Doug A. Stowell is an experienced interviewer and recruiter. Here is a sample of 50 of the 150 job interview questions and answers that are covered in the successful collaborative book - ”The Job Interview Master”.
Chapter 1 : Questions About You
The interviewer wants to know about you, what you are looking for and what motivates you. Expect some tough job interview questions with respect to some of the choices and decisions you have made to date. The key to job interview preparation is to ensure that you are clear what motivates you and where you want your career to go.
Here are some sample interview questions for this category
- What are the most important rewards you expect gain from your career?
- If you won the lottery tomorrow would you still work?
- What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
- What are your weakest points?
- Have you done your best work yet?
- What has been your biggest failure?
- Do you consider yourself lucky?
- What is your measure of success?
Chapter 2: Questions About Your Career To-Date
Job interview questions that specifically deal with your career are some of the toughest. They will delve into your leadership skill, your ability to be a team member and communications skills. Prepare your interview answers carefully by writing down the postives and negatives of your career todate. Your job interview preparation should include an understanding as what you did well and where you need to improve in your career.
Here are some sample common job interview questions for this category:
- How can one be successful in this industry?
- Can you give an example of your leadership qualities?
- Are you a big picture or a detailed person?
- What is the largest team you have led?
- Tell me about a situation where you used your creativity
- What is the worst job you ever had?
- Have you ever spoken at conferences?
- How adept at technology are you?
- Have you ever engineered a solution with an obvious answer?
- Can you give me an example of a time when you showed some initiative in the work place?
Chapter 3: Questions Pertaining To The Company And The Specific Role
There are always interview questions about the company you are applying to. They will have expected you to have researched the company and the role during your interview preparation. Always have interview questions to ask. This is a key interview tip.
Here are some sample job interview questions for this category:
- What is it about the company that attracts you here?
- Have you ever heard anything negative about this company?
- What changes would you make to the company?
- Are you not over qualified for this role?
- Do you have questions for me?
Chapter 4: Behavioral Interview Questions
All job interviews these days have some behavioral questions. This category will cover some piercing questions without pushing legal boundaries. The interviewer will delve into your relationships with colleagues, your boss and your clients. Your interview skills will need to be honed to answer such searching questions.
Here are some sample interview questions for this category:
- Have you ever got angry at work?
- What happens when some says no to you?
- What do you do if you fundamentally disagree with a company policy?
- Have you ever had a dispute with a boss?
- How do you deal with irate customers?
- How do you deal with failure?
- How do you establish credibility with your team?
- How long does it take you to make a decision?
- What kind of boss do you best work for?
- What happens when results do not meet your managers expectations?
- How Good are you at multi-tasking?
Chapter 5: Salary Expectation, Relocation and Resignation
This is a tricky interview area and salary questions are hard to answer. It depends on what stage of the process you are at and interview questions like these can be a bit of game during the early stages.
- Are you leaving your current role for monetary reasons?
- Will you take shares or options in lieu of cash?
- You will be required to travel 25% of the time – is that an issue?
- Will you find it difficult to leave your current company?
- We can’t pay you the kind of money you have been earning – are you willing to take a pay cut?
Chapter 6: Questions On Your Education
If this is your first job interview, then prepare for many questions. The further you are along in your career, the fewer questions you will get. The interviewer will want to know that you have appreciated the value of an education and the benefits.
Here are some sample job interview questions for this category:
- Are grades in reality and indication that you will do well in the workplace?
- What did you learn that is relevant?
- What is your ideal job after graduation?
- What would you change about your college?
- How do you rate the program there as against other schools?
Chapter 7: Career Breaks, Number of Previous Jobs and Other Prospects
If have jumped from job to job quite frequently, this may raise an alarm bell with the interviewer. Likewise if you have taken a number of career breaks, please ensure that any hole in your resume is accounted for. The reasons can range from personal reasons to being laid off to just wanting a break.
Here are some sample questions for this category:
- There is a long gap on your resume – what were you doing during that period?
- You have been at many different companies in a short period of time?
- What criteria are you using to select companies to interview with?
- Are you interviewing elsewhere?
- Do you intend taking another break?
Chapter 8: Interests Outside The Workplace
Interviewers are keen that people enjoy a work life balance. You can just as easily build a network outside a workplace as inside. In addition, the more healthy your lifestyle, the more productive you will be.
- What are your outside interests?
- What do you do for fun?
Interview preparation is an absolute must!
24 Responses
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Josie Conn Says:
Hi Doug
I really like your fresh approach to your interview answers. Even the sample preview questions were a great help. Unfortunately, I have been looking for a new job for awhile now since I got laid off in August. It is a question that I always fear being asked, the longer I am out of work – so thanks for the fresh answers on those types of interview questions!
Here’s to next year!
JC -
Doug A. Stowell Says:
Hi JC, glad you found the interview answers fresh! Do not be too perturbed if you find response or job postings slow this time of year.
Companies are winding down and working on their budgets for next year. Prepare for January and February when budgets are pinned down and headcount opens up again. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Doug
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Josie Conn Says:
Thanks Doug, will be in touch in January to run some more interview questions and answers by you, Enjoy the end of year holidays! I am hopeful for the new year!
Thanks again,
JC
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Hi
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Peter Sarsen Says:
Thank you, I bought your book and they are the best interview answers that I have found on the internet – keep up the great work,
Peter Sarsen
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Jen Stanson Says:
I really like your fresh approach to your interview answers. Even the sample preview questions were a great help. Unfortunately, I have been looking for a new job for awhile now since I got laid off in August. It is a question that I always fear being asked, the longer I am out of work ; so thanks for the fresh answers on those types of interview questions!
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david deangelo Says:
Thank you so much for writing a lot of this good content! Looking forward to seeintg more!
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Kim G Says:
By thinking about job interview questions ahead of time job applicants can prepare themselves to handle their interviews more effectively. Ultimately the person conducting the interview wants to know what the interviewees experience is if he or she will fit in with the company and if he or she really wants the job and stands out above the competition. If youre looking for a job do your homework and get a friend to hold a with some of the common job interview questions you will find below as well as some of your own…Job interview questions break down into a couple of categories.
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