Interview Questions

There are many types of interview as we have already pointed out on our interview types page. No matter what interview you go on, you will still be asked a variety of interview questions such as:.

Below are the interview questions that may be asked of you, we have also included interview questions for you to ask. Click here to jump there.

Are you comfortable making cold calls?
Are you easy to speak to?
Are you willing to travel for this job?
Describe a tough problem you had to sort out for a customer.
Describe a typical work week.
Describe any improvements you successfully made in your last job that lead to higher efficiency.
Describe the busiest work situation you have recently had?
Describe the different types of business communications you were responsible for.
Describe the last time that you went outside of work to gain new knowledge on your own time.
Describe the most complex project you have managed or worked on from start to finish.
Describe the systems you have in place for keeping track of assignments given to staff members.
Describe your ideal job.
Describe your work style.
Did you ever delay making a decision? Why?
Do you feel that social media can be used to educate our customers or clients if so, how? If not, why?
Do you find it necessary to take work home? How often? Why?
Do you have a system for keeping track of information? What is that system?
Do you prefer a long or short sales cycle?
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
Do you take work home with you?
Give some examples of teamwork.
Have you consistently met your sales goals?
How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
How did you land your most successful sale?
How do you build an engaged social audience?
How do you check for errors in your work?
How do you check your work for accuracy?
How do you cope when things are unclear? Give an example.
How do you deal with deadlines?
How do you deal with stress?
How do you define going the extra mile for your customer? Give an example of when you have done this.
How do you define success in your job?
How do you define success?
How do you get people to listen or participate in the discussion you are having?
How do you go about gathering the relevant information necessary to understand a problem in order to be able to create the best possible solution?
How do you go about persuading others to your point of view?
How do you handle a challenge?
How do you handle conflict?
How do you handle high pressure?
How do you make sure you have clearly and accurately understood a request made of you?
How do you measure ROI?
How do you motivate yourself?
How do you organize your daily schedule and prioritize your activities?
How do you organize your files?
How do you plan to overcome or improve your weaknesses?
How do you remain fresh and relevant in a constantly changing environment?
How do you track the progress of projects you are working on? Give an example.
How do you try to be sensitive to the needs of others? Give me an example.
How many projects have you initiated from scratch? Describe one you are particularly proud of.
How do you generate warm calls?
How will your greatest strength help you perform in this job?
How would you describe your learning style?
How would you describe your management style?
How would you describe your manager/boss?
How would you describe yourself?
In what ways have you utilized social media to uncover problems before they arose to enhance a product or service?

In what ways would you suggest using social media to help drive sales for our product/brand/company?
How have you encouraged the learning and development of employees?
How have you gone about getting answers to questions you have about your work?
How have you influenced employees or coworkers to follow your vision for the organization?
How have you monitored the performance of your team?
Is there a particular role you tend to adopt when participating in groups?
Tell about the boss or bosses for whom you have worked least effectively and why.
Tell me about a significant achievement in your life.
Tell me about a specific contribution you made to improve team performance.
Tell me about the steps you took to establish rapport with a new team member.
Tell me about your approach when calling a brand new prospect.
Tell me about your most disappointing experience of trying to gain senior management support for an idea or proposal.
Tell me about your most satisfying experience of gaining senior management support for an idea or proposal.
Tell me about yourself.
Tell me about an innovative solution you created to a non-traditional problem.
Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
Tell me about the most recent project you worked on. What were your responsibilities?
What applicable attributes / experiences do you have?
What are some of your interests outside of work?
What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
What are you passionate about?
What are your biggest personal and career goals?
What are your computer skills and what software applications have you used?
What are your goals for the next five years and ten years?
What are your long term career goals?
What are your personal ways to motivate other people and how do you motivate yourself?
What are your pet peeves?
What are your short term goals?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your technical certifications?
What can you contribute to this company?
What can you do for this company?
What did you do to ensure quality in your deliverables?
What different systems have you used to store information and documents?
What do you do if you disagree with a co-worker?
What do you do if you disagree with your boss?
What do you do to ensure you provide accurate project estimates?
What do you do to maintain your technical certifications?
What do you do when you are trying to influence someone and your approach isn’t working?
What do you enjoy least about your present role? What have you done about this?
What do you expect from a manager/supervisor?
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
What do you find is the best way to organize your email?
What do you find most rewarding about being in your career?
What do you know about our company/practice/business?
What do you regard as being the most positive aspects of dealing with customers?
What do you think management should do to allow you to function more effectively?
What do you think motivates the workers in our company to achieve their best performance?
What elements are necessary for a successful team and why?
What experience do you have that would help you in this role?
What has been a major achievement in your working career to date?
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
What is your approach to problem solving?
When have you suggested to your manager any improvements in the way that you or your colleagues work? What happened?
How would you rate your key competencies for this job?
How would your colleagues describe you?

A co-worker is rude to a few customers, how would you handle that?
All leaders and managers have to deal with conflict situations. Describe a recent conflict you personally had to handle.
Are you a good listener? Give an example of when you didn’t listen.
Can you describe a project or assignment that needed major organizing and planning? How did you handle it?
Can you describe a time when someone needed files, records or other information from you?
Can you give me an example of a deadline you had to meet?
Can you give me an example of working as part of a team? What was your contribution to the team and what was the outcome?
Can you give me an example of working solo on a project? How did you manage it?
Can you provide an example of a successful project or idea you’ve successfully launched in the past?
Can you provide an example of an unsuccessful project or idea and what you learned from it?
Can you tell me about a challenge you faced when dealing with colleagues? How did you handle it?
Can you tell me about a time when you did not have enough information to make decision?
Can you tell me about a time when you had to be motivated to get through a difficult day? What did you do to keep up your motivation?
Can you think of a time when new projects or ideas that were not yours were implemented successfully because of your efforts?
Could you give me some examples where you showed dedication to high standards of performance and then exceeded expectations?
Describe a complicated problem you recently had to deal with in your job. How did you deal with it?
Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
Describe a difficult work environment and how you dealt with it.
Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.
Describe a problem you recently experienced with an employee who reported to you and how you solved it?
Describe a project you worked on that involved a large amount of detail and how you dealt with it?
Describe a recent situation when you had to handle an angry customer or client.
Describe a recent situation where you had a multitude of tasks that needed your attention. How did you go about prioritizing and what was the outcome?
Describe a stressful time at work and how you handled it.
Describe a time at work that you found stressful. What effect did this have on you?
Describe a time in which members of your team or project did not get along. How did you handle the situation?
Describe a time in which you changed your approach in the middle of a project. What made you decide to change your approach?
Describe a time in which you had to improve a team’s performance. What challenges did you meet and how did you address them?
Describe a time in which you positively contributed to the team?
Describe a time in which you received negative feedback from a manager colleague, or client. What did you do with the feedback?
Describe a time in which you were asked to perform a task you had never previously performed.
Describe a time that you demonstrated the ability to be an effective member of a team.
Describe a time that you found an error or problem that had been overlooked by others.
Describe a time when a customer or client really upset you, but you had to remain professional.
Describe a time when you felt a team member was not contributing. What did you do?
Describe a time when you had to adjust quickly to a change in organizational priorities. How were you affected by the change?
Describe a time when you had to calm down a very angry customer.
Describe a time when you had to change your approach because your first attempts to persuade a customer or client failed.
Describe a time when you had to deal with an unpleasant customer who was making unreasonable demands.
Describe a time when you had to deal with demands from an unreasonable customer.
Describe a time when you had to explain something complex to a colleague and they did not understand. What did you do?
Describe a time when you had to obtain the cooperation of a number of different people in order to achieve a goal. How did you go about doing this? What happened?
Describe a time when you had to provide feedback to a staff member who was performing poorly. How did you go about this and what was the outcome?
Describe a time when you had to work as a member of a team on something that did not interest you?
Describe a time when you had to work at a fast pace over a prolonged period. What did you do when you felt overworked?
Describe a time when you had, for good reason, put off making a work-related decision. Why?
Describe a time when you have had to alter your personality to deal with someone else’s difficult one.
Describe a time when you negotiated with others in your organization to reach an agreement.
Describe a time when you set too difficult of a goal and what happened? What would you have done differently?
Describe a time when you took a stand on an important issue. How did others feel about it?
Describe a time when you were able to improve upon a design that was originally suggested.
Describe a time when your workload was too much and how you handled it.
Describe a time where you had to work with a group of people to achieve a common goal or task?
Describe a time where you went out of your way to provide customer satisfaction.
Describe a time where you were able to help out a colleague or team member.
Describe a time where you were part of a failed initiative. What happened?
Describe a time you had to motivate a staff member who was unwilling to undertake an assignment.

Describe how you reacted during a time of major change in your job. How did you deal with the situation?
Describe how you recently managed a diverse project team. What was the outcome?

Describe how you reacted during a time of major change in your job. How did you deal with the situation?
Describe how you recently managed a diverse project team. What was the outcome?

Give an example of a goal you reached and how you achieved it.
Give an example of a situation where you had to form and lead a team. How did it go?
Give an example of a time when you used logic to solve a problem.
Give an example of how you set your goals and achieve them.
Give an example of how you worked on successful and an unsuccessful team.
Give an example of when you dealt with a major change in the best practices dealing with customers in your workplace.
Give an example of where you have applied your technical knowledge in a practical way.
Give me a specific example of when you had to clearly communicate your expectations to a subordinate.
Give me an example of a time when you chose to take a risk in your job. What made you make the decision you did?
Give me an example of a time when you had to work under pressure. What was the outcome?
Give me an example of a time when you have empowered a member of your team. How did you ensure their success?
Give me an example of a time when you have had to change your approach in order to achieve a desired outcome?
Give me an example of a time when you negotiated something in your favor.
Give me an example of how you had to multitask to meet your deadlines.
Give me an example of when you had to explain a complex process to staff members.
Give me an example of when you successfully motivated your staff using incentives or rewards.
In what ways have you utilized social media to uncover problems before they arose to enhance a product or service?

In what ways would you suggest using social media to help drive sales for our product/brand/company?
How have you encouraged the learning and development of employees?
How have you gone about getting answers to questions you have about your work?
How have you influenced employees or coworkers to follow your vision for the organization?
How have you monitored the performance of your team?
Is there a particular role you tend to adopt when participating in groups?
Tell about the boss or bosses for whom you have worked least effectively and why.
Tell me about a significant achievement in your life.
Tell me about a specific contribution you made to improve team performance.
Tell me about the steps you took to establish rapport with a new team member.
Tell me about your approach when calling a brand new prospect.
Tell me about your most disappointing experience of trying to gain senior management support for an idea or proposal.
Tell me about your most satisfying experience of gaining senior management support for an idea or proposal.
Tell me about yourself.
Tell me about an innovative solution you created to a non-traditional problem.
Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.
Tell me about the most recent project you worked on. What were your responsibilities?
What applicable attributes / experiences do you have?
What are some of your interests outside of work?
What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
What are you passionate about?
What are your biggest personal and career goals?
What are your computer skills and what software applications have you used?
What are your goals for the next five years and ten years?
What are your long term career goals?
What are your personal ways to motivate other people and how do you motivate yourself?
What are your pet peeves?
What are your short term goals?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your technical certifications?
What can you contribute to this company?
What can you do for this company?
What did you do to ensure quality in your deliverables?
What different systems have you used to store information and documents?
What do you do if you disagree with a co-worker?
What do you do if you disagree with your boss?
What do you do to ensure you provide accurate project estimates?
What do you do to maintain your technical certifications?
What do you do when you are trying to influence someone and your approach isn’t working?
What do you enjoy least about your present role? What have you done about this?
What do you expect from a manager/supervisor?
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
What do you find is the best way to organize your email?
What do you find most rewarding about being in your career?
What do you know about our company/practice/business?
What do you regard as being the most positive aspects of dealing with customers?
What do you think management should do to allow you to function more effectively?
What do you think motivates the workers in our company to achieve their best performance?
What elements are necessary for a successful team and why?
What experience do you have that would help you in this role?
What has been a major achievement in your working career to date?
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
What is your approach to problem solving?
When have you suggested to your manager any improvements in the way that you or your colleagues work? What happened?

Are you happy with what you have accomplished in your life so far?
Describe the difference between optimistic and pessimistic.
Do you consider yourself a smart person? If so, why?
Did you ever make a risky decision? How come? What was the outcome?
Do you have the knowledge, skill sets and morale beliefs that allow you to do this job?
Do you want this job?
From the description of this position, what do you think you will be doing on a day-to-day basis?
Have you been in a situation where any decision was better than none at all? What did you do?
Have you gone above and beyond the normal responsibilities of your job? If so, how?
Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren’t thrilled about? How did you do it?
Have you handled a difficult situation with another department? How?
How can you add real value to this company?
How did you prepare for this interview?
How did your education help prepare you for this career?
Take me through the process you use to check that you have the right details from a customer.
What are the recent trends in management that you have come across?
What are the topics you like to talk to other people about?
What challenges do you think you might expect in this job if you were hired?
What do you consider to be the most important requirements for this job?

Are you overqualified for this job?
Are you underqualified for this job?
Can you do the job?
Describe the difference between optimistic and pessimistic.
Do you consider yourself a smart person? If so, why?
How long do you expect to remain employed with this company?
How long will it take to see direct and indirect results?
How many hours do you normally work?
How many jellybeans will fit in a car?
How much do you expect to get paid?
How successful do you think you’ve been so far?
How would someone else describe you?
How would you describe the pace at which you work?
If you could name three characteristics for people in the US, what would it be?
If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?
If you had theme music, what would it be and why?
If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?
Is the glass half-full or half-empty?
Sometimes being logical is not enough to sway people or sell something. What other influencing approaches have you used?
We all miss opportunities sometimes. Can you give me an example of a time where you were unable to grasp the initiative?
What are your salary expectations?
What did you like and dislike about your previous job?
What do people most often criticize about you?
What do you consider to be the most challenging thing about being a manager?
What do you least like about being in your career choice?
What do you wish they taught you in school that they did not?
What is one common misconception about you?

No matter what type of interview you are having, you should always be prepared with interview questions to ask. While we have listed sample questions below, we recommend that you go with your gut. We mean as you are going through the interview and you do not understand something or want to follow up on a point the interviewer made, ask a question. Since every interview is different, it is important that you are attentive to what the interviewer is saying so you can ask the appropriate questions. Being attentive is also important because you do not want to ask a question that the interviewer already discussed. This will simply say, “I wasn’t listening to you!!!”. This will put you above the crowd as, ironically, interviewers love to be asked questions. It shows them that you are genuinely interested and care about the position.

How many questions should I ask? That’s up to you. While is there is no magic number, you do want to pick your questions carefully. The interviewer will not give you one hour to ask questions. It is important to ask your best questions first and then if you have more time go to your secondary questions.

Questions not to ask? Ones with easy answers. For example, “Where does your company have offices?” or “What industry does your company operate in?”. This will be blatantly obvious to the interviewer that you did not look at their website. Other questions to avoid: Salary and benefits! While we all know this is the number one motivator to most people, do not fall into this trap. The employer will bring up salary and benefits when the time is right. Also, your questions should show that you have done your homework on the company. For example, “I noticed that you were recently involved in the community 5k run, what other philanthropic events do you run/attend?” Take this opportunity to show them that you really researched their company and want to work there.

Can you describe a typical day or week in the position?
Can you describe the employee evaluation process?
Could you explain your organizational structure?
Describe the training this position will receive.
Describe your company’s culture.
Do you have any hesitations about my background?
How many people are in this department?
How much guidance is made available to individuals in developing career goals?
How will the success of the person in this position be measured?
What would you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?
Why is this position open?

How would you rate the competition?
What are the career paths in this department?
What are the next steps in the interview process?
What commonalities do you find in your top performers?
What do expect me accomplish in my first 30/60/90 days?
What do you feel is this company’s best assets?
What do you feel is this company’s weaknesses?
What do you most enjoy about your work with this company?
What helps drive the company to succeed?
What is the company five year plan?
What is the company’s plan for growth?
What is your management style?
What is your view for the future of this industry?

Interview Questions

Quick Link

Search A Better Interview

Social Media