Interviewing

Practice Interview Questions

Common Interview Questions

Most interviews will include some version of these basic questions.

Tell me about yourself.
- Craft a compelling narrative that provides an overview of your academic journey, career, experiences, and aspirations. Tailor your response to highlight how your background aligns with the position and makes you an ideal candidate.
  - Example Response: “I have a strong foundation in [Your Major] with a focus on [Key Skill]. My internship at [Previous Company] honed my [Another Key Skill] where I contributed to [Specific Project]. I am excited about the opportunity at [Target Company] because of your commitment to [Company Value] aligning with my passion for [Your Relevant Interest].”
What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
- Articulate your strengths, linking them to the job requirements. Discuss weaknesses as opportunities for growth, providing examples of how you’ve overcome challenges and developed professionally.
  - Example Response (Strength): “One of my key strengths is [Key Strength]. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I utilized this strength to [Specific Achievement] which contributed to [Company Success].”
  - Example Response (Weakness): “I recognized a need to improve my [Specific Skill] and enrolled in [Relevant Course/Training]. Through dedicated effort, I was able to overcome this weakness and enhance my skill set.”

Behavioral Questions and the STAR Technique

Master the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to respond effectively to behavioral questions. Practice storytelling to showcase your problem-solving abilities, teamwork and leadership skills.

Situation: Describe the context.
Task: Explain your role.
Action: Describe what you did.
Result: Share the outcome.

Examples interview questions with answers using the STAR method:

Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline.

Situation: In my internship, we had a project with a tight deadline.
Task: My task was to coordinate team efforts and ensure timely completion.
Action: I organized a detailed project plan, set clear roles, and closely monitored progress.
Result: Despite the challenges, we successfully met the deadline, showcasing my ability to manage time-sensitive tasks.

Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a significant change.

Situation: At my part-time job, we underwent a major organizational restructuring.
Task: My task was to adapt to the changes while maintaining productivity.
Action: I proactively sought information, communicated with team members, and embraced the new workflow.
Result: The team successfully navigated the changes, and my adaptability was recognized by supervisors.

Can you share an example of a project where you demonstrated effective teamwork?

Situation: Working on a group project during a class assignment.
Task: The task was to complete the project collaboratively and ensure each team member contributed.
Action: I facilitated regular team meetings, encouraged open communication, and assigned tasks based on individual strengths.
Result: The project was well-executed, and we received positive feedback for our cohesive teamwork.

Can you describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict in a team?

Situation: During a group project in college, team members had conflicting ideas on the project’s direction.
Task: Our task was to find a resolution that satisfied everyone and ensured project success.
Action: I initiated a team meeting to openly discuss concerns, encouraged each member to share their perspective, and facilitated a compromise that integrated diverse ideas.
Result: The conflict was resolved, and we successfully completed the project, showcasing improved teamwork and communication.

Share an example of a project where you demonstrated leadership skills.

Situation: Leading a student organization’s community service project.
Task: My task was to motivate and guide the team to achieve project goals.
Action: I provided clear direction, delegated responsibilities, and offered support where needed.
Result: The project was a success, and my leadership contributed to increased participation in future community service initiatives.

Describe a situation where you had to think creatively to solve a problem.

Situation: Faced with a challenging problem in a class project.
Task: My task was to find an innovative solution within project constraints.
Action: I brainstormed alternative approaches, sought input from team members, and implemented a creative solution.
Result: The project was successfully completed, and the creative approach received positive feedback from the instructor.

Can you provide an example of a time when you took the initiative to solve a problem without being asked?

Situation: In my part-time job, we faced recurring inventory discrepancies.
Task: My task was to identify the root cause and implement a solution.
Action: I conducted a thorough analysis, identified inefficiencies in the tracking system, and proposed an updated process to management.
Result: The new system significantly reduced errors, highlighting my proactive problem-solving skills.

Oddball Questions

Interviewers will occasionally ask what appear to be random questions. It’s important to use your response to these types of questions to highlight your ability to provide a thoughtful response that highlights your positive qualities and relates this back to the workplace.

If you were a color, what color would you be?

“If I could be any color, I would choose blue. Blue is often associated with calmness and reliability, which reflects my personality and approach to work. I strive to maintain a composed and level-headed demeanor even in stressful situations, ensuring that I can think clearly and make well-informed decisions. Additionally, blue represents trust and dependability, qualities that I believe are crucial in both professional and personal relationships. I aim to be someone that others can rely on and trust to follow through on commitments.”

Explanation:

Reflects Personality Traits: The response links the chosen color (blue) to positive personality traits such as calmness, reliability, and trustworthiness. This helps the interviewer understand your self-perception and how these qualities are beneficial in a professional setting.
Demonstrates Self-Awareness: This answer shows self-awareness by choosing a color that aligns with your strengths and the qualities you bring to a team or role. This demonstrates an understanding of how your personality impacts your work.
Professional Relevance: By choosing a color associated with professionalism and trust, you can subtly align yourself with qualities that are desirable in most workplace environments. It shows that you value traits that contribute to a productive and harmonious work environment.
Thoughtfulness: This response helps create a positive impression by linking the abstract question to concrete qualities relevant to the workplace.

Technical Questions

Review Relevant Skills

Be ready to discuss specific technical skills required for the job.
You will usually be told in advance if you must do a technical interview or exam. Practice technical questions with peers, mentors and online tools to prepare.