Commonly Asked Interview Questions (and Answers)

It is virtually impossible to predict exactly what will be asked on an interview but there are a few answers that you can prepare ahead of time.
Use this chart to practice your answers to these questions. Be sure to prepare your questions for the interviewer. (listed beneath)

QUESTION EXAMPLE YOUR ANSWER

“Tell me about yourself.” (interviewing for an entry level position in a
non-profit organization)
 1-2 minutes spoken I'd be delighted to introduce myself. My
 Your background: academic, work “My name is Jennifer Smith. I graduated from name is Maliq Athallah. I graduated from
experience, extra curriculars—as they ABC University with a degree in women’s Arizona State University. With a degree in
pertain to this job! studies. I started at ABC with a major in International Relations studies. In terms of
 Why you are there and what you can biology, thinking I was going to pursue a academic background, I have a strong
academic foundation in international
bring to the job. career in environmental protection. But then, relations, which I acquired through my
 Your personal brand two things happened. First, I realized that I bachelor's degree.
 Practice, practice, practice was more interested in environmental policy
rather than the scientific aspect. Then I took In terms of work experience, I've had the
an elective in women’s rights and a light went privilege of working at several companies for
9 years. This experience has equipped me
on for me. I had always supported women’s
with the communication and diplomatic skills.
rights and was amazed that it continues to be
an issue in this day and age. Since that time, I I'm here today because I'm genuinely excited
have been able to volunteer and work on about the opportunity to join Korean Cultural
behalf of women’s rights, both for abused Center.
women as well as homeless women. I am here
I believe that my skills and passion align with
today because I believe my demonstrated the objectives of this position.
passion for women’s rights as well as my
experience in non-profit organizations will be
beneficial to your organization.”
Can you tell me a little about your strengths One of my strengths is my ability to
and weaknesses? “My interpersonal skills probably top the chart effectively communicate and build
of my strengths. I thrive on approaching relationships across different cultures
 Identify 3 strengths—as they pertain people I don’t know and quickly establishing and backgrounds. Another strengths I
to this job rapport. I can think on my feet and I manage bring to this role is my critical thinking
and problem solving.
 Identify one weakness and how you stress well. One area that challenges me is
 manage it that of delegating. It’s hard for me to
delegate to other people, whether it be a team My weakness is that I sometimes have
project for school or on the baseball field. I trouble saying ‘no’ to requests and end
know this is a problem so I have trained myself up taking on more than I can handle. It
to make a list of those things I have to do led me to feel burned out. To manage this
weakness, I've learned to set clear
myself and those things that can be passed on.
priorities and boundaries.
It’s still not easy for me but I have found that
when I consciously make that determination, I
actually get more done and the quality is
better.”

Can you tell me about your leadership SITUATION

experience? “I was in charge of the committee that was
During my time in university, I was part of
asked to revise our school’s vision as they were
a diverse team. We were working on a
 This can be direct leadership—of a transitioning to a co-ed school.
research project focused on international
student organization OBSTACLES public relations.
 Can also be indirect leadership— There were some issues because not all of the
although not specifically designated a faculty agreed with the transition and we had Our team had members from different
leader, maybe you assumed to get their buy-in within a pretty tight time cultural backgrounds, which sometimes
leadership in a certain situation—a frame. led to communication and understanding
class project, working with a group to END RESULT issues.
plan an event; a recognized leader. I quickly realized that I had to include my
Be sure to include: advisor on each step we took and each Although there was no official leader for
1. Overview of the situation meeting we held to communicate the changes. the project, I initiated regular team
2. Obstacles or challenges We were able to come to agreement and meet meetings to ensure that everyone
3. End result the deadline. I learned the importance of understood their roles and
ongoing communication.” responsibilities.

Tell me about a time when you were asked to SITUATION

complete a task but didn’t have the When I started my summer internship at XYZ In my previous role, I was tasked with
information you needed. What did you do? Online Marketing, I quickly realized that it creating a report on a sensitive issue that
was a small organization which meant that I required accurate and up to date
 They are trying to assess your ability was left to my own devices. I had to figure information.
to self manage things out on my own.
  Be sure to include: OBSTACLES
1) Situation There was one instance in particular when I
2) Obstacles had to rely on myself to get the job done. The
3) End result sales people were at an off site conference.
When the sales manager called in to get the I immediately initiated a
latest sales figures, I realized I didn’t know research plan and identifying
how to use that system. reputable sources that could
END RESULT provide valuable insights and
I knew I could access our prospective client information. I collaborated with
database but I didn’t know if that would give my colleagues to solve the
me access to the sales figures. After situation.
manipulating the data I could access, I was
able to call him back to give him the
information he wanted.”

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

“Simply put, my ideal job at this stage in my I aim to have advanced in my
 A dreaded question but frequently career is one in which I can learn the products career, taking on more
asked. and industry and I can contribute to your significant responsibilities and
 Be honest but keep in mind that most success. Eventually, I’d like a job that gives me potentially assuming a
entry-level positions don’t provide control over my day but I know I am not in leadership role within the public
much autonomy. that position right now and it will take some relations team.
time to get there.”

Tell me about a time when you failed. When I was working as a junior
“When I was a freshman, I had a great on- public relations specialist, i
 They are trying to see how you would campus job, probably one of the best. didn’t done my task on time.
handle it when a mistake is made on Unfortunately, I didn’t take it seriously. I Because of that, my salary was
the job. showed up late, not properly dressed and cut. I immediately contact my
 Be sure to include: probably showed some attitude. What a manager to apologize. After the
1) Situation shock when I wasn’t hired back the next year. situation is resolved, i try to
2) Obstacles It forced me to take a good, hard look at improve time management,
3) End result: what you learned… myself and where I was headed. I made the planning, and communication
conscious decision to turn my grades and skills to prevent similar issues
 attitude around. I soon discovered that it felt
good to do good and everything was on the
upswing from there. I was young but was able
to turn myself around.”

Why should I hire you over the next person?

“You mentioned that they most important
there are several reasons why
 Opportunity to remind them why you skills you are looking for are the ability to
are unique and the best person for communicate with diverse groups of people, you should hire me for this public
the job. solve problems as well as a developed business relations role over any other
 Sell yourself again. acumen. My experience at the admissions candidate. My background in
 Be sure to relate your qualities to the office required that I field answers quickly to communication, both in my
position you are interviewing for! prospective students, parents and education and professional
administrators. When the admissions experience, has equipped me
requirements were changed, I was on the
committee to communicate the new
with the ability to make impactful
requirements to new and existing students so messages. I have ability in
that it was understandable and accepted with building and maintaining strong
a minimum of problems. This has enabled me relationships with key
to work with diverse groups of people as well stakeholders, including the
as solve their problems. Finally, my internship media, clients, and partners.
at XYZ taught me how a business runs… The
nuts and bolts of profit, revenue as well as
expenses. As soon as I start here, I will do my
best to complete the reports and analysis on
time and in such a way as to make them as
user friendly and informative as possible.”
 1. Consider how well the new hire has
adapted to their role and integrated into
QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER: the team. Are they showing flexibility and
an ability to work well within the
Prepare two questions ahead of time: company's culture and processes?
1) The job
2) The organization 2. We expect significant growth and
expansion for our organization in the next
SAMPLE QUESTIONS: few years. With the growing importance of
1) How will you know you’ve hired the right person in 3 (or 6) months’ time? digital platforms, we are planning to
2) Where do you see the organization in 2-3 years? enhance its online presence, offering
virtual exhibitions, streaming
performances to reach a global audience.