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Sample Job Interview Questions

Typical Interview Questions and Answers

Why do you want to work for this company? Why

are you interested in this job?
The interviewer is trying to determine what you know
and like about the company, whether you will be willing
to make a commitment to the job, and if your skills
match the job requirements. Your research will be a

big help in formulating your answer to this question.

Say as many positive things about the company as
possible, show your interest in whatever
products/services they sell and explain why the
position fits with your career goals.

Have you done this kind of work before?

The interviewer wants to know if you can learn to do
the job in a reasonable time and how much training
you will need. Never say "no" to this question. Instead,
stress the experience you do have that will assist you
in learning the new job quickly and efficiently. No two
jobs are alike and you never do exactly the same
work. In all jobs, new skills, rules and details have to
be learned. Be sure to mention the following:
o

Your past work experience.

Your education and training related to the job.

Volunteer work that might relate to the job.

Any transferable skills - e.g. organizational

skills, people skills.

Your ability to learn quickly and how quickly

you learned that type of work in the past.

What kind of training or qualifications do you

have?
The interviewer is trying to find out what school
credentials you have. If you have no formal school
qualifications but have a lot of experience, you might
say:

I didn't get formal school training for this job but

I have (number) of years of experience in the
field. I'm willing to learn new skills or go to
school to get further training if I am offered the
job. I learn quickly and I like to keep upgrading
my skills.

If you have just completed a training course but have

little work experience, you mightsay:
o

I took a one year training program in (name of

program) at (name of school) which is related
to the job I'm applying for. I look forward to
working in the field and putting into practice
what I learned. I don't have a lot of work
experience in this area but I learn quickly. I
know you will be happy with my work.

Tell me about yourself. Why should we hire you?

The interviewer is trying to find out about you, your job
skills and how well you express yourself. Do not dwell
on personal issues. State your best qualifications for
the job. Be specific and include examples to support
your statements. Try to show that you meet the
employer's expectations. For example:
o

I am punctual, dependable and can be counted

upon to finish what I start. I get a great deal of
satisfaction from knowing that I have done
something well and on time. For example, at
my present job, I was given different work
orders every day. It was my responsibility to
finish the orders and make sure they all met
quality and safety standards within a specific
deadline. On occasion, I had to familiarize
myself with the product and the production

process. I was always able to learn quickly and

carry out my job responsibilities. Our company
was known for making excellent processed
food products. In 1990, it received an award for
being on of Canada's top companies in the
field. I feel I can use the same skills and hard
work to do well on this job too.

What do you do in your spare time?

Interviewers ask this question to see if your activities
and hobbies might help the company and to get an
idea of what kind of person you are outside your work
life. Describe any volunteer work you do and any
hobbies or interests that might relate to the job in
some way. Stick to active hobbies, such as playing
sports, carpentry,gardening, etc. Avoid mentioning
inactive and non-creative activities such as watching
television.

What do you think of working in a group?

The interviewer is trying to find out about your ability to
get along with others.Focus on the following:
o

The advantages of working in a group. Explain

how the various individuals in a group
complement one another in carrying out certain
tasks.

Give specific examples of your personal

experience in a group

How do you react to instruction and criticism?

The interviewer is trying to find out how you get along

with Supervisors and how you feel about authority. You
might say:
o

I appreciate getting instruction and criticism

when it is done fairly and constructively.

With the kind of work experience you have had, do

you think this job would bore you?
The interviewer may think you are over-qualified and
want this job only until something better comes along.
Stress that no job is ever boring because you always
learn new skills. Mention how you would benefit by
working for the company and vice versa.

Why did you choose this line of work?

The interviewer is trying to find out about your
commitment to your career choice. In other words do
you do it because you love the work or just take any
job you can get for the money. If you did this work for
many years and stopped due to a layoff,you might say:
o

I have done this for (number) of years. I like my

work. The only reason I left my last workplace
was because I was laid off.

How well do you work under pressure or tight

deadlines?
This question indicates that the job you're applying for
will involve working under pressure. Give examples of
volunteer and paid work that involved pressure and
deadlines. You could mention that we are always
faced with pressure and deadlines in our lives and you
do not mind the stress. Stressful situations are a

learning and challenging experience. You might

mention the following:
o

How you handled large rush orders at your last

workplace.

How you prepared for exams and homework

assignments while working full-time and
attending school part-time.

How you managed a crisis situation. (For

example: a car accident)

How often were you absent from work in your last

job? Have you every had any serious illness or
injuries? Do you have any health problems?
The interviewer is trying to find out if you have any
health issues which will cause you to take a lot of sick
days. You do not have to go into your health history for
the interviewer. If you have health problems that do
not interfere with your work performance, do not give
the interviewer details about them. If you had a
previous health problem that interfered with your work
in the past, but is no longer a problem, do not
volunteer this information. It no longer affects your
work, therefore the employer does not have to know.
If you have a health problem that will affect your work
performance, explain your situation briefly and stress
the positive points. I will be helpful to have a positive
reference letter from your previous employer. This
letter should explain the type of duties you did and
stress that you are a steady worker who is
responsible, hardworking and punctual.

Are you bondable?

This question indicates that the job involves working

with money or valuable merchandise. Very likely the
employer's insurance company requires that only
bondable people be hired as a condition of their
insurance policy.As long as you do not have a criminal
record, and you have not previously been denied a
bond, you should answer "yes" to this question.
Caution: If you answer yes when you are not legally
bondable it is very likely that the employer will discover
this.

Have you ever been fired or quit a job?

The interviewer is looking for clues to any problems
you have had in previous jobs and if you may have the
same problems in a new job. Try to:
o

Avoid saying anything negative about yourself

or your previous employer. If you had
problems, explain them without being negative.

Be careful not the use the word "fired" or "quit".

Instead use words such as: "I changed jobs", "I
was laid off", or "I needed a more challenging
job".

If you were fired and are not on good terms

with your previous employer, explain the
reason why you were fired. Stress that you
learned something from the previous situation.

Why haven't you worked recently?

The interviewer is looking for clues to serious
problems or job difficulties that could carry over to a
new job. You might say:

Since I was laid off from my previous employer,

I have been actively looking for a job. However,
as you know, there are many people looking for
work and applying for the same jobs. I have
always worked steadily but I haven't been able
to find a job in the present job market.

After I got laid off from my previous employer, I

decided to go back to school to upgrade my
skills so I can get a better, more secure job.

What are your long-term goals or career plans?

The interviewer may want to know if you are
ambitious, plan ahead, or if you set goals for yourself.
The interviewer may also want to know what
expectation you have of the company. You might say:
o

I hope to become very good at my job and

perhaps take some schooling to become more
skilled in my field of work.

I intend to learn (name of area or skills) very

well so that I can be promoted to a higher
position in (name skill or department).

What do you feel are your greatest strengths?

This is your opportunity to brag a little bit. It is
important that you have done your research about the
type of work that you are applying for. For example if
you are applying as a production labourer and from
your research you understand that this type of work
required people that have the ability to meet quotas,
work as a team and make improvement suggestions,
then it is important for you to incorporate this into your
strengths.

Example:
My greatest strength is that I have a lot of
initiative. I am always looking for a better way
to do things at work that I feel would save the
company money and I can always achieve my
production quotas. For example one time I was
working at my station and I felt that I was
wasting time by always having to walk to the
other side of my station to get some parts. So I
reorganized the station and my supervisor was
really impressed as it increased my quota.

What do you feel are your weaknesses?

You never want to give any indication of any
weaknesses that you have. Turn you weaknesses into
strengths by working it to the employer's advantage.
o

Example:
I am the type of person or is very hard on
myself. I am always expecting myself to do a
little bit more. However, I guess this works out
well for my employer.
Or
I never like to leave work until I have every
thing finished completely. Sometimes this
bothers me but I feel inside that it is important.
Or
I am the type of person who always takes my
work home with me. This sometimes interferes
with my personal life but I feel that work comes
first.

How would you describe your last employer?

Never run down or say anything negative about
anybody or anyone. The employer will feel that you will
do it to them. You should state the positive things such
as he had high expectations and I really respected him
for that. He was down to earth and really knew the job
I was doing, if I had any problems he was
approachable and would always give me suggestion
or he gave the responsibility to do a good job.
o

Example:
I liked my employer. He/she treated me fairly
and respected my work
Or:
I appreciated my previous employer having
given me the opportunity to acquire a lot of
skills and experiences in (name area of work
skill).

What five words would be describe you?

These should be your transferrable skills such as
reliable, punctual, organized,friendly, honest,
cooperative, outgoing, easy to get along with,
hardworking,energetic, take pride in my work,
responsible, respected,dedicated.

What did you like about your last job?

Say only positive things that you feel could transfer
across to the position your are applying for.
o

Example:

I liked my last job because I got along well with

my co-workers and the work was challenging,
fast paced and I was given a lot of
responsibility to do a good job.

Why did you leave your last position?

Keep this answer simple. If you were laid off simply
say so, If your company downsized, simply say so. Do
not go into a lot of detail. If you were terminated you
will have to say you were let go but always follow up
that as a result you have learned how to overcome this
and feel it will not affect you in the future.

What are your long range goals?

The interviewer is trying to figure out whether or not
you are going to be a long term employee or whether
or not you will be using this job as a stepping stone to
another objective. So, you should try to assure him/her
that your intention is to stay with the company and to
grow in your career within the company. You should
respond "I am looking for a position with a company
where I can stay and grow with and I feel this position
would give me this opportunity."

What kind of machines or equipment have you

worked with?
This is your opportunity to give some detail of what
actual work skills you have. Don't be vague, supply all
of the information that you have to offer.

What type of salary are you looking for?

Do not get into this subject unless you are forced to.
Even then you want to leave an impression that you
are flexible in this area.

What do you know about our company?

This is your opportunity to show them that you have
taken the time to research their company in particular.

Do you have any other skills of experiences that

we have not discussed?
List any other skills that you have that are related to
the position. You can also discuss any hobbies or
volunteer experience you have and discuss any
interest courses or educational upgrading you have.

Copyright 2006 Southwest Centre for Community Programme Development