Careers Service information sheet

40 Typical interview questions

Give me a brief summary of your career/educational background to date. What has been your greatest achievement to date? Describe to me your most challenging experience. What did you learn from it? Why did you choose to do a higher degree? Why have you chosen this area? Why did you choose to go to Cranfield University to study? How will this higher qualification benefit our organisation? Most students feel pressurised at some point - how do you manage pressure and stressful situations? Please give me an example of when you think you have coped particularly well under pressure. 9. When did you last lose your temper? Have you ever lost your temper at work? If so,why? 10. Give me some examples of when you have had to work to tight deadlines. How did you plan your work? 11. How do you relax? (Refer to hobbies and interests) 12. What things make you laugh? 13. How would your Supervisor at Cranfield describe your approach to your studies? 14. How would your best friend describe you? Think of three ways you would use to describe yourself. 15. What are your strengths and weaknesses? 16. Have you ever turned down a job? If so, why? 17. What previous work experience do you have? 18. What elements did you enjoy/not enjoy? Why? 19. What did you learn from work experience? What responsibilities has it equipped you for? 20. Give specific examples of the types of decisions you were required to make? 21. Give me an example of when you have contributed to team work. Be specific. 22. What role do you normally take in team situations? Why? 23. When are you most comfortable: when you are working as part of a team or when you are working alone? Why? 24. What makes a good leader? Give examples of when you have used these skills? 25. What skills do you think will be needed here? 26. How would you handle? 27. How do you think this job might be difficult? 28. How would you feel about managing older and more experienced staff than yourself? 29. What types of people do you most enjoy working with? (e.g. outgoing, etc. ...) 30. What difficulties have you experienced in getting on with people and how have you overcome them? 31. What qualities would you look for in your Manager? What would you do if your Manager turned out to be difficult to work with? 32. Thinking about experiences within either your educational career or previous work experience, what has been the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you deal with it/solve it? 33. Have you ever had to make a decision alone? Explain ... 34. What area of professional development do you wish to improve over the next two years and why? 35. How long would it take you to make a positive contribution to the success of our business? 36. How does this company compare with others in similar fields? (To find out how much research the applicant has done) 37. What do you hope to get out of this job? 38.Info Sheets/40 typical interview questions/May 2012 your first job after finishing at Cranfield? How long would you expect to stay in CS 39. What are your long term goals and ambitions? How are you going to succeed in achieving 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.