Commonly Asked Interview Questions (and Answers)

It is virtually impossible to predict exactly what will be asked on an interview but there are a few answers that you can prepare ahead of time.
Use this chart to practice your answers to these questions. Be sure to prepare your questions for the interviewer. (listed beneath)
QUESTION EXAMPLE YOUR ANSWER

“Tell me about yourself.” (interviewing for an entry level position My name is Jose Manuel Ramirez, I am
in a non-profit organization)
22 years old, I am currently finishing
✔ 1-2 minutes spoken my degree in electrical engineering.
“My name is Jennifer Smith. I graduated
✔ Your background: academic, work from ABC University with a degree in At a professional level, I am currently
women’s studies. I started at ABC with a
experience, extra curriculars—as working at Edesur Dominicana in the
they pertain to this job! major in biology, thinking I was going to
pursue a career in environmental area of control and protection of
✔ Why you are there and what you protection. But then, two things happened. electrical substations, where I am
can bring to the job. First, I realized that I was more interested in
responsible for monitoring the
environmental policy rather than the
✔ Your personal brand behavior of the protections of the
scientific aspect. Then I took an elective in
✔ Practice, practice, practice women’s rights and a light went on for me. I electrical system and establishing local
had always supported women’s rights and
was amazed that it continues to be an issue
adjustments.
in this day and age. Since that time, I have I am working in that place because it is
been able to volunteer and work on behalf my area of study and it allows me to
of women’s rights, both for abused women
as well as homeless women. I am here put into practice the knowledge I have
today because I believe my demonstrated acquired.
passion for women’s rights as well as my
experience in non-profit organizations will
be beneficial to your organization.”

Can you tell me a little about your “My interpersonal skills probably top the Specialized Technical Knowledge: I have a
strengths and weaknesses? chart of my strengths. I thrive on solid understanding of electrical
approaching people I don’t know and
 quickly establishing rapport. I can think on substation control and protection systems,
my feet and I manage stress well. One area allowing me to diagnose and resolve
✔ Identify 3 strengths—as they
that challenges me is
pertain to this job problems efficiently.
✔ Identify one weakness and how you
Attention to Detail: My ability to detect
anomalies and ensure that all systems
operate within established parameters is
essential to prevent failures and ensure
safety.

Teamwork: I collaborate effectively with

other engineers and technicians, fostering
a work environment where we all share
information and experiences to improve
substation operations.
Weakness:
Stress Management: In high-pressure
situations, such as during unexpected
substation failures, I sometimes find it
difficult to stay calm and fully concentrate.
 manage it that of delegating. It’s hard for me to
delegate to other people, whether it be a
team project for school or on the baseball
field. I know this is a problem so I have
trained myself to make a list of those things
I have to do myself and those things that
can be passed on. It’s still not easy for me
but I have found that when I consciously
make that determination, I actually get
more done and the quality is better.”

Can you tell me about your SITUATION SITUATION

leadership experience? “I was in charge of the committee that was "I was chosen by our university work group
asked to revise our school’s vision as they
to coordinate review and update study
✔ This can be direct leadership—of were transitioning to a co-ed school.
OBSTACLES meetings that would allow us to obtain
a student organization better grades
There were some issues because not all of
✔ Can also be indirect leadership— the faculty agreed with the transition and
although not specifically we had to get their buy-in within a pretty
OBSTACLES
designated a leader, maybe you tight time frame.
END RESULT "There was resistance from some
assumed
I quickly realized that I had to include my colleagues who preferred to maintain the
leadership in a certain situation—a
class project, working with a group advisor on each step we took and each traditional approach. In addition, the time
to plan an event; a recognized meeting we held to communicate the to implement the changes was limited,
leader. changes. We were able to come to
agreement and meet the deadline. I learned
since we were very close to the midterms.
Be sure to include:
the importance of ongoing
1. Overview of the situation
2. Obstacles or challenges
communication.” BOTTOM LINE
3. End result "We decided to hold weekly meetings
where each colleague could express their
concerns and suggestions. In the end, we
 reached a consensus and the new plan
was implemented on time. I learned that
collaboration and open dialogue are
essential for change. and in this way we
obtained results positive

Tell me about a time when you were asked SITUATION

to complete a task but didn’t have the When I started my summer internship at
information you needed. What did you do? XYZ Online Marketing, I quickly realized
that it was a small organization which
meant that I was left to my own devices. I
✔ They are trying to assess your
had to figure things out on my own.
ability to self manage

OBSTACLES
✔ Be sure to include:
There was one instance in particular when I
1) Situation had to rely on myself to get the job done.
2) Obstacles The sales people were at an off site
3) End result conference. When the sales manager
called in to get the latest sales figures, I
realized I didn’t know how to use that
system.
END RESULT
I knew I could access our prospective
client database but I didn’t know if that
would give me access to the sales figures.
After
manipulating the data I could access, I
 was able to call him back to give him
the
information he wanted.”

Where do you want to be in 5 years? “Simply put, my ideal job at this stage in my
career is one in which I can learn the
products and industry and I can contribute
✔ A dreaded question but
to your success. Eventually, I’d like a job
frequently asked. that gives me control over my day but I
✔ Be honest but keep in mind that know I am not in that position right now
most entry-level positions don’t and it will take some time to get there.”
provide
much autonomy.

Tell me about a time when you failed. “When I was a freshman, I had a great on
campus job, probably one of the best.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take it seriously. I
✔ They are trying to see how you
showed up late, not properly dressed and
would handle it when a mistake is probably showed some attitude. What a
made on the job. shock when I wasn’t hired back the next
✔ Be sure to include: year. It forced me to take a good, hard
look at myself and where I was headed. I
1) Situation
made the conscious decision to turn my
2) Obstacles
grades and
3) End result: what you learned…

attitude around. I soon discovered that it

felt good to do good and everything was on
the upswing from there. I was young but
was able to turn myself around.”
 Why should I hire you over the next person? “You mentioned that they most important
skills you are looking for are the ability to
communicate with diverse groups of people,
✔ Opportunity to remind them why
solve problems as well as a developed
you are unique and the best person for business acumen. My experience at the
the job. admissions office required that I field
✔ Sell yourself again. answers quickly to prospective students,
parents and
✔ Be sure to relate your qualities to administrators. When the admissions
the position you are interviewing for! requirements were changed, I was on
the committee to communicate the
new
requirements to new and existing students
so that it was understandable and
accepted with a minimum of problems.
This has enabled me to work with diverse
groups of people as well as solve their
problems. Finally, my internship
at XYZ taught me how a business runs…
The nuts and bolts of profit, revenue as
well as expenses. As soon as I start here, I
will do my best to complete the reports
and analysis on time and in such a way as
to make them as user friendly and
informative as possible.”

QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER:

Prepare two questions ahead of time:

1) The job
2) The organization
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

1) How will you know you’ve hired the right person in 3 (or 6) months’ time?
2) Where do you see the organization in 2-3 years?