Types of Job Interview Questions

Most Common Job Interview Questions

Take the time to review more of the common interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions.

Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions will be more focused than traditional interview questions and you'll need to respond with special examples of how you handled situations in the workplace. Review examples of the questions you may be asked during a behavioral job interview and think about how you would answer them.

Case Interview Questions

In a case interview, the interviewer gives a business scenario and asks the candidate what he or she would do to handle the situation.  These questions are usually related to the organization. The interviewer may also ask interview questions or ask you to solve brain teasers that don’t relate directly to the company. 

Competency Based Interview Questions

Competency based interview questions require candidates to give specific examples of times in which they demonstrated particular skills or attitudes.

Here's information on how to prepare for this type of interview, plus tips for answering and examples of questions.

Problem-Solving Interview Questions

Problem-solving questions often fall into the category of interview questions without a right (or wrong) answer. The interviewer is typically more interested in the process of how you solved the problem than a specific response.

Here’s how to prepare so that you’ll be able to “think on your feet” if you're asked a problem-solving question during a job interview.

Situational Interview Questions

A situational interview is similar to a  behavioral interview where candidates are asked specific questions about what may happen in the workplace. The questions typically involve problem-solving and handling difficult issues and circumstances at work.

Communication Skills Interview Questions

Good communication skills are essential for workplace success. When you interview for a job, the hiring manager will ask about communication skills, including how you handle issues, how you handle difficult situations, what you expect as far as communications from management, and other questions related to your ability to communicate.

Interpersonal Skills Interview Questions

Regardless of the level and type of job you are interviewing for, your interpersonal skills matter. Hiring managers want to be assured that you have the interpersonal skills necessary to get along with colleagues, co-workers, supervisors, managers, clients, vendors, and/or customers. 

IT Interview Questions

When you are interviewing for an Information Technology (IT) job, in addition to the standard interview questions you will be asked during a job interview, you will be asked more focused and specific questions about your education, skills, certifications, languages and tools you have expertise in.

Leadership Interview Questions

When you are being interviewed for job where you will have a leadership role, the hiring manager will want to know about the experience that qualifies you to lead, your leadership style, your accomplishments, and your expectations for the future. 

Management Interview Questions

When you are being interviewed for a management position, the interviewer will want to know about your experience, your management style, what you have accomplished in the past, and what your expectations are for the future.

Sales Interview Questions

When you are interviewing for a sales position, your goal is to sell yourself to the hiring manager. A sales job interview is among the most challenging of interviews, because candidates need to do more than just respond to questions. 

Company Culture Interview Questions

Company culture is the personality of a company and defines what a company, from an employee perspective, is like to work for.  Interview questions about company culture are designed to determine whether you will be a good fit for the organization.

Interview Questions About Your Abilities

During a job interview, you'll be asked questions about your abilities. The key to successfully responding is to focus on your abilities as they relate to the qualifications required for the job. Review common interview questions about your abilities and sample answers.

Interview Questions About Leaving Your Job

When you're interviewing, you will be asked why you left or are going to leave your job. Here are interview questions, along with sample answers, related to leaving your job, getting fired, and what you have been doing if you're not currently employed.

Interview Questions About Salary

Interview questions about salary can be tricky. When you answer questions about compensation at your previous job(s) you need to be honest, because your salary can be verified by a prospective employer. When it comes to how much you want to make, it can be difficult to answer in a way that ensures you'll get paid a fair salary.

Interview Questions About Strengths and Weaknesses

Interviewers want to know what are strong points and what might be an issue if you're hired.  Be prepared to answer so you focus on your qualifications for the job.

Interview Questions About Your Work History

During a job interview you will be expected to provide the details of your work history, include each job you had, starting and ending dates of employment, compensation, positions held, and the companies you worked for.

Interview Questions About Yourself

When an interviewer ask questions about you they are trying to determine how good a fit your are for the company. Is your personality a match for the company culture? Are your goals and job expectations a match for what your role in the company will be if you're hired? How will you fit in with the current team?

Motivation Interview Questions

Interviewers commonly ask about motivation during a job interview. When you're asked about motivation during an interview, the hiring manager is trying to understand what drives your success and and wants to determine whether what motivates you is a fit with the job responsibilities.

Personal Interview Questions

Personal interview questions are questions about you personally - your personality, your work style and work ethic, how you handle stress, what you expect from an employer, and how you handle certain situations.  Before you head out to a job interview, review these personal interview questions and sample answers to get an idea of what you'll be asked and the best way to respond.

Phone Interview Questions

Phone interviews are conducted just like in-person interviews. They are used by hiring managers and recruiters as a tool for screening candidates for employment.   It's important take time to review the typical phone interview questions you'll be asked and to prepare answers.

Teamwork Interview Questions

When asked about teamwork during a job interview, it's important to show enthusiasm for working on a team vs. independently if the position requires teamwork. Give specific examples of teamwork you have participated in successfully.

Time Management Interview Questions

Employers are always concerned about productivity. When they interview candidates for employment they want to know how productive they can expect the person to be and how well the applicant manages their time. 

Qualifications Interview Questions

One of the most important parts of successful interviewing is to relate your qualifications to the job you are interviewing for. It's critical to show the hiring manager why you have the qualifications the company needs in a candidate.

Practice Interview Questions

The more familiar you are with the questions you will be asked during a job interview, the more comfortable you will be responding to the hiring manager. Here are practice interview questions and sample answers for a variety of different occupations and types of jobs.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is "What can I answer for you?" Have interview questions of your own ready to ask. You aren't simply trying to get this job - you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are a good fit for you.