General Interview Questions

Prior to interviewing, it is highly recommended that you choose a common list of questions to be used in each interview situation to ensure consistency in the interviewing process.

The following are suggested questions for the general category of information. When deciding which questions to ask keep in mind they should be job related.

REMEMBER: If you do not need to know the information, do not ask the question.

Education:

• How many years of schooling have you completed?
• Are there any courses you started, but did not finish? If so, what were they?
• Have you taken and/or completed any specialized courses that would contribute to your skill in this job?
• What things have you learned to do simply by being taught to do them by a co-worker, a friend, or were self-taught?
• What subjects/courses did you like best in school? Why?
• What subjects/courses did you find disappointing? Why?
• Describe to me when (or how) you do your best learning.
• Do you have any licenses or certifications in a specialized field of study?
• What word processing or spreadsheet programs have you used extensively in the past? Describe for me a project or task that you used these programs.

Job Experience:

• Tell me about your work experience; start with your most recent job. What were your main duties?
• Describe a typical day in your previous job(s).
• Tell me about the most difficult task or responsibility you have had to carry out.
• What production standards were required in your previous job(s)?
• Why do you want to change jobs?
• What made you apply for this position? What appeals to you most about working here?
• What are one (or two) of the most important job skills you either learned, or became better in performing, in your previous jobs?
• Describe to me a time when you were required to work extended hours due to production needs. How did you handle that situation?
• Tell me about a time at work when you were often required to change job activities, from one task to another; sometimes on very short notice.
• Why did you leave your previous job(s)?
• Please tell me about any supervisory/foreman experience you may have had in previous work experiences.
• What aspects of supervisory/foreman responsibility did you find to be the most challenging, rewarding, or difficult?
• Describe a previous work experience when you didn’t completely understand an assigned duty or task. How did you handle that situation?
• To the best of your ability, tell me about the most difficult employee problem or employee related situation you have had to manage.
• Describe for me a life or work experience where you were responsible for many simultaneous projects and/or tasks. How did you assure that each were completed on time and in a quality manner?
• To the best of your ability, recall for me the most difficult task or responsibility you had to carry out.
• To the best of your ability, tell me about the most difficult customer you have had to deal with.
• Describe for me the challenges you believe a position with this company can present.

Job Skills:

• What knowledge, skills, or abilities do you believe are necessary to do this job successfully?
• How does this job compare with other jobs you have had?
• Tell me about two or three job-related abilities/skills you would bring to this job and to our company?
• Tell me about any aspect of this job that may not appeal to you.
• What knowledge, ability, and/or skill do you feel you might need to improve?
• An important aspect of this job is to be available for work every day and for overtime as needed to achieve production needs. Tell me how you would achieve this requirement.
• Describe to me how you would accomplish the functions of this job as described in the job description?
• Describe, as best you can, what aspects of a job inspire you to make an extra effort?
• Based on the knowledge you have about this job, what pay level (or pay range) would you expect?
• What personal/professional characteristics do you believe are necessary to be successful doing this kind of work? (Refer to job description for specific duties.)
• What are one (or more) of the most important job skills you have either learned, or have become better in performing in your previous jobs?
• Tell me about a time when you were required to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of your position or the organization dynamics.
• Tell me about a life or work experience that required you to be extremely well organized. How did you handle that situation?
• Describe a work situation where you worked with a customer on a daily (or frequent) basis. How did you maintain a professional approach in that situation?

Other Factors:

The following are "other" questions you may decide to include in your interviewing process:

• What was the best job you ever had? Why do you feel it was the best?
• What do you consider important in a job? In a company? Why?
• What are your job/career goals?
• What would you like to accomplish in your job in the future?
• Do you like to work alone, or as part of a team?
• Why do you want to change jobs?
• What was your most significant accomplishment in your last/present job?
• Describe a work experience when you were expected to fulfill your responsibilities in an environment that included flexible hours, being "on call," and/or filling in for employees when they are not available.
• Describe a work experience that required you to be flexible or adapt to changes in your position.
• Can you give me a general idea of your desired hourly rate of pay/salary requirements?
• Describe the safety procedures you followed in any previous life/work experience.