75+ Common interview questions and answers
Your resume can get you into the company for an interview but it is up to you to be able to sell yourself as the perfect match for the job. One thing that can help you to land the job, besides being qualified skill wise, is to practice answering common interview questions. Expecting common interview questions to be asked and being ready to answer them intelligently can make the difference between if you get the job or someone else does. I do need to warn you that you don’t want your answers to many of the common interview questions to sound rehearsed, so when you are practicing answering these common interview questions, find a way to make your answers sound natural and unrehearsed.
Here is a list of over 75 common interview questions, why they may be asked and how you may want to answer them. Not all of these questions may be legal ones but you still may come across them during an interview so you’ll want to be prepared just in case they do ask them and you decide to answer them .
1. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
This interview question can be a tricky one. This is the question that sets the tone and direction of your interview. It also gives you the opportunity to steer the conversation how you would like it to go. You want to try to give an answer that shows that you are active and not lazy. One that shows you are ambitious and dedicated and are also a positive and friendly person. Companies don’t want trouble makers so make sure you talk about good and positive things while keeping your tone friendly. You can also steer it towards which qualities you have that will help you succeed within the role you are applying for.
2. What are your hobbies?
When answering questions about hobbies and interests you should avoid anything that could be seen as negative. These may include indulging in illegal activities or using drugs, drinking every night or clubbing until 3am on work nights. If the Interviewer feels that your hobbies may interfere with your performance you may lose the job. Try to focus on things that also align with the interests of the Interviewer or within the company. Pay attention to the Interviewers office or clothing and if you notice things like sports teams or dogs, make your answer also relevant to their hobbies and interests so you can keep their attention and hopefully get them to share more about themselves with you. If you can develop that openness with the Interviewer you may be more memorable.
3. Why do you think you are a fit for this role?
It is important to read and study the job description ahead of time because if the Interviewer asks this question you’ll want to be able to match your skills and experience to the role and the company. If you cannot compare your past experience to what they are looking for and someone else can then you may end up losing the job to that person.
4. Tell me a bit about your past experience.
When answering this question keep the job you are interviewing for in mind. Try to match your answers into the skills and requirements for the job that you are applying for without being to obvious. If you used to bake cakes in a restaurant and are applying for an Executive Chef role in a catering business, talk about how you used to get hit randomly with tours and last minute large parties with nothing prepared and limited ingredients. Then lead into how you used what you had to create new desserts that would meet the needs of the large party. This can help to show that you think on your feet and can problem solve on the spot. By tying in a story about your past experience to the new job you show the relevance of why you are a good fit for the job.
5. Why did you leave your last role?
This can be a tricky question. If you say something negative like “it wasn’t a good fit because my boss was a jerk” or “I was asked to do extra work without being paid extra” you may turn off the person interviewing you. They may think that you would say the same thing about them or that you may bring down other employees morale which is something that most companies would not want.
Try to answer this question so that you can say something positive like “I felt that I had learned everything I could and shared a lot of my own knowledge as well. Although I value the experience and accomplishments from that company, we got as much out of each other as we could and it feels like the right time to move on and help other companies grow with my skill sets and knowledge”. Say something positive and turn the question into a happy answer, even if you left your last role on bad terms.
6. Why have you bounced around from company to company so much?
This is a very tricky question. Companies do not tend to want to hire someone who jumps around. The Interviewer could think that you either don’t stay focused or that maybe you are hard to get along with. Whatever the reason is, you need to give an answer that not only explains the changes in a positive light, but also explains that you are ready to settle down with a company and not change again for a long time. Most companies do not want to spend resources training new people all the time or giving away internal secrets if they don’t feel the candidates will be willing to stay for a while. Because of this you may end up losing the job to someone else. Give a good reason that is also positive and add in the security that you are planning on staying with them.
7. What motivates you to do better or work harder?
You should answer this question as honest as possible without being a turn off. If you say that your motivator is being given credit for the work you did on a project but in reality it is money, when you get a compliment instead of a bonus don’t be surprised. Having money as a motivator isn’t always a turn off. It can sometimes lead to you being given a bonus structure to get you to sell more or perform better. Other motivators could include being rewarded with days off or work from home days or even just being taken to lunch. Be honest about what motivates you because the company does pay attention to this. Sometimes they are turned off by people’s motivators but if they aren’t willing to motivate you the way you want and need, is that somewhere you really want to work?
8. Are you opened to working odd hours and additional hours?
This is another question where you really need to be honest. If you absolutely cannot miss a tv show in the evening or don’t want to miss a weekly get together each weekend then be honest and say no. If you answer yes and then don’t actually work those hours you may create a bad situation for yourself within the company or with the person who interviewed you.
9. Are you willing to travel without notice and make overnight trips?
There are many ways to think about this question and how to answer it. If you have pets that need boarding or are a single parent that needs babysitters, you may want to say no if it is hard to find sitters last minute. Another option is to say about 50% of the time if it is possible to find people to help out last minute, but they are not always around. If you love to travel and have nothing to hold you down, then say yes if you honestly don’t mind the travel. You do have to remember that work travel is different fun travel.
Jobs where you have to travel can wear you out fast. You work all day when traveling then usually have to catch up on the regular work from the office at night. Take into consideration all of your responsibilities, if you can find people to cover them for you and if you don’t mind traveling alone and often then you may want to say yes. If you say yes because it is what the Interviewer wants to hear, you may end up hating your job.
10. Tell me about something you disagreed with at your previous company.
When talking about things that you disagreed with you need to be careful to not say anything negative. What you may want to do is mention it as an obstacle and then explain in a positive way that you found to help resolve the issue or to fix the problem. You always want to try and put a positive spin on everything negative.
11. Tell me about a problem you had with your previous Manager.
When you are asked questions that are normally negative it is important to be positive. Instead of just saying what the issues were, you may want to talk about the way that you found to solve the issue before it got worse. You want to sound like a problem solver and not someone that cannot get along with co-workers and Managers. You also don’t always want to sound defiant.
12. What didn’t you like about your last role?
Not everyone can like everything about every job. What you need to remember is to say something positive about the negative thing. You may not have enjoyed the long hours but the relationships and bonds you built by staying late not only increased your skill set but also helped you to learn how to solve problems faster. Those long hours also helped you learn how to work better with others after long hours when everyone is stressed and wants to go home.
13. Why are you looking for a new job?
This question can be used as a trap for you. If you say more money they may think you’ll leave if you feel like you are not being paid enough. If you say new opportunities than they may think that you get bored easy and may leave them because you are board. Answer it honestly but remember to find something positive to say with your reason like you are looking for something more challenging as your skills and the amount of information you can learn at your current company has peaked.
14. What is something negative your friends may say about you?
These types of trap questions are some of the most fun to answer. You don’t want to say something negative about yourself as that can cost you the job. Try to make it sound like the negative thing isn’t always a bad thing.
If they would say that you speak your mind you can finish with that you won’t say it to be disruptive but to be constructive. The company can benefit because you will always lend your ideas if there may be something that someone missed or didn’t think of. Not only can this add to the idea and help to improve on it but you will be able to see an angle that may have been missed.
15. What is something positive your previous Manager may say about you?
Try to answer this question with something relevant to the job. You want to try and show that Managers would say you are excellent or have a skill that is one of the key things that the person in the role would need. You always want to try and show why you are a good fit for the job you are applying for and for the company you are interviewing with.
16. What is more important to you, a work life balance or your job?
This can be a tricky question. Companies want people who are dedicated to their job and the company but at the same time if you never take personal time you could burn out. Answer honestly but try to make it so you don’t sound like a clock puncher.
17. Would you retire right now if you could?
This question could tell the Hiring Manager that you would leave if you won the lottery. One thing that you may want to add in if you answer yes is that although you wouldn’t work a full time job that it would free your time to devote to help a charity or do something good for others. You always want to try and have something positive to say.
18. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
When you answer this question the Hiring Manager may be thinking about if you are going to stay with this company, if you are someone who is driven to growing or if you are the type who doesn’t care much about growing. All of them can be fine but it can also define your personality type and the career path they help to set for you. You should probably answer as honestly as possible so that if you really do want to grow they can help to put you on that path. You may want to try and avoid saying something like “I want your job” and say something instead like “I would like to be around a level like where you are at when I gain enough skills”. You don’t want to make the person interviewing you feel like you will be trying to steal their job.
19. What job title do you see yourself having in the next 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
I would answer this similar to the answer above.
20. What is your dream job?
I always recommend being honest about this. It could not only help with where you work and how you are situated within the company, but it could also play into your career path. You do need to be realistic though and not sound to demanding. Be honest and talk about the things that the company could do to reward you, what benefits and perks you may want. You may want to talk about having a career path or talk about what the actual work atmosphere would be like in your dream job . You do have to think about what their office is like and see if it is like your dream job as well. If it is something you would hate than you may want to really think about if they are somewhere you would be willing to work at.
21. What type of people would you refuse to work with?
This can be a trick question. If you refuse to work with certain types of people than you may be seen as someone that wouldn’t be able to function on a team if you are asked to be on one. A good answer maybe be one where you could say that you get along with each type of person, lazy, over achiever. You could also add in that you are willing to lead or do what you are told depending on the type of worked asked and group you are put in. Although you may not want to work in a group, you are always able to find a way to fit in and help. You may also want to talk about how you can work with lazy people and then give an example of how you worked with them and then also talk about when you had to work with other Type A or Type B personalities. One thing you want to avoid is saying something based on race, gender, religion, etc…
22. Tell me about a situation where you had to do something you may not have agreed with.
If you end up getting this question then you may end up stuck in a catch 22. If you answer that you did it anyways you may show a lack of ethics but at the same time you are also dedicated to the company. If you don’t answer or say everything is perfect than you may be seen as not telling the truth. The reality is we have all been asked to do something we didn’t want to.
It could have been something small like running an errand because the person’s assistant was sick or it could have been large like actually breaking a law. If you answer that you refused you could either be seen as someone who sticks by their morals and ideals or you may be seen as someone who won’t do what they are told and a candidate who wouldn’t mind bending their morals and ethics may get the job. I would say that you should use your best judgment on answering this question and if you are stuck, try to answer with an example of how you either avoided it or went through with it while keeping your ethics in tact and also keeping the company happy.
23. Tell me about a situation where you had to make a tough decision.
Try to think of a decision that would be relevant to the position. If you are managing people in IT and had to let one of them go, talk about the process on how to make up for their skill sets. You may also want to talk about the ways that you helped the other people on the team to feel secure that their jobs were not in jeopardy.
You may also want to talk about the way you let the person go so that they didn’t leave on a bad note. If you walk the person interviewing you through the process you may be seen as someone who is able to process hard decisions and make educated decisions on how to handle them.
24. Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a problem.
When finding something to talk about, relate it to something that may occur within the role you are applying for. You may even want to say something like “Just like in the role I am applying for, I had to……..” and then close it so that you can prove that you are qualified to handle the job you are applying for.
25. Are you willing to relocate and how much time would you need in order to relocate?
This is something you should consider when you are job hunting. If you have no intentions of relocating then you may want to find a smaller company. If you are opened to it then you may want to keep going through the interview process. The important thing is to be honest. If you say yes in the interview and then the company decides to relocate you in 6 months and you refuse, you may end up loosing your job.
26. How would you expect to make up for the lack of skills on certain qualifications and requirements?
This can be a trap question that a Hiring Manager may ask to see if you actually do not qualify for the role. You want to be careful when answering this question and not say that you don’t have all of the required skills. Instead you can talk about their programs or systems. You may want to say that if for some reason you are a quick learner and since you already have the knowledge and skills, applying them to the system will be a simple and quick learning process, if there needs to be a learning period at all.
27. What is your dream boss like?
When answering this question you’ll want to be honest but not go to off topic. Think about how you work best. Are you ok with being micromanaged or do you want to be left alone? Do you like a close relationship or do you prefer to never speak to the person except when you have to. You want to avoid describing anything about physical appearance or male or female as that could be a turn off. You also don’t want to come across as a trouble maker in that you may treat people differently than others. You also want to be honest because if the person you describe isn’t someone you would actually do well working for, you could end up hating your boss and then your job. If you like a boss who gives last minute deadlines and little advice, say that. If you need constant guidance or someone to work closely with you, let them know.
28. Do you like to work with others on a team or do you prefer to work alone?
This can be a hybrid answer. If you prefer to work alone you don’t want to sound like you wouldn’t be a team player. Be honest with the person interviewing you and let them know which you prefer or if you are ok with both let them know. You may also want to add in that if they would need you to change over and either work on a team or work alone that you are willing to do that as well. You may also want to give an example.
29. What was your favorite project to work on?
When you talk about your favorite project, don’t forget to make it relevant to the job you are applying for. You may also want to cover the benefits and the results from completing it. Use any numbers or metrics that you can think of as well. Success is a great selling factor and numbers can help to really get your point across. We increased sales by 500% or we decreased our costs by 50%.
30. What are your social interests?
If you are asked about social interests and social groups, try to avoid talking about politics and personal beliefs. You never know where the other person stands or if they have any prejudices. Be cautious when thinking about how you answer.
31. What is your work ethic like?
This can be a trick question. If you’re a clock puncher and the role is one that needs late hours, you probably shouldn’t have been applying for the role in the first place. If you don’t want to give a direct answer about your work ethic, talk about examples where you stayed late or went the extra mile and prove that you have a work ethic that matches the role you are applying for. On a side note, work ethics aren’t always about staying late. They could be about being willing to work across departments and help out with others even though it isn’t your job or you aren’t being paid for it.
32. What is your biggest weakness?
This is a similar question as to “What would your friends or co-workers say your biggest weakness is?”. You should answer it with something that may sound like a weakness but is actually a positive thing.
33. What are your most valuable assets to this company?
Although it is always tempting to answer this question with something very general like you are smart, a fast learner or happy to help out with whatever project needs help, but that may not be relevant for the job. I recommend answering the question with something relevant to the role and following up with an example on how it could also benefit the company overall. Talk about your enthusiasm and match it to a skill. Then try to find a way to combine them to show how it makes you more qualified than someone else.
34. What would you do if your boss gave you a last minute assignment and directly after the CEO of the company gave you an assignment? Both are due within the hour and take over an hour to do? Both also have to be completed and neither your boss or the CEO are available to let them know the situation.
This is a question that doesn’t always have a right answer. The CEO may seem like it could trump the boss since he or she runs the company, but if you don’t do what your boss needs you to do you could end up on bad terms with him or her. What you may want to do is think outloud when answering to show how you would problem solve and find a solution.
It could be asking co-workers to jump in, asking the CEO’s secretary for help or to see if someone else has something similar already completed, etc… These questions are typically asked to see how your thought process works. Other times they are asked to determine how you value people based on their role within the company. Your boss has a direct relationship with you but if the CEO doesn’t get their work completed it could affect the whole company. The important thing may be to show your thought process and how you would problem solve this issue.
35. Do you have any questions for me?
You should always come prepared with questions for each person interviewing you. You can ask things about their previous companies that may be interesting but you need to also focus on your role. Ask about what your first week of work would look like. Ask about the team you would be working on. You can even ask about turn over rates and employee work/life balances. People like to talk about themselves so don’t be afraid to ask questions about what they accomplished and what they have done best for the company and what they like most about working there. I’d hold off from asking anything to personal or that isn’t appropriate.
36. Tell me about this company?
Sometimes people interviewing you want to see if you did your research. It is important to do your research on the company and people interviewing you. You should at least know who the Executive Team is, when it was founded, any subsidiaries the company owns and any other basic things. You can find this information on the company websites or social media sites where they have a profile.
37. Do you know anything about our founder?
If you work for a company, you should probably believe in the same principles as the founder, you are following him/her and his/her vision for the company. Look up where they worked previously and what they had accomplished. This shows that you really are interested in the company and can impress the person interviewing you.
38. Would you consider yourself successful? If yes then why? If no then why not?
This is a question where you should probably answer yes and then give some reasons. You may not want to bring up family but give examples of why you are successful because of accomplishments that you achieved work wise. Avoid talking about your age, race, family, etc… If you decide to say no, make sure you spin it as a positive. You may want to try saying something like “Because I know there is more to learn and even though I have done amazing things like X and X, I know I can do a lot more.”.
39. How many other interviews have you had?
This could be a trick or a trap. If you say 5 then you could pull yourself out of the running because you may look like you don’t care where you work or that the company you are interviewing at isn’t a first choice. At the same time if they like you it could possibly speed up the process because they need to hurry if they want you. If you answer with a large number the person interviewing you may question why you weren’t hired and at the same time they could think that you may have turned down a few offers. This is a tricky question so think about how the interview is going and try to judge the reaction of the person interviewing you before you answer.
40. Do you know anyone else who works for us?
This is a question that could cause problems or work to your advantage. Some companies may not want to hire people if their friends or partners and spouses work there. Other times they prefer it because they can ask someone internally what they think about the person. They may also want to know in case it is a referral so the employee gets a referral bonus. Judge and make a decision based on the person interviewing you and then use your best judgment on how to answer.
41. What type of compensation are you looking for?
Don’t be afraid to say what you want or what you are looking for. Many times companies will try to undershoot you so you may want to go higher or give them your exact bottom line. If for some reason the company cannot afford you, you may want to ask for extra vacation time or tele-commuting days. Don’t be afraid to say what you want or what your minimum is. There is no point in continuing the interview if you won’t be happy with the compensation or they are not able to afford you, unless they have an opening that they can pay your minimum in the future.
42. What irritates you most about people you work with?
This is also a trap question. You don’t want to look like things bother you. Everyone has pet peeves that bug them but you don’t want to say anything negative. You may want to try and avoid the question by giving an answer about the people on the floor above you making a ton of noise. Another option is to talk about something that is unrelated to the people you have to work with regularly. Saying negative things about co-workers can be a turn off and may cost you the job.
43. What are you looking for in a job?
This is a very general question that you can answer in any way you want. Many times the interviewer will use it to know where to take the interview. You may want to talk about a job that challenges you and then give an example of a skill you have or something that you enjoy and how it relates to the job you are applying for. Not only will this let you steer the interview in the direction that you want, but you will have some control over the next topic.
44. Do you strive or fail under pressue?
Not everyone is good at working under pressure. Other people can only work well when there is pressure. This is an important question to answer because if you don’t do well with pressure and the role is constantly under tight deadlines, or is highly visible, than you may not make it and end up quitting. This question is important to answer honestly. You can also say things like “Although I normally prefer a low stress environment, I do understand that not everyday can go smoothly and can work well under pressue”.
45. Are you willing to put this company above your own personal best interests?
This can be a tricky question. On one hand it can show that you are loyal and devoted to the company. On the other hand it can show that you make poor life decisions regarding your health and if you are in a Management role, what would that mean for your employees? Being a good employee is important but taking care of yourself is also important. I would give an example and tell a story instead of giving a solid yes or no answer and try to give a vague or more general but positive sounding answer.
46. Do you have any blind spots and what are they?
This is a trick question that some Hiring Managers use. If you say that you have any than they aren’t actually blind spots. You may want to say no or talk about one that an old Manager pointed out that you overcame.
47. Have you ever had to resolve an issue so that it didn’t turn into a larger one?
This is a great way to show off your own Managerial skills. You can talk about how you resolved an issue and came to a conclusion that worked for each of the people involved. Make sure that you walk the interviewer through your thought process so that they can see that you are a reasonable thinker and a problem solver.
48. Do you plan on having a family?
This question may be seen as an illegal one. You could answer if you want or you can dance around it. You will want to use your best judgment and do what you feel is right.
49. What is your home life like?
This is also a question which may be illegal. You should use your best judgment on how to answer.
50. How many children would you like to have? When are you planning on starting a family?
These questions can also be illegal depending on how they are asked. You need to really evaluate how the interview is going and then decide how to answer if you answer at all using your own best judgment.
51. Can you lift up to XXlbs. and also carry it xxx feet?
If the job requires you to do this then you may need to. Depending on how the interviewer asks this question may be illegal. Use your best judgment on how to answer if you decide to answer.
52. Is English your first language or do you speak any other languages that would be beneficial for this position?
This question may be illegal as well. You need to evaluate how it is asked and if second languages are required for the job or if you feel comfortable answering it.
53. Are you able to establish a positive working relationship with other people in the company easily?
This question could be asked to see if you are easy to get along with. Companies don’t want trouble makers but at the same time they may not like people that constantly interrupt others to socialize. Think about the job you are applying for and how the interview is going and then answer using your best judgment.
54. Can you work without being told what to do?
This question is one that can help the person interviewing you to determine what type of worker you are. You could be independent, a self starter, someone who looks for answers on their own or someone who needs to be taught how to do their role. Depending on the job and the company this could be a good or bad thing. Managers could possibly be expected to hit the ground running while an entry level person may need guidance. This is another question where you should answer honestly so there are no surprises when you start.
55. How do you feel about micro management?
I always recommend answering honestly. If you hate being micromanaged and the person who you will be working for is a micromanager, the job probably won’t be a good fit for you. It is important to answer honestly with questions like these, otherwise the job may turn out to be one that you hate.
56. What are some goals you would set for yourself if we would decide to hire you?
You should think about what some of the goals that you would want to achieve within the company are. They could be anything from promotions to hitting sales records or anything in between. Know what you would want to say and then talk about why they are important and how they would benefit the company. You should also be prepared to answer how you would achieve them.
57. How do you deal with conflict?
You should answer this question honestly. You may be a Type A person that tries to resolve it. You may be someone who backs down and quietly goes to the person’s manager or the HR department. Regardless you should be opened and honest about it. It may work for or against you but it could be a very good determining factor on if you are a good fit for the job and if the job is a good fit for you. Some jobs require people who deal well with conflicts because they get them everyday in their role.
58. How do you cope when things do not go your way or your recommendations are not chosen or followed through with?
Instead of giving a short answer you may want to tell a story and give an example that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Let them know how you dealt with it and what you did to overcome the disappointment and then also turn it into a positive thing. You can talk about how you turned it into a learning experience so that you could be better prepared next time and have a better result the next time.
59. Why did you decide on the college you went to?
This can be illegal depending on how it is asked. Use your best judgment on how to answer.
60. What were your favorite classes in college?
If you decide to answer this question, you may want to try and relate to how it will help you within the company you are interviewing at. If it was communications you may want to talk about how it taught you how to present and not be afraid to speak publicly.
61. Why would you want to have a job in (insert career or field here)?
Companies like people who enjoy what they do. You may want to talk about why you love the type of work you do and give some examples of why you like it using the job description as a guideline.
62. If you were a character on X tv show, which character would you be?
These types of questions can be used to see if you are creative or to help determine what type of personality you have. There is no correct or incorrect way to answer these questions. Use your best judgment.
63. Do you consider yourself a Type A or Type B personality?
Some positions require a certain type of personality. It is important to answer this honestly as well because if the job calls for a Type A personality and you cannot take charge than you may not succeed in the role.
64. Would you consider yourself a leader or follower?
Depending on the role you are applying for you may need to be one or the other. You may want to give an example of when you had to lead and one where you followed as well.
65. Is being able to have a career path important to you?
This is a question that a Hiring Manager or HR department may want to know to see how you see yourself in the future. Some people are happy never becoming Managers and other want to become Executives. There are no right or wrong answers but your answer could determine the career path they set for you.
66. Why are manhole covers round and how many manhole covers are in X city?
This is another question that doesn’t have to have a correct answer. When you are asked questions like this one the Interviewer may just be looking to see how well you problem solve or what your thought process is.
67. Who do you look up to and why?
This is a question that could show what type of personality you have or what inspires and motivates you. You should think about who you look up to and if there is a good way to tie it into the job that you are applying for.
68. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
This is another question where there is no right or wrong answer. Use your best judgment on how to answer it.
69. Why should I hire you above other candidates?
This is your chance to show off. Instead of just saying because you are the smartest or best or hardest working, try to also tie in the job and why you are the best or most knowledgeable about how to do the job. You may also want to give examples from past jobs as well.
70. Do you prefer to have employees like you or fear you?
This is a question that can help to determine your Management style and personality as far as work goes. It isn’t the easiest question to answer so use your best judgment.
71. What type of management style do you think you have? Would your previous employees answer that the same way?
This is a great opportunity to walk the person interviewing you through a few examples of things that you have accomplished as a Manager. You can give them an example of how you have managed people and also try to tie it into how it could help you be a great fit for the job you are applying for.
72. Are you willing to take on multiple roles if asked?
This question could be asked to see if you are willing to wear multiple hats and be a team player. You may want to give an example of when you have had to wear multiple hats and also make it a positive thing, not something that you were angry about.
73. Do you prefer to make a cold call or do you prefer warm leads?
This is a question that some Sales people get asked. It can determine your personality type or if you are a self starter. You can answer with examples of where both would be good unless you strongly prefer one or the other.
74. Do you feel comfortable speaking in front of large groups of people?
Sometimes you may be asked to present to the company or speak at a conference on behalf of your company. It is important to be honest about this because if you hate speaking publicly and are asked to, you may end up stuck speaking in front of a group and miserable about having to do it.
75. Tell me about a time when you missed a deadline or didn’t meet a quota?
You cannot hit every deadline all the time. Sometimes you cannot reach your quota. If you are asked this question, you should probably answer truthfully but at the same time also talk about other times where you not only hit your goals but also beat them. You may also want to mention that you were always above deadlines and quotas if you normally were and provide examples with numbers.
76. Are you scared to ask for help?
This question can be used to see if you are the type of person that is scared to admit they may not know something or the type who isn’t afraid to ask. It can also be used to see if you are resourceful so you may want to give examples of when you have had to ask for help and why. You may also want to mention why you had to ask for help and what you did before hand to try and find the answer on your own first.
77. Can you tell me about a time when you weren’t sure how to complete a task and didn’t have anyone around to help and what you did to complete it?
This is another question where the person interviewing you is looking to see your problem solving skills. Give an example and try to make it so that you thought of multiple options and how you solved it. You may also want to see if you can tie it into the job you are applying for as well.
78. When can you start if we would offer this position?
Sometimes companies need people instantly and other times they need to know when they have to be ready for you and need the extra time to prepare. You should always answer this honestly. If you cannot start for two weeks then tell them that. You don’t want to say you can start next week and have to call off the first few days.
79. Do you have reliable transportation to get to work each day?
This question may be illegal depending on how it is asked. Use your best judgment when answering if you decide to answer.
80. Where does your name come from?
This question may be illegal as well. Use your best judgment if you answer it.
These are some of the most common types of interview questions. Not all of these sample interview questions are legal interview questions but they can be common interview questions. You may find yourself in an interview where the Hiring Manager may ask these sample interview questions and you’ll want to be prepared on how to answer. Remember to try and answer in a natural tone so you don’t sound rehearsed or like you were practicing. Interview questions can be intimidating but if you practice answering common interview questions than you are already one step ahead of the game.