Alumni Career Services: Sample Interview Questions

Traditional Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What do you know about our company/ organization/school?
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
• How would a former supervisor or coworker of yours describe you?
• What two or three words would you use to describe your work ethic?
• What are your future career goals? Where would you like to be in 10 years?
• Why should I hire you over any other candidate?

Behavioral Question

• Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a difference of opinion with a co-worker, customer, or supervisor. How do you feel you showed respect?
• Tell me about a time you failed at something.
• Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a deadline. How did you handle it?
• Describe the most creative presentation or idea that you developed or implemented.
• Tell me about a tough decision you made. What steps and considerations did you take to make that decision?
• What have you done in your present or previous job that goes beyond what was required?
• Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to approach things your way.
• Tell me about a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and how you handled it.
• What are three effective leadership qualities you think are important? How have you demonstrated these qualities in your past or current position?
• Give me a specific example of a time when you had to address an angry customer. What was the problem and what was the outcome?
• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated excellent communication skills. What did you need to communicate, and how did you communicate the information clearly?

Leadership and Management Style

1. How would you describe your leadership style?
2. Describe your management style.
3. How do you motivate your team?
4. How do you handle conflict within a team?
5. Describe your approach to making decisions.
6. How do you delegate responsibilities?
7. How do you define success?
8. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a supervisor?
9. How do you ensure accountability among team members?
10. How do or would you provide feedback to your team?
11. How do you handle employee performance issues?

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

1. Tell me about a time you led a successful project.
2. Describe a time you had to adapt to change.
3. How do you measure success?
4. Give an example of a time you made a tough decision.
5. Are you currently working on any projects? If so, explain.
6. How would you support a colleague who is struggling?
7. What is something you learned in your previous or current role you plan to apply to this position?

Example Questions To Ask Employers

We recommend having at least 5 questions prepared to ask employers at the end of the interview. Check out the list below for some examples!

1. What does a typical day look like in this role?
2. How has this position changed over time?
3. What is the working culture of this company or department?
4. What professional development opportunities are available?
5. Are there any challenges a new hire might face in this role?
6. How will my success be measured in this role?
7. Were there any challenges your organization faced in the past year?
8. Are there any additional details you can provide about the department or team dynamics?
9. What management style does this role's supervisor incorporate?
10. Is there anything new employees typically find surprising after they start?
11. Is there a potential for advancement in this office and or department?
12. What are the next steps in your search process, and what is your hiring timeline for this position?