Interview Questions

A list of common questions asked in interviews and how to answer them.

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your greatest weaknesses?
• Tell me about something you did – or failed to do – that you now feel a little ashamed of.
• Why are you leaving (or did you leave) this position?
• The “Silent Treatment”
• Why should I hire you?
• Aren’t you overqualified for this position?
• Where do you see yourself five years from now?
• Describe your ideal company, location and job.
• Why do you want to work at our company?
• What are your career options right now?
• Why have you been out of work so long?
• Tell me honestly about the strong points and weak points of your boss (company, management team, etc.)…
• What good books have you read lately?
• Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.
• What are your outside interest?
• The “Fatal Flaw” question
• How do you feel about reporting to a younger person (minority, woman, etc)?
• On confidential matters…
• Would you lie for the company?
• Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?
• Could you have done better in your last job?
• Can you work under pressure?
• What makes you angry?
• Why aren’t you earning more money at this stage of your career?
• Who has inspired you in your life and why?
• What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
• Tell me about the most boring job you’ve ever had.
• Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position?
• What changes would you make if you came on board?
• I’m concerned that you don’t have as much experience as we’d like in…
• How do you feel about working nights and weekends?
• Are you willing to relocate or travel?
• Do you have the stomach to fire people? Have you had experience firing many people?
• Why have you had so many jobs?
• What do you see as the proper role/mission of… …a good (job title you’re seeking); …a good manager; …an executive in serving the community; …a leading company in our industry; etc.
• What would you say to your boss if he’s crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?
• How could you have improved your career progress?
• What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department?
• You’ve been with your firm a long time. Won’t it be hard switching to a new company?
• May I contact your present employer for a reference?
• Give me an example of your creativity (analytical skill…managing ability, etc.)
• Where could you use some improvement?
• What do you worry about?
• How many hours a week do you normally work?
• What’s the most difficult part of being a (job title)?
• The “Hypothetical Problem”
• What was the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?
• Have you consider starting your own business?
• What are your goals?
• What do you for when you hire people?
• Sell me this stapler…(this pencil…this clock…or some other object on interviewer’s desk).
• “The Salary Question” – How much money do you want?
• The Illegal Question
• The “Secret” Illegal Question
• What was the toughest part of your last job?
• How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?.
• “The Opinion Question” – What do you think about …Abortion…The President…The Death Penalty…(or any other controversial subject)?
• If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?
• Looking back on your last position, have you done your best work?
• Why should I hire you from the outside when I could promote someone from within?
• Tell me something negative you’ve heard about our company…
• On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer.