Questions employers will ask you basically fall into three categories: "behavioral", "situational", and "traditional". While there is a growing trend by employers to ask "behavioral" interviewing questions, many employers ask "situational" and "traditional" questions as well. For more larger list and complete information on how to answer "behavioral" interviewing questions see "Behavioral Interviewing". Following are sample "behavioral", "situational", or "traditional" questions. You will also find questions for Education Majors, and questions you might ask in the interview.
Behavioral Questions
- Describe a situation at work or in school where a problem arose. What steps did you follow to study the problem before making a decision? What was the result of your decision?
- Recall a time from your work experience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem arose. What was the nature of the problem? How did you handle that situation? How did that make you feel?
- Describe a situation where others you were working with on project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?
- Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing their share of the work. Who, if anyone, did you tell or talk to about it? Did the manager take any steps to correct your colleague? Did you agree or disagree with the manager's actions?
- Tell of some situations in which you had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you? What are your standards of success in school? What have you done to meet these standards?
- Describe some projects or ideas (not necessarily your own) that were implemented, or carried out successfully primarily because of your efforts.
- Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
- Describe a time in school when you had many projects or assignments due at the same time. What steps did you take to get them all done?
- Tell of the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle - perhaps an angry or irate customer. Be specific and tell what you did and what was the outcome?
- Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?
Situational Questions
- An irate customer is using abusive language, how
would you handle the situation?
- You have a very busy week coming up, how do you
manage your workweek and make realistic deadlines?
- If you were working on a team and one of the members
was not "pulling their own weight" what would you do?
- If you had unlimited leisure time, how would you
spend it?
- A salesman comes in to talk to your boss without an
appointment, how will you handle the salesperson?
- In instances where you are required to assert
yourself, what do you do to assert yourself effectively?
- Assume that you are a candidate for promotion, why
should you be promoted?
- If you were to start your own company, what would
that company do?
- If a manage or supervisor was not available and a
problem arose, what would you do?
- You are working on a project and someone disagrees
with your ideas, what would you do?
- You are working with someone who is difficult to get
along with, how do you handle this person?
Traditional Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What have been your most satisfying accomplishments?
- What were your most and least satisfying jobs?
- Why did you leave your most recent job?
- How did you get along with your last supervisor and co-workers?
- How well do you work under pressure?
- Why did you choose your major?
- What college coursework did you enjoy the most? The least?
- What extra curricular activities and interests have you been involved in?
- What are your short term and long range career goals?
- What position in the company do you want to advance toward?
- What do you know about the company?
- What interests you about our product or service?
- Why do you think you might like to work for the company?
- Why should we hire you?
- Why do you think you are qualified for the position?
- Are you willing to spend time as a trainee?
Questions for Education Majors
- Why do you want to teach?
- What is your philosophy of education?
- How would you describe your level of computer literacy?
- Describe your style of teaching.
- Describe a most difficult situation you have handled while teaching.
- What three words would your students use to describe you as a teacher?
- How do you individualize your teaching?
- What type of behavior management system would you use in your classroom?
- How should the principle be involved in discipline?
- What methods of parent involvement would you use?
- Describe an ideal classroom.
- Why are you the best candidate for the job?
- What extra-curricular activities are you qualified for?
Questions You Might Ask
- What is the position title? (Only if title is unknown.)
- Would you define the specific job responsibilities? (if not known)
- What type of training programs are offered to new employees?
- What opportunities are available for staff development?
- What is the typical career path for an individual in the position?
- Performing well is important to me, how is the position evaluated?
- If someone is performing at a high level, how is promotion determined?
- What are the short and long range plans of the organization?
- Where is the person who previously held the position working?
- When would the job begin?
- Where will I be assigned?
- Whom would I report to?
- Is there a probationary period?
- What is the policy concerning relocation?
- What are office policies concerning sick leave, vacation leave, flextime?
- Is there going to be another interview?
- When will I hear of your decision?
- May I call to find out results?