Job Interview Training : Interview Questions

Interview Questions

Like all interviewers, Molly is prepared to ask 1000 questions. But, there is a series of common questions that you will be asked during most interviews. Practicing positive answers to these questions will help you be successful during your next interview.

Click each of the links below for a list of these common questions and example responses that interviewers want to hear.

Questions about Work History »

Questions about You »

Questions about the New Job and Company »

Questions about the Future »

Questions about Work History

What was the name of your last company? What job did you have?
- I’ve had a number of jobs, including a few like this one. This has really taught me how to learn quickly and apply skills from my past jobs to my new one.
- This will be my first job, but I learn quickly and will work hard to complete training as quickly as possible.
What did you expect from that job? How did it meet your expectations?
- I expected to be challenged and learn something from my last job. It did allow me to improve my customer service skills but I did not feel challenged enough.
- I expected to be treated fairly and respectfully. It met my expectations.
What was your starting and ending pay?
Any answer is fine, as long as it is honest.
- This job is not the same as my last job. Let’s talk about what my responsibilities would be in this job and then we can decide on fair pay.
What were your job duties?
Any answer is fine, as long as it is honest and speaks positively about your last job.
What major problems did you face? How did you handle them?
- One time I noticed that I had a lot of morning shifts, while some of my coworkers had none. I spoke to my boss and she changed the way she made the schedules.
- When there are problems, I’ve found that if you give the other person a chance to share his or her side of the story, they’re more likely to listen to your side, and conflicts resolve faster.
What have you learned from your mistakes?
- I have learned to give every person a second chance. First impressions can often be misleading.
- I have learned not to give up too soon. If I keep working I will find the solution.
What did you like/dislike about your previous job?
- Just like any job, there were good days and bad days, but I wouldn’t say anything really irritated me.
- I really liked the challenge, and it felt like I learned something new every day.
Which job was the most/least rewarding?
Make sure that when you are answering this question you remain positive and don’t mention that you disliked something that is a requirement of this job as well.
- I find it very rewarding to turn a frustrated customer into a pleased one.
What was your biggest accomplishment? Your biggest failure?
- I was really proud when I started my first college level class.
- I’m human, so I’ve made some mistakes. I usually try to correct it and let my supervisor know what happened.
What do you expect from a manager?
- The best leaders I’ve known are really good at dividing up tasks so that everyone is doing something he or she does well.
- A good boss would be a strong leader who helps everyone feel like they are on the same team and are working toward a common goal.
What problems have you come across at work? How did you solve them?
- I can’t think of any conflicts; I try to avoid them by treating everyone respectfully and communicating clearly.
- When there are problems, I’ve found that if you give the other person a chance to share his or her side of the story, they’re more likely to listen to your side, and conflicts resolve faster.
- One time I noticed that I had a lot of morning shifts, while some of my coworkers had none. I spoke to my boss and she changed the way she made the schedules.
Why did you leave your last job?
- I’m still working there, but I’m looking for something better suited to my skills than my current job.
- I had some issues in my personal life which left me unable to work. Those issues have been resolved and I am looking forward to getting back to work.

Questions about You

What is your greatest strength?
- My ability to adapt and learn quickly. Within a short time, I can feel comfortable in a new situation.
- I think the skills I learned from my time in the military. The teamwork and ability to work under pressure that I learned really made me a better worker.
What is your greatest weakness?
- I find that I’m pretty easily distracted, either by my phone or by things going on around me. I’ve worked hard at it, though, and I’ve really learned to manage it.
- I’ve always struggled with procrastination. I’ve found that if I make lists of what needs to be done, it’s a lot easier to get started. It’s really helped.
- I really enjoy meeting new people and talking to them, and sometimes I get carried away and focus more on talking than on the job I’m supposed to be doing. Once I realized what I was doing, I learned to find a balance between making customers feel welcome and being efficient.
How will your greatest strength help you do this job?
- I think the skills I learned from my time in the military will be helpful. The teamwork and ability to work under pressure that I learned really made me a better worker.
How would you describe yourself?
- Well, this would be my first job like this one, but I’m excited for the chance. I think some of my past experience would apply well. I’m also a hard worker and dependable.
- This would be my first job, but I learn quickly and would be a reliable worker.
How do you handle stress?
- I used to have a lot of trouble dealing with stress. Now, when things get crazy, I just take a deep breath and go through things step-by-step until it’s done.
- On stressful days I try to duck out and take a short walk around the parking lot on one of my breaks.
What motivates or moves you?
- I like to feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s day. It’s not always a big difference, but I still like it.
- I used to have trouble motivating myself. Being in the military really gave me a work ethic and taught me to enjoy getting things done.
- I like to set goals for myself, so that I’m always improving.
Tell me about yourself.
- Well, this would be my first job like this one, but I’m excited for the chance. I think some of my past experience would apply well. I’m also a hard worker and dependable.
- I used to be in the military, which gave me a number of skills that would help me do really well working at this company.
What has been the greatest disappointment of your life?
This question can relate to something that has happened in your life outside of work, for example the death of someone close to you. It is also okay if you have not had a “greatest disappointment.”
Do you prefer to work by yourself or on a team?
- I like team projects and typically get along well with my teammates. It’s fun to work with others toward a common goal.
- I really do well when I am working alone. I find it much easier to focus and get into a rhythm.
- I gained a lot of teamwork skills when I was in the military. I would really do well in a job that required teamwork.
Give some examples of when you have used teamwork.
- I had several group projects in school and I feel that they went really well.
- When I was in the military, group projects were really common. I’m grateful for the skills those projects gave me.
Describe a difficult situation/project and how you completed it.
- I haven’t really had any trouble or conflicts at work. I try to focus on my job and that seems to help me avoid problems. If something came up, I’d probably talk to my boss about it.
Describe a time when you had a lot of work. How did you handle it?
- I used to face this situation a lot, but I have since worked on my time management skills and it hasn’t happened in a while. If it came up, I would discuss my workload with my boss.

Questions about the New Job and Company

What interests you about this job?
- I’ve been looking for a job at a retail store because I feel like it would be a good use of my skills.
- I’ve heard you have a good training program, so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to improve my work-related skills.
What skills do you have that would help you in this job?
- Thanks to my military service, I’m really good at working under pressure.
- I’m great at getting along with others and working toward a common goal. I think I have better people skills than most others.
- I’m great with numbers, which means I have good money handling and organizational skills.
What can you do for this company?
- I’m a hard worker who can work efficiently.
- I can contribute my organizational skills and my ability to work well in a group.
Why should we hire you?
- I’m sure you’re looking for the best possible team to run your new store. I can tell you that I’m a hard worker and that I’m good at working as a member of a team.
- I may not have as much experience as some of your other candidates but I work hard and would want to work here long term, so I think I am a good choice.
Why are you the best person for this job?
- I don’t really know the other candidates, but I can say that I’ll work hard and that you won’t regret it if you hire me.
How long do you expect to remain working at this company if you get the job?
- I’ve been hoping to settle into a more permanent job, and I believe that this could be it.
- I’d like to really establish myself at this store, and I could see staying here long term.
What challenges are you looking for in your job?
- I’d like to continue improving my customer service skills so that I can best help each customer.
- I’d like to build on a few of the skills I gained from my time in the military.
Is there anything I haven’t told you about the job or company that you would like to know?
Now is the time to ask any questions you may have. Be sure that the manager has not already answered your question during the interview.

Questions about the Future

What are your goals for the next five years? Next ten years?
- I’d like a job that I enjoy and do well and that will let me support myself.
- I’d like to go back to school, in addition to working, and take some classes to help me get a job in management.
How do you plan to reach those goals?
- I noticed that your company has an excellent training program and I would like to take additional classes to help me achieve my goal.
- I plan on gaining additional skills by taking classes and continuing to volunteer in my community outside of work, to strengthen my skills.
What are you hoping to get paid? Both short term and long term?
- I am looking for a job that is a good fit for me and that I can advance in. I would only like my salary to be fair for the job requirements.
- My salary requirements are flexible, but I would like to receive what is fair.