This article is going to provide what might be referred to as a data dump of job interview questions. Being prepared for a variety of questions is essential, since the interview is a critical step in the hiring process.
Traditional Interview Question Database
This particular database of questions is being labeled as "traditional" because of the way the questions are asked. They're open-ended questions that provide the job seeker a chance to respond in a relatively unstructured manner.
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This website also has a Behavioral Interview Question Database. When answering these types of questions, the job candidate needs to respond using a format described in our article: Behavioral Interviewing Technique. Job candidates should be prepared for both types of interviews.
In the following sections only appear questions; we've provided guidance on answering interview questions elsewhere. That article can help candidates to understand how to construct positive responses to even the most difficult of questions.
This database can be used as a resource when preparing for an actual job interview. By reviewing this information, and practicing responses, the chance of success during an actual meeting is greatly increased.
Interview Questions by Category
Finally, the questions below have been grouped into categories. For example, one section might have to do with college courses or a candidate's academic background, while another might deal with work ethic.
When practicing it's best to select one category at a time, since the response and the mode of thinking will be similar within each category. By practicing responses to different variations of similar interview questions, candidates will be far less nervous, and much more confident, during an actual interview.
About the Hiring Company
Do you have any questions about our company?
How do you feel about job-related travel?
What are your feelings about relocating?
What do you know about our company?
What do you like about our company?
Why did you decide to apply for a job at this company?
Why do you want this particular job?
Why do you want to work for our company?
Why should our company hire you?
Would you be interested in living in a community located near our company?
Concerning Your Career
How does this job fit into your overall career path?
What are you looking for in a career or a job?
What brought you to this field of work?
What do you think your role will be at work in five years?
What do you think your role will be at work in ten years?
What goals have you established for your career?
What other positions fit well into your career plans?
Where do you expect to be working in five years?
Where do you expect to be working in ten years?
Why are you thinking about changing careers?
Why did you choose this career?
Why do you think you will be successful in your career?
About Yourself
Do you have any geographic restrictions?
Do you have any questions for me?
How do you handle stress?
How do you keep up with recent developments in your field of work?
How many work hours do you consider too many?
How would you describe your work ethic?
How would you describe yourself in terms of being a team player?
How would you describe yourself?
What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
What is the ideal work environment?
What is your management style?
What question did I forget to ask you?
About Your Last Job
How many hours did you work at your last job?
How well did you get along with your last manager?
How would a peer at work describe you?
How would your manager describe you?
Why are you leaving your company?
Why did you leave the workforce?
Why did you leave your last job?
Why do you want to leave your current job?
Personal Goals
How do you establish long and short term goals for yourself?
How do you measure success?
What are some of the long and short term goals you've set for yourself?
What are some of your long term objectives?
What do you think it takes to be successful?
What is the process you go through when setting and reaching a goal?
What will it take for you to achieve your goals?
What will it take for you to consider yourself successful?
Would you describe yourself as a goal-driven individual?
Accomplishments and Success
How do you handle pressure?
How would you describe a successful supervisor or manager?
If you were offered the job, what do you expect to accomplish in your first year at our company?
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
What are your three most significant accomplishments?
What have you done in the past that gave you satisfaction?
What is the most demanding responsibility of a manager?
What skills do you possess that you feel contribute the most to your success?
What weakness do you possess that has prevented you from being more successful?
College and Academics
Did you like completing coursework with others in school or was independent research more to your liking?
Do you have any plans for continuing your education, such as pursuing an advanced degree?
Do you think that your grades in college are a good indicator of your academic success?
Do you think that your grades in college will be a good indicator of your success in the workplace?
How did you go about selecting the college or university you attended?
How has college prepared you for the workplace?
How would you describe the ideal job after college?
If you could change something about your college career, what would it be?
If you had the chance to start over again, what would you change about your college career?
What academic coursework completed in school do you think will help you the most in your career?
What was your favorite class or subject in college?
Which professor do you think created the most enlightening learning experience for you while in school?
Concerning Motivation
Do you find yourself more energized when working with data or people?
What are some of the things that motivate you?
What do you think is more important, financial success or job satisfaction?
What makes you want to work harder?
About Values
What salary level do you need to make before you'll be happy?
How long would it take before you're making a significant contribution to our operations?
How much training do you think you'll need before you begin contributing significantly to the company's success?
We're going to make a large investment in you if we decide to hire you. Why is that a good investment?
What is the salary range that you're looking for?
What's the value you'll bring to our organization?
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Why do you think you're qualified for this job?
Concerning Conflict
How did you go about resolving a recent problem you had with a co-worker?
How did you go about resolving that conflict?
How do you deal with high-pressure situations?
How do you deal with impossible deadlines?
How do you go about resolving conflict with your supervisor or manager?
How do you overcome obstacles?
How skilled are you at dealing with conflict?
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