20060302

College Student/Recent College Grad: Traditional and Behavioral Interview Practice Questions

1. How would you describe yourself?

2. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career?

3. What influenced you to choose this career?

4. Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career?

5. How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?

6. Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you?

7. What short-term goals and objectives have you established for yourself?

8. How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?

9. What quality or attribute do you feel will most contribute to your career success?

10. What were your reasons for selecting your college or university?

11. If you could change or improve anything about your college, what would it be?

12. How will the academic program and coursework you've taken benefit your career?

13. Which college classes or subjects did you like best? Why?

14. Are you the type of student for whom conducting independent research has been a positive experience?

15. Describe the type of professor that has created the most beneficial learning experience for you.

16. Do you think that your grades are a indication of your academic achievement?

17. Why did you decide to seek a position in this field?

18. Do you have a geographic preference?

19. Which is more important to you, the job itself or your salary?

20. To what extent would you be willing to travel for the job?



College Student/Recent College Grad:
Behavioral Interview Practice Questions

1. By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.

2. Describe the most significant or creative presentation that you have had to complete.

3. Give an example of how you applied knowledge from previous coursework to a project in another class.

4. Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

5. Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?

6. What was the most complex assignment you have had? What was your role?

7. How was your transition from high school to college? Did you face any particular problems?

8. Compare and contrast the times when you did work which was above the standard with times your work was below the standard.

9. How have you differed from your professors in evaluating your performance? How did you handle the situation?

10. Describe some projects or ideas (not necessarily your own) that were implemented, or carried out successfully primarily because of your efforts.

11. 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?

12. Tell of a time when your active listening skills really paid off for you - maybe a time when other people missed the key idea being expressed.

13. 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?

14. Give me a specific example of something you did that helped build enthusiasm in others?

15. Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?

16. Give me an example of a time you had to make an important decision. How did you make the decision? How does it affect you today?

17. Give me an example of a time you had to persuade other people to take action. Were you successful?

18. Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome?

19. Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome?

20. Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker or classmate understand a task. How did you assist him or her? What was the result?

Technorati Profile

Established Job-Seeker:Traditional and Behavioral Questions

1. How would you describe yourself?

2. What specific goals have you established for your career?

3. What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them?

4. Please describe the ideal job for you.

5. How do you determine or evaluate success? Give me an example of one of your successful accomplishments.

6. Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career?

7. How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?

8. What short-term goals and objectives have you established for yourself?

9. How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?

10. Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you?

11. Describe what you've accomplished toward reaching a recent goal for yourself?

12. Can you describe your long-range goals and objectives?

13. What major problem have you had to deal with recently? How did you handle it?

14. What plans do you have for continued study? An advanced degree?

15. Describe the characteristics of a successful manager.

16. Tell me what you know about our company.

17. Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our company is located?

18. Would it be a problem for you to relocate?

19. To what extent would you be willing to travel for the job?

20. Tell me about the salary range you're seeking?


Behavioral Interview Practice Questions
1. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

2. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.

3. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

4. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

5. Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

6. Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across.

7. Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.

8. Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

9. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

10. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

11. Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head." Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment.

12. Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing his or her 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?

13. Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise.

14. What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision.

15. We can sometimes identify a small problem and fix it before it becomes a major problem. Give an example(s) of how you have done this.

16. In a supervisory or group leader role, have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee or group member? What was the nature of the discipline? What steps did you take? How did that make you feel? How did you prepare yourself?

17. 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?

18. Recall a time when you were assigned what you considered to be a complex project. Specifically, what steps did you take to prepare for and finish the project? Were you happy with the outcome? What one step would you have done differently if given the chance?

19. Tell of some situations in which you have had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you?

20. Describe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What did you do about it?

1. How would you describe yourself?

2. What specific goals have you established for your career?

3. What will it take to attain your goals, and what steps have you taken toward attaining them?

4. Please describe the ideal job for you.

5. How do you determine or evaluate success? Give me an example of one of your successful accomplishments.

6. Do you have the qualifications and personal characteristics necessary for success in your chosen career?

7. How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?

8. What short-term goals and objectives have you established for yourself?

9. How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?

10. Given the investment our company will make in hiring and training you, can you give us a reason to hire you?

11. Describe what you've accomplished toward reaching a recent goal for yourself?

12. Can you describe your long-range goals and objectives?

13. What major problem have you had to deal with recently? How did you handle it?

14. What plans do you have for continued study? An advanced degree?

15. Describe the characteristics of a successful manager.

16. Tell me what you know about our company.

17. Why do you think you might like to live in the community in which our company is located?

18. Would it be a problem for you to relocate?

19. To what extent would you be willing to travel for the job?

20. Tell me about the salary range you're seeking?


Behavioral Interview Practice Questions
1. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

2. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.

3. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

4. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

5. Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

6. Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across.

7. Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.

8. Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

9. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

10. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

11. Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head." Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment.

12. Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing his or her 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?

13. Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise.

14. What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision.

15. We can sometimes identify a small problem and fix it before it becomes a major problem. Give an example(s) of how you have done this.

16. In a supervisory or group leader role, have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee or group member? What was the nature of the discipline? What steps did you take? How did that make you feel? How did you prepare yourself?

17. 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?

18. Recall a time when you were assigned what you considered to be a complex project. Specifically, what steps did you take to prepare for and finish the project? Were you happy with the outcome? What one step would you have done differently if given the chance?

19. Tell of some situations in which you have had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you?

20. Describe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What did you do about it?

Behavioral Interview Practice Questions

1. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

2. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.

3. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

4. Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

5. Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

6. Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across.

7. Give me a specific occasion in which you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.

8. Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

9. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

10. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

11. Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head." Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment.

12. Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing his or her 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?

13. Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise.

14. What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision.

15. We can sometimes identify a small problem and fix it before it becomes a major problem. Give an example(s) of how you have done this.

16. In a supervisory or group leader role, have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee or group member? What was the nature of the discipline? What steps did you take? How did that make you feel? How did you prepare yourself?

17. 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?

18. Recall a time when you were assigned what you considered to be a complex project. Specifically, what steps did you take to prepare for and finish the project? Were you happy with the outcome? What one step would you have done differently if given the chance?

19. Tell of some situations in which you have had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you?

20. Describe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What did you do about it?

Some More Questions

1.How would you describe the corporate culture?
2. Why do you want to work in this industry?
3. What does success mean to you?
4. Tell me about a time when you were given bad information (or misinformation). How did you handle it? 5. What has been your biggest accomplishment in the workplace?
6. What was the toughest job challenge you faced and how did you deal with it?
7.Tell me about an innovative approach that you took to accomplish something.
8. Why you are looking for change ?
1) what is ur short term and long term career plans 2) can u tell me any two reasons , why i should hire u ? 3) why r u looking for change ? 4) what is ur strengths and weakness ?
9. How long whould it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
10. What is it you liked and disliked about your last job?
11. What was your last employer’s opinion of you?
12 . How long would you stay with us?
13. What should we hire you? What can you do for us? What can you do that others can not?
14. What do you like and dislike about our company?

First Job Questions

1. How has your education prepared you for this position?
2. Which courses that you took will contribute the most to your effective performance in this job?
3. What was the single most important lesson that you have learned in school?
4. What do you like the most about the career that you're seeking?
5. What do you like the least about the career that you're seeking?
6. Why did you choose the college that you attended?
7. Why did you select the major that you that you selected?
8. Tell us about your extra-curricular activities in school?
9. What aspects of your education will assist you in the job that you are seeking?
10. How will your degree help you succeed in the job that you are interviewing for?
11. If we were to ask your professors what single quality that you possess is the most outstanding, what
would they say?
12. Don't you think this position is a bit below your capabilities?

Interview Questions: Difficult Questions

1. Have you ever received a grade lower than expected? What did you do about it?
2. How do you deal with pressure situations?
3. How do you deal with surprises?
4. How do you deal with tension?
5. How well do you work under a deadline?
6. How well do you work under pressure?
7. Is there anything you haven't revealed that would affect our decision?
8. Tell me about a time you had a problem with decisiveness.
9. What are some things you had planned to accomplish that were not carried out?
10. What are your pet peeves?
11. What do you least like about writing a term paper?
12. What is your biggest professional challenge?
13. What job experiences have angered you?
14. What mistakes might we make in hiring you?
15. What types of things make you angry?
16. Why aren't you making more money with all this background?
17. Why do you want to work in a job for which you are overqualified?
18. Why is your grade point average so low?
19. Why were you in school for so long?
20. You've been with your current employer for a very short time. Is this an indication that you'll be moving
around a lot throughout your career?
21. You've changed jobs quite frequently, what assurances do we have that you will stay with us?
Terminated/Fired
22. Have you been asked to resign?
23. Have you ever been asked to resign?
24. Have you ever been demoted?
25. Have you ever been denied a promotion?
26. Have you ever been fired for reasons that seem unfair?
27. Have you ever been fired?
28. Have you ever been laid off?
29. Have you ever been rejected?
30. Have you ever been turned down for a promotion?
31. Have you ever laid off anyone?
32. What did you do during the gap in your employment history?
35. Why did you leave your last job?
36 Why did you leave your last job?or Why do you want to leave your current job?
37. Why do you want to leave your current employer so soon?
38. Do you remember what new products I told you we were working on?
39. Have you ever been in the position to fire anyone? Why did you fire that person?
40. Why do you want to leave your job if you like it so much?
41. Why have you been out of work for so long?
40. Why haven't you accepted a job yet?
41. Why haven't you been hired yet?
42. Why haven't you found work yet?
43. Why is there a large gap in your employment history?
44. Why were you let go?
Poor Evaluations
45. How was your last performance review?
46. How were you evaluated in your last job?
47. What were the results of your last performance appraisal?
48. What's the biggest mistake you can recall making?
Dislikes Others
49. Have you ever had a communication- problem with anyone?
50. Have you ever lost your temper?
51. Have you ever openly criticized someone else?
52. Have you ever worked with someone you didn't like?
53. In the past, how have you dealt with co-workers who have disagreed with you?
54. Tell me about the last time you got angry on the job.
55. Tell me about the time when someone has lost his/her temper at you in a business environment.
56. Tell me about your last situation with an unhappy customer? What did you do?
57. What bothers you?
58. What did you dislike about your previous company?
59. What did you dislike about your supervisor?
60. What did you dislike most about your previous job?
61. What kinds of people do you have problems working with?
62. What types of people seem to rub you the wrong way?
Illegal/Immoral Dilemas
63. Did your former employer have any policies that you consider unfair?
64. Have you ever been discriminated against or treated unfairly?
65. Have you ever intentionally deceived someone?
66. Have you ever used drugs?
67. How did you resolve the last moral dilemma you solved?
68. How do you react when your honesty is questioned?
69. How would you deal with a subordinate who violated a company policy?
70. How would you react to a situation in which a fellow employee confided in you that he was stealing from
thecompany? (situational)
71. Tell me about a time when you felt it might be justifiable to break company procedure.
72. To what extreme do you use liquor?
73. Would you be willing to take a drug test?
74. Would you submit to a drug test?
Failures
75. Can you give me an example of one of your failures?
76. Did you have any problems in your previous jobs?
77. Have you ever been put on the spot by a professor when you felt unsure of yourself? How did you
respond?
78. Have you ever been turned down for a salary increase?
79. Have you ever missed a deadline?
80. How do you deal with failure?
81. How often do you miss deadlines?
82. Tell me about a situation that you just couldn't handle.
83. Tell me about a situation when miscommunication created a problem on the job.
84. Tell me about something in your last job that you're not proud of.
85. What are your biggest failures in relation to your career?
86. What are your weaknesses a person?
87. What are your weaknesses as an employee?
88. What are your weaknesses?
89. What have been your greatest disappointments?
90. What have you done that you regret?
91. What was the greatest disappointment in your last job?
92. What was the worst mistake you made at work? How did that affect the company?
93. What were your biggest failures?
Disagreements with Supervisor
94. Have you ever had a demanding supervisor?
95. Tell me about the worst boss you've ever had.
96. What are some areas you disagreed with your supervisor?
97. What would you say about a supervisor who was tough to work with?
98. What would you say about a supervisor who was unfair?
Accepts Criticisms
99. Did you ever have a customer get mad at something that wasn't your fault?
100. Have you ever been openly criticized?
101. Have you ever been reprimanded?
102. How do you deal with rejection?
103. How do you handle people who are critical? (or How do you handle rejection?)
104. What has been the biggest criticism of you?
105. What have you been most frequently criticized for?
106. What would you say if I said your presentation was awful?
107. When has your work been criticized?
Areas of Weaknesses
108. What about your performance do your bosses tend to criticize most?
109. What are some problems you found in your job?
110. What decisions are difficult for you?
111. What difficult problems have you dealt with?
112. What do you think are the biggest challenges you'll face in this position?
113. What do you worry about?
114. What do your subordinates consider your weaknesses?
115. What duties did you find the most troublesome?
116. What is your greatest weakness?
117. What is your worst personality trait?

20060301

Some good questions with suggested answers

QUESTION 1
Tell me about yourself and your background.
(Number one question asked by employers).

1. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I have two sisters and one brother. I had a normal upbringing - lots of family interaction. I went to grammar school and high school in Los Angeles, but went to college in Arizona. I have always been interested in sports and I especially like baseball. I got married and had two children, and they are now growing up and I am ready for a more challenging position. I have always been good at math and always wanted to learn more about computers.

2. I have worked all my adult life and I've held all kinds of jobs at various companies. I am a hard worker. I am looking for a growth-oriented company where I can utilize my abilities and experience and can continue to learn new things be challenged.

3. For the past six years I have been in the electronics industry working on computer systems. Two years ago I was promoted to lead technician and currently supervise tour testers and technicians. My strength is problem solving. I work well independently or as a member of a team. I have worked in fast paced environments most of my life, and am very goal-oriented and deadline driven. I am looking for a position as a lead or coach where I can effectively work with a team to bring in results that contribute to the bigger picture or bottom line.


QUESTION 2
You mentioned you work well with a team,
can you describe a situation when you had to gain cooperation from a team.
1 I worked on a team project that was really running behind schedule. The first thing I did was get everyone together to discuss the problem and what was happening and why. We then came up with some new ways of approaching the project and schedule. I set up a system so that each person could track his or her own progress - through data entry and frequent check-ins. It seemed to make a a big difference when each person felt like he or she was making a contribution to a bigger project. Within a week the improvement was very noticeable.
2 I am a real team player. I always work well with a team. Whenever there is cooperation needed I am one of the first to be involved. I have worked on all kinds of teams and some are better than others, but we always get the work done - and on time. I really like being a member of a team.
3 Whenever I am working on a team, we always work well together. We have a lot of meetings and we work out our problems. We set up guidelines and schedules and we work well together to get the work out on time. One time we were behind, but we all pitched in and made out a schedule and really worked as a team to pull it together. We all were accountable for our part of the project and it made us feel really good to accomplish more than was asked for. We made all our deadlines and got awarded for our teamwork.


QUESTION 3

What has been the most difficult technical skill for you to learn?
1 I had a difficult time learning C++ (or the software most difficult for you). I had to keep relearning aspects that were similar to other programs I'd worked on. With some help from some fellow technical people, and a lot of hard work on my part, I was able to get through the program and become fairly proficient.
2 work hard to learn as many programs as possible. I want to have a broad range of languages and programs to offer. They have really all been difficult to learn, but I like a challenge.
3 I haven't really had any problems learning programs. I usually just hack my way through. I mostly learn through trial and error. I think that's the best way to learn anything - kind of hands-on.

Quest 4 Do you have any questions for me?
(usually asked by the Interviewer at the end of the interview)

1 No, I think you pretty much covered everything.
I'm sure I'll have questions later, if I get the job.
2 Well, I'd like to know more about the benefits of working for the company. What kind of vacation and health benefits do you offer your employees? What are the hours? What do you pay for overtime?
3 I'd like to know what the company's philosophy is toward its employees. What are this organization's challenges, problems, opportunities? What do you think are the important qualities necessary for this job?