CPC INTERVIEW GUIDE

1. Introduction

2. Preparing for the Interview

3. Dressing for Success

4. Types of Interviews
a. 1st Round – Screening
b. 2nd Round – Selection
c. Telephone Interviews
d. Behavioural-Based Interviews (BBI)
e. Case Interviews

5. Questions you might ask at an interview

6. Follow-Up Tips

7. Sample Questions
a. Common Interview Questions
b. Behavioural-Based Interview Questions
c. Case Interview Questions

8. Resources

CPC Interview Guide, Page 1 of 26

1. Introduction
One of the most important things to remember about any job interview is that its main objective is to
allow for an exchange of information between both parties (applicant and company), so that a
determination can be made as to how well the applicant fits the position/ company and/or vice-versa.

As the applicant, you want to impress upon the employer how your background (i.e., education,
previous employment/volunteer positions, extra-curricular and hobbies) matches the requirements of
the position they are recruiting for. Your résumé will have given them some indication of how well
you match, but during the interview you are expected to expand on this and be able to demonstrate
strong communication skills. Your communication skills (oral, written and non-verbal) will be
evaluated closely and are expected to be well practiced. Other skills critical to the position/company
will also be evaluated, so make sure you have done research on the position and the needs of the
organization.

In the remaining sections of this guide you will find information to help you prepare for the
interview, dress for success, familiarize yourself with various interview formats, prepare yourself to
ask questions at the interview and to conduct proper follow-ups. The final two sections consist of
sample questions and a resource listing.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 2 of 26

2. Preparing for the Interview
Do: try to get all pertinent data during phone call
• Names and titles of those interviewing you and their relationship to the position you are
applying for
• Location, time, type and duration of interview
• Phone number and name of person to contact if a problem arises and you must reschedule or
be late for the interview

Do: your research on the position, company and industry

• Review all company/position data; become familiar with the industry and the company’s
major competitors
• Keep copies of the job postings/descriptions you have applied to for reference/preparation

Do: know the culture of the company

• May not be obvious over the phone, but always a good idea to start formal and then
acclimatize yourself to the culture
• Beware of “Casual Friday” syndrome – where you interview in full business attire but the
company representatives are dressed down due to special circumstances
• Knowing an insider can really help here; but as a minimum, try to read company literature
and/or check with the CPC

Do: pack properly

• No backpacks or bulky purses – your image should be that of a professional and not a student
• Your briefcase or portfolio should include:
o Paper (spiral pad) and pen/pencil
o Copy of job description, résumé, cover letter, list of references
o Address, directions, telephone number and name of contact
o Name of person/people you will be meeting
o Business cards
o Change for parking meter, breath mints, tissues
o Shoes in a bag (weather dependent)

Do: follow business etiquette

• Your handshake should be firm, with two or three “pumps” and no ancillary movements
(e.g., shoulder/arm grasping, two hand cupping)
• In the initial meeting, let the interviewer offer their hand first; after the interview, offer your
hand first to show you are thankful that they took the time to meet with you
• Let the interviewer “lead” you to your seat – remember, you are their guest
• No slouching in chair; sit with the base of your back touching the back of the chair
• Turn off any pagers/cell phones; never be the cause for interruption during the interview
• Behave professionally with everyone you encounter – until you are offered the position,
every time you meet someone from the company you are essentially being interviewed

CPC Interview Guide, Page 3 of 26

 • Ask for business cards so that you have the proper spelling and title of each person who has
interviewed you

Do: remember that communication is key

• Speak to express and not to impress – using lingo/terminology that you are not totally sure of
can come back to hurt you later
• Avoid using slang – be professional
• Monitor and adjust your intonation/volume/pitch
• Non-verbal communication may be evaluated as critically as what you say – so remember to
keep a positive attitude
• Keep good eye contact, but don’t stare
• Be mindful of hand movements; it’s okay for effect, but don’t come across as someone trying
to conduct a symphony

Do: try to schedule strategically

• Always be as cooperative with the interviewer’s schedule as possible
• Know yourself – try to schedule when your energy level is normally high (are you a morning
person, or is afternoon better for you?)
• Worst timings are considered to be 9:00 a.m. (you are likely to be the first interview and there
will be no benchmark), 1:00 p.m. (time when people like to catch up on their schedule),
4:30/5:00 p.m. (late in the day, the interviewer may be fatigued or looking forward to
wrapping up their day)
• Ideal timing is mid-morning or mid-afternoon

Do: arrive 15 minutes early

• Announce yourself to receptionist
• If you are unfamiliar with the area, perform a dry run the day(s) before (you can use
MapQuest for directions), noting how long it took you to get there, whether security
measures need to be considered, and time the building is open –
• Get a good night’s sleep before the interview

Do: bring a list of referees

and keep in touch with your referees
• In case they have changed jobs
• To remind them of your performance
• To keep them updated on your career
• To gage whether they remain a good referee

CPC Interview Guide, Page 4 of 26

3. Dressing for Success
Do: dress appropriately
• Check the “Career” section of the company’s website to see if they show pictures of staff and
take note of how they are dressed; this section may even suggest a guideline for dressing
• Try using your network to locate an insider and ask their advice
• When all else fails, you can call and ask HR directly
• It’s always easier for someone to picture you dressed down then dressed up, so always dress
as professionally as possible

Do: wear appropriate business attire

• For males:
o Blue and gray suits are fine and should be a complete suit (i.e., pants match the
jacket); black is too formal
o Solid colours are preferred, but thin pinstripe is fine
o Shirts should be pressed and be of a light colour, preferable blue; never have floral,
strongly striped or dark shirts
o Your tie should compliment your suit and not draw attention
o Stick with black, well polished shoes
o Your belt should match the colour of your shoes
o Socks should match the colour of your suit or can be slightly darker; never wear
white socks
o Check, and recheck your interview “outfit” (i.e., clothing and briefcase items) the
night before; make sure its still fits appropriately and is clean
o Be well groomed (clean hair, well shaved, clean finger nails, etc) and limit the
cologne
• For females:
o Blue, black, gray or beige suits are fine and should be a complete suit (i.e., skirt/pants
match the jacket)
o Blouses should be pressed and be of a light colour, preferable white, off-white or
blue; subtle patterns are fine
o Shoes should be a basic pump with a low heel; can be black, dark blue, or brown
o Shoes can be brought in a separate shoe-bag (i.e., not in a plastic grocery bag) when
weather is either rainy or snowy
o Hair should be clean, well groomed, and styled in a classic manner
o Conservatively applied makeup and little or no perfume should be worn

CPC Interview Guide, Page 5 of 26

4a. Types of Interviews: 1st Round – Screening
First round interviews are typically classified as “screening” interviews, as the company will be
looking to screen out potential candidates. Often a company will interview 5+ candidates with the
hopes of being able to reduce this number to one or two. These interviews are usually between 20 to
30 minutes long and will be conducted by a member of the company’s Human Resource (HR)
Department; in the case of smaller companies, someone who works in a different department may
fill this role.

The types of questions asked fall into one of four categories:

• Data/fact finding: these are questions that are usually based on the content of the candidates
resume. For example: “I see that you are pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in
Accounting. Tell me why?”

• Technical (e.g. financial, case, task-based): these questions will help the interviewer measure
how well you are able to address the more technical aspects of the potential position. For
example: “What do you feel are the reasons why the Canadian dollar is behaving the way it
is? or “Explain to me how a network server operates and what issues should a company
consider when looking to acquire a new one?”

• Hypothetical: these questions ask a candidate to imagine themselves in a situation and

require you to convey how you feel you would exhibit a specific skill(s). For example: “How
do you feel you would act when challenged by a customer whom you know is wrong?”

• Behavioural-based question: these questions ask a candidate to share with the interviewer
an example from when they were in a situation requiring them to exhibit a specific skill(s).
For example: “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer? What
happened? How did the situation turn out?”

Some common questions you may find yourself facing in a first-round interview include:

Tell me about yourself?

How do/would your friends describe you?
Why do you want to work here? Why should I hire you?
What do you know about our company? Position?
Do you have the skills to work in this position/company?
What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
Why did you choose to study ___?
Describe your leadership/communication/coordinating/etc style?
Where do you see yourself in ___ years?
Tell me about a time/Give an example of ___?
What are your salary expectations for this position?
Do you have any questions? About the company? Position? Process?

More sample questions can be found in the section “7. Sample Questions”.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 6 of 26

4b. Types of Interviews: 2nd Round – Selection
Second-round interviews are typically classified as “selection” interviews, as the company will be
looking to select the best candidate from a group of two or more. Interviewing for selection purposes
can take place over multiple rounds with some companies requiring the successful candidate to go
through five or more rounds of interviewing. The questions asked are also generally categorized into
the same four categories as first-round interviews - data/fact finding, technical, hypothetical and/or
behavioural-based question – but the timing of the interview is typically longer and can be spread
out of multiple days.

Another difference between first and second-round interviews is that the environment in which they
are conducted may not be the same; that is, where first-round interviews are usually held between
one candidate and one company representative (usually, but not always someone from HR), second-
round interviews may involve multiple candidates and multiple company representatives. Below are
descriptions of common second-round interview settings:

Panel Interviews - Lead Interview Style:

• Two or more interviewers with a Manager likely

having most decision power (they will be
HR
responsible for managing the successful hire)
• One lead interviewer, others observing but might
ask a few questions
Manager(s)
• Include everyone in your response (i.e., make eye
contact with all)
You • Start answer with person who posed question, scan
Peer others during response and complete answer with
original interviewer

Panel Interviews - Drill Down Interview style

HR • One person leads off with a general question and

the rest add questions that “drill-down” on the topic
• Include everyone in your response, and do not be
Manager(s) afraid to reiterate/expand on previous answers

Peer

CPC Interview Guide, Page 7 of 26

Panel Interviews - Independent Questions style

HR
• Each interviewer asks questions pertaining to their
domain/responsibility
Manager(s) • Try not to become competitive with the “Peer”;
you are not trying to take away their job, but to
You potentially work with them
Peer

Panel Interviews - Good Cop, Bad Cop style

• A test to see how you can respond to a bad

Interviewer situation (more common for consulting and sales
positions)
• You have to find a professional and engaging way
You Interviewer to be comfortable with both interviewers
• Need to find balance between the two interviewers

Serial Interviews

HR Manager(s) Peer

You

• More time consuming then panel as you will spend time separately with one or more
interviewers
• Potential problem of “finding” an answer as you go along; that is, you may find a question
repeated that you previously were unable to answer. If the answer has only now come to
mind, share it, but let the interviewer know that you were previously asked and the answer
has only occurred to you now.
• Your answer(s) can grow and change but should follow the same general theme/scope.
• Might be a drill down approach where interviewers ask each other to probe you on one of
your answers given.
• At the end, interviewers will compare notes.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 8 of 26

Group Interviews

• Worst situation to be in as you have to be aware of

HR the interviewers and the other person
• Acknowledge the other person’s presence/answers
• Never judge the other person or their answers
Other
Manager(s) • If the other candidate’s answer is dead on, say so “I
totally agree”…then drill down
• If asked to give an opinion on the other person’s
Peer
answer, don’t compete/judge…use linking phrases
You
and give your own answer

Diagnostic/Skill Tests

• This type of interview challenges you to complete a

task/test
• Task/test may or may not be directly related to the
duties of the position applied to
You
• May also include psychological or psychometric
testing

Case Interview

• The case is usually hypothetical or set in the past

• End results usually less important then the process
taken in answering case
You • Identify problems, state assumptions, show logical
reasoning
• Can be a group exercise (you will be watched to see
what role you gravitate to)
• Having a follow-up plan or plan of action for
implementation can set you apart

CPC Interview Guide, Page 9 of 26

Company or Department Tours

• Always an interview - keep up same interview

principles throughout
• Don’t comment negatively to anyone about the
interview process while on site
• Always show you are a team player and that you are
excited to learn more about the ins-and-outs of the
company’s operations

Social Situations

• Keep your guard up - you are still being interviewed

• Avoid ordering any food that needs to be consumed
with your hands only or is difficult to eat (e.g.,
spaghetti, ribs, oysters, etc.)
• Food selection – pick items that fall within the
average price range of the menu
• Avoid ordering alcohol/wine, but can follow suit if
interviewer does so
• Since you are their invited guest, let the interviewer
pick up the bill

CPC Interview Guide, Page 10 of 26

4c. Types of Interviews: Telephone Interviews
Many companies use the telephone as a means to conduct job interviews. This could be because
applicants live in an area some distance from the company’s location or because of the high volume
of interviews to conduct. This could also be because the position will entail the successful applicant
to spend some time on the phone during the course of successfully fulfilling the duties of the
position. Regardless of why a company conducts a telephone interview, a few tips for applicants
include:

• Reschedule if need be and schedule for when you can be without distractions: one of the
dangers of listing your cell phone number on your résumé is receiving a call from an
employer wanting to conduct a telephone interview with you while you are having coffee
with friends (or some other situation). If you are in a situation where distractions may stop
you from giving the interviewer 100% of your attention, ask to reschedule to a more
convenient time (you of course can explain that you are unable to interview due to these
extreme circumstances). You should be flexible and allow the interviewer to recommend a
date/time.

• Ideal setting: would be a place where you can sit in a closed room, at a desk with the
following items – your résumé, cover letter, job posting and company information. All
televisions and radios should be muted/turned off. During the interview, do should not eat or
chew gum, but you may want a glass/bottle of water handy in case you need it. Avoid using
cell phones and/or speakerphones and do not answer other calls that may come into the line.

• Be in interview mode: dress for success! Wear interview or business casual clothing.
Although you may be in the comfort of your own home, you may find it hard to take yourself
serious while wearing your favorite bunny-head slippers.

• Don’t get caught reading an answer: although a telephone interview allows you to have
supplemental material at hand (e.g., website of the company up on your screen, list of
possible answer to potential questions, etc.), don’t get caught sounding like your answers
have been prepared beforehand.

• No body language, so voice/tone very important: although the interviewer will not be able
to see your non-verbal communication, they may still be able to sense it. Smile while
answering and do not forget to monitor and vary your volume/tone.

• Follow-up: make sure to ask what the next steps are in the interview process and try to
schedule a face-to-face meeting.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 11 of 26

4d. Types of Interviews: Behavioural-Based Interviews (BBI)

Behavioural-based interviews (BBI) are typically conducted in the second-round process and will
have a predominance of behavioural-based questions. BBI are conducted in order to analyze a
candidate’s potential abilities by examining skills that have been used in past performance and
uncover patterns of their accomplishments. If past performance of a candidate is the best predictor of
their future behaviour, then BBI will provide companies with an effective way to measure
competencies.

Some tips on behavioural-based interviews and questions include the following:

• Typical lead-ins to behavioural-based questions include: “Tell me about a time…”,

“Describe for me…”, or “Give me an example…”

• Each question will usually target one specific behaviour/competency important to the
position/company. It is vital that the candidate recognizes this and ensures that their answer
demonstrates experience with this behaviour/competency and not a different one.

• The best answers highlight specific examples from the candidates past and tie-in to the
behaviour/competency. A common approach to answering behavioural-based questions I:
o P (problem): this is where the candidate will describe the situation/context that they
will be using to answer the question
o A (action): this is where the candidate speaks about their role and the steps they took,
emphasizing their experience with the behaviour/competency being asked about
o R (results): finally, the candidate needs to conclude their answer by describing the
outcome/consequences of their action as well as sharing what they learned from the
experience and perhaps what they would not do faced with a similar problem

o An example: “Tell me about a time when you initiated a project or idea that saved
your company money?” An answer to this question might include:
P  While I was working at Company X, I noticed that a lot of money was spent on
the printing of exam papers. There were 5 versions of the exam and forty candidates
a day would write the exam, and then forty more would write the same exam the
following day, and so on.
A  It occurred to me that the company could save money by printing only a few
master copies of each exam and having them laminated. This lamination would
increase the cost per copy, but would allow each exam to be reused, as they would
only have to be wiped down after the test was taken. On my own, I contacted several
printing companies and was able to negotiate a price almost equal to the printing of
non-laminated exams. I then brought my idea and work to the head of the department
that administered the exam and they were very impressed by the thorough approach I
had taken.
R  In the end, by implementing this idea, Company X was able to save
approximately $35,000 per year in printing costs and I was asked to assist more in
special projects within the organization.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 12 of 26

• Some behavioural-based questions will challenge candidates to speak about negative
experiences. An example would include: “Tell me about a time when you were late handing
in a report/paper?” Although candidates may initially feel they should say that the situation
has never occurred to them, it is not necessarily the best answer, as it does not provide much
substance to the interview. Instead, using one of the following three approaches will provide
the interviewer with more substance and can turn the negative into a positive:
o Talk about situations where the negative outcome had only minor impact. If you can
choose between discussing the late paper that lost your whole group a letter grade
versus the one that a professor was willing to accept with no penalty, choose the
latter.
o Talk about how you were able to pull something positive out of the situation. Perhaps
you were able to meet with your professor and develop a rapport.
o Talk about what you learned from the situation and identify how you will/did handle
it differently the next time a similar situation arises/arose.

• A common situation candidates find themselves in is not having a specific example to use
when answering a behavioural-based question. Instead of just saying “I’m sorry, that has
never happened to me…”, it would be better to:

o If the question is related to a specific context (e.g., work), ask if you can use a
different one (e.g., academic). For example, a question asking you to talk about
leading a team at work could be answered by giving an example of how you lead a
team at school. Just make sure to ask the interviewers permission to change the
context of the question.
o Ask if you can instead talk about what you would do. Essentially, with the
interviewers permission, you would be turning the question into a hypothetical.
o Ask if you can instead talk about what you have observed others doing in the
same/similar situation. If allowed to go this route, make sure to discuss what you
learned from observing and how you would/wouldn’t apply what was learned.

• Some of the more common behaviours/competencies a BBI will explore include:

o Showing leadership
o Demonstrating initiative/innovativeness
o Working as part of a team
o Motivating others or what motivates you
o Giving bad news to someone
o Having to negotiate
o Increasing company sales/profits or decreasing costs
o Making a good/poor decision
o Adapting to a changing environment
o Handling criticism
o Meeting/missing a deadline

• Sample questions broken down by behaviour/competency can be found in the section

“7. Sample Questions”

CPC Interview Guide, Page 13 of 26

4e. Types of Interviews: Case Interviews
A common interview style used for consulting and business development positions, or other jobs
where the applicant will spend a great deal of their time interacting with the companies clients or
suppliers, is the Case Interview. In this situation, applicants are asked to respond to one or more case
questions. Companies like to use these questions to see just how energetic and driven the applicant
is, and feel that it is a good way to simulate how the applicant will perform in the day-to-day
functions of the job. These interviews are sometimes conducted with two or more applicants at the
same time, and in this case will also allow the company to see what role the applicant(s) will take.

There are three types of case questions most often used:

• Brainteasers: are puzzles or riddles that test your logic, creativity and ability to break
down the question. There usually is not a correct answer, but there can be better
approaches to answering the question. You can take notes, draw diagrams and should try
to break the problem down into manageable parts. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying
questions, and don’t be discouraged if the answer is not helpful. An example would be:
“Aliens have taken you aboard their ship. You will be asked to make a statement. If the
statement is true you will be blasted into atoms. If it is false you will be ejected into
space. One statement can get you out alive. What is it?”

• Guesstimates: ask you to perform quick calculations using intuition and logical
reasoning. The approach you take will often be evaluated more critically then your final
answer. You may or may not be allowed to ask questions and you should be prepared to
write down your calculations (bring pen/pencil and paper). Candidates should use
rounded numbers so as to simplify the math. Make and state your assumptions to the
interviewer and do not let their response (usually non-verbal) throw you off. An example
would be: “How much money is made each year at lemonade stands across Canada?”

• Business cases: are either written or oral cases asking you to solve a business-related
problem. They are usually either hypothetical or set in the past and candidates may or
may not be allowed to ask clarifying questions (make sure to listen to any answers and
incorporate them into solution). Candidates should explain the framework they plan on
using to solve the problem (e.g., SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, Cost/Benefit
Analysis, etc.) and should make recommendations in their conclusion. Candidates may
be asked to give a formal presentation, with or without the assistance of audio/video
aides. An example would be: “Your client wants to know if they should expand their
restaurant business to the United States. What would you advise them to do?”

Some pitfalls to avoid when answering case questions include:

• Not listening to the question
• Ignoring/losing track of facts/data
• Asking the same question multiple times
• Asking unrelated questions
• Answering without a plan

CPC Interview Guide, Page 14 of 26

Other tips on how to prepare for Case Interviews include:

• Bring such items as paper, graph paper, pens, pencils, and calculator with you to the
interview. You may or may not be allowed to use them, but it is always better to have
them just in case.

• Familiarize yourself with key/common demographics for guesstimates and business cases
(visit http://www.statcan.ca/menu-en.htm before your interview. Some examples
include:
o Population of
 Canada - approximately 32 million
 Quebec - approximately 7.5 million
 Montreal - approximately 1.5 million on the island and 3.5 million in the
metro area
 USA - approximately 300 million
o Rate of inflation – around 2.4%
o Unemployment – around 6.4%
o Household size – approximately 2.6

• You may want to refresh yourself on key business concepts/frameworks such as Porters
Five Forces, SWOT analysis, Cost/Benefit Analysis, Four P’s, Product Life Cycle, etc.

• Pick up a book of brainteasers or visit such websites as www.brainbashers.com,

www.braingle.com, or www.brainconnection.com

• Practice your presentation/speaking skills

Sample questions can be found in the section “7. Sample Questions”

CPC Interview Guide, Page 15 of 26

5. Questions you might ask at an interview
The question most interviewers will ask last is “Do you have any questions?” (although they may
keep you on your toes and ask it at the beginning of the interview or some time else). The proper
response to this question in a first-round interview is almost never: “No, all of my questions have
been answered.” There are three areas you may wish to ask questions about with your interviewer.

The first would pertain to questions you were asked – you might want to clarify as to why something
was asked or to see if you add additional information.

The second would be to ask questions prepared in advance about the company, position, competitors
and/or industry. The answer to these questions should assist you in deciding on whether or not you
want to consider the position/company and should not be easily answered by just looking at the
company’s website.

Finally, you should ask about the follow-up process and as to when you may expect to hear about
additional interviews or the job offer.

Some common questions you may want to consider asking include:

• Describe a typical day.

• What are you looking for in the person who will fill this job?
• What areas need the immediate attention of the person you hire?
• What skills are most valuable in this job?
• What activities could I engage in now that might help me on the job if I'm hired?
• What are your plans for new products or services?
• How would you define your organization's management philosophy?
• What kind of training would I receive?
• How do the duties change once the training program has been completed?
• What is the retention rate for people who have been in this training program after one year?
After two years?
• How is one evaluated both formally and informally?
• Will a graduate degree be required in order to enhance my promotional opportunities after
several years?

CPC Interview Guide, Page 16 of 26

6. Follow-Up Tips
After the interview, candidates should be prepared to follow a course of action that includes:

• Sending a thank-you letter: to each of the persons interviewed with. Besides expressing
your sincere thanks in having been given the opportunity to meet with them, you should
make sure to reiterate your qualifications and continued interest in the position.

• Prepare your references: if you feel that there is a chance the company will be calling them,
contact each of your referees and let them know about the interview you have just had. You
want to prepare your referees so that they can give you the best reference possible.

• Follow-through with any next steps: if the interviewer has asked you to do complete a task
(e.g., submit a copy of your transcript or portfolio), make sure to do it! As well, if you have
promised to do something (e.g., call them back in the following week to see where they are in
the recruiting process), make sure it is done in the timeframe promised.

• Keep track of all contacts made: create a file on all companies interviewed with.

• Reflect: think back on the interview(s) and try to analyze questions that gave you a hard time
and why. If you were missing examples to provide in behavioural-based questions, try to
think of ones for future reference.

• Continue to job search: until you have accepted a job offer, it is in your best interest to
continue applying to positions you feel qualified for and attending any interviews you are
offered.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 17 of 26

7. Sample Questions
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Questions about you:
o Tell me about yourself?
o How do/would your friends describe you?
o What is the most interesting thing you've done in the past three years?
o What do you want me to know about you that isn't on your résumé?
o Tell me about an interesting article you recently read in the newspaper.
o What’s the last non-school related book you read? What did you learn from this book?
o What kinds of tasks and responsibilities motivate you the most?
o Why should I hire you and not the next candidate who walks in the door?
o Do you prefer to work with others or on your own?
o What is your greatest strength? Weakness?

Questions about your qualifications:

o Why do you want to work here? Why should I hire you?
o Do you have the skills to work in this position/company?
o What specific skills have you acquired or used in previous jobs that related to this
position?
o Tell me about what you learned from your previous jobs and internships.
o What did you like/dislike about your last job?
o What is your biggest accomplishment?
o Describe your leadership/communication/coordinating/etc style?

Questions about your education:

o Why did you choose to study ___?
o Describe the course that has had the greatest impact on your thinking.
o What courses did you enjoy the most? Least?
o Tell me about your extracurricular activities during school. What do you believe you
have gained from these experiences?

CPC Interview Guide, Page 18 of 26

Questions about your understanding of the job/company:
o What do you know about our company? Position?
o Why did you apply to our organization?
o What interests/impresses you about this organization?
o What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work?
o What can you tell us about our company?
o What do you think of our organizational structure?
o Who else are you interviewing with? What do you think of those organizations?
o Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?
o Do you have a geographic preference?

Other questions:
o What are your salary expectations for this position?
o Where do you see yourself in ___ years?

CPC Interview Guide, Page 19 of 26

BEHAVIOURAL-BASED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Assertiveness:

o Tell me about a time when you were able to express your opinions maturely in spite of
disagreements or objections.
o Give me an example of a time when you had to be assertive in giving directions to others.
o Tell me about a time when you successfully expressed your ideas/opinions in a tactful and
careful way.
o Tell me about a time when you were willing to disagree with another person in order to
build a positive outcome.
o Describe a time when you had to sell an idea to our boss, authority figure, or technical
expert.

Communication:

o Tell me about a time when you had to present a proposal/idea to a person in authority
and were able to do this successfully.
o Tell me about a situation where you had to be persuasive and sell your idea to someone
else.
o Tell me about your most successful experience when make a speech or presentation to a
group.
o Tell me about an experience of yours that illustrates your ability to influence another
person verbally.
o Tell me about a specific time when your skill in listening helped you to communicate
better.
o Tell me about the writing experiences you have had that you think will contribute to your
ability to do this job well.

Creativity and Innovation:

o Tell me about a situation in which you were able to find a new and better way of doing
something significant.
o Tell me about a time when you were creative in solving a problem.
o Describe a time when you were able to come up with new ideas that were key to the
success of some activity or project.
o Tell me about a time when you had to bring out the creativity in others.
o Give me an example of a time when you came up with a unique and novel solution to a
common problem.

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Customer Service:

o Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate customer.
o Tell me about one or two customer-service related programs that you've done that you're
particularly proud of.
o Tell me about a time when you made a lasting, positive impression on a customer.

Decision Making:

o Describe for me a time when you had to make an important decision with limited facts.
o Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
o Describe for me a time when you had to adapt to a difficult situation. What did you do?
o Tell me about a time when you made a bad decision
o Tell me about a time when you resisted the temptation to “jump to conclusions” and
thoroughly obtained all facts associated with a problem before coming to a solution.
o Give me an example of how you reached a practical business decision by an organized
review of the facts and weighing of options.

Delegation:

o Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.

o Tell me about a time when you did a poor job of delegating.
o Describe for me a time when you had to delegate to a person with a full workload, and
how you went about doing it.

Energizing:

o Give me an example of a time when your positive attitude caused others to be motivated
or energized.
o Tell me about a time when your ability to reward and encourage others created positive
motivation.
o Tell me about a time when you successfully used competition as a means of encouraging
others to work hard.
o Describe a time when you were able to use recognition to create positive energy in
another person.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 21 of 26

Goal Setting:

o Tell me about the most important time in your work history when you successfully
prioritized your goals.
o Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to set goals and objectives even though
you were not prompted or directed by others to do so.
o Give me an example of a time when you used a systematic process to define your
objectives. What type of system did you use? What payoff did you get from using the
process?

Initiative and Follow-through:

o Give me an example of a situation where you had to overcome major obstacles to achieve
your objectives.
o Tell me about a goal that you set that took a long time to achieve or that you are still
working towards.
o Tell me about a time when you won (or lost) an important contract.
o Tell me about a time when you used your political savvy to push a program through that
you really believed in.
o Tell me about a situation that you had significant impact on because of your follow-
through.

Integrity:

o Tell me about a time when you were able to change in order to meet the needs of others.
o Tell me about a time when you felt it necessary to compromise your own immediate
interests in order to be socially flexible and tolerant of another person’s needs.
o Even more difficult than dealing with a difficult person is being of service to a difficult
person. Tell me about a time when you have been successful with this type of situation at
work.
o Tell me about a time when you were asked to compromise your integrity.
o Describe a time when you had to bend the rules in order to be successful or accomplish a
goal.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 22 of 26

Leadership:

o Describe a work situation where your ability to set a positive example served as a model
to others.
o Give me an example of the greatest success you ever had in the use of delegation.
o Describe for me a time when you may have been disappointed in your behavior.
o Tell me about a time when you had to discipline or fire a colleague.
o Tell me about a time when you've had to develop leaders under you.
o Tell me about a time when you made an unpopular decision. Did it prove to be the
correct one?

Organization and Planning:

o Give me an example of any time management techniques you have learned and applied at
work.
o Tell me what you have done with such tools as flow charts, production schedule, filing
systems, or any other tools to help you implement a plan.
o Tell me about how you used realistic schedules and timetables to generate a plan leading
to a specific goal.

Priority Setting:

o Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities and did so
successfully.
o Tell me about a time when you had to pick out the most important things in some activity
and make sure those got done.
o Tell me about a time that you prioritized the elements of a complicated project.
o Tell me about a time when you got bogged down in the details of a project.

Team Building:

o Tell me about a time when you had your biggest success in building a team spirit.
o Tell me about a time when you contributed to a working group’s ability to direct itself by
building group standards for performance.
o Describe a time when you used the technique of collecting suggestions to build team
commitment.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 23 of 26

 o Give me an example of a time when you confronted a negative attitude successfully with
the result of building teamwork and morale.

Thinking and Problem Solving:

o Tell me about a time when you had to analyze facts quickly, define key issues, and
respond immediately or develop a plan that produced good results.
o Describe for me a situation where you may have missed an obvious solution to a
problem.
o Tell me about a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventative
measures.
o Tell me about a time when you used your analytical skills to identify potential problems
at work
o Tell me about a time when you surmounted a major obstacle.

Working Effectively with Others:

o Give me an example that would show that you've been able to develop and maintain
productive relations with others, though there were differing points of view.
o Tell me about a time when you were able to motivate others to get the desired results.
o Tell me about a difficult situation with a co-worker, and how you handled it.
o Tell me about a time when you played an integral role in getting a team (or work group)
back on track.

CPC Interview Guide, Page 24 of 26

CASE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Brainteasers:
o Why are manhole covers round?
o You have a 5-gallon jug and a 3-gallon jug. You must obtain exactly 4 gallons of water.
How will you do it?
o Without writing anything or using any calculating device, tell me if there are more 2s or
8s to be found in all of the numbers from 1 to 50,000.
o A little girl is in Alberta, & her mother is in Ontario. The little girl is in an accident, &
has to be rushed to a nearby hospital. The little girl is the daughter of the nurse who
assists her. How is this possible?

Guesstimates:
o How many tennis balls fit into a Metro car?
o How many convenience stores are there on the Island of Montreal?
o How many people travel back and forth from Montreal to Toronto each day?
o How many paper cups does Tim Horton’s use each year?

Business Cases:
o You’ve just invented a process that allows people to become invisible, is there a market
for this product?
o Your client, a maple syrup producer, wants to begin exporting their product into Europe.
How would you advise them?
o Donald Trump is considering buying the Montreal casino. What should he consider when
evaluating this deal? How much should he be willing to spend?
o Should the Coca-Cola Company acquire Couche Tard?

CPC Interview Guide, Page 25 of 26

8. Resources

Some websites with good information on Interviewing include:

www.vault.com
www.campusaccess.com
www.wetfeet.com
http://interview.monster.com
http://www.quintcareers.com
http://ww2.cs.fsu.edu/~shilding/interview.htm
www.casequestions.com
www.bain.com
http://www.bcg.com/careers/interview_prep/interview_tips.html
http://www.casequestions.com/

CPC Interview Guide, Page 26 of 26