Common Questions Asked in an Interview

I. Questions About College Experiences

  • Tell me about your educational background
  • How long have you been in school?
  • What's your GPA?
  • How do you find time to study?
  • What kinds of extracurricular activities have you been involved in?
  • Have you had courses in ______?
  • What is your proficiency in _______?
  • Why are you majoring in ________?
  • What classes have you most enjoyed?
  • Is there any class you have completely disliked?
  • How have you changed since you started college?
  • Is there anything you've been involved in at college that you are really proud of?

II. Questions About Work Experience

  • What type of position do you have now?
  • How did you find your current job?
  • How many hours do you work per week?
  • What did you like best about your ____ job?
  • How were you evaluated in _______ position?
  • Why don't you want to stay in _________ business?
  • Tell me about your past sales experience
  • Is there any one thing you feel you learned as a ______?
  • What would your past supervisors tell me about you?
  • Tell me about your last situation with an unhappy customer. What did you do?
  • Did you ever have a customer get mad at something that wasn't your fault?
  • Give me an example about a conflict with an employee and how you handled it?
  • What has been the most difficult situation you've had to deal with? How did you handle it?

III. Open Inquiries

  • Do you have any questions? (There was little variability in the form of this question.)

IV. Questions About Abilities, Aptitudes, Strengths, or Weaknesses

  • What are your strengths? (or, Tell me something about your skills.)
  • Why would you be an asset to our company? (or, What skills, or strengths, would you bring to our company?)
  • What is your best quality?
  • What has been your greatest accomplishment? Your greatest disappointment?
  • Tell me about your leadership skills.
  • What do you perceive as an area that could use some improvement?
  • If you could start Monday on a self-improvement course, what one area you'd like to improve?
  • How do you handle people who are critical? (or, How do you handle rejection?)

V. Biographical Questions

  • Why don't you give me a brief, verbal resume?
  • Give me a little bit of your background.
  • Do you think you have the personality to be a manager?
  • What motivates you?
  • Give me three words that best describe you.
  • What are your interests? (or, What types of activities do you like the best?)
  • How do you think your friends would describe you?

VI. Questions About Career Aspirations

  • What type of career are you looking for?
  • Tell me your career goals.
  • Where do you see yourself in five (or 10 to 15 years?)
  • Why do you want to be a _______?
  • Would you describe yourself as motivated more by your goals or by money?