- Why are you interested in this role?
- In what areas would you like to improve?
- Tell me about a time where you had to deal with conflict on the job?
- How do you manage/handle pressure or stress?
- What five adjectives describe you the best?
- What animal would you be if you were an animal?
- Describe a situation in which you had to deal with an irate customer. Did you rectify the problem?
- What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can’t?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your hobbies?
- How well do you work with people? Do you prefer working alone or in teams?
- How would you describe your work style?
- How do you measure success?
- What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?
- What Are Your Weaknesses?
- What was your greatest professional accomplishment?
- Describe a typical work week / day
- What is the biggest failure you’ve had in your career?
- How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?
- What did you dislike most about your last job?
- What qualities do you think are necessary to make a success of this job?
- Have you ever had difficulty with a supervisor? How did you resolve the conflict?
- How would you describe yourself?
- What’s your favorite drink?
- How do you motivate people?
- How would you define a good working atmosphere?
- What kind of person do you get along with the best?
- Tell me more about yourself?
- What kind of tree would you be if you were a tree?
- What Are Your Goals?
- Describe a creative solution that you have developed to solve a problem?
- What one thing would you change about your last job?
- Why Do You Want to Work Here?
- What types of people have trouble getting along with you?
- How do you handle it if you know your boss is wrong?
- Tell me about a tough work situation / project and how you solved it?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- What is your ideal position?
- Are you a team leader or a team follower?
- When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- How did you prepare for this interview?
- If you are hired, what will you do in your first 30 days?
- In what kind of an environment do you feel most productive?
- What did you learn from your previous job (or school?)
- Tell me about an important decision or judgment call you’ve had to make on the job.
- What Wage Are You Seeking?
- Why are manhole covers round?
- How do you go about making important decisions?
- Do you have questions about the job / company?
- What are the qualities of a successful manager?
- What proactive steps did you have to take to increase the output of your position?
- How did you find out about this job?
- What do you think of your previous boss?
- How do you balance work and home life?
- What is your personal mission statement?
- What were your favorite subjects in school and why?
- Explain a database to a 3 year old, in 3 sentences?
- What types of programs/software are you familiar with?
- What were your responsibilities in your last position?
- Tell me about a time you had to work according to a policy you disagreed with?
- Describe the best job you’ve ever had?
- Describe the ideal company for you?
- How would you define leadership?
- Tell me about the one thing in your life you’re proudest of.
- Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
- There’s a fire, and you can only save three things. What are they?
- Tell me about a time an idea or task of yours was criticized?
- Can you explain this gap in your employment history?
- How have you had to reinvent or redefine your job to meet your companies changing needs?
- If you had to be stuck on a desert island with one person, who would you choose?
- What creatively inspires you?
- What made you follow the career path that you have chosen?
- While trying to meet a deadline, you discover a snag that will hinder the finished product. How do you handle this?
- How would your past coworkers describe you?
- Would you rather be liked or feared?
- What’s more important to you — the work itself or how much you’re paid for doing it?
- If you won $10 million in the lottery, what would you do?
- When given new tasks or duties, describe how you adapt to them?
- What one thing in your life would you change?
- In your past positions, have you had to deal with any kind of cultural diversity?
- How have you added value to your job over time?
- What were your three most important responsibilities in your last job?
- What kind of people did you have contact with on your previous jobs (titles/positions)?
- What is your pace when working?
- When considering your future, where do you hope to be in 5 or 10 years?
- How do you see yourself advancing within this company?
- Tell me about a situation that got out of control. How did you handle it?
- What kind of supervisor would you be?
- How do you keep up to date with your job/industry?
- Have you interviewed at other companies?
- Does your boss know you’re here today?
- Describe the worst job you’ve had?
- How long have you been looking for a job?
- What would your biographer name your biography?
- What do you know about our company?
- Evaluate the best supervisor you’ve ever had?
- If coworkers are displaying improper behavior toward one another, what do you do?
- Have you ever been fired?
- Is there anything that will prevent you from getting to work on time?
- Evaluate the worst supervisor you’ve ever had?
- How did you communicate bad news to your staff?
- Is there anything that will prevent you from working the job’s regular hours?
- What types of people, or qualities in people, give you trouble at work?
- What entices you most about the possibility of this job?
- What is your philosophy regarding your business life vs. your personal life?
- What other kind of positions have you been applying for?
- In a situation where you are handling insubordinates, how would you describe your approach?
- Have I said anything that makes you think you’re not the best candidate for this job?
- What training do you need?
- What training or certification do you have?
- What book is on your nightstand?
- Why were you late for the interview?
- In your last job, how many times were you promoted and why?
- How old were you when you obtained your first job?
- Have you ever hired anyone? Why did you choose them?
Either you were fired, are about to be a number in a lay off, or you’ve chosen to leave the job. The answer to being laid off is a pretty easy one.
“It was a numbers game, the company had to downsize and now I have an opportunity to get a fresh start, using my experience to help a new company.”
But if you’ve been fired that can be a little bit of a touchy subject. Now is not the time to get your old boss by saying bad things about him or her. “My old boss didn’t understand what I did at the company, he was always harassing me.” Answers like that may feel nice, but they reflect poorly on the interviewee rather than on the old boss. Strong answers about getting fired include some basic elements:
- Positive spin on why you were fired
- How the firing actually helps you
- How your skills help the new company
Interviewers know that some people aren’t right for some jobs, or that circumstances change resulting in a firing. They want to hear an answer that reflects professionalism and a positive attitude.
Mutual agreement:
“Things weren’t working out so my boss and I agreed it was time for me to move on to a role that would result in a positive outcome for both of us. Here I am.”
Mismatched:
“It turned out my strengths and competencies didn’t fit what my previous employer wanted. But it looks like they’re more tuned to your needs. Are skills in marketing (or a skill fitting the job description) valued here?”
Growth:
“Although my last job didn’t work out, I’ve since taken classes and did well there. I probably didn’t fully understand my previous boss’ expectations or why he let me go before I had a chance to prove myself there.”
For people who choose to leave the job, a brief and honest explanation is best. An interviewer will be worried that you’ll leave this job too. Mention why the new job is one you intend to keep.
More challenges:
“I was bored at the last job, so needed to move on to a more challenging opportunity. I didn’t want to negatively impact the last company with my unhappiness.”
Opportunity:
“Your company provides more opportunity for growth than my last employer.”
Location:
“I was spending too much time commuting. This office is closer to my home, so I can spend more time with my family and doing the job than driving back and forth.”
Too good to pass:
“I wasn’t considering a move but then a friend told me about this job. After doing some research I was intrigued by the company and the opportunities provided here.”
Be positive, do some research, and this question is a snap.
Here’s an actual reason given by one interviewee. “I’m looking for something a little less dangerous.” He was an animal handler at a wild life reserve who had lost his hand in an attack be an alligator.
Tags: Leave your Job, Leaving your Job, Why Are You Leaving your Job, Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?, Why Did You Leave your Job
