do you th!n& !t ta&e to (e u))eful !n an organ!*at!on l!&e th!"
#nwer $I think that determination& a willingness to work hard and a desire to ecel in everything you do
are key attributes for a successful employee in a company like XYZ Corp. + successful employee would
also need to handle pressure well& be a great communicator and an ecellent team member. ,hese are
attributes that have helped me succeed in my past positions and ones that I would like to apply in XYZ
Corp..
+. What do you &now a(out th! organ!*at!on"
#nwer $I know that XYZ Corp. has been in eistence for four years. It was founded by -ohn .ush in
his garage and he has built it into the third largest office supplies firm in the state with aspirations to
make it number one within two years. It$s renowned as an ambitious and highly progressive company
and I believe it has a very bright future. I also like the fact that XYZ Corp isn$t a company that rests on its
laurels.
,. What do you &now a(out the po!t!on you-.e appl!ed for"
What dut!e do you th!n& th! /o( enta!l"
#nwer $,he /edia /arketing Co-ordinator reports to the /arketing 0irector. 1er role is to co-ordinate
all media advertising& particularly print& radio& and television. ,he Co-ordinator works with /edia
agencies to profile advertising opportunities& then& working within a strict budget& she organi2es cross-
media advertising campaigns. +n important aspect of the role is to disseminate the customer response
to the adverts in order to measure its success and thus improve future campaigns.
+t my last job in +%C 3 Co I worked closely with several different media agencies& including some that
speciali2ed in new media platforms such as the Internet. I also gained invaluable eperience as a
member of the team that established +%C 3 Co as a national brand by launching +%C 0oo0aa
nationwide. I feel that I can bring this epertise to the /edia /arketing Co-ordinator role and help XYZ
Corp achieve it$s goal of doubling it$s customer base every year for the net three years.
0.What do you &now a(out th! !ndutry"
#nwer $,he telecommunications industry is currently going through a period of rapid epansion. ,he
major industry players are positioning themselves for the delivery of the net generation of
telecommunication services. 4ew developments in mobile& broadband and satellite communications
mean that it$s an incredibly eciting time to be in the industry. I$ve no doubt that the telecommunications
industry will be a driving force of the worldwide economy in the '5st century. I know that XYZ Corp
intends to be a frontrunner in that epansion. 6or that reason& this job is highly attractive.
1. Why would you l!&e to wor& for 2e"
#nwer $I$ve been aware of your reputation for some time. You$re regarded as an innovator within the
industry and beyond. I appreciate that your team$s success is due to a number of factors& not least of
which is hard work. I$m an ecellent team player& I$m a very good problem solver& and I work hard to get
the job done. 6or these reasons& I$m confident I$d be an asset to your group. I hope that my eperience
shows I$m suitably !ualified to fulfill the position.
I know that your position within this firm speaks for itself. /y ideal manager is someone that fosters
ecellence& innovation& and success& as well as personal and professional growth. It$s widely recogni2ed
that XYZ Corp$s strongest asset is its staff thanks to its strong belief in training and development. 6or
these reasons& this is a highly desirable role.
3. What )hallenge do you th!n& you-ll fa)e !n th! /o("
What pro(le2 do you th!n& you-ll fa)e !n th! /o("
#nwer $1aving worked in a similar role at +%C 3 Co& I epect that this job will present regular
deadlines to meet& strains on resource availability& conflicting priorities& and budgetary concerns to name
but a few issues. ,hese are challenges that I$ve successfully tackled in the past and I$m sure that record
would continue here. I relish a challenge and there$s nothing that I$ve seen in this job that intimidates me
in any way.
4. What alary do you th!n& you deer.e"
#nwer $1aving worked in the advertising industry for seven years& I bring a valuable combination of
epertise& eperience and dedication to each new job. I epect that a compensation towards the top of
the salary range for this position would ade!uately reflect the value of my skills.
15. What ! your alary h!tory" 6o you e7pe)t that pattern to )ont!nue"
#nwer 1 $7Candidate with good salary increases8
In the four years of my employment at +%C 3 Co I was very happy with my salary growth. /y most
recent increase was a 59: rise after the successful completion of a year-long project. I feel that the
increase reflected my performance and the etra responsibilities I assumed during the course of the
project. I hope XYZ Corp is an organi2ation that rewards ecellent performances in a similar fashion. Is
it#
#nwer % $7Candidate with disappointing salary increases8
/y average salary increase during the course of my career has been ;:& although as I moved jobs and
assumed etra responsibilities that increase has invariably been higher. <nfortunately I was
disappointed with the salary increases at my last job& which averaged '.9: . ,his was due to a firm-
wide rigid salary structure that I felt did not reward ecellent employees over those that made a
significantly worse effort. ,his is one of the reasons that I have decided to look for a job with a more
ambitious company where I will be rewarded according to my performance.
11. What )on)ern you a(out th! /o("
#nwer$I have no concerns about this job. I believe it closely matches my skill set and is a natural
progression in my career. I look forward to the challenge but am confident that I can make a success of
this role.
1%. What )on)ern you a(out th! )o2pany"
#nwer$I have no concerns about this company. /y research has shown that +%C Corp is dedicated to
the development and advancement of its staff. I$ve also learnt that the benefits package is one of the
best within the industry.
1'. How long would !t ta&e (efore you )ould )ontr!(ute to th! )o2pany"
#nwer$I$d need to get a better idea of the full responsibilities associated with this job& along with an
idea of the compleities of each.
1+. When would you e7pe)t your ne7t pro2ot!on"
#nwer$It$s difficult to give an eact time without knowing the personnel structure within XYZ Corp and
specifically the line of responsibility associated with this position. 1owever& I$m an ambitious person and
through hard work& dedication& and with the guidance of a good manager& I aim to gain my net
promotion as soon as possible& ideally ahead of $normal$ timeframes.
1,. Why are you ee&!ng a new /o("
#nwer$I$ve worked with +%C 3 Co for three years. 0uring that time I$ve achieved all of the goals I set
myself and I$ve enjoyed every minute. 4ow& however& my aspirations etend beyond those of +%C 3 Co.
I would like to tackle a new challenge in a different environment.
10. Where do you ee th! )o2pany go!ng"
#nwer$XYZ Corp is the number three firm in the corporate security sector. ,he company does not hide
the fact that it wants to lead the sector within two years. I believe that the firm can achieve this. It$s a
young company with a dynamic workforce and a tremendous growth rate. XYZ Corp$s bright future
make it a very attractive place to work.
11. If you were offered th! /o(, what fa)tor w!ll d!)tate whether you a))ept !t or not"
#nwer$I$m at various stages of the interview process with a number of firms at the moment. /y
preferred position will be in a company that offers a challenging environment& a prospect for promotion&
and a rewarding working eperience. It$s important to me that I work for a company with bright prospects
and strong desire for success. =bviously XYZ Corp is one of my preferred companies.
13. Th! ! a 2u)h (!gger )o2pany than you-.e e.er wor&ed at. How do you feel a(out that"
#nwer$I$m very ecited. I$ve worked at three small or medium si2ed companies during my career and
while there have been different challenges at each& I$ve always been successful. I$m looking for a new
challenge in a large organi2ation where I can apply my talents. ,his position in XYZ Corp certainly
matches what I$m looking for
14. Th! ! a 2u)h 2aller )o2pany than you-.e e.er wor&ed at. How do you feel a(out that"
#nwer$It$s great. I$ve learnt a lot working in a large organi2ation and I$m looking forward to applying my
knowledge and eperience in a smaller arena. I$m under no illusions that the task ahead will be every bit
as challenging as my previous role& if not more so& but it$s a challenge that I$d relish.
%5. What do you &now a(out our produ)t"
#nwer$I know that XYZ >oft speciali2e in the development of software solutions for small and medium
si2ed businesses. ,he firm$s best-selling products are leaders in the field - the XYZ ?roject /anagement
,ool and the XYZ ?ersonnel /anagement ,ool. I feel that XYZ >oft has a solid product and customer
base upon which it can build in the future. I understand that the firm$s aim is to develop eisting and new
products with the aim of breaking into the Corporate sector. It$s an ambitious aim but one that I believe
XYZ >oft are more than capable of achieving. + major attraction of this position is the opportunity it
offers to be a part of the challenging and eciting times ahead at XYZ >oft.
%1. Why d!d you apply for th! /o("
Why do you want th! po!t!on"
What !nteret you a(out th! po!t!on"
#nwer $I$ve worked in the travel industry for five years and I$ve enjoyed every minute. I$d like to work
for XYZ Corp because they are industry leaders and I want to work with the best people and the best
products I can. ,here are eciting times ahead for the firm& particularly in light of the firm$s recent
announcement that it was epanding it$s product range by '9: over the net '@ months. I feel that my
drive& creativity and determination will be an asset to the firm and will enable me to succeed in this role.
,his position would enable me to apply my skills in an eciting and challenging environment. I think this
position is a perfect match for my talents and my career goals.
%%. What eparate th! )o2pany fro2 our )o2pet!tor"
#nwer $+%C Corp spent much of the eighties and nineties among the top seven engineering
companies in the state. It is now the undisputed leader in five states with aspirations to become the
leading company in the sector countrywide. ,hat tells me that the company is highly ambitious& with a
commitment to ecellence in every department that enables it to meet& and indeed surpass& its
aspirations. +%C Corp is now the company that its competitors aspire to become. ,hat is what
separates this company from its competitors.
%'. What attra)t you to th! )o2pany"
What !nteret you a(out th! )o2pany"
#nwer $+%C Corp is a leading national software vendor. It has set itself aggressive targets to achieve
in the near to medium term. In particular& the firm aims to become the leading vendor on the Internet
within three years. I respect the history of the firm from a small start-up to one of the largest employers
in the state. I also respect the principles upon which it has grown. ,he firm has achieved magnificent
results to date and I would like to help it achieve its goals in the future.
%+. 6o you feel o.er8ual!f!ed for th! /o("
#nwer $I don$t think there$s such a thing as being over-!ualified for a job. Avery position brings with it a
new environment& new people and new challenges. I feel that the skills I would bring to a new job can
only help me to do a better job& and would in no way hinder the challenges I would face.
%,. 6o you feel under8ual!f!ed for th! /o("
#nwer $I attended weekend computer courses at my local district college for three years. It has
changed me from someone who was scared of using a computer into a very competent computer user.
/y training has enabled me to gain promotion into a senior administrative role in my current job.
%0. What )oure9)lae ha.e you ta&en to tay ahead !n your f!eld"
#nwer $I attended weekend computer courses at my local district college for three years. It has
changed me from someone who was scared of using a computer into a very competent computer user.
/y training has enabled me to gain promotion into a senior administrative role in my current job.
%1. What edu)at!onal goal do you )urrently ha.e"
#nwer $I enjoy sailing very much. In the near future I plan to begin studying in order to become a
!ualified yachtsman. /y ultimate goal is to become sufficiently eperienced that I could skipper a crew
in a competitive race.
%3. Ha.e you )o2pleted your edu)at!on"
#nwer $I believe that I$ve finished my formal school and college education. .ight now I$m focusing on
my career and on being as good at my job as I possibly can. I enjoy learning and I think it$s essential in
both personal and career development. Ideally& I hope that the firm I join will encourage growth and
learning through in-house andBor eternal training. I strongly believe that the most important component
of learning occurs $on the job$ where you learn from your peers& manager and others around you. In
summary& my answer is $4o$& I very much hope that my education is not over.
%4. What d!d you l!&e 2ot a(out )ollege"
#nwer $I enjoyed many things about college. It was a new challenge and an opportunity for me to
epand my hori2ons both educationally and personally. ?erhaps the most enjoyable aspect was the
chance to meet new people from different backgrounds. =f course the social aspect of college was
immense fun& but I also relished collaborating with other people with different speciali2ations from me.
'5. What d!d you l!&e leat a(out )ollege"
#nwer $It may seem a bit premature& but I would very much like to develop my project management
and team leadership skills. I would very much like to take responsibility for a project or team in the net
twelve months and I think developing those skills now would make the transition easier.
'1. What &!ll do you need to de.elop 2ot"
#nwer $It may seem a bit premature& but I would very much like to develop my project management
and team leadership skills. I would very much like to take responsibility for a project or team in the net
twelve months and I think developing those skills now would make the transition easier.
'%. 6o you ha.e any f!nan)!al 8ual!f!)at!on"
#nwer 1$Yes& I took a finance module for two semesters in college. I$ve been surprised how useful my
financial knowledge has been during my career. It has helped me schedule project budgets& analy2e
financial reports and prepare financial projections. ,here$s no doubt that I$m a better manager for having
this knowledge.
#nwer %$ I haven$t had the opportunity to take any formal financial training yet. 1owever I$ve had an
informal training through the various project management roles I$ve fulfilled. I$ve gained some very good
eperience projecting budgets and preparing financial statements and I would feel comfortable
undertaking similar duties.
''. 6o you ha.e any IT :Infor2at!on Te)hnology; 8ual!f!)at!on"
#nwer 1$ Yes& I took a computer applications module for two semesters in college. It$s helped give me
a better knowledge of how computers& operating systems and a wide range of software packages work.
I$ve been able to apply this knowledge when tackling problems.
#nwer %$ I haven$t had the opportunity to take any formal I, training yet. 1owever& I$ve used computers
etensively at every job I$ve had and I$m very much at home using a word processor& spreadsheet&
database and project management software. I have a computer at home too which I use to track my
family$s finances and to access the Internet. I$m very comfortable using computers.
'+. Would you o(/e)t to attend!ng tra!n!ng e2!nar !n your own t!2e"
#nwer $4ot at all. I$m looking for a company with an active training program& and I$m always willing to
attain new skills. =ther company$s I$ve interviewed with host training within the working day. Is it XYZ
Corp company policy to always hold training outside of working hours#
',. Why d!d you ele)t your )ollege or un!.er!ty"
#nwer $I was glad to be accepted at my number one choice college. I spent !uite a lot of time
researching colleges with biochemistry faculties. It became obvious that this college commanded a
tremendous reputation for its pioneering work and is one of the best in its field in the country.
'0. What are your trength" How do they help you"
#nwer $I$m well motivated& I$ve got a strong desire to succeed& and I$m always ready and willing to
learn new information and skills.
'1. What are your wea&nee" How do you o.er)o2e the2"
#nwer $I$m always ready to learn new skills and adapt my methods to become better at what I do. If I
become aware of a weakness in my knowledge base or in the way I perform my duties& I do my best to
fill that gap whether through formal training& informal training& or directly from my colleagues.
'3. What 2a&e you th!n& you-re 8ual!f!ed for th! /o("
#nwer $I studied for a diploma in computers which I enjoyed immensely. In my last job I was able to
apply knowledge I$d gained on the course to do my job better. I streamlined many of the department$s
manual tasks by moving them from paper to a computer-based solution. I$ve also got an advanced
sailing certificate. ,his has helped me build many team-working skills. "hen I worked at XYZ Corp I
voluntarily attended a series of in-house personal development training programs.
'4. Tell 2e a(out yourelf.
#nwer $I$m an ambitious& self-motivated account eecutive and I$m very happy in my life right now. I$m
looking to change jobs because I feel I$ve achieved all of the goals I set out for myself when I embarked
in my previous role& si years ago. I$ve still got a strong appetite for success and I$m looking for a job
that will provide fresh challenges and rewards.
+5. 6o you l!&e to wor& a part of a tea2 or alone. Why"
#nwer $I work very well when I$m part of a team& I value the ability to bounce ideas off other people
and also provide my input& whenever it$s wanted. =f course I$m more than capable of working alone
whenever I$m re!uired to do so too.
+1. What 2ot!.ate you"
#nwer $+ little appreciation for a succesfully completed work. If failed in that task& I am motivated to do
it better than ever. If completed sucessfully& the sucess motivates me to go in for a tougher projectBwork
which is a new challenge for me. +s it is& winning challenges is the spirit in me.
+%. How do you handle tre"
#nwer $I$m not the type of person that becomes stressed very easily. 1owever& if in an etreme
circumstance I did start to become stressed& I would look to the cause of it and attempt to identify a
solution. I would certainly not be afraid to look to others for their input and assistance. In a working
environment I think stress comes around from pressuri2ed situations. In such cases the best solution is
often one of situation management until the crisis abates.
+'. I-2 worr!ed a(out your la)& of <<<<< e7per!en)e.
#nwer $I don$t feel you$ve anything to worry about. "hile I$ve only been a designated team leader for
one year& I$ve spent eighteen months as the most eperienced member of the team and in many
situations I effectively led the team. I very much enjoy team management and am confident in my own
abilities.
++. What do you l!&e to do !n your pare t!2e"
#nwer $I enjoy participating in and watching most sports. I discovered golf at college and find it a great
way to rela and spend time with friends. I also enjoy playing football and tennis. I was captain of the
school swimming team and I try to keep that up as best I can too. I also enjoy listening to music&
watching movies& and being around my friends.
+,. =ou-.e (een !n the a2e f!r2 for a nu2(er of year. How do you th!n& you-ll ad/ut to a new
one"
#nwer $>ample +nswer7s8 I$m looking forward to the challenge. Aven in this day and age there is a lot
of value in staying in the one company for a prolonged period of time. In my current role I have had an
opportunity to work with many people throughout the company and build great working and personal
relationships. In addition& I had enough time in each area I worked to make a real and lasting difference.
+lso& I$d also like to think the firm$s decision to retain my services for so long is indicative of the esteem
in which I$m held. 1owever& it$s now time for me to move on so I can take the skills I$ve attained at +%C
Corp and apply them in a new environment.
+0. How often do you 2! deadl!ne"
#nwer $+s infre!uently as possible. In the reality it may be impossible to achieve every single
deadline& however in my eperience good planning and project management can alleviate late
deliveries.
+1. Why hould we h!re you"
#nwer $I believe that I$ve got the skills and enthusiasm re!uired to fulfill the role that$s available. I think
I$d be a valuable asset to the firm and& from my eperience& I$m sure I$d make a positive contribution to
the company$s ambitions.
+3. How do you 2eaure -u))e-"
#nwer $I measure my own personal success by how well I$ve achieved the goals I set myself. I feel I$ve
been successful to date - I attended my college of choice& I graduated with a degree& and I$ve spent
three successful years at XYZ %ros. ,he key in being successful is to set challenging yet attainable
goals& while always remaining focused on what you hope to achieve. /y current goal is to succeed at
this interview.
+4. In what &!nd of wor& en.!ron2ent are you 2ot produ)t!.e"
#nwer $,ailor your answer to the job. 6or eample& if in doing your job you$re re!uired to lock the lab
doors and work alone& then indicate that you enjoy being a team player when needed& but also enjoy
working independently. If you$re re!uired to attend regular project planning and status meetings& then
indicate that you$re a strong team player and like being part of a team.
,5. How do you handle preure"
#nwer $ ,his is sort of a double whammy& because you$re likely already stressed from the interview
and the interviewer can see if you$re handling it well or not. Averybody feels stress& but the degree
varies. >aying that you whine to your shrink& kick your dog or slam down a fifth of -ack 0aniels are not
good answers. Aercising& relaing with a good book& sociali2ing with friends or turning stress into
productive energy are more along the lines of the CcorrectC answers.
,1. How do you plan to a)h!e.e thoe goal"
#nwer $I plan on gaining additional skills by taking related classes and continuing my involvement with
a variety of professional associations.
I noticed that XYZ company 7the company you are interviewing with8 provides in-house training for
employees and I would certainly be interested in taking classes that would be relevant.
I will continue my professional development my participating in conferences& attending seminars& and
continuing my education.
,%. =ou ha.en-t wor&ed for a long t!2e. #re you ure you )an handle th! /o("
#nwer $You may have gaps in your employment due to family responsibilities. ?erhaps you$ve been a
homemaker or a caregiver. You may have retired and then decided to work again.
/emori2e one phrase or short sentence to eplain your situation. ,hen emphasi2e the eperience
you$ve gained.
,'. What &!nd of wor&er are you"
#nwer $+gain& no one is perfect. >howing that you tackle every assignment with all of your energy and
talents is admirable but mention that you also learn from your mistakes.
,+. What )aue you to loe your te2per"
#nwer $Averybody has a low boiling point on some particular issue. ?ick one of yoursD something safe
and reasonable. ?eople who are late to meetings& blame shifting& broken appointments and office $$back-
stabbing$$ are suitable responses. 0on$t say that you never fly off the handle. You won$t be believed.
,,. What d!d you l!&e 2ot a(out your pre.!ou /o("
What d!d you l!&e leat a(out your pre.!ou /o("
#nwer $+n employer can evaluate the type of worker you will be by the items you choose. Cite
specifics. You are also providing clues about the environment you seek. "hat you liked most can
include a strong teamwork atmosphere& high-level of creativity& and attainable deadlines. "hat you liked
least should include any situations you are unlikely to encounter in your new position.
,0. =our reu2e ugget that you 2ay (e o.er>8ual!f!ed or too e7per!en)ed for th! po!t!on.
What- =our op!n!on"
#nwer $Amphasi2e your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organi2ation& and say
that you assume that if you perform well in his job& new opportunities will open up for you. /ention that a
strong company needs a strong staff. =bserve that eperienced eecutives are always at a premium.
>uggest that since you are so well!ualified& the employer will get a fast return on his investment. >ay
that a growing& energetic company can never have too much talent.
,1. How long would you tay w!th u"
#nwer $>ay that you are interested in a career with the organi2ation& but admit that you would have to
continue to feel challenged to remain with any organi2ation. ,hink in terms of& $$+s long as we both feel
achievement-oriented.$$
,3. Tell 2e a(out a t!2e you had to handle 2ult!ple repon!(!l!t!e. How d!d you organ!*e the
wor& you needed to do"
#nwer $"hile attending college& I also worked at a law firm. I was successful because I practiced good
time-management skills and I made a to-do list every day. +s I completed each task& I checked it off the
list. It is funny how something so simple can keep you so organi2ed. +s a result of my to-do lists& I was
able to visuali2e my daily progress.
,4. 6e)r!(e a !tuat!on !n wh!)h you found that your reult were not up to your profeor- or
uper.!or- e7pe)tat!on. What happened" What a)t!on d!d you ta&e"
#nwer $.ecently I was asked to put together a proposal for a migration of network systems.
/isunderstanding my boss& I thought it was just an informal paper. "hen I presented it to him days later&
he was upset with the !uality since it had to be presented to our E?. I eplained my misunderstanding&
apologi2ed& reworked the paper& and had it back to him with enough time for him to review it before he
presented it successfully at the meeting.
05. What would you do w!th your l!fe !f 2oney wa not a )on)ern"
#nwer $I am not depending on money to make me happy. "hat makes me happy is having a
satisfying job that provides challenge and new situations daily.
01. What do you ee yourelf do!ng f!.e year fro2 now"
#nwer $$$/aking a more significant contribution to whatever organisation I$m working for. ,o have
developed new skills& abilities& maturity - perhaps a little wisdom even. ,o have become better !ualified
in whatever way suits the situation and opportunities I have. ,o be better regarded by my peers& and
respected by my superiors as someone who can continue to increase the value and scale of what I do
for the organisation.$$
$$I$d like more responsibility& because that$s a result of personal growth and progression& and it$s
important for my personal satisfaction.$$
$$I have no set aspirations about money and reward - if I contribute and add value to the organisation
then generally increased reward follows - you get out what you put in.$$
$$Fong term I want to make the most of my abilities - if possible to build a serious career& but in this day
and age nothing is certain or guaranteedD things can change. I$ll do my best and believe that
opportunities will arise which will enable me to keep contributing& increasing my worth& and developing
my ability in a way that benefits the organisation and me.$$
Amployers will respond well if they see that you are mature& independent& self-motivatedD that you will
make a positive and growing contribution& and that you understand that reward 7financial& promotion&
responsibility& etc8 will always be based on the !uality and value of your input.
0%. How do you 2a&e yourelf !nd!pena(le to a )o2pany"
#nwer $G"e are looking for both technical and interpersonal competence&H says 0oris -. >mith-%rooks&
recruiting and advertising manager for %oeing Co. in >eattle& "ashington.
>mith-%rooks eplains that students who have interned or completed cooperative education
assignments generally answer the !uestion best because they know what working for a company
entails.
0'. What? your greatet trength"
#nwer $G0onIt just talk about your strengthJrelate it to the position&H 6erguson says. GFet them know
you are a !ualified candidate.H
0+. What? your greatet wea&ne"
#nwer $G>ay something along the lines of& KI have difficulty with this thing& and these are the strategies
I use to get around it&H 6erguson says. G6or eample& you could say& KIIm not the most organi2ed of
individuals& so I always answer my e-mails and phone calls right away. IIm aware of the problem and I
have strategies to deal with it.H
0,. Where do you ee yourelf f!.e :ten or f!fteen; year fro2 now"
#nwer $Aplain your career-advancement goals that are in line with the job for which you are
interviewing. Your interviewer is likely more interested in how he& she or the company will benefit from
you achieving your goals than what you$ll get from it& but it goes hand in hand to a large degree. It$s not
a good idea to tell your potential new boss that you$ll be going after his or her job& but it$s okay to
mention that you$d like to earn a senior or management position.
00. Why d!d you lea.e your pre.!ou /o( :!f any;"
#nwer $,he interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have
any problems& simply give a reason& such asL relocated away from jobD company went out of businessD
laid offD temporary jobD no possibility of advancementD wanted a job better suited to your skills.
If you did have problems& be honest. >how that you can accept responsibility and learn from your
mistakes. You should eplain any problems you had 7or still have8 with an employer& but don$t describe
that employer in negative terms. 0emonstrate that it was a learning eperience that will not affect your
future work.
01. What 2a/or )hallenge ha.e you en)ountered and how d!d you deal w!th the2"
#nwer $"hen going to an interview& you should always be prepared to speak about difficult situations
that you have encountered in the past and how you were able to effectively resolve them. It is good to
remember at least three. +nd remember& the situation should always reflect an attribute that you think
the employerBinterviewer would admire.
03. Tell 2e how you handled an eth!)al d!le22a.
#nwer $G>uppose you worked at a bank and a long-time customer wanted a check cashed right away
but didnIt have the fund balance in his account to cover the check&H /artine2 says& eplaining that if the
bankIs policy prohibited cashing checks in that manner& the teller would have a choice of violating bank
policy or alienating a good customer.
/artine2 says the best way to handle such a situation would be to go to a supervisor& eplain the
situation& and ask for advice. 1e adds that students who canIt offer a situation that they handled
correctly the first time can eplain how they learned from making mistakes.
GAplain that the net time& this was how you handled it&H he says.
04. Tell 2e a(out the )ulture at your lat )o2pany9e2ployer.
#nwer $If the past culture was good them eplain how and why in terms that the interviewee is likely to
identify with& for eampleL
$$,he culture encouraged people to develop& grow& take responsibility. ?eople were coached and
mentored towards !uality and productive effort. +ll of this helped me a great deal because I identify with
these values& and respond to these opportunities.$$
+ good answer& in referring to a non-supportive culture would be to epress the positive aspects 7eg lots
of freedom for me to take initiative& responsibility& find new ways to contribute& a free market allowing the
good workers to naturally ecel and develop reputation and internal working relationships& etc.8
15. Tell 2e a(out your l!fe at @ollege or Un!.er!ty :or e.en your t!2e !n your pre.!ou /o(;.
#nwer $,he !uestion is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the !ualities that the interviewer is
seeking in for the job& so orientate your answer towards these epectations 7without distorting the truth
obviously8.
In your answer& emphasise the positive behaviour& eperience and achievements 7ideally backed up with
eamples and evidence8 which will impress the interviewer because of its relevance to the role
re!uirements.
,he interviewer is looking for the same capabilities and behaviour in your college 7or university or
previous job8 life that they want in the job.
Your emphasis should be on your achievements& and how you achieved them& that are relevant to the
job re!uirements.
Interviewers with special interest in behaviour and personality may also use a !uestion like this to
assess your self-awareness and maturity& in the way you consider your answer and relate it to your own
eperience and development.
11. What d!d you a)h!e.e !n your lat /o("
#nwer $?repare a number of relevant eamples and eplain one 7two or three if they$re punchy and
going down well8. /ake sure you feature as the instigator& or the factor that made the difference.
Aamples must lead to significant organisational benefitsD making money& saving moneyBtime& improving
!uality& anticipating or creatively solving problems& winningBkeeping customers& improving efficiency.
1%. A!.e 2e o2e e7a2ple of how you ha.e adapted your own )o22un!)at!ng tyle to deal
w!th d!fferent people and !tuat!on.
#nwer $?repare this as one of your strengths& as there$s not a single job that won$t benefit from good
adaptive communication skills. Mive eamples of how you$ve been detailed and given written
confirmation for people who need it. Mive eamples of how you verbally enthuse and inspire the people
who respond to challenge and recognition. ,hink of other eamples of adapting your style to suit the
recipients. Mive eamples when you$ve had to be task-driven& process driven& people-driven& and how
you change your style accordingly. + chance for you to truly shine.
1'. What do you f!nd d!ff!)ult !n wor&9l!fe9relat!onh!p :et);"
#nwer $?ick a relatively irrelevant skill and say that you don$t find it as easy as you$d like& so you$re
working on it 7don$t just make this up - think about it and be truthful8. 0on$t own up to a weakness in an
area that$s important to the role. +s with the weaknesses !uestion& you can state certain difficulties
because they are actually !uite acceptable& even commendable& they$d includeL suffering fools gladly&
giving up an impossible task& tolerating unkind behaviour like bullying& having to accept I can$t help
certain big problems in the world& etc.
1+. How do you plan and organ!e your wor&"
#nwer $?lanning and writing a plan is very important. I think how best to do things before I do them& if
it$s unknown territory I$d take advice& learn from previous eamples - why re-invent the wheel# I always
prioritise& I manage my time& and I understand the difference between urgent and important. 6or very
comple projects I$d produce !uite a detailed schedule and plan review stages. I even plan time-slots for
activities that aren$t in themselves organised& like thinking time& and being creative& solving problems&
etc.
1,. How 2any hour a wee& do you wor&9prefer to wor&"
#nwer $It varies according to the situation. I plan and organise well& so unless there$s a crisis or
unusual demand I try to finish at a sensible time so as to have some time for my familyBsocial lifeBoutside
interests. It$s important to keep a good balance. I start earlier than most people - you can get a lot done
before the phones start ringing. "hen the pressure$s on though I$m happy to work as long as it takes to
get the job done. It$s not about the number of hours - it$s the !uality of the work that you doD how
productive you are.
10. 6o you 2a&e 2!ta&e"
#nwer $%e honest. Yes of course on occasions& but I obviously try not to& and I always try to correct
them and learn from them.
11. :Bollow a(o.e 8uet!on w!th; > @an you hare your 2!ta&e w!th other"
#nwer $+bsolutely I can - I get the guidance I need& and it may help prevent others from making the
same mistake.
13. How to do 2eaure your own effe)t!.ene"
#nwer $%y the results that I achieve& and that I achieve them in the most positive way. If there isn$t an
eisting measure of this I$ll usually create one.
14. What peronal goal do you ha.e and how are you go!ng a(out a)h!e.!ng the2"
#nwer $?repare for this - be able to state your personal and career goals - keep them reasonable&
achievable and balanced. Aplain how you see the steps to reaching your aims. +n important part of
achieving progress is planning how to do it. %e able to demonstrate that you$ve thought and planned&
but also show that you are fleible and adaptable& because it$s impossible to predict the future - the
important thing is to learn and develop& and take advantage of opportunities as they come along.
35. What 2a&e you 2ad"
#nwer $4othing really makes me mad - it$s not a good way to deal with anything. Certain things
disappoint or upset me - rudeness& arrogance& spitefulness 7pick any obvious nasty traits or behaviours&
particularly behaviours that you believe your interviewer will personally dislike too.8
31. What do you th!n& of your lat (o9e2ployer"
#nwer $0on$t be critical. If possible be generous with praise and say why& giving positive reasons. If
there was a conflict don$t lie& but describe fairly and objectively without pointing blame.
3%. How would you rea)t !f I told you that your !nter.!ew, o far, wa terr!(le"
#nwer $ 1e is trying to find out how you react to criticism.
"ell& I$d be !uite surprised and rather sad. I have put a lot of work into preparing for this interview and
getting this job is very important to me.
/ay I ask you& what parts of my presentation did you consider were not up to an acceptable standard# If
you could pinpoint these areas to me& maybe I could go over them again and clear up any
misunderstandings that might eist. I$m sure that$s where the problem liesC
3'. What !nfluen)ed you to )hooe th! )areer"
#nwer $/y past eperiences have shown me that I enjoy facing and overcoming the challenge of
making a sale. "ithout a doubt& once I have practiced my presentation and prepared myself for
objections& I feel very confident approaching people I don$t know and convincing them that they need my
product. Fastly& I like sales because my potential for success is limited only by how much of myself I
dedicate toward my goal. If any profession is founded on self-determinism& it surely must be sales.
3+. Wh!)h ! 2ore !2portant to you, the /o( !telf or your alary"
#nwer $+ salary commensurate with my eperience and skills is important& but it$s only one piece of
the package. /any other elements go into making up a compensation package& but more importantly&
it$s critical to me to enjoy what I$m doing& fit into the corporate culture& and feel I$m making a genuine
contribution.
BEHAVIOUR QUESTIONS
INITIATIVE
1. Mive me an eample of when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a
job done.
2. Mive me eamples of projectsBtasks you started on your own.
3. Mive some instances in which you anticipated problems and were able to influence a new
direction.
4. 0escribe some projects or ideas 7not necessarily your own8 that were implemented& or carried
out successfully primarily because of your efforts.
5. 0escribe a situation that re!uired a number of things to be done at the same time. 1ow did you
handle it# "hat was the result#
6. 1ave you found any ways to make school or a job easier or more rewarding#
7. "hat did you do to prepare for this interview#
8. Mive me an eample of a situation that could not have happened successfully without you
being there.
ANALYSIS
1. "hat steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision#
2. "e can sometimes identify a small problem and fi it before it becomes a major problem. Mive
an eample7s8 of how you have done this.
3. 0escribe a situation in which you had to collect information by asking many !uestions of
several people.
4. .ecall a time from your work eperience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable
and a problem arose. hat was the nature of the problem# 1ow did you handle that situation#
1ow did that make you feel#
5. .ecall a time when you were assigned what you considered to be a comple project.
>pecifically& what steps did you take to prepare for and finish the project# "ere you happy with
the outcome# "hat one step would you have done differently if given the chance#
6. In a supervisory or group leader role& have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee
or group member# "hat was the nature of the discipline# "hat steps did you take# 1ow did
that make you feel# 1ow did you prepare yourself#
7. "hat was the most comple assignment you have had# "hat was your role#
FLEXIBILITY
1. 0escribe a time where you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.
2. 0escribe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker understand a task. 1ow
did you assist them# "hat was the result#
3. Mive me an eample of a time when the rules or structure of a project were changed last
minute.
4. Mive me an eample of a time when you had two important projects competing for your time.
5. Mive me an eample of a time when you were forced to change your negotiating position
midway in order to achieve an objective
TEAM WORK
1. 0escribe the types of teams you$ve been involved with. "hat were your roles#
2. 0escribe a team eperience you found rewarding.
3. 0escribe a team eperience you found disappointing. "hat would you have done to prevent
this#
4. 0escribe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your
ideas. "hat did you do#
5. ,ell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing their share of the
work. "ho& if anyone& did you tell or talk to about it# 0id the manager take any steps to correct
your colleague# 0id you agree or disagree with the manager$s actions#
6. 0escribe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor$s or
supervisor$s epectations. "hat happened# "hat action did you take#
7. 0escribe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a
compromise.
8. "hat did you do in your last jobBinternship to contribute toward a teamwork environment#
9. ,ell me about a time when you put the needs of a group before your own when completing a
task.
10. ,ell me about a time when a willingness to share your knowledge significantly enhanced an
outcome or decision.
PERSONALITY
1. 0escribe your ideal job.
2. "here do you see yourself in three to five years#
3. "hat type of management style do you thrive under#
4. "hen you are not studying or working& what types of activities do you enjoy#
5. How would your fr!end :or tea)her or uper.!or; de)r!(e you"
+nswerL Neep it honest and positive. .emember this is not necessarily how you would
describe yourself. Your friends may see your fun and !uirks while your supervisor might see
your dedication and adaptability.
6. What 2ot!.ate your (et wor&"
+nswerL Consider the job. If you need praise or ecitement or deadlines& not all jobs offer
these. Mive an eample.
7. A!.e 2e an e7a2ple of a pro(le2 you ha.e had w!th a tea2 2e2(er, )o>wor&er, or
e2ployee and how you reol.ed !t.
+nswerL ,alking it over with the person involved& using non-accusatory language and a caring&
problem-solving approach& is the first step. 0iscussing it with your team members or a
supervisor& as applicable& is net. Met to resolution& whether it was a reprimand& epulsion from
the group& firing& your agreement with that person$s point of view& or the person$s change of
behavior.
8. How do you &eep tra)& of th!ng you need to do"
+nswerL You are on your own. /ost answers will work& ecept saying that you just remember
everything.
9. Would you rather wr!te a report or g!.e !t .er(ally" Why"
+nswerL >tate your preference& but indicate your comfort with either approach as the situation
warrants. Nnowing the job re!uirements will assist with this !uestion. /any jobs re!uire both
skills.
10. A!.e 2e an e7a2ple of a h!gh>preure !tuat!on you ha.e fa)ed th! pat year and how
you reol.ed !t.
+nswerL Your skills in organi2ation and prioriti2ation of tasks& your willingness to re!uest your
supervisor$s assistance with establishing priorities& or ability to stay calm in pressure situations&
are all appropriate to mention if applicable.
LEADERSHIP
1. Mive me an eample of a time you have placed yourself in a leadership position. 1ow might
you have improved your role#
2. Mive me an eample of a time when a group you were leading failedBdid not meet epectations.
3. Mive me an eample of a time when you felt you were able to motivate a group.
4. ,ell me about a time when you influenced the outcome of a project by taking a leadership role.
5. Mive me an eample of when you involved others in making a decision.
6. Mive an eample of your ability to build motivation in your co-workers& classmates& and even if
on a volunteer committee.
7. "hat is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from# 0escribe how you
handled it. "hat was the outcome#
8. 1ave you ever been a member of a group where two of the members did not work well
together#
9. "hat did you do to get them to do so#
10. "hat is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from#
11. 1ave you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas# "hat was your approach# 0id
it work#
MOTIVATION
1. Mive an eample of a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
2. ,ell me about an important goal that you set in the past. "ere you successful# "hy#
3. 0escribe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.
Mive me an eample of a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
4. 0escribe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the action of others.
5. 1ow would you define CsuccessC for someone in your chosen career#
6. Mive eamples of your eperiences at school or in a job that were satisfying. Mive eamples of
your eperiences that were dissatisfying.
7. "hat kind of supervisor do you work best for# ?rovide eamples.
8. Mive eamples of your eperiences at school or in a job that were satisfying.Mive eamples of
your eperiences that were dissatisfying
9. "hat kind of supervisor do you work best for# ?rovide eamples.
ADAPTABILITY
1. 1ow was your transition from high school to college# 0id you face any particular problems#
2. ,ell of some situations in which you have had to adjust !uickly to changes over which you had
no control. "hat was the impact of the change on you#
COMMUNICATION
1. ,ell me about a situation when you had to speak up 7be assertive8 in order to get a point across
that was important to you.
2. 0escribe the most significant written document& report or presentation& which you had to
complete. ,ell me about a situation when you had to speak up 7be assertive8 in order to get a
point across that was important to you. 1ave you ever had to CsellC an idea to your co-workers
or group# 1ow did you do it# 0id they CbuyC it#
3. Mive me an eample of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another
person& even when that individual may not have personally liked you.
4. 1ave you had to CsellC an idea to your co-workers& classmates or group# 1ow did you do it#
0id they CbuyC it#
5. ,ell of a time when your active listening skills really paid off for you-maybe a time when other
people missed the key idea being epressed.
6. "hat has been your eperience in giving presentations to small or large groups#
7. "hat has been your most successful eperience in speech making#
8. Mive me a specific eample of a time when a co-worker criti2ed your work in front of others.
1ow did you respond# 1ow has that event shaped the way you communicate with others#
9. 1ow do you ensure that someone understands what you are saying#
10. ,ell me about a time when you had to present comple information.
11. ,ell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get
across an important point.
12. Mive me an eample of a time when you were successful in communicating with a difficult
person7s8 or circumstance#
13. 0escribe the most significant written report that you had to complete.
14. Mive me an eample of a time when you communicated with >enior Fevel Aecutives.
WORK STANDARD
1. Compare and contrast the times when you did work which was above the standard with times
your work was below the standard.
2. 0escibe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. "hat
did you do about it#
3. "hat are your standards of success in school# "hat have you done to meet these standards#
4. 1ow have you differed from your professors in evaluating your performance# 1ow did you
handle the situation#
DECISION MAKING
1. Mive an eample of a time when you had to be relatively !uick in coming to a decision.
2. "hat was your most difficult decision in the last ; months# "hat made it difficult#
3. Mive me an eample of a time when you had to keep from speaking or making a decision
because you did not have enough information.
4. Mive me an eample of a time when you had to be !uick in coming to a decision.
5. "hat kind of decisions do you make rapidly# "hat kind takes more time# Mive eamples.
6. Mive me an eample of a time you had to make a difficult decision.
7. 0escribe a specific problem you solved for your employer. 1ow did you approach the problem#
"hat role did others play# "hat was the outcome#
8. Mive me an eample of when taking your time to make a decision paid off.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. 0escribe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince
someone to see things your way.
2. 0escribe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping
skills.
3. Mive me a specific eample of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a
problem.
4. Mive me an eample of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
5. ,ell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone$s
opinion.
6. Mive me a specific eample of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did
not agree.
7. ?lease discuss an important written document you were re!uired to complete.
8. ,ell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job
done.
9. ,ell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were re!uired to prioriti2e
your tasks.
10. Mive me an eample of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
11. "hat is your typical way of dealing with conflict# Mive me an eample.
12. ,ell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that
individual may not have personally liked you 7or vice versa8.
13. ,ell me about a difficult decision you$ve made in the last year.
14. Mive me an eample of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
15. Mive me an eample of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
16. ,ell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-
worker.
17. Mive me an eample of a time when you motivated others.
18. ,ell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
19. Mive me an eample of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
20. ,ell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
21. 0escribe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
22. ,ell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
23. ?lease tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
24. 0escribe a time when you set your sights too high 7or too low8.
25. 0escribe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work that tested your
coping skills. "hat did you do#
26. Mive an eample of a time when you had to be relatively !uick in coming to a decision.
27. Mive me an eample of an important goal you had to set and tell me about your progress in
reaching that goal.
28. 0escribe the most creative work-related project you have completed.
29. Mive me an eample of a problem you faced on the job& and tell me how you solved it.
30. ,ell me about a situation in the past year in which you had to deal with a very upset customer
or co-worker.
31. Mive me an eample of when you had to show good leadership.
32. Maining the cooperation of others can be difficult. Mive a specific eample of when you had to
do that& and what challenges you faced. "hat was the outcome# "hat was the long-term
impact on your ability to work with this person# 0escribe a project you were responsible for
that re!uired a lot of interaction with people over a long period of time.
33. ,ell me about a course& work eperience& or etracurricular activity where you had to work
closely with others. 1ow did it go# 1ow did you overcome any difficulties#
34. Mive me a specific eample of a time when you had to address an angry customer. "hat was
the problem and what was the outcome# 1ow would you assess your role in defusing the
situation#
35. ,ell me about a suggestion you made to improve the way job processesBoperations worked.
"hat was the result#
36. 0escribe the most significant or creative presentationBidea that you developedBimplemented.
37. ,ell me about a time when you created a new process or program that was considered risky.
"hat was the situation and what did you do#
38. %y providing eamples& demonstrate that you can adapt to a wide variety of people& situations
andBor environments.
39. ,ell me about a decision you made while under a lot of pressure.
40. Mive me an eample of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not
in place# "hat was the outcome#
41. "hat are * effective leadership !ualities you think are important. 1ow have you demonstrated
these !ualities in your pastBcurrent position#
42. 0escribe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince
someone to approach things your way. "hat level was the person you had to persuade#
43. "hat have you done in your presentBprevious job that goes beyond what was re!uired#
44. ,ell me about a time when you had to resolve a difference of opinion with a co-
workerBcustomerBsupervisor. 1ow do you feel you showed respect#
45. 0escribe the way you handled a specific problem involving others with differing values& ideas
and beliefs in your currentBprevious job.
46. 0escribe a work situation that re!uired you to really listen and display compassion to a co-
workerBemployee who was telling you about a personalBsensitive situation.
47. Can you recall a time when you gave feedback to a co-worker who was unaccepting of others#
48. Can you recall a time when a person$s cultural background affected your approach to a work
situation#
49. ,ell me about a specific time when you had to handle a tough problem which challenged
fairness or ethical issues.
50. 1ow have you demonstrated initiative#
51. 1ow have you motivated yourself to complete an assignment or task that you did not want to
do#
52. ,hink about a difficult boss& professor or other person. "hat made him or her difficult#1ow did
you successfully interact with this person#
53. ,hink about a comple project or assignment that you have been assigned. "hat approach did
you take to complete it#
54. ,ell me about the riskiest decision that you have made.
55. Can you tell me about an occasion where you needed to work with a group to get a job done#
56. 0escribe when you or a group that you were a part of were in danger of missing a deadline.
"hat did you do#
57. ,ell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently from you.
1ow did you get the job done#
58. 0escribe your three greatest accomplishments to date.
59. ,ell me about a situation when you had to learn something new in a short time. 1ow did you
proceed#
60. Can you tell me about a comple problem that you solved# 0escribe the process you utili2ed.
61. ,ell me about a challenge that you successfully met.
62. "alk me through a situation where you had to do research and analy2e the results for one of
your classes.
63. "hat leadership positions have you held# 0escribe your leadership style.
64. 1ave you generated any new ideas or suggestions while at school or at work#
65. >ummari2e a situation where you successfully persuaded others to do something or to see
your point of view.
66. Mive an eample of when your persistence had the biggest payoff.
67. 0escribe a situation where class assignments and work or personal activities conflicted. 1ow
did you prioriti2e# 1ow did you manage your time# "hat was the outcome#
68. 1ow have you most constructively dealt with disappointment and turned it into a learning
eperience#
69. 0escribe a situation in which you effectively developed a solution to a problem by combining
different perspectives or approaches.
70. 1ave you ever been asked to leave or forced to resign#
71. "hy did you depart from your last job#
72. "hy do you want to work here#
73. "hy is it in our best interests to hire Y=<# "hat can you do for us that another job seeker can
not#
74. "hy have you held so many positions in such a short period of time#
75. "hat have you discovered from your errors#
76. Can you eplain this gap in your employment history# "hat have you been doing for the CXC
months since you were last employed#
77. "hat problems 7if any8 have you had with a supervisor# "ith a coworker# 1ow did you resolve
the issue#
78. Mive me an eample of a problem you faced on the job& and tell me how you handled it.
79. "hats your future career objectives& and how have you prepared yourself in obtaining them#
80. "hat do you regard as to be your greatest strengths and disadvantages#
81. "hat was the best choice you have ever made#
82. 0escribe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work that tested your
coping skills. "hat did you do#
83. "hat would you think to be an ideal work environment#
84. "hat was your role in your department$s most recent achievement#
85. "hat ways do you deal with competition# +re you a competitive individual#
86. 0escribe a situation where you found yourself dealing with an individual who did not like you.
1ow did you handle it#
87. 1ow do you take it when people disagree with your ideas# Apress a situation.
88. 0o you think of yourself to be a leader# "hat are the skills of a good leader# Mive me an
instance of when you had to show good leadership.
89. 1ow well do you work with people# 0o you prefer working by yourself or in groups#
90. Can you tell me about an important written document you were re!uired to finish#
91. Aplain the greatest creative thing you have ever done.
92. "hat inspires you to make the etra effort on a task or job#
93. 0escribe a time when you had to use your presentation abilities to influence someones
opinion.
94. "hat does it mean to be successful# +ccording to your definition& how successful have you
been so far#
95. "hat is your best achievement# 7or8 "hat is the best thing that ever happened to you#
96. Mive me an eample of a time when you tried to accomplish something and failed. "ere you
discouraged by this# "hat did you do about it#
97. Aplain an instance where in you found that your accomplishments did not meet your
supervisor$s epectations. "hat action did you take#
98. "hat do you really want to do in life# "hat do you see yourself doing five years from now# ,en
years from now#
99. If you had ; months from now with no obligations and no monetary restrictions& what would you
do#
100. "hat is your opinion regarding promotions and salary increases# "hat do you epect
in way of salary if we give first offering of this employment opportunity to you#
TIME MANAGEMENT
1. ,ell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. "hat things did you fail to do# "hat
were the repercussions# "hat did you learn#
2. ,ell me about a time when you were particularly effective on prioriti2ing tasks and completing a
project on schedule
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
1. 0escribe a situation in which you were able to effectively CreadC another person and guide your
actions by your understanding of their needs and values.
2. "hat have you done in past situations to contribute toward a teamwork environment#
3. "hat have you done in the past to contribute toward a teamwork environment#
4. 0escribe a recent unpopular decision you made and what the result was.
5. 0escribe a recent unpopular decision you made and what the result was.
6. ,ell me about the most difficult or frustrating individual that you$ve ever had to work with& and
how you managed to work with them.
PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
1. ,ell me about a time when you had to solve a problem with very little guidance or direction.
2. "alk me through the most comple problem you have eperienced to date.
3. 1ow did you decide to go to %entley College#
PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION
1. "hat have you done in order to be effective with your organi2ation and planning#
2. 1ow do you schedule your time# >et priorities# 1ow do you handle doing twenty things at
once# 1ow do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time# "hat do you do
when your schedule is suddenly interrupted# Mive an eample.
3. "hat do you do when your time schedule or project plan is upset by unforeseen
circumstances# Mive an eample.
4. 0escribe how you develop a project team$s goals and project plan#
5. 1ow do you determine priorities in scheduling your time# Mive eamples.
6. 0escribe a time in school when you had many projects or assignments due at the same time.
"hat steps did you take to get them all done#
7. 0escribe a situation when you had many projects due at the same time. "hat steps did you
take to get them all done#
8. 1ow do you determine priorities in scheduling your time# Mive me an eample.
TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
1. >ometimes it$s easy to get in Cover your headC. 0escribe a situation where you had to re!uest
help or assistance on a project or assignment
2. Mive an eample of how you applied knowledge from previous coursework to a project in
another class.