Sample Interview Questions

Wall Street Journal – Counter Offer Advice

Employment History

  • What were your expectations for the position and where they met?
  • What were your starting and final levels of compensation? 
  • What were your responsibilities? 
  • Where there any major challenges and/or problems you had to face? If so how did you handle those situations? 
  • What were your likes and dislike in your previous position? 
  • Out of these what were the most/least rewarding? 
  • What were your biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?

Colleagues 

  • Working for your supervisor what was it like?
  • What are your expectations from a supervisor?
  • Who would you say was a good boss and who was the worst? 
  • What is your reason for leaving your current employment?
  • What have you been doing since your last job? 
  • What is the reason for you being fired? 
  • How would your colleagues describe you?
  • How would your boss describe you?

About Yourself

  • What would you say is your greatest weakness? 
  • What would be your greatest strength? 
  • Describe a typical work week. 
  • Do you take work home with you? 
  • What are your total hours you normally work? 
  • Describe the pace at which you work? 
  • Do you work well under stress and pressure? 
  • What motivates you? 
  • What are your salary expectations? 
  • What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? 
  • Tell me about yourself. 
  • What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? 
  • What’s your passion in life? 
  • What are your pet peeves? 
  • What do you get criticized most about by other people? 
  • When was the last time you were angry? What happened? 
  • If you were given the opportunity to relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? 
  • If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? 
  • Do you prefer to work independently or do you work well on a team? 
  • Give some examples of teamwork. 
  • What is your work environment preference? 
  • How do you evaluate success? 
  • If your boss is 100% wrong and you know this how would you handle it? 
  • Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. 
  • Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it
  • What are your strong points?
  • What are your weak points?

The New Position and Company

  • What about this position interests you the most? 
  • Why do you want this position? 
  • What skills and qualifications do you have that are essential for success in the position of ______?
  • Would you think that you are overqualified for this job? 
  • What can you contribute to this company? 
  • Why should we hire you? 
  • Why do you think you are the best person for the job?
  • What is your knowledge about this company? 
  • Why do you want to work here? 
  • What are the challenges that you are looking for in a position? 
  • Would you be willing to travel? 
  • What is good customer service? 
  • Is there anything that has not been discussed about the position or company that you would like to know?

Going Forward

  • What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers
  • What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? - Best Answers
  • How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers
  • What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term? - Best Answers
  • Questions about your career goals. - Best Answers
  • What will you do if you don't get this position? - Best Answers
  • Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don't give it out unless it is asked for).
  • What are your career goals?

More Interview Advice

Interview Advice
One to One Interview
Panel Interview
Screening Interviews
Telephonic Interviews
Behavioural Interviews
Sample Interview Questions
What Employers Look For