In this interview training post, I am going to give you 21 hard interview questions and answers to remember. If you have a job interview coming up soon, but you are the type of person who struggles to remember your answers, this post is for you.
Let’s get straight into the tutorial.
Tell me about yourself
Interview question number one. Tell me about yourself. Here we go. I am a self motivated, driven and conscientious person who wants to have a successful career. I have a track record of achievement, which means I can quickly make a difference to the team I am a part of. I have the skills, knowledge and experience to match the job description, and if you hire me, it will be my aim in this role to learn everything quickly so I can add value to your team.
Why do you want this job?
Interview question number two is, why do you want this job? Here’s my answer. I want this job because it is a role that I am passionate about. It is with a company that has strong values and supports its staff, and it is a job where I feel I can grow and develop for many years to come.
What are your strengths?
Interview question number three is, what are your strengths? Here’s my easy to remember answer. My strengths include my ability to collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common goal, to go above and beyond what is expected in my work and my willingness and desire to take on duties that are outside of my comfort zone.
What’s your biggest weakness?
Interview question number four is, what’s your biggest weakness? Here we go. My biggest weakness is the fact I have trouble asking other people for help. However, I am the type of person who wants to improve, and I will always willingly take on feedback and advice from my managers.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Interview question number five is, where do you see yourself in five years? Here’s my easy to remember answer. I see myself hopefully still working for you, even in this role or having gained advancement to a more senior level in five years time, I will have undertaken numerous internal training development courses and be seen as a trusted and productive member of the team.
What can you bring to the company?
Interview question number six is, what can you bring to the company? Here’s my example answer I can bring a positive can do attitude that will rub off on others in my team. I can bring a creative mindset that will help you come up with new ideas to increase sales and profitability, and I can bring a desire to continually grow and develop in the role.
Why do you want to work for this company?
Interview Question Number seven, why do you want to work for this company? Here’s my easy to remember answer I want to work for your company because you have a track record of success and I will feel proud to work for you. I also want to work for your company because you have a good reputation amongst your customers, and I feel I will be supported in my work to be the best version of myself. Possible.
What is your greatest achievement?
Interview Question Number eight, what is your greatest achievement? Here we go. My greatest achievement was helping my last employer increase sales despite a difficult economic climate. We achieved an increase in sales by looking at innovative ways to promote our products online and by engaging more closely with our already established customer base. That’s a great answer with an example.
What’s your greatest achievement for those people who have no previous work experience? Here’s my answer. My greatest achievement to date was successfully completing my academic studies, getting the grades I wanted, whilst at the same time holding down a part time job that helped pay for my education. It was a great achievement because it was the first step in me being able to apply for this job with your company.
Why do you want to leave your job?
Interview question number nine, why do you want to leave your job? Here’s my easy to remember answer. I want to leave my job because I feel I have reached my full potential with my employer, and I’m looking to progress with a new and innovative companies such as yours, where my skill set expertise and knowledge will be put to good use.
Tell me about a time when you made a mistake
Interview Question Number 10. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake. Here we go. When I first started work in a previous role, I didn’t listen to my managers brief and I ended up making a foolish mistake whilst carrying out a task. As soon as I realized I had made the mistake, I apologize to my manager. I immediately put things right and I made sure the same mistake never happened again.
How would you deal with conflict with a co-worker?
Interview question number 11 is, how would you deal with conflict with a co-worker? Here’s my example answer. I would assess my own actions first to see if I were making the conflict worse. I would then speak to my co-worker in private to find an amicable way forward that was based on the needs of my team. Conflict in any team is not helped. And I will do all I could to rectify it.
Describe yourself in three words
Interview question number 12, describe yourself in three words. Wow, this is a tricky one. Here we go. I would describe myself as trustworthy, self-motivated and commercially aware. Trustworthy because I will always do a great job for you and represent the business positively self-motivated because I need little supervision and commercially aware because I know I need to do a great job in this role to help your business beat its competitors.
What motivates you?
Interview question number 13 is, what motivates you? Here’s my easy to remember answer. I am motivated by three things achieving goals continuous progression and supporting my family. My current goal is I am saving up for a deposit to buy a house. Now, if I get this job, it will help me to achieve my goal. This is also a job where I feel I will be able to continually progress whilst at the same time support my family.
Why should we hire you?
Question 14 is, why should we hire you? Here we go. You should hire me for three reasons. Reason number one is because I already have the skills and qualities to match the job description. Reason number two is because I am a fast learner and I will need little supervision or monitoring moving forward. Finally, reason number three is because I am confident I can add value to your team, which means you will see a positive return on your investment.
Flexibility at work
Interview question number 15 is, when have you shown flexibility at work? Here we go. In my previous job, my manager needed someone to stay behind late after work to check in a delivery that was due to arrive after 5pm. I knew how important this was to the business, so I cancelled my evening plans. I stayed behind late and I checked in the delivery once it arrived at 6pm.
Tell me about a time when you failed
Interview question number 16 is Tell me about a time when you failed. Here we go. When I first started work, I undertook an online training course in a subject I felt I knew a lot about now because of my arrogance. I didn’t put enough work into the course and I ended up failing. I was dismayed. I apologize to my supervisor for failing, and I studied hard in preparation for the end, of course, exam retake. I learned a lot from that experience and I made sure I never failed a training course again.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Interview question number 17 is, what do you like to do outside of work? Here’s my example answer. Outside of work, I keep myself fit and active by walking regularly and by attending the gym several times a week. This helps me to maintain a positive mindset. I also enjoy spending time with my family, reading self-development books and also visiting friends.
What makes you unique?
Interview Question Number 18, what makes you unique? Here we go. I believe my attitude makes me unique. I am a positive person who believes you only get out of life what you are prepared to put in. I believe there is opportunity in every difficult situation or challenge. There’s opportunity to learn. The opportunity to improve and the opportunity to help others, which gives you a great sense of fulfillment.
If you were an animal, which one would you want to be and why?
Interview question number 19 is if you were an animal, which one would you want to be and why? This is a tricky interview question to answer correctly. Here’s my easy to remember response. I’d want to be a dolphin. Dolphins are great communicators. They are fast. They work great together and they always appear to be smiling.
What is your ideal work environment?
Interview question number 20 is What is your ideal work environment? Here’s my example answer my ideal work environment is one that’s busy where everyone supports each other in the team, where I can contribute ideas to the company and where I can also undertake professional training development courses.
Do you have any questions for us?
Interview question twenty one, do you have any questions for us? Here we go. Yes, I do. I just have three questions, please.
- Question one, how has the company evolved over recent years?
- Question number two, what’s the first thing you would want me to concentrate on in this role?
- Question number three is what are the next stages of the process and when could I contact you to find out the results of my interview?
That is twenty one hard interview questions and answers to remember. It’s a fantastic resource and you can have it with you.
It’s always good to connect with like minded professionals such as yourself. For more tips to pass an interview, visit my website. I wish you all the best for passing your interview. Have a brilliant day!
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