Sample Interview Questions

What is your most memorable Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

accomplishment?
 Speak of lifelong learning to keep
 Give details, as if telling a story abreast of changes in the field
 Explain why this accomplishment is  Describe short term, achievable goals
directly related to the job  Explain how this job will help you
 Give results achieve your goals

What are your greatest strengths? What is your greatest weakness?

 Discuss at least 3 strengths that are  Mention the weakness briefly and
necessary for the job move on to explain what you are doing
 Use examples to illustrate that you to improve – make it positive
have these strengths  i:e: Communication, computer/
 Note: this is a version of the “Tell me technical skill, over-analytical,
about yourself” question perfectionist, ability to delegate

Describe a challenge you have faced. Describe a time you worked

without supervision.
 Discuss your process for solving any
problem  Discuss your decision making process
 Show how you collect information  Show you are self-motivated but are
before making a decision still willing to ask for assistance
 Give a specific example and how you  Describe a time you had to make a
solved the problem and the successful decision on your own and how you
results arrived at that decision

How do you deal with multiple How has your education

tasks and deadlines? prepared you for this job?

 Discuss how you prioritize tasks and  Give examples of how the skills and
assignments abilities you learned can be transferred
 Mention specific times when you were to the job
able to complete a project on time  Say how you’ve learned to learn new
despite a heavy workload skills
 Discuss leadership and teamwork
activities and how they will help you on
the job

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
CAREER SERVICES AND CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
Tell me about a mistake you’ve made. Why did you choose your major
or this industry?
 Briefly mention a minor misjudgment
 Focus on how you were able to turn  Show you took a systematic approach
the situation around to correct it – stay to choosing your field
positive  Discuss the courses you’ve taken that
 Talk about transferable skills you used are most job-related
to resolve it  Show that your choice was logical
 Talk about what you learned considering your skills/interests

Describe a situation in which you’ve What is your experience with

taken initiative. working in teams?

 Tell a story – provide specific example  Discuss your adaptability and flexibility
 Outline the situation, what needed to in working with others or alone
be done and the successful results  Give concrete examples
 Note: use this answer format for similar  Mention the importance of every team
questions about other skills/situations member’s contribution

Why should I hire you? What kind of salary are you looking for?

This is the basis of all questions and  Show good knowledge of what you are
should be answered in 3 parts: worth
 Talk about your skills as they relate to  Give a salary range (from $14 to $18 or
the job $35,000 - $45,000) instead of a fixed
 Talk about your education as it relates number
to the job  Could throw the question back at the
 Talk about your work experience as it employer, ie. What does a coop
relates to the job position pay?

Have you ever done this kind Why did you leave your last job?
of work before?
 Never say anything negative about the
 Never say “no” to this question company, yourself or your supervisor
 Mention your transferable skills and all  Common reasons for leaving: job was
the experiences that shows you can temporary, moved to a new area,
quickly learn to do the job company went out of business, no
 Discuss your education/training in room for advancement, wanted more
relation to the job and any non-paid challenge/better use of your skills
experiences

Why do you want to work here? Tell me something about yourself.

 Show you’ve done your research by  Discuss at least 3 strengths that are
mentioning positive features of the necessary for the job
company and job  Mention education, skills, interests and
 Be positive about the job so that it accomplishments
appears you will be satisfied with the  Note: this is a version of the “Why
job and are likely to stay should I hire you?” question

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
CAREER SERVICES AND CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
 What is your preferred management Tell me about a time when you had to
style? deal with a difficult person.

 To expect a moderate level of  Use an example about a customer, co-

autonomy shows independence and worker or team member
the desire to implement new ideas  Provide a specific example that
 Explain you also recognize the illustrates problem solving using
importance of keeping your supervisor customer service, team work and
informed interpersonal skills
 Indicate you welcome feedback and  Pick an example that has a favourable
constructive criticism result
 Use an example of a time that this type  Be sure not to discuss personal
of management style enabled you to differences or make negative criticisms
accomplish something and earned your of the other person in your example
manager’s respect

What do you think it takes to be What motivates you?

successful in this career?
 Do not focus on monetary rewards
 Outline the skills and strengths that you  Recognize that motivation comes from
have identified are most important to within, rather than from external
the employer and that are necessary to rewards
do the job  Indicate your desire to do the best you
 Include some personal characteristics can at whatever you are doing
such as determination to succeed,
ability to work hard and love of learning

Do you think that your grades are an Do you have any questions for me?
indication of your abilities?
 Never say “no” to this question –
 Recognize that earning a high GPA is having questions shows your interest in
a commendable accomplishment the job
 Speak also of the benefits of focusing  Use your company research to develop
energy on work experience, sports and questions that show you know about
extracurricular activities and the skills the organization
you obtained from these areas  Acceptable questions may be about
 State that your ability to work career path, work environment,
effectively in your job is more indicative departmental structure, method of
of your potential than your GPA evaluation, etc.
 Never ask about salary or benefits

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
CAREER SERVICES AND CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION