Most Common Job Interview Questions and Answers Part 1

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TELL ME ABOUT YOURSEL 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
The interviewer is trying to accomplish a few things here. First, she is asking 
about your career path and giving you an opportunity to describe your 
professional self in your own words before narrowing down on specific skills and 
qualifications. 
Second, she is gaining a sense of what kind of person you are and what you 
would be like to work with. In addition, this is your chance to summarize your 
background and bring attention to the significant information that could not be 
included in your resume and cover letter. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What are the two things that the interviewer is trying to accomplish by 
asking this question? 
 What does ‘your professional self’ mean? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
How should you respond to “tell me about yourself” in an interview? 
To talk about your professional self, you will need to do two things. First, you will 
need to identify your professional accomplishments. Second, you will need to 
tailor your achievements to the needs of the company. 
So, what are your greatest achievements? Ask yourself: 
 Have you ever accomplished anything at work that you can illustrate with 
numbers? (Good examples are making revenue, saving costs, or 
improving process.) 
 Can you think of accomplishments that demonstrate how well you use a 
skill? 
 Did you ever win an award or receive a promotion? 
Note, you do not have to take your examples from your job experience. If you 
have little or no work experience, you can take examples and success stories 
from anywhere. Are you a student or fresh graduate? Your achievements can 
include success stories from your extracurricular activities. 
The point of the exercise is to identify your achievements. Once you have a 
master list of your top achievements, go back and take a long look at your job 
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description. Underline all the skills and requirements listed. Where do you exceed 
the requirements? 
Here is an example of a job description for a Product Marketing Manager: 
 
Notice the keywords underlined in the job description: 
 Strong analytical skills 
 Can optimize the use of data and information to uncover customer insight 
 Can provide strong evidence-based analyses that build brand equity and 
a differential advantage 
 Customer Focused 
 Can develop and sustain positive relationships to obtain customer insight. 
 Strong communication skills (verbal and written) 
 Can coordinate information and requirements with related operational 
departments 
 Proactive in identifying needs/issues 
 Can employ effective solutions in a timely manner 
 Detailed and action oriented 
You could choose a success story based on communication. You could talk about 
the time you developed a relationship that gave your insight. Now, look back at 
your master list of achievements. You will want to circle those that match the 
qualities you find in your job offer. The next step is to choose a couple that you 
feel strongest about and use the STAR approach to illustrate them. 
 ACTIVITIES 
What are your greatest achievements? 
 Have you ever accomplished anything at work that you can illustrate with 
numbers? (Good examples are earning money, cutting costs, or improving 
efficiency.) 
 Can you think of accomplishments that demonstrate how well you use a 
skill? 
 Was there a time when your boss praised you? 
 Did you ever win an award or receive a promotion? 
Write down as many achievements as you can think of now. 
Read the job description and highlight the requirements you think are relevant to 
you. 
 GUIDELINE 
Example “tell me about yourself” answer 
Your response should only last a couple of minutes. Who are you as a 
professional and what are you doing right now? Your tell me about yourself 
answer should be a brief elevator pitch of your professional self. 
“I am a Copywriter with 5+ years of experience working for large advertising 
companies. I’ve worked with clients including Pfizer, Coca-Cola, and Johnson & 
Johnson.” 
Use the examples you have come up with to illustrate the skills and value you will 
bring to the position. Do not forget to use the STAR approach when answering 
the tell me about yourself interview question. 
“I am highly dedicated and ambitious. Every time I start a new campaign, I aim to 
win an award or nomination. Of course, my ultimate goal is to please the client. 
But the fact that I aim high has resulted in at least 20 industry awards and 
nominations.” 
For example, I once led a project for a client who was sure that he did not want 
to add digital media to his campaign budget. He was not behind the times, but he 
was sure that his client-base was. My Creative Director asked that I get the client 
on board. So, I created some samples, and I put together a presentation. I set 
out to show the client that he was missing an entire demographic of untapped 
customers. 
He was sold. He added digital media to his campaign budget making my boss 
happy. The work I put into the digital campaign to impress the client was above 
and beyond what we normally do. The result was two Cannes Lions awards.” 
You will want to stress that the position is in line with your plans and career goals. 
It is also a good idea to make it sound like you are interested in staying on for a 
while. 
“While I enjoyed my previous work, it was commercial. It is a dream of mine to do 
work for nonprofit clients. Your company has done some amazing work for 
nonprofit and NGO clients and I would love to switch gears. That’s why I applied 
for this position.” 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Write your professional persona. 
 Write what makes you stand out (2 – 4 points). Are you using STAR 
approach? 
 Here you will want to tailor your tell me about yourself answer 
to the job and the company. Which of your achievements will 
match those listed in the job description? 
 Write why you are going to fit. 
 Now rehearse with your tutor until you are comfortable answering the 
question without your script. 
WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
For the hiring manager to make an informed decision about whether you are right 
for the job, they will often ask a combination of both tricky and direct questions. 
One common direct question often asked in interviews is: “Why should we hire 
you?” 
Do not freak out. While this question can seem overwhelming, it also gives you 
the chance to convince them you are the best choice. With preparation, you can 
explain with confidence how you are the perfect candidate. 
Follow the steps below to shine in answering, “Why should we hire you?” 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Review the job description before you answer. Connect the description to 
why you would be the best fit. 
 Ponder the reasons why you, and not the next person, should get the job. 
 What experiences have you excelled in that set you apart from the other 
candidates? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
#1. Research 
In preparation for the interview, record what skills and experiences you have 
acquired are most applicable to the job. Focus on these key characteristics while 
answering. It also may be helpful to know what problems the organization is 
struggling with so you can show your willingness to help in solving those 
challenges. 
#2. Know you’re the One 
Know the keywords and phrases included in the job description and in the 
interview. Pick up on what qualities are emphasized then match your own skills 
and experiences to match what the hiring manager is looking for. However, make 
sure you are sincere. Support your statements with related examples and 
experiences so they know for certain that you’re the real deal. 
#3. Add Your Value 
Prove your worth by using examples of experiences that show whatvalue you 
will bring. Instead of just saying, “I’m very organized”, add the example of when 
you coordinated multiple projects at the same time and excelled in each. Highlight 
how your management of each project contributes to your organization skills. 
Communicate to the employer that you are not only qualified but will also bring 
value to the organization. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Write down your top skills that are related 
 Combine your top skills with the value you will add to the organization. 
 Practice your answer with confidence with your tutor 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Example Answer 
When answering the question, “Why should we hire you?” consider the following 
example: 
“With a passion for this industry, skills, and experience to thrive in this role and 
an eagerness to serve with X, I know I would be a great fit here. I have the 
qualifications, experience, and advantages to add value to this organization. For 
example, in my previous job, I enhanced my skills in X and gained experience 
working in multiple roles. I developed problem-solving techniques in Y, which is 
something your organization is facing as well.” 
With such experience, skills, and knowledge, I am confident I will bring a unique 
value to the team that sets me apart from other candidates. I look forward to the 
opportunity to show that.” 
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
Here is a chance for you to highlight what you are really good at to offer the 
organization. Highlight the skills you have learned and explain how those skills fit 
into your desired job to show them you are the strongest candidate. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What are some of your top skills? 
 How do those skills 
 What examples have helped you develop those skills? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
While you have many skills, focus on matching your skills with your desired job. 
In addition, keep these tips in mind: 
 Be specific about your skills 
 Support what you say with examples 
 Prepare and think about what your skills are, honestly 
 Be sure you know the job responsibilities so you can match your skills with 
the description 
Believe in yourself and your skills. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Take a few moments to consider what you are really good at. 
 Provide an example of how you have demonstrated a specific skill. 
 What skills in the job description match with your skills? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
Make sure you do not sound arrogant or extreme by avoiding: 
 Absolutes like “best” – unless as part of an award or title 
 Language that’s not specific 
 Statements that show you’re too competitive 
 Criticizing yourself 
Be prepared with the reason why the interviewer should hire you. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Review your list of skills – do any use absolutes like “best” or “most” 
 Do you have a specific way to describe your skills? 
 Be aware of times when you criticize yourself 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Present yourself well with this example to answer the question, “What is your 
greatest strength?” 
“My previous experiences have taught me to be highly organized in managing 
multiple projects, work well as a team member and be committed to seeing the 
organization succeed. For example, in my previous position, I was part of a 
marketing company and handled many clients all at the same time. I was able to 
contribute to all clients, share progress updates with my team members and grow 
the company in efficiency and revenue.” 
This is a common question asked in interviews, so be sure to prepare. 
 
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
The question, “What is your greatest weakness,” helps to tell the hiring manager 
what skills you will need to improve on. It is also a great opportunity for you to tell 
them of a weakness you had in the past but took action to overcome it. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think about some of your weaknesses 
 Which weakness (es) could you address in the interview? 
 Consider your past weaknesses – how have you overcome them? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
There are ways you can talk about your weaknesses that do not sound negative, 
such as: 
 How you overcame a weakness 
 A weakness that doesn’t prevent you doing a good job 
 A weakness that is actually a strength 
 Spin it around to talk about your strengths 
This question about your weaknesses is an opportunity to discuss what you have 
done in the past to improve your skills. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think of a time when you overcame a weakness 
 Consider how you could describe a weakness as actually a strength 
 Make sure your weaknesses are related to the job or industry 
 
 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
To make sure you answer this question well, avoid these common mistakes: 
 Don’t say you don’t have any weaknesses 
 Don’t talk about weaknesses that prevent you from doing a good job 
 Don’t just skip over your weaknesses 
 Don’t be too honest 
While honesty is important, you should not bring up all the things you want to 
improve in yourself. Use this time to sell yourself and utilize this question to your 
advantage. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Are any of your weaknesses too honest? 
 Do any of your weaknesses prevent you from doing your job well? 
 Does your discussion of weaknesses help to show you are the right fit for 
the job? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here is an example of how to answer the question, “What’s your greatest 
weakness?” 
“Sometimes, I can be too critical of myself and my work. I have spent a lot of time 
reviewing all of my work to make sure it was perfect. Now, I’ve learned to trust 
my skills and not get caught up in all the insignificant details.” 
Notice how this response turns your weakness into an improvement and strength. 
Be sure the examples you provide relate to the job you are trying to get. 
 
WHY DO YOU WANT TO WORK HERE? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
The question, “Why do you want to work here?” lets the hiring manager know 
how much research you have done and if you know what the job involves. Your 
answer should show that you have prepared well for the interview and that you 
respect the organization. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Have you researched the organization well? 
 Review the job description so you know every detail. 
 Think about what makes the organization a great fit for you. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
In researching the organization, highlight these topics: 
 Something unique about the organization that you appreciate and why. 
 How your skills and experience fit in with the organization’s identity. 
 The organization’s mission statement. 
 The positive aspects of the organization you are passionate about. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Find something unique about the organization. 
 Review the organization’s mission statement. 
 Think about how your skills and passions fit in with the organization. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
To answer this question well, avoid these common mistakes: 
 Do not come across as overly passionate about how amazing the 
organization is. Focus on the aspects that you sincerely appreciate about 
the company. 
 Do not say reasons like ‘you need the money.’ It is rude and shows the 
hiring manager that you are not interested in working for more meaningful 
reasons. 
 Do not enter the interview without researching the organization first. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Select the aspects of the organization that you genuinely appreciate 
 Review your research on the organization 
 Does your reason include things such as ‘just a paycheck?’ If so, change 
your answer. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here’s an example in answering the question, “Why do you want to work here?”: 
“In reading the company’s mission statement, I feellike the organization’s goals 
and values align well with my skills and values as well.” 
Be sure to add details and examples to show you are well qualified. 
 
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
In asking the question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” the hiring 
manager can learn if your goals line up with the company’s goals and if they can 
count on you to stick around for a while. In your answer, it is important to be 
honest and match your response to the specific job. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What are your long-term career goals? 
 How can you align those goals with the organization’s industry? 
 Do your goals show your commitment to work? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
Keep these tips in mind to show your goals match the position: 
 Show how you are prepared for the position and how you will move forward 
with the skills, you gain. 
 Keep your goals open-ended so that they will also contribute to the 
company. 
 Show them you are a long-term investment by saying how the organization 
will help you in your goals. 
 Be motivational in your response and honest about what you want. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Consider how you plan to move forward with the experience in this job. 
 Does your response show you are in it for the long-term? 
 Is your response motivational yet honest? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
Watch out for these common mistakes in responses: 
 Do not compete against the people already in the room – that is not your 
job. 
 Do not take your focus away from the job you want. 
 Do not have a timer on your employment – they are often not looking for 
temporary workers. 
 Do not forget that the people in the room can be the ones that help you 
succeed in your career goals. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Does your answer include a set timeline of your career goals? 
 Does your response keep the focus on the job? 
 Consider how the interviewer and others in the room could help you 
succeed. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here is an example in answering the question, “Where do you see yourself in five 
years?” 
“In five years, I hope to have moved into a role much like this one. I hope to have 
an impact on the organization’s development. While I don’t know what that will 
be, I’m up for the challenge.” 
Responses like these encourage the interviewer to think about the future of the 
company with you yet open-ended enough to show your potential for growth. 
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
Often toward the end of the interview, the hiring manager will ask, “Do you have 
any questions for me?” Having good questions to ask shows you have prepared 
for the interview that you want to be sure the organization is a fit for you, and 
that you are interested in the organization. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 How do you think asking questions shows interest in the organization? 
 Consider what aspects of the organization or role you would really want 
to know. 
 How could you ask those questions to help boost your strengths? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
In your response, be sure to: 
 Ask about topics such as management style or what the typical work 
week looks like. 
 Use your questions to determine if you feel you are a good fit with the 
organization. 
 Find out the details about the position, such as start dates, special 
responsibilities, or if the position is new. 
 Ask about the timeline of the position with questions like how soon they 
would need a response if you got an offer. 
 Be prepared with quality questions before your interview. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What aspects of the organization could help tell you if you would be a 
good fit? 
 How could you use those aspects in forming a question? 
 Do you know the timeline of the position? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
To answer this question effectively, avoid these common mistakes: 
 Do not ask questions like what the company does – these show you are 
not interested. 
 Do not ask about vacation time or time off before you know you have the 
job. 
 Do not ask about how to change your work schedule. 
 Do not ask if you got the job. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Have you researched the organization so you can ask informed 
questions? 
 Does your list of questions you would want to ask include details like time 
off? 
 Consider what questions you could ask that show you have done your 
research and preparation. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here is an example of a response to the question, “Do you have any questions 
for me?” 
“I wanted to ask about the management style in the organization. Is it hands-on 
or hands-off? Has the supervisor worked with someone with these 
responsibilities before?” 
Be sure all your questions you ask are positive. Give time for the interviewer to 
answer. 
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE COMPANY? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
In your interview, you may be asked the question, “What do you know about the 
company?” The interviewer wants to know if you have done your research, if you 
are really interested in the company, if there are any issues, and if you’d be a 
good fit with the organization. This is a great opportunity to show your interest in 
the position. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Have you done research so you can give an informed answer? 
 Have you spoken to other employees or connections at the organization? 
 Consider the areas of the organization in which you are really interested. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
There is a lot of information you could include. Be sure to: 
 Research before your interview. 
 Show your excitement for the organization with your knowledge of it. 
 If you do not know all the inside details of the company, this is a great 
opportunity to learn more. 
 Be positive. 
 Be specific about what you appreciate about the company. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Have you done research into the company beyond just their website? 
 What things about the organization do you wonder about? 
 Consider how you can show your passion for the organization in your 
response. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
In your answer, be sure to avoid these common mistakes: 
 Do not ignore the interviewer. If they share additional information, respond 
to it. 
 Do not talk for too long. Demonstrate your knowledge. 
 Do not avoid asking follow-up questions. 
 If you are not sure about something, do not say it with certainty. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Is your response flexible to include additional information from the 
interviewer? 
 Be prepared with how to respond if you hear additional information. 
 Consider what follow-up questions you could respond with. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here is an example of the question, “What do you know about the company?” 
“The charitable work that this organization does is very appealing to me. The 
dedication to the community is one of the biggest reasons that excite me about 
working with this organization in this role.” 
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM JOB? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
With the question, “What’s your dream job?” the hiring manager is to understand 
your values and motivations and to determine if you have the skills to do the job. 
Unfortunately, many people respond to this question by either: 
 saying their dream job is the job they’re applying for 
 describing an unrealistic or unrelated job 
When answering this question, focus on the challenges and work environment 
you like rather than a specific position. In addition, be sure your response is 
relevant to the job you are applying for. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Consider what kind of environment you are looking to work in. 
 What challenges do you enjoy taking on? 
 How can you apply your answerto the job you are applying for? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
What to Mention in Your Response 
Follow these tips for an effective response: 
 Include examples of how you have used your skills and how you hope to 
grow those skills. 
 Describe what interests you. 
 Talk about how your dream job relates to what you value in a career. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What are some examples of how you have enjoyed using your skills? 
 What are industry-related things that interest you? 
 What are some of your career values? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
What NOT to Mention in Your Response 
In your response, watch out for these common mistakes: 
 Do not include jobs that do not relate to the position you are interviewing 
for. 
 Don’t be unrealistic in your ambitions. 
 Do not be lazy and say the position you are applying for is your dream job. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Are the qualities you are looking for related to the job you’re interviewing 
for? 
 Is your response realistic? 
 Does your response sound like you have prepared for the interview well? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here’s an example of the response to the question, “What‘s your dream job”: 
“My dream job would provide opportunities to grow my passion for writing content 
for organizations. I love getting to know my clients and writing to meet their needs. 
For example, at my last position, I served clients from many different industries. 
This job here excites me because I can serve a range of clients.” 
Notice how this example does not include a specific career role. Instead, it 
highlights the traits and qualities you enjoy and what challenges you want to 
pursue. 
WHAT OTHER COMPANIES ARE YOU 
INTERVIEWING WITH? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
The hiring manager asks, “What other companies are you interviewing with?” to: 
 Set a timeline for the hiring process. 
 Understand how many similar positions are open. 
 Get a sense of your popularity if you are a valuable candidate somewhere 
else. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Are you pursuing more than one open position? 
 Do you know of many other similar positions that are open? 
 Think of how you could communicate your position to the hiring manager. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Step One: Show you’re consistent and valuable 
If you are interviewing with other organizations in the same industry, say 
something like: 
“I am in interview stages at several organizations within the industry. I’d like to 
choose a position where I’ll bring experience and skills to the organization.” 
If you are interviewing with other organizations in different industries, say 
something like: 
“I am interviewing at different mid-sized companies. For all these positions, a 
focus is on customer service.” 
If you are close to accepting an offer from another organization, say something 
like: 
“I am in a serious stage with one other company and expecting an offer soon.” 
If you are only interviewing with one organization, say something like: 
“I am in the early interview stages with one company and am interested in jobs 
that involve customer service.” 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Which of the above examples applies to you? 
 What interests you about the position you are applying for? 
 If applicable, can you identify a common theme in the jobs you are 
pursuing? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Step Two: Describe your decision factors 
In your response, be sure to describe what factors you would use to make a 
decision about a position. For example, you could say something like: 
“I am eager to accept a position where I could use my customer service skills to 
help improve the organization. I look forward to being a part of an organization 
that is dedicated to the customer. Your company’s mission of providing a great 
customer experience is exciting to me.” 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What values do you look for in an organization? 
 What skills are you excited about using? 
 How can you apply your response to the position you are applying for? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Step Three: Describe why this position is a top choice for you 
A hiring manager wants to know that you are interested and excited about the job 
opening. Your response should include what you appreciate about the position, 
so say something like: 
“From what I’ve learned about this job, I appreciate that I can add value right 
away. I have experience in providing great customer service and am excited 
about bringing the same level of excellence at this organization.” 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What is something you appreciate about the position you are applying for? 
 Consider how you can show your excitement for the position. 
 How do your past experiences connect to this position? 
 
 
 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Be careful of what details you share 
When you answer the question, “What other companies are you interviewing 
with?” you do not have to share all your details. Sometimes, companies keep 
their offers secret. Be sure to respect that and communicate that to the hiring 
manager if needed. 
If you do decide to share important details, be smart about how you share. 
However, remember, the hiring manager cannot force you to share. Be sure to 
stay respectful and professional. 
 
WHAT IS A TIME YOU EXERCISED LEADERSHIP? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
With the question, “What is a time you exercised leadership?” the hiring manager 
wants to know what leadership qualities you see as important. They also want to 
hear about your leadership experiences you have had and whether you would be 
a good fit for their company. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What leadership qualities do you highly value? 
 What leadership qualities do you have? 
 What examples can you think of when you’ve shown leadership? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
In your response, highlight your positive traits by following these tips: 
 Talk about what abilities you have that make you a good leader. 
 Show how you are a good team builder. 
 Support what you say with leadership experiences. 
 Describe why you think you are a good leader. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What leadership abilities do you have? 
 How do you help build teams? 
 What experiences could you share to support what you say? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
Avoid these mistakes in your response: 
 Do not talk poorly about others. 
 Do not tell negative examples. 
 Do not use examples of when you have needed to lead because someone 
else failed. 
 Do not confuse managerial qualities with leadership qualities. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Do any of your examples sound negative? 
 Are any of your examples as a result of someone else failing? 
 Review your leadership qualities you want to emphasize. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here’s an example to the question, “What is a time when you exercised 
leadership?” 
I’ve always been drawn to leadership roles. I can help people find what they are 
skilled at. For example, during a crisis at work, I stepped up and coordinated roles 
for others on my team. As a result, all our work was completed and our sales 
maintained on a steady growth. 
 
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH STRESSFUL SITUATIONS? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
Hiring managers use job interviews to get to know who a candidate is, what their 
strengths are, and, perhaps most importantly; how they will perform in the 
environment and role at hand. 
One common interview question that may help them figure this out is “How do 
you work under pressure?” 
Interviews themselves are high-pressure situations, and your words and actions 
throughout the interview may have already told them what they need to know. 
However, you will still want to have a strong, impressive response ready to go. 
Here are a few do’s and don’ts for answering the common (but tricky) “How do 
you work under pressure?” question: 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Talk briefly abouta situation that you have been under intense pressure 
 How did you overcome it? Think about how you felt in the moment when 
you were stressed, and how you felt afterwards. 
 Decide on the pressure situation that you feel best relates to the job you 
are applying for, and practice telling the story 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Don’t give the short, easy answer 
The first thing you should know is that while the interviewer ultimately wants to 
figure out whether you’re the type who’ll fold or thrive in a stressful situation—
they also want to hear about your process. When asked, “How do you work under 
pressure?” you should not just say, “Oh, pressure doesn’t get to me! I deal with it 
well.” Instead, offer a specific example of an instance in which you had to work 
under pressure, and explain the strategies you employed to successfully get 
through it. Essentially, you want to show, rather than tell, how you handle 
pressure at work. But remember this: When giving examples, try to focus on 
situations in which you were under pressure from outside forces rather than your 
own doing. And don’t talk about a time where you felt pressured and ultimately 
didn’t succeed! 
Don’t freeze up 
As mentioned earlier, how you act and what you say during the interview may tell 
the interviewer what they need to know about how you handle high-pressure 
situations. So, it’s important to stay cool, calm, and collected during the interview, 
especially while answering this question. Don’t let the pressure of a tough 
interview question get the best of you! Freezing up when the topic of “how you 
handle pressure” is raised when you’re attempting to communicate otherwise will 
reflect poorly on you. The interviewer may start to question how honest your other 
responses have been if they have reason to believe that you are lying your way 
through this question. Do your best to let your actions prove what you are 
claiming. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think of three positive outcomes you have gained from being under 
pressure. 
 What have you learned from intensive situations? How has it made you a 
better person professionally and personally? 
 Rehearse your answer so you can answer confidently and not freeze up! 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Always be honest 
Don’t just tell the hiring manager what you think he or she wants to hear. Most 
interviewers will pick up on that and it likely will not bode well for you. Instead, 
figure out a way to focus on the positives. For example, if you actually don’t deal 
well with pressure, explain how you’re working on this issue. They’ll appreciate 
the honestly and your willingness to acknowledge a weakness or area in need of 
improvement. And if the truth is that you do thrive under pressure, you still won’t 
want to say that you “never get stressed at all.” This simply is not a believable 
answer because everyone feels pressured at times. 
Discuss your “relationship” with pressure 
Other things to touch on when responding to this question are your relationship 
with high pressure situations, and how you view them. This will help give the 
hiring manager a better idea of your personality, attitude, and story. For instance, 
if you think of pressure as a form of motivation rather than an obstacle, tell them! 
They’ll likely be very happy to hear it, and it’ll show that you have a positive 
outlook and the confidence and drive to work through tough situations. Again, 
offer specific examples of scenarios in which pressure helped you achieve 
success. As far as your relationship to pressure goes, discuss your history with 
stress, and the progress that you’ve made in overcoming it. For example, if back 
in high school you didn’t perform well under pressure but you do now, explain 
how and when you turned that corner. Hiring managers like to hear about your 
journey, and this is a great opportunity to walk them through at least part of it. 
 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Do you feel that pressure situations are an asset or an obstacle for you? 
Does encountering them make you work better or worse? 
 How has your relationship to pressure changed in the last 10 years? 
 How will your relationship to pressure be an asset for this company? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Here are a few great sample answers to the “How do you work under pressure?” 
question. Use these sample answers to get ideas on how to prep an answer of 
your own. 
“I actually find that I do my best work when under pressure. I enjoy undertaking 
challenging assignments and finding creative solutions. One time I had two 
projects that were due the same week. Instead of stressing out, I created a 
detailed schedule that allowed me to complete both assignments on time.” 
“Pressure hasn’t always been my friend, to be honest, but I know it’s part of work 
and life, and I’ve actually figured out ways to not only deal with it, but use it as 
motivation rather than an excuse for throwing in the towel. Some of the effective 
tactics I’ve started using are A, B, and C. I’ve really noticed a great deal of 
improvement in how I work under pressure, and I’m now able to maintain a more 
positive attitude when stressful situations arise!” 
“I tend to thrive under pressure because it forces me to really focus on what I’m 
doing, assess my priorities, and come up with a plan. Rather than quickly 
reacting, I try to stop and collect my thoughts, remain calm, and envision a 
positive outcome. For instance, in my last job, my boss told me I had 24 hours to 
create a presentation that I’d have to present to our CEO. I could have easily 
panicked—or jumped right in without taking the time to really think my plan 
through, which would have caused me to panic later! But instead, I took a few 
hours to clear my mind and came up with a plan of attack. The next day, I 
presented to our CEO and felt great about the work I had done, which allowed 
me to remain calm during the presentation. It’s certainly not always easy to 
perform well under pressure, but I’m happy to say I’ve found what works for me!” 
 
WHAT ARE YOUR SALARY REQUIREMENTS? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
Although most of the questions brought up in a job interview are asked to see if 
you would work well within the company climate, some practical questions may 
be asked as well such as: “What salary are you seeking” 
The amount of money you will be making is obviously important. The employer 
knows that you want a fair salary that will compensate you well for the work you 
will be doing. However, this question is asked specifically to verify a couple 
things. First, the interviewer wants to see that you are actually interested in the 
work you will be doing. Second, the interviewer wants to make sure that the 
amount of money you are seeking is not out of range for what they are willing to 
pay. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What is your target salary? Make sure to have a range in mind (ex. 
$60,000-$80,000) 
 Consider the salary at your current position. Think of the way you would 
justify it to your current boss (ex. tasks that you complete, strengths you 
bring to the job) 
 How would you translate this skill set to a different position? Why should 
you earn your target salary? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
There are various ways to answer this question to prove that you would be an 
asset to the organization regardless of how much you are getting paid. 
 Give a salary range as opposed to a single figure 
 Do research beforehand to know what other people in this position are 
making 
 Reiterate your desire to work with this company and this line of work 
 Sidestep the question if it is asked too early in an interview 
 You want to give a salary that is indicative of your skills and experiences, 
but giving a salary estimate that is too high could put you out of the 
running for the job. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Is your salary expectation reasonablefor the company? Why or why not? 
 Figure out what the industry standard is for similar roles. How would you 
rise above and beyond the standard? 
 Demonstrate the thought that you have put into your salary target by 
referencing your industry research, reasoning, and qualifications 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
This question has a tendency to trip up many interviewees, so avoid making 
these common errors. 
 Do not give a salary that is too high or too low 
 Avoid saying that money is not important to you (the interviewer will know 
you are lying) 
 Do not bring up salary and benefits unless the interviewer mentions them 
first 
 Do not make it seem like the salary you are asking for is ironclad 
It is important to appear flexible in a job interview, so when discussing salary, 
mention that you are willing to negotiate your exact salary if offered the position. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Give two reasons why you have arrived at your particular salary range. 
Why should employers take you seriously? 
 Ask yourself beforehand how much you are prepared to negotiate. How 
would you phrase this? 
 For when the question of salary is raised, practice how you will bring the 
question back to you, and the reasons that you are uniquely qualified for 
the job. Practice your answer! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Talking about salary can be tricky in an interview, so frame your answer like 
this: 
“I am looking for a salary between $60,000 and $70,000 a year. However, I am 
flexible, and I would be willing to talk about salary in more detail if offered the 
position. More than anything, I’m really invested in this line of work and would 
love to work with this company.” 
You should use the interview to talk about how qualified you are for the position, 
and if you are the best person for the job, an employer should be more than 
willing to give you a fair salary. 
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
“What are your hobbies?” is an interview question that can provide insight into 
how you will fit in with other members of the team; it can also provide insight into 
your personal priorities. Another purpose of this question, however, may be to 
gauge how you would react to the unexpected. 
Interviewers often ask questions which seem out of left-field (questions like “what 
are your hobbies?”) in order to evaluate your ability to think on your feet when a 
conversation takes an unexpected turn. The answer you provide, and the manner 
in which you provide it, will typically provide a peek into your personality and how 
you handle stress. 
As with a more typical interview question (and resume and cover letter writing, 
too), candor and confidence are your tickets to success when answering “What 
are your hobbies?” 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What is the interviewer trying to find out with this question? 
 How could details about your hobbies reveal insight into how you would 
work as an employee? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
The Best Approach 
 Take it in stride - treat this like any other question that you might expect 
to hear in an interview. 
 Be comfortable - You’re just talking about the things you enjoy doing, so 
speak along the lines of casual conversation. 
 Mentioning hobbies that relate to your work can be helpful - (for 
example, tell them about your love of golf and baseball if you’re applying 
to work in a sporting goods store). 
 Keep it professional - Stay focused on the types of hobbies which would 
be appropriate to talk about if you were an actual employee. 
 Be consistent with what you are sharing/listing on social media - 
because there’s a good chance your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts 
have been reviewed by the interviewers. 
 Understand that the hobby you mention as a job candidate will be 
remembered when you are an employee - In fact, it could be mentioned 
in a company-wide email that introduces you, so be prepared to discuss it 
later. 
 Have a little fun and show a bit of personality - with questions like these 
it’s a great way to put your confidence on display. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think about your hobbies; what are three things that you like to do in your 
spare time. 
 Think about the qualities you are trying to convey in this interview. Do you 
want to appear committed, ambitious, a team player? 
 Match each hobby to one of the professional qualities that you are trying 
to convey. How does each hobby reflect the chosen quality? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Preparation 
A hobby is something you enjoy doing in your leisure time. If a hobby doesn’t 
immediately spring to mind when you’re fielding this question, take some time to 
consider things you do in your spare time that could qualify as a hobby. Answer 
the question in a manner similar to this one: “What do you do in your spare time?” 
And here’s some additional info on what constitutes a hobby: 
 Something that relaxes you, or brings you pleasure. 
 Something you do for fun on a frequent basis. 
 Something you would do more often if you had more time for it! 
 Watching TV and searching the Internet are not hobbies, unless, for 
example: 
 You watch cooking shows and scour the Internet for recipes 
in order to up your chef game—this could translate to cooking 
being your hobby. 
 You watch Antiques Road Show, check out consignment 
stores for unique knick-knacks and artwork, and buy and sell 
vintage goods on eBay. This could translate to antiquing or 
thrifting being your hobby. 
 Volunteering, taking classes, and simply reading books are often 
unrecognized hobbies. Keep that in mind! 
Don’t worry if you can’t directly connect your hobbies to the job or industry. Your 
hobbies can demonstrate other skills or strengths that an interviewer might find 
interesting, unique, or even humorous. But do try to connect your hobbies to the 
job or industry, if possible—doing so sends a strong indication of the depth of 
your interest in the field. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Do your chosen hobbies reflect a wide array of interests? Try to have one 
hobby from different areas (i.e. a volunteer position, an indoor activity, an 
outdoor activity). This can help you appear more well rounded. 
 Why is it important to portray yourself as having a variety of interests? 
 What are three ways that your hobbies provide a reflection of your 
professional goals? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
Make sure your filter is in place when discussing your personal life. Be forthright 
but keep yourself in check. 
 Telling an interviewer you have no hobbies can make you appear reluctant 
to talk about yourself. Talk family, pets, community, leisure activities, club 
and association memberships, etc. Definitely do not decline to answer the 
question! 
 Avoid discussing hobbies that might paint you in a negative or 
irresponsible light, like gambling. 
 Do not trap yourself by trying to relate your answer solely to work—be 
honest and share a bit about yourself. 
 Do not appear frazzled or confused by the question. Expected the 
unexpected in any job interview. While this question is not an everyday 
one, it is also rather light. Relax and have some fun when answering! 
 Do not create a non-existent hobby. If you land the job, your hobbies (or 
lack of) may become visible, and no one likes a liar. 
Avoid sharing too much information. This is not a question that requires a 10-
minute answer. If follow-up questions are asked, answer them, but try not to go 
on and on forever. You don’t need to provide a full biography—just enough to 
show your interviewer that you’re a real person with real interests, and that you’re 
at ease when it comes to thinking on your feet. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Write a sample answer of your list of hobbies. Review it with if necessary. 
 Write how these hobbies make you stand out from others. What are the obstacles you think may arise when answering this question? 
Write the steps you will take to prevent this mistake from occurring. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
The following answers to the question “what are your hobbies?” come from 
completely different directions and provide you with an idea of how to structure 
your answer to this question. But each answer reflects an actual hobby. 
Going to the beach or the park with your family can qualify as a hobby, as this 
example displays an acceptable approach: 
“Work and family accounts for a lot of my time, but on the weekends, we like to 
get out and enjoy nature. We take the kids camping at least four times a year and 
try to get out to the beach or the park every weekend. It’s a good way us to refresh 
and reset before tackling the work week, and a great way to get exercise.” 
This response maintains a focus on work and family while providing an honest 
and thorough answer to the actual question. 
Perhaps reading is your hobby. Then, you might explain it like this: 
“I love reading mystery novels. I got hooked on the genre through Miss Marple 
and Sherlock on PBS, but almost fully transitioned to books after discovering how 
quickly I turn pages when actually reading mysteries. I’m so immersed that I’m 
actually considering taking a writing class so I can write my own.” 
This is something you do all by yourself, but it is a hobby when you do it 
repeatedly, and for pleasure and intellectual stimulation. 
Perhaps you’re an animal lover who enjoys working with dogs. 
“I love animals and helping people. A couple of years ago I adopted a labradoodle 
named Billie, and began visiting an elderly shut-in neighbor with her. My neighbor 
loved her, and it was clear from the start how much joy she brought him. This 
gave me the idea of devoting some time each week to training therapy dogs at 
my local shelter. I’m now a certified dog trainer, and currently spend four hours 
every weekend training therapy dogs. I also occasionally get to take them to local 
nursing homes for resident visits.” 
Hopefully this article has provided you with great insight into how to answer the 
interview question “What are your hobbies?” For guidance on additional 
questions, check out the resources below. 
WHAT MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
When in an interview, it is important that you know what is actually being asked. 
Many questions have hidden meaning, but if you are able to recognize what they 
are getting at, your answer will be even more impressive. 
Being asked what makes you uncomfortable is one of the most difficult questions 
to deal with. You walk a thin line between not answering the question and hurting 
your chances of being hired. The interviewer wants to know what could potentially 
affect your performance. This means it is okay to admit that certain things make 
you uncomfortable, while emphasizing how you are able to function despite 
discomfort. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Review the job description and think about which tasks will make you feel 
most comfortable. 
 Which tasks will make you feel the most uncomfortable? 
 Are there any discomforts you have that may cast you as unfit for the job? 
(ex. if the position requires leading others, it may not be a good idea to 
highlight your fear of public speaking) 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
It is difficult to tackle this question, but if you choose your words carefully, you 
can appear as a very calm and reasonable person. 
 Be honest. Denying that anything makes you uncomfortable only makes it 
seem like you are dodging the question. 
 Be sensitive. It is okay to admit that certain things make you 
uncomfortable, but you should portray yourself as open-minded and 
considerate of others’ situations. 
 Be confident. After answering the question, confirm that being 
uncomfortable never interferes with your work. 
 Be reasonable. There are reasonable things to be uncomfortable about, 
and there are unreasonable things to be uncomfortable about. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think about a time when you have felt uncomfortable in the past. 
 How were you able to overcome this feeling? Write down three concrete 
steps you took to do this. 
 Try to turn the conversation around into how something you are made 
uncomfortable by is actually an asset. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
There are many pitfalls you can fall into, especially for this question. The aspects 
you should avoid are more important than the points you should emphasize. 
 Do not get upset. If a story or example clearly affects you emotionally, the 
interviewer will question whether you are able to work with discomforts. 
 Avoid complete denial. It is best to admit that something makes you 
uncomfortable, even if it is a minor annoyance. 
 Do not go on too long. The interviewer will be concerned if the list of 
uncomfortable things is too long. 
 Do not be too serious. Having a good humor about what makes you 
uncomfortable instills confidence that you will perform well in the 
workplace. 
Always try to remain positive and collected. Remember, they are not looking for 
someone completely unaffected by their surroundings. They want someone that 
has a healthy relationship with their situation. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What is one way you could answer this question in a humorous way? 
 Write down three techniques you use to avoid becoming uncomfortable. 
How will these techniques improve the workplace? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
A reasonable response to the question will be similar to this: 
“At my previous job, several employees seemed like they worked different 
amounts. It was a little uncomfortable to see one person work weekends, while 
another coworker was leaving early most days. It never interfered with my work, 
but it was slightly concerning. A manager finally addressed it, so it did not have 
any long-term consequences.” 
HOW DO YOU EVALUATE SUCCESS? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
Think deeper about what the interview question you are asked really means. 
There is usually some hidden meaning that they are trying to get to. If you are 
able to understand this hidden meaning, your answer can focus on it 
specifically, which strengthens your answer. 
The question, “How do you determine or evaluate success?” has some hidden 
meaning. You should not focus so much on your definition of success, but 
rather how this definition shapes your work ethic. The interviewer is interested 
in what qualities will allow you to succeed. They want to be confident that you 
are self-motivated and dedicated to your work. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What do you think ‘evaluating success means’? 
 Think of three ways that you evaluate your own success. 
 Think of three ways that you evaluate the success of others. Do these 
lists differ from each other? In which way? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
Figure out which qualities they are trying to find in you and focus on them. 
These may vary with the specific job, but they should be, more or less, 
consistent. 
 Even though you are focusing on your attributes, remember to answer 
the question. Start by defining success. 
 You should probably include going above expectations in your answer. 
This is the most common goal for this question. Do you consider yourself 
successful when you meet the minimum expectations, or when you do 
the job right? 
 If you are interviewing for a management position, their expectations for 
your answer may be different. Instead, you might focus on what your 
expectations for employees under you are. 
Be confident, without being prideful. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Consider the job that you are applying for. What kinds of ‘success’ might 
you encounter in this job? (ex. successfully completing a task, or 
successfully problem solving) How have you demonstrated success in these areas? 
 How would apply this to the potential job? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
If you follow the above points to emphasize, and avoid the following pitfalls, 
your answer should be very strong. 
 Do not spend the entire answer determining success. Even though that is 
what they literally asked you, you should move on to explaining your 
positive qualities. 
 Do not lose your focus. Success is a vague idea, but you should choose 
one or two attributes that are relevant. Including too many weakens the 
strength of all of them. 
 You should avoid talking about how you are completely successful. No 
matter how capable you are, being able to improve will be appealing to 
employers. 
A genuine and sincere undertone will be very effective. Do not exaggerate or 
stretch the truth. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What are those one or two ways in which you determine success? 
 How do you think they best determine success? 
 Bring the focus back to you if possible; how do you think that you have 
lived up to your own expectations of success? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
The context of the question you are asked may require other specifics that are 
not covered here. Be sure to adjust your answer to the job you are applying for. 
Generally, however, your answer might look something like this: 
“I determine success as getting the job done properly. Even if the expectations 
are lower, I will not consider myself successful unless I met all of my own 
personal requirements. Of course, I’m always trying to push my personal 
requirements higher and higher. I welcome opportunities to improve.” 
 
GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF A TIME YOU DID 
SOMETHING WRONG. HOW DID YOU HANDLE IT? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
An interview is supposed to be a time where you are trying to talk yourself up, 
which is why it can be difficult to answer something like: “Give me an example of 
a time you did something wrong. How did you handle it?” 
Questions like this tend to trip people up because they get caught up with the first 
sentence. The actual question is, “How did you handle it” The interviewer wants 
to know how you respond to adversity. Hiring managers want to know that if 
something goes wrong, you will be able to remain calm and handle it efficiently. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Why do you think an employer would ask this question? 
 What are things that an employer might be looking for in an answer? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
You should remain positive for every question of an interview, even if you are 
talking about a time where things did not go smoothly. 
 Admit that you did something wrong, being humble can work to your 
advantage 
 Discuss how you handled the situation 
 Discuss what you learned from the experience 
 Remain positive 
It is not always easy to admit that you messed up, especially when you are trying 
to impress a potential employer. However, managers know that you are only 
human and that people make mistakes so do not be afraid to talk about a previous 
shortcoming. 
 
 
 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think of a few times that you have made mistakes in the past. 
 Pick one or two instances that you think would be appropriate to tell in an 
interview 
 Why do you think these would be interesting for a potential boss to hear? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
Talking about past mistakes can get tricky, so watch out for these common 
pitfalls. 
 Avoid saying that you have never done anything wrong 
 Do not get caught up in overly explaining what went wrong 
 Do not be vague with the situation that happened 
 Do not forget to talk about how you are a better employee now because of 
it 
Chances are that you will make a mistake no matter what job you are getting. The 
important thing is that you are able to learn from your errors and become a better 
worker in the process. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What did you learn from the mistakes that you made in the past? 
 How has it made you a better employee? 
 How will the lessons you learned from past mistakes aid you in your new 
position? 
 How would it help you prevent future mistakes? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
A good response to a question about your past mistakes should go something 
like this: 
“One time my boss came up to me and asked why he wasn’t receiving emails 
from certain clients. At first, I explained to him that I did not know and that I had 
not heard from the clients either. A couple days after that I checked the junk folder 
in my email and saw all these emails that should’ve been going to my boss. I 
quickly sent them over and told my boss what happened. He had a good laugh 
and ever since, I’ve made sure that I checked all my folders.” 
Answering this question confidently is vital. You should be able to own up to your 
mistakes and learn a new skill through it. 
 
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE POSITION? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
In asking this question, interviewers are judging if you are an active or passive 
job seekers. Those who appear eager for the position may be perceived as 
more willing to put forth the needed effort to fulfill the position. Considering this, 
you want to be strategic in the way you answer this question. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Why do you think this is important for interviewers to know? 
 How did you hear about this job? 
 Think about how you could frame this answer to put you in the best 
possible light. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
Depending upon how you heard about the position, there are different ways that 
you can answer the question. Still, there are certain points to mention that can 
help you to properly answer such type of inquiry. 
 Clearly state the source from which you heard of the position, but do not 
go into elaborate detail, other than the name of the individual, company 
or resource. 
 Explain what aspects drew you to the position. 
 Briefly state why you feel qualified for the job. 
 Express your excitement about the possibility of obtaining the position. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Think about the emotions you had when you initially saw the job posting. 
If it made you genuinely excited or happy, tell the employer! 
 Write down three reasons you feel qualified for the job. 
 Write down three things that drew you to this job. 
 
 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
Review these mistakes to avoid when answering this question. 
 Even if you heard about the position from an employee, do not go into 
great detail about your relationship with that employee. 
 Do not give vague one word answers. 
 If you do not recall what job board you found the position through, do not 
dwell on that fact or make something up. 
 If you heard of a job from an employee who is on rocky terms with the 
company or recently departed on negative terms, do not mention their 
name. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Try to establish a personal connection with the job (although not too 
personal). 
 Is this company a place that you have had your eye on for a long time? 
 Has working here been a long term goal? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
One way to properly answer inquiries about how you heard about the position 
might be: 
“I heard about this position through a current employee, Jane Doe. She was a 
previous co-worker of mine at XYZ Company where I served as a project 
manager. After reviewing the position and researching the company, I felt 
qualified to fulfill the position and excited about the possibility of joining such a 
reputable company.” 
Remember, the question is asking more than just who sent you. Make sure that 
you address why you applied to the position and how you qualify. Addressing 
these things can help to avoid certain additional questions and possibly help 
you to secure the position.WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
Even the simplest interview questions usually have some hidden meaning behind 
them. The information the interviewer is trying to uncover is not always apparent, 
but if you are able to recognize what they are really asking, your answers will 
benefit you in the interview. 
There are few questions simpler than, “What motivates you?”. Yet this deceptively 
simple question has some hidden meaning. The specifics of how you are 
motivated are not important; the interviewer is interested in whether you are able 
to motivate yourself. They want to make sure that you will be able to work without 
a manager’s supervision if you are hired. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Why is there a distinction between how you are motivated, and if you can 
motivate yourself? Why does an employer care about this? 
 Think of a time when you have been particularly motivated in the past. 
 What led you to be so motivated? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Points to Emphasize 
Because the specifics are less important, there are many ways to answer this 
question. The following points should help you nail down what really matters. 
 Communicate that you are self-motivated. It is important that you are able 
to perform on your own. It is beneficial to the company if managers do not 
have to make an effort to motivate the employees. 
 Be honest and sincere. Think about what actually motivates you. There 
are many acceptable answers, as long as it translates to hard work, but 
you should never make something up. 
 Be specific. Do not just say you are self-motivated. You should point to 
success, satisfaction, or some other specific aspect as your source of 
motivation. 
 Be optimistic. A positive attitude creates a good impression. 
 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What strategies have you used to motivate yourself in the past? 
 Why are these strategies effective, and how would you bring them with 
you into this new work environment? 
 How do help motivate those around you? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
You should choose your words carefully to avoid the interviewer thinking you are 
not motivated to work with them. Avoid these common mistakes. 
 Do not rush. Not giving your answer enough time makes it seem like you 
are not motivated. 
 Do not embellish your answer. It is not expected that you are totally 
motivated 100% of the time. You should just be able to always do your job 
properly. 
 You should not get your motivation from others. It is best if an employee 
can be responsible for their own motivation. 
 Do not choose your personal goals as your source of motivation, unless 
these goals are to communicate that you will work hard. 
It may be acceptable if your motivation comes from advancing in the company. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Decide on one or two points to explain how you motivate yourself, and how 
you have used this skill effectively in the past 
 Would you consider motivation a particular skill? If so, highlight it. 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
Your answer should incorporate specifics to the job you are applying for, but it 
may resemble this example. 
“I am able to motivate myself. Instead of relying on managers or other superiors 
to encourage me, I find that achieving success drives me forward. The 
satisfaction I get from doing a job better than anyone around me keeps my work 
at a high level and my morale high, as well.” 
 
DESCRIBE A DIFFICULT WORK SITUATION OR 
PROJECT AND HOW YOU OVERCAME IT? 
 GUIDELINE 
What the Hiring Manager Is Really Asking… 
This is actually one of the better interview questions asked, both for the 
interviewee and the interviewer, and there are a couple of reasons why: 
 It’s a solid, basic, open-ended question that an interviewer can ask any 
candidate. 
 When asked properly, the question can surprise candidates, as opposed 
to other questions which are easier to anticipate and prepare answers for. 
 It allows the interviewer to get a handle on how a candidate responds in a 
situation that doesn’t have a clear, easy, yes-or-no answer. 
 When an interviewer gets a handle on this, they then know how a 
candidate will most likely respond to unforeseen challenges and difficult 
situations in the role they are interviewing for. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 Why do you think it’s beneficial to talk about something that gave you 
trouble in an interview? 
 What do you think the interviewer is looking for in this question? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
The Best Way to Respond 
One straightforward way to respond to interview questions about difficult 
situations at work is to use the STAR technique. 
 Situation/Task: Describe the challenging situation/task that you needed to 
deal with. 
 Action: What action(s) did you take to remedy things? Be specific. 
 Results: What were the results of your action(s)? What would have 
happened if you hadn’t reacted that way? 
While following this simple formula, you’ll also want to focus on aspects related 
to your reasoning, integrity, or initiative, or your ability to reach out to superiors 
when you don’t know the answer. For example: 
 Talking about an ethical dilemma in which you chose to act with integrity. 
 Discussing your initiative in tackling a difficult situation to a positive end. 
 Discussing how you worked through a dilemma and found a solution. 
 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 What are the benefits of answering this question with the STAR technique? 
 Think of a few instances where you handled a difficult situation 
 Write a response for this using STAR 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Mistakes You Should Avoid 
If you have not thought this question through ahead of time (and you really 
should), there is a good chance that you may not be able to think of something 
off the top of your head. Here are some things to avoid speaking about when 
answering this question. 
 Do not speak poorly of former or current companies or co-workers. 
 Do not be self-focused to the point of discussing yourself in a superior light. 
 Avoid discussing your own shortcomings . . . unless you also mention your 
growth. 
 Do not choose a situation that is not job-related unless you have no work 
experience. 
Your potential employer wants to know that you can effectively work through a 
difficult situation on the job, so be sure to avoid a self-deprecating attitude. While 
people love self-deprecating humor in real life, the short time span of a job 
interview really is not the time for it. Take the question seriously, and answer it 
seriously. 
If the interviewer asks about a situation you have never had to deal with, it is okay 
to say so, but they can then easily change the question to “How WOULD you deal 
with a difficult situation like that?” In other words, they can switch from the 
historical to the hypothetical, which makes the question a lot harder all of a 
sudden. 
With that in mind, the best follow-up response would be to say “That’s never 
happened to me, but if that kind of situation did come up, here’s how I would 
handle it . . . .” And from there, you apply the STAR technique. 
 ACTIVITIES 
 
 How did handling that situation make you a better employee? 
 Was there anything you felt that you could have improved upon? What 
steps have you taken to do so? 
 How does the way you handle difficult situations make you uniquely 
qualified for this job? 
 
 GUIDELINE 
Sample Answer 
“During a summer session I had a student who was writing rude, offensive notes 
on student papers during peer grading assignments. I arranged a meeting with 
the student, and had my principal attend too, as a witness. I calmly yet firmly 
informed the student that the types of comments she was providing were not 
helpful—that they were in fact detrimental. From there, the three of us had a 
fruitful discussion on the types of comments that work best on student papers. In 
the end,the student walked away with a solid understanding of how to provide 
constructive, non-offensive feedback to other students.” 
“Late one Friday afternoon at my last job, a client called with an urgent question 
about the project we were working on for them. My boss usually handles all client 
contact directly, but he had already left for the weekend. I explained the situation 
to the client, and said that although I might not know the exact answer to the 
question, that I was also working on the project and might be able to help. That 
was good enough for the client, and while it was true that I did not have the 
answer immediately, we were able to work through it together fairly quickly, and 
the client got off the call assured that they wouldn’t need to worry about the issue 
over the weekend. I also left a note for my boss about the call, so that he could 
check with the client on his return on Monday morning.”