Sample Interview Questions
There are three general types of questions that are asked in an interview: fit (does your personality fit in with the rest of the firm), resume (skills, how do current skills transfer to the new job) and behavior (how you react to situations). Most interviewers will use your resume as a guide to asking questions - so know your resume inside and out.
Take the time to bullet-point the answers to these questions. While you might not receive any of these questions, it will force you to think about things you haven’t thought about in years and it will allow you to give the best, most memorable answer.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you interested in this position?
- What do you know about this job and our company?
- Give me three examples of a time that you lead a group.
- Tell me about a time that you persuaded a group to go along with an idea you had.
- What courses did you enjoy the most?
- What course did you find most difficult?
- What are your short and long-term career goals?
- How would a friend or colleague describe you?
- Describe the last mistake you made on the job?
- What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
- Describe your last job.
- What aspects of your previous jobs did you like? Dislike?
- Why should I hire you?
- Why did you leave your last job?
- What type of work do you like doing best?
- How do you take direction?
- What are your three top strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time when you failed, and what you learned from that experience?
- How long would you stay with the company?
- How do you organize and plan for a major project?
- Can you tell me what’s been happening in our industry during the past year?
- Describe a situation where your work or idea was criticized.
- Give me an example of a time when you made a major presentation.
- Tell me about a time when you learned something new and applied it to solve a problem.
- What aspects of your prior experience do you feel are particularly transferable to our organization?
- You have little substantive experience relative to our work; how do you know that this field is right for you?
- Tell me about a recent crisis you have handled or helped to handle.
- How would you describe the best manager you ever had?
- What will you do if you don’t get this job?
- What role do you usually play on a team?
- Do you prefer working alone or with others?
- How do you get along with different kinds of people?
- Tell me about a difficult situation where you had to rely on your communication skills.
- Are you comfortable talking to strangers on the phone?
- What would you like me to know about you that is not on your resume?
- What level and types of people have you managed?
- What experience have you had in reporting to, or otherwise dealing with, a board of directors or other multi-member governing body?
- Tell me about a decision you have made that you later regretted.
- Did you get an offer from the firm you worked for this summer?
- Do you have other offers? Why would/wouldn’t you take our offer over one of the others?
- What is your management philosophy?
- Define leadership.
- How would you define your leadership style?
- What are some key lessons you have learned about motivating people?
- Are you willing to relocate every two years or so?
- How do you feel about travel?
- What do you think it takes to be successful in this field?
- Where would you like to be in 10 years and how will consulting help you get there?
- Why should I hire you?