Interview Questions
- Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic to solve a problem.
- Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
- Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventative measures (whether alone or as part of a team).
- Tell me about two good decisions you’ve made and two poor decisions and your reasons for them. Why were they good or bad? What were your alternatives?
- What do you do when you are forced to make decision without enough information and/or time to fully evaluate the situation?
- Give me an example of a difficult decision you had to make, and the process you used to make it.
- Can you describe how you go about solving problems? Please give us some examples.
- Do you prefer to take your time to think things through or do you usually make up your mind quickly?
- Give examples of the kinds of decisions you make quickly and ones you take more time on.
- On the basis of the information you have received so far, what do you see as the major challenges of this position and how would you meet them?
- What is the biggest conflict you have ever been involved in at work? How did you handle that situation?
- Think about an instance when you were given an assignment that you thought you would not be able to complete. How did you accomplish the assignment?
- Have you ever had a great idea but been told that you could not implement it? How did you react? What did you do?
- Describe a situation in which you did “all the right things” and were still unsuccessful. What did you learn from the experience?
- What was the level of your decision-making authority in past positions?
- Give an example of a decision you made that turned out better than you believed possible.
- Describe a time when you made a decision in the absence of a clear policy regarding the issue.
- Describe a time when you were under pressure to make an immediate decision. Did you take action immediately or were you more deliberate?
- At times it is important to be hard headed about decisions you make, particularly when others don‘t like it. Give me an example of a time when you stuck by a decision even though it was under attack by others.
- Describe a situation in which you had to draw a conclusion quickly and take speedy action.
- Describe the most difficult interpersonal challenge you have faced and what you did about it.
- What have you been criticized for that you’ve heard from more than one source?
- When was a request for support you felt was important denied by a superior? Why was it denied? How did you deal with it?
- What has been the biggest failure or frustration in your business life?
- Tell me about what you have done to establish positive relationships with your co-workers. Your supervisor? Your customers?
- How do you deal with people who talk but don’t listen?
- How much independence do you have in your current job? How would your supervisor answer the same question?
- How much or how little supervision do you feel is optimal?
- Describe for me your best boss. What made him or her your favorite?
- Which boss was your worst? Why?
- What do you think your boss will say when you resign?
- How could your boss have done a better job?
- What are some of the things you didn’t agree with your boss about?
- Describe the relationship that should exist between supervisor and subordinate.
- What kind of boss do you like to work for?
- What constructive criticism would you offer for the way the company was run?
- Give an example of a potentially volatile situation or individual that you successfully calmed down and how you went about it.
- What did you do in your last job to contribute toward a teamwork environment? Be specific.
- What kind of people do you like? What kind of people do you dislike?
- Describe a time when you were successful in dealing with a colleague because you built a trusting relationship.
- Tell me about a time when you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you or vice versa.
- Tell me about a time when you had to deliver information or news to a colleague which you knew they were not going to be happy to hear. Please be specific on how you delivered this information.
- Give me an example of projects for which you have volunteered. Why did you volunteer?
- What volunteer or social activities have helped you develop professional skills?
- What professional associates do you belong to and how involved in them are you?
- Discuss the committees on which you have served and the impact of these committees on the organization where you currently work.
- Can you share with us your ideas about professional development?
- Describe some basic steps that you would take in implementing a new program?
- How do you keep up with technological changes in your field?
- Tell us how you would use technology in your day-to-day job.
- Tell us how you would learn your new job in the absence of a formal training program.
- What new programs or services would you start if offered the position?
- How do you demonstrate initiative in your job?
- If you were hired for this job, in what areas could you contribute immediately, and in what areas would you need additional training?
- What changes and developments do you anticipate in your particular field that might be relevant to this position?
- What techniques do you use to assess and execute your plans and objectives?
- What were your objectives for last year? To what degree were they achieved? If not fully achieved, why?
- How do you communicate your goals and objectives to your co-workers? Management? Your team?
- Describe your experience setting departmental goals and objectives.
- What are some of the best ideas you’ve ever “sold” to your manager? To your customer?
- What do you do when you encounter resistance to your ideas?
- What have you done in the last year with your own time and money that would make you more valuable to our institution?
- What have you done that’s demonstrated a high level of initiative?
- What was your greatest accomplishment in your last job and what made it successful?
- Tell me about some projects you generated on your own. What prompted you to begin them?
- What is the most effective method for setting priorities, in your opinion?
- What have you changed about yourself as a result of criticism?
- Do you have any concerns that would make you have reservations about accepting this position if it is offered to you?
- Do you have any additional information that you would like to share?
- Do you have any questions for us?
- What hours (or days) are you available to work, or unavailable?
- How do you feel about travel (or relocating) (if applicable)?
- Are you able to work overtime?
- Tell us how you go about organizing your work. Also, describe any experience you have had with computers or other tools as they relate to organization.
- What steps do you take to make sure your priority projects are accomplished?
- What experiences or skills will help you manage projects?
- Tell me about your work history.
- What kind of work did you do?
- How did you like your prior job? What did you particularly like about it? What did you dislike about it?
- What were your wages at your prior job?
- Tell us a little more about your professional experiences, particularly those not mentioned on your resume.
- How frequently were increases given; what were they based on — merit, productivity or something else?
- Were you ever promoted in prior jobs?
- What benefits did you have at your prior company?
- What kind of supervisor do you like to work for?
- Describe the best boss and the worse boss you have ever had.
- How were employee problems and complaints solved at your prior jobs? Did you think it was a good procedure?
- What are some dissatisfying job experiences you’ve had? What are some satisfying job experiences you’ve had?
- Why did you leave your prior job(s)? (get full explanation)
- What kind of references would you receive from your former employers?
- What criticism was made of your work? To what do you attribute the criticism?
- What prompted your decision to apply for this job?
- Why are you interested in leaving your current assignment and why do you feel that this assignment would be better for you?
- Why should we hire you? What makes you a better choice over all our other applicants?
- What in your background particularly qualifies you to do this job?
- Do you feel this position is a promotion, a lateral move, a broadening of your professional experience, or just a change? Why do you think so?
- What are your major strengths and weaknesses?
- What was the most creative thing you did in your last job? How did it happen?
- What do you consider to be your chief accomplishment in your present (previous) job(s)?
- What are one or two of your proudest professional accomplishments?
- What do you see as the most challenging management task?
- Give an example of how you handled a situation where your guidelines were not being followed.
- What criteria do you use for delegating assignments?
- Tell me about a specific experience where you have delegated authority and/or responsibility and how it worked out.
- What are the characteristics that you prize most in an employee? What behaviors or characteristics do you find intolerable?
- Give me an example of when you went the “extra mile” to cooperate with a difficult employee or situation.
- What procedure do you use to determine the major strengths and weaknesses of employees?
- How do you think an effective supervisor should communicate with his/her employees? What do you think are the requirements to communicate well with one’s employees?
- What would you do if an employee was having personal problems that affected job performance?
- What is your basic leadership style and how do you practice it?
- What was the greatest accomplishment that displayed your quality of leadership?
- What training/education other than high school or college have you had that has assisted you in your career?
- Why did you choose the particular college you attended?
- What determined your choice of major?
- How do you think college contributed to your overall development?
- What are the three college courses that best prepared you for your current job?
- In what professional development activities have you been involved over the past few years?
- What new skills have you learned over the past year?
- How would you characterize your level of computer literacy? What are some of the programs and applications with which you are familiar?
- What special training do you have that is relevant to this position?
- What licenses or certifications do you have that are relevant to this position?
- What professional affiliations do you have that are relevant to this position?
- Describe your ideal job.
- Tell us about your preferred work environment.
- How would you describe your attendance and punctuality?
- How many times were you tardy for work in the last year you worked?
- What do you consider to be good attendance?
- What do you consider a legitimate reason for missing work?
- Do you know of any reason why you would not be able to get to work on time on a regular basis?
- What is most important to you in a job?
- Do you prefer a pre-established work plan (you provide input) or do you prefer a range of broad goals from which to select?
- Please share with us your philosophy about customer service in an academic environment.
- Tell me about a time when you personally, through extra effort on your own, ensured that a customer’s needs were satisfied.
- How do you feel about diversity in the workplace? Give us some examples of your efforts to promote diversity.
- Why should I hire you over other candidates?
- What motivates you about your career?
- Give an example of a time in which you found it necessary to dedicate long hours to a job.
- How do you keep yourself motivated when working alone?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work hard to reach a particular goal. Be specific about what you achieved.
- Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
- Tell me about a time when you had to communicate under difficult circumstances.
- Tell me about a time when you used your communication skills to influence someone‘s opinion.
- Careful listening and effective communication go hand in hand. Tell me about a time when your ability to listen helped you to communicate better.
- What types of experiences have you had in delivering oral presentations?
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset or angry client.
- Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Some of this content is adapted from:
Lee, Christopher D. Search Committees: A Tool Kit for Human Resource Professionals, Administrators, and Committee Members, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, 2000.