Sample Interview Questions

What is your most memorable

accomplishment?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Give details, as if telling a story

Explain why this accomplishment is
directly related to the job
Give results

What are your greatest strengths?

Discuss at least 3 strengths that are

necessary for the job
Use examples to illustrate that you
have these strengths
Note: this is a version of the Tell me
about yourself question

What is your greatest weakness?

Describe a challenge you have faced.

Discuss your process for solving any

problem
Show how you collect information
before making a decision
Give a specific example and how you
solved the problem and the successful
results

Discuss how you prioritize tasks and

assignments
Mention specific times when you were
able to complete a project on time
despite a heavy workload

Mention the weakness briefly and

move on to explain what you are doing
to improve make it positive
i:e: Communication, computer/
technical skill, over-analytical,
perfectionist, ability to delegate

Describe a time you worked

without supervision.

How do you deal with multiple

tasks and deadlines?

Speak of lifelong learning to keep

abreast of changes in the field
Describe short term, achievable goals
Explain how this job will help you
achieve your goals

Discuss your decision making process

Show you are self-motivated but are
still willing to ask for assistance
Describe a time you had to make a
decision on your own and how you
arrived at that decision

How has your education

prepared you for this job?

Give examples of how the skills and

abilities you learned can be transferred
to the job
Say how youve learned to learn new
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 youve made.

Briefly mention a minor misjudgment

Focus on how you were able to turn
the situation around to correct it stay
positive
Talk about transferable skills you used
to resolve it
Talk about what you learned

Why did you choose your major

or this industry?

Describe a situation in which youve

taken initiative.

Tell a story provide specific example

Outline the situation, what needed to
be done and the successful results
Note: use this answer format for similar
questions about other skills/situations

Why should I hire you?

This is the basis of all questions and
should be answered in 3 parts:
Talk about your skills as they relate to
the job
Talk about your education as it relates
to the job
Talk about your work experience as it
relates to the job

What is your experience with

working in teams?

Why do you want to work here?

Show youve done your research by

mentioning positive features of the
company and job
Be positive about the job so that it
appears you will be satisfied with the
job and are likely to stay

Show good knowledge of what you are

worth
Give a salary range (from $14 to $18 or
$35,000 - $45,000) instead of a fixed
number
Could throw the question back at the
employer, ie. What does a coop
position pay?

Why did you leave your last job?

Never say no to this question

Mention your transferable skills and all
the experiences that shows you can
quickly learn to do the job
Discuss your education/training in
relation to the job and any non-paid
experiences

Discuss your adaptability and flexibility

in working with others or alone
Give concrete examples
Mention the importance of every team
members contribution

What kind of salary are you looking for?

Have you ever done this kind

of work before?

Show you took a systematic approach

to choosing your field
Discuss the courses youve taken that
are most job-related
Show that your choice was logical
considering your skills/interests

Never say anything negative about the

company, yourself or your supervisor
Common reasons for leaving: job was
temporary, moved to a new area,
company went out of business, no
room for advancement, wanted more
challenge/better use of your skills

Tell me something about yourself.

Discuss at least 3 strengths that are

necessary for the job
Mention education, skills, interests and
accomplishments
Note: this is a version of the Why
should I hire you? question

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
CAREER SERVICES AND CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION

What is your preferred management

style?

To expect a moderate level of

autonomy shows independence and
the desire to implement new ideas
Explain you also recognize the
importance of keeping your supervisor
informed
Indicate you welcome feedback and
constructive criticism
Use an example of a time that this type
of management style enabled you to
accomplish something and earned your
managers respect

Tell me about a time when you had to

deal with a difficult person.

What do you think it takes to be

successful in this career?

Outline the skills and strengths that you

have identified are most important to
the employer and that are necessary to
do the job
Include some personal characteristics
such as determination to succeed,
ability to work hard and love of learning

What motivates you?

Do you think that your grades are an

indication of your abilities?

Do not focus on monetary rewards

Recognize that motivation comes from
within, rather than from external
rewards
Indicate your desire to do the best you
can at whatever you are doing

Do you have any questions for me?

Recognize that earning a high GPA is

a commendable accomplishment
Speak also of the benefits of focusing
energy on work experience, sports and
extracurricular activities and the skills
you obtained from these areas
State that your ability to work
effectively in your job is more indicative
of your potential than your GPA

Use an example about a customer, coworker or team member

Provide a specific example that
illustrates problem solving using
customer service, team work and
interpersonal skills
Pick an example that has a favourable
result
Be sure not to discuss personal
differences or make negative criticisms
of the other person in your example

Never say no to this question

having questions shows your interest in
the job
Use your company research to develop
questions that show you know about
the organization
Acceptable questions may be about
career path, work environment,
departmental structure, method of
evaluation, etc.
Never ask about salary or benefits

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
CAREER SERVICES AND CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION