Common Interview Questions

Job Interview

Unless you are very lucky, or have connections, the chances are to get hired for any job you will need to have an interview.

It doesn’t matter if you looking for part time student work, an online job, temporary seasonal employment, a gap year job or you are graduating and starting a professional career, you’ll need to make a good impression to get hired. And this usually starts with an interview.

It’s important to be prepared, research the role, company and potential the person that will be interviewing you. To further help you chances of success, these are some of the most popular questions you might be asked.

About Your Experience

How can you help our company?
Tell me how you would handle this role?

About Your Skills

Describe a professional skill you have developed in your most recent job.
Describe a situation in which you’ve applied your skills to solve a problem.
Describe your ability to solve problems in the workplace.
How have your technical skills been an asset?
How much experience have you had with computers?
How well can you multi-task?
How would you rate your communication skills?
What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren’t likely to offer?

About Your Work Style

Can you work under pressure?
Are you able to meet deadlines? Do you have experience doing so in the past?
Do you like working alone or in a team environment?
Do you like working in large groups?
Do you work well under pressure?
How do you measure the success of your work?

About Your CV

Are you involved with any professional affiliations?

Education And Training

Have you taken any courses to bring your skills up to date?

Some Accomplishments

Have you ever managed a project for your previous employer? What was the result?
Tell me about a contribution you have made to a team.
Tell me about a past achievement that you attained in your last job.
Tell me about a project you completed ahead of schedule.
Tell me about any honors or awards that you have received in the past.

About Your Character

How do you maintain your composure when you are in the hot seat?
How do you usually handle criticism?
What are your top strengths?
What is your definition of success? How have you been successful in the past?

Management Questions

These apply if you are going for a more senior role:

Describe a situation in which you demonstrated independent initiative.
Describe a time when you had to alter your leadership style to be more effective.
How do you deal with difficult people?
How would you define “leadership” How would you rate yourself as a leader?
How would you describe your philosophy about management?

Practise answer to these questions so when your interview comes, you won’t be stumped. Good luck!