Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

55 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

1.

Tell me about yourself.

Use “Picture Frame

Approach”

?

?

?

?

How many years, doing what function

Education

–

credentials

Major responsibility and accomplishments

Personal summary of work style (plus career goals if

applicable)

Prepare in advance using this formula:

1.

“My name is…”

2.

“I’ve worked for X years as a [title]”

3.

“Currently, I’m a [title] at [company]”

4.

“Before that, I was a [title] at [company]”

5.

“I love the challenge

of my work, especially the major

strengths it allows me to offer, including [A, B, and C]”.

6.

Second, help the interviewer by focusing the question

with a question of your own: “What about me would be

most relevant to you and what this company needs?”

Answer in about two minutes

. Avoid details, don’t ramble. Touch

on these four areas:

2.

Did you bring your

resume?

Yes. Be prepared with two or three extra copies. Do not offer

them unless you’re asked for one.

3.

What do you know about

Research the target company before the interview. Basic research

our organization?

is the only way to prepare for this question. Do your homework,

and you’ll score big on this question.

Talk about products,

services, history and people, especially any friends that work

there. “But I would love to know more, particularly from your

point of view. Do we have time to cover that now?

4.

What experience do you

Pre- interview research and

PPR Career

will help you here. Try

have?

to cite experience relevant to the company’s concerns. Also, try

answering this questions with a question: “Are you looking for

overall experience or experience in some specific area of special

interest to you?” Let the interviewer’s response guide your

answer.

5.

According to your

successful have you been

so far?

(Is this person mature and self

aware?)

Be prepared to define success, and then respond (consistent

definition of success, how

record of responsibility)

55 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

6.

In your current or last

position, what were your

most significant

accomplishments? In

your career so far?

Give one or two accomplishment statements

7.

Had you thought of

leaving your present

position before? If yes,

what do you think held

you there?

Refer to positive aspects of the job, advancement opportunities,

and what you learned.

8.

Would you describe a

few situations in which

your work was

criticized?

Give only one, and tell how you have corrected or plan to correct

your work.

9.

If I spoke with your

previous boss, what

would he or she say are

your greatest strengths

and weaknesses?

Be consistent with what you think the boss would say. Position

the weakness in a positive way (refer to #12)

10.

How would you describe

Keep your answer short and relevant to the job and the

your personality?

organization’s culture.

11.

What are your strong

points?

Present three. Relate them to that particular company and job

opening.

12.

What are your weak

points?

Don’t say you have one, but give one that is really a “positive in

disguise.” I am sometimes impatient and do to much work myself

when we are working against tight deadlines.” Or “I compliment

and praise my staff, but feel I can improve.”

13.

How did you do in

school?

Emphasize your best and favorite subjects. If grades were

average, talk about leadership or jobs you took to finance your

education. Talk about extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports,

(Is the person motivated? What are

volunteer work)

his/her values, attitudes? Is there a

fit?)

14.

In your current or last

position, what features

Refer to your satisfiers for likes. Be careful with dislikes, give

only one (if any) and make it brief. Refuse to answer negatively.

55 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

did you like most?

Least?

Respond

that you “like everything about my current position and

have acquired and developed a great many skills, but I’m now

ready for a new set of challenges and greater responsibilities.”

15.

What do you look for in

Flip this one over. Despite the question

, the employer isn’t really

a job?

interested in what you are looking for. He’s interested in what he

is looking for. Address his interests, rather than yours. Use words

like “contribute,” “enhance,” “improve,” and “team

environment.” Fit your answer to their nee

ds Relate your

preferences and satisfiers/dissatisfiers to the job opening.

16.

How long would it take

you to make a

meaningful contribution

to our firm?

“Not long, because of my experience, transferable skills and

ability to learn.”

17.

How long would you stay

“As long as I feel that I’m contributing, and that my contribution

with us?

is recognized. I’m looking to make a long term commitment.”

18.

If you have never

supervised, how do you

feel about assuming

those responsibilities?

If you want to supervise, say so, and be enthusiastic.

19.

Why do you want to

become a supervisor?

“To grow and develop professionally, to help others develop, to

build a team and to share what I have learned.”

20.

What do you see as the

most difficult task in

being a supervisor?

“Getting t

hings planned and done through others and dealing with

different personalities.” Show how you have done this in the past.

21.

You’ve been with your

while. Why haven’t you

advanced with him?

Let’s assume the interviewer has a point here. That doesn’t mean

Answer: “What I like about my present position is that it’s both

stable and challenging. But it’s true that I’ve grown about as

much as I can in my current position. (This response also turns

the issue of salary on its head, transforming it from

What more

can I get

? to

What more can I offer

?)

current employer quite a

you have to agree with the negative terms of the question.

22.

Why are you leaving

your present position?

Never answer with negative reasons, even if they are true.

However, some companies have financial problems which may

preclude you from staying with them. Frame your answer

positively by answering why you want to move to the target

company instead of why you left or want to leave your most

55 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

recent job. For example, instead of answering, “I don’t ge

t

enough challenges at [company],” respond, “I am eager to take on

more challenges, and I believe I will find them at [hiring

company].

”I’m not unhappy (at my present employer). However,

this opportunity seems to be particularly interesting and I am

interested in pursuing it further. Never personalize or be negative.

Keep it short, give a “group” answer (e.g. our office is closing,

the whole organization is being reduced in size). Stick to one

response; don’t change answers during the interview. When

applicable; best response is: I was not on the market when

PPR

Career

contacted me and explained what you are doing, it peaked

my interest.

23.

Describe what would be

Team work is the key.

an ideal working

environment?

24.

How would you evaluate

Be positive. Refer to the valuable experience you have gained.

your present firm?

Don’t mention negatives.

25.

Do you prefer working

with figures, or with

words?

Be aware of what the job requires and

position your answer in

that context. In many cases it would be both.

26.

What kinds of people do

Use this question as a chance to show that you are a team player:

you find difficult to work

“The only people I have trouble with are those who aren’t team

with?

players, who just don’t perform, who complain constantly, and

who fail to r

espond to any efforts to motivate them.” The

interviewer is expecting a response focused on personality and

personal dislikes. Surprise her by delivering an answer that

reflects company values.

27.

How would your

co-workers describe

you?

Refer to your strengths and skills.

28.

What do you think of

your boss?

If you like him or her, say so and tell why. If you don’t like him

or her, find something positive to say.

29.

Why do you want to

work in a company of

this size. Or this type?

Explain how this size or type of company works well for you,

using examples from the past if possible.