Common Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself.

This is mostly an open ended question that can be answered in multiple ways, all up to you, but your experience in a “working environment” is a good answer. Make sure what you say is different from what’s on your resume.

Why should we hire you?

This is another open ended question that doesn’t exactly have a correct answer. At best, your answer has to show why you’re fit for a position. This may include background information and experience that is relevant.

What can you bring to the company?

List skills, good qualities, and past experience with similar positions.

What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?

"My biggest weakness is getting so absorbed in my work that I lose track of time. I know I should be more aware of the clock, but when I love what I'm doing I just can't think of anything else."

What type of work environment do you prefer?

Think about what kind of environment you would thrive in. Do you prefer a flexible schedule? Do you like constant direction and support?

How do you deal with pressure or stress?

Show examples of how you've dealt with stress in the past. You could add how pressure helps you work better, or having a deadline is motivating to you.

What is your work style?

Note how much time you need, if you're strict on deadlines, or if you need a lot of reinforcement from the people around you.

What should I know that's not on your resume?

If there are any gaps in your resume, be honest about it. If you couldn't work for whatever reason, explain how you're trying to bounce back from it.

What are your salary/pay expectations?

Ask what they are looking to pay you, if you feel the pay should increase, give valid reasoning behind why.

Give me an example of a difficult problem you solved. How did you solve this problem?

Did you ask questions? Or ask for help? Do your research of look at examples of ways other people have solved this problem?

Tell me about a mistake you've made. How did you handle it?

List adversities/mistakes that you know have had a good outcome and shows your responsibility.

Tell me about a time you learned a new skill. How did you approach it and how did you apply your new learnings?

Talk about past positions in which you've gotten a promotion, been trusted with a higher position, or had to improve your performance.

Explain a situation in which you would have handled things differently.

List a mistake you made that shows you've learned a valuable lesson and how you applied that lesson to another situation.