Top 20 Most Often Asked Interview Questions and Answers
Top 20 Most Often Asked Interview Questions and Answers
Top 20 Most Often Asked Interview Questions and Answers
This resource outlines the top 20 interview questions asked by employers and sample answers to
each of the questions to provide an understanding of how to prepare for an interview. It also
includes a list of resources related to types of interviews, company research, interview questions,
interview body language, professional attire, sample thank-you letters, and performance analysis.
8. Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.
There is no right or wrong answer to questions like "What are the most difficult decisions to
make?" or "Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it." These are
behavioral interview questions designed to discover how you handled certain situations. The
logic behind these types of questions is that how you behaved in the past is a predictor of what
you will do in the future. Give concrete examples of difficult situations that actually happened at
work. Then discuss what you did to solve the problem. Keep your answers positive.
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9. What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position?
Your potential employer will want to know what you accomplished and what you didn't in your
current or last position. The best way to respond is to give an example of something you
accomplished that is directly related to the job for which you are interviewing. Review your
resume and review the job posting. Find the best match and use that to show how what you
accomplished will be beneficial to the company with which you are interviewing. If you didn't
fail at anything, say so. If you can think of an example, be sure that it's a minor one and turn it
into a positive.
17. Who was your best boss and who was the worst?
The interviewer is trying to discover if you assess blame or carry a grudge. The interviewer also
wants to determine if you are a match for the leadership style of the company. Be honest and be
fair, but don’t put down your former bosses. If you had an issue with someone in the past,
address it professionally and don’t make it personal.
Types of Interviews
Career One Stop Job Interview Types
http://www.careeronestop.org/ResumesInterviews/Interviews/JobInterviews.aspx
Positively Minnesota Types of Interviews
http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/JobSeekers/Creative_Job_Search_Guide/The_Job_Inter
view/Types_of_Interviews.aspx
Company Research
Quintessential Careers Guide to Researching Companies, Industries, and Countries
http://www.quintcareers.com/researching_companies.html
Business Week http://www.businessweek.com/
Hoovers is the world's largest database of company and industry information. It allows you to
find contact information, get competitive reports, and build targeted lists.
http://www.hoovers.com/
Forbes Private Company List: http://www.forbes.com/2002/11/07/privateland.html
The Inc. 500: http://www.inc.com/inc5000/
GuideStar Nonprofit Information http://www.guidestar.org/
About.com Nonprofit Charitable Organizations http://nonprofit.about.com/od/qathebasics/
About.com Interview Questions and Answers
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm